January/February weight management challenge

[Crankin]

My genetics are a mixed bag. While my mom was very petite and slim for most of her life (and active at a time when women weren't) she did start gaining in her mid fifties. Then she got diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disease, so all of anything about diet/exercise went out the window. She died at 67. My dad has had thin and quite heavy periods in his life, but I would say he is mostly thin. But, since my mom's death, he eats terribly and still smokes. He's never exercised.
I have very heavy relatives on both sides of my family. My mom's sister is 70 and very overweight. Three of my grandparents had periods of being overweight, with only my paternal grandmother being thin (and strikingly gorgeous) until the day she died. Needless to say, no one was active. My dad thinks i'm nuts, but humors me.
I have not been thin all of my life. I started gaining when I got out of college, lost the weight and was very thin until my early to mid forties. I struggled with an extra 10-20 lbs until I started cycling at age 48. I made a conscious decision, though, to always be vigilant. And, it's not easy, as you said, Emily. DH and I always say that just once, we would like to be like "regular" people, i.e. people who don't care what goes into their bodies and are not active. But, it's not meant to be. As you said, Emily, if I didn't live the lifestyle I do, I would be at least 30 pounds heavier.