I'm 53 years old, live in the Pacific Northwest, have a cat named Beau, and a partner of 16 years.O I changed my picture again ...

My member name came about after trying about 5 different choices that were already taken; I got a little crabby, so that explains that. :o)

I've had weight issues most of my life, though my love for walking and adventure kept me healthy. Well, until I blew out my left knee my second time skiing; that kind of put a crimp in my mountain climbing, hiking, etc. My other knee went when I vaulted over a counter chasing a paper airplane... I know, I know. I don't have much cartilage left in either knee, but water aerobics is a great thing.

February 3, 2014, I had a total knee replacement in my left knee. I've done great with rehabbing it; I started going back to the gym at 3 weeks, Zumba at 6 weeks, and am back to Zumba 4 times a week at 3 months.

I love baking, cooking, trying new recipes, culinary adventures. Adventures in eating and health issues added up until I, at 5'3", weighed 255 pounds at one point. I started walking, going to as many water aerobics classes as I could, and some light weight training helped me get as low as 148 a few years back. In 2008 another health issue, MS, turned my world upside down & I gained weight until I weighed 202.

With proper medications and motivation, I returned to water aerobics, then added a Silver Sneakers Strength class twice a week. I'm cooking healthy meals, baking my own healthy bread, and found the calorie counter app for Fatsecret, which helps me a lot more than my food diary did! Next came Zumba; love it!

I had my right total knee replacement November 24, 2014. Once again, I was released to return to Zumba after 6 weeks. June 7, 2015, I became certified as a Zumba Instructor, though I'm not teaching. I have more work to do before I'm ready for that. I'm continuing to learn.....