Meet Joyce (username GATORJOY), a SparkPeople member who has lost 60 pounds! Learn how she did it, and see how she continues to keep the weight off!

What is your age?: I am 60 years old.

How long have you been a SparkPeople member? How did you find SparkPeople?: I have been a SparkPeople member since July of 2010.

What is your favorite feature on SparkPeople?: The Nutrition Tracker.

How much weight have you lost?: Between 55 and 60 pounds.

How long did it take to lose the weight?: It took me 9 months.

What was your light bulb moment that made you decide to lose weight?: I saw a picture of myself that showed me how big I had become.

What was your biggest obstacle while trying to lose weight?: I thought I needed money to lose weight until I found SparkPeople!

What does your weekly exercise schedule look like?: Yoga class at least twice per week and at least one cardio class per week. I also have a daily schedule at home of 10 minutes of strength training, such as lifting small weights, or doing crunches, sit-ups and bicycle crunches.

What is your favorite way to exercise?: A group class, or sports activities such as golf, hiking or softball.

Do you have any personal fitness goals coming up?: Not really anything specific. I'm just trying to stay healthy as long as I can.

What does a typical day of food look like for you? How does this compare to the way you ate before your transformation?:
Breakfast is usually two slices of peanut butter toast  with a banana, clementine or apple, and a cup of coffee.

Lunch is a protein such as canned salmon or baked turkey, with a fruit and a vegetable. Snacks are usually low-sodium V8, or perhaps a dry cereal.

Dinner is usually a protein and a vegetable and a fruit. My portions are much smaller than in the past and I eat to live instead of living to eat. I think of food much more, and I don't put everything I want in my mouth. Instead, I plan my meals and have occasional planned treats. Every once in a while, I'll even incorporate days where I don't track at all.

What is your favorite healthy food?: Fresh fruits, which I always have on hand. I like pineapple, apples, bananas, clementines and grapes.

What is your favorite treat food?: Chocolate brownies or Krave Cereal.

Who is your biggest inspiration?: All the other Sparkers that I see who have lost weight and now maintain a new lifestyle.

Do you have a personal mantra/saying/quote that you live by that you’d like to share?: I want to always remember where I used to be so I won't ever return to that place! Looking at where I used to be compared to where I am now, life is so much better.  I used to avoid pictures, especially full-length ones. Now, I don't mind at all!


Has Joyce inspired you? What tips of hers can you use in your own healthy-living journey?