What a great reminder, I will be reading and re-reading this to keep me focused. - 7/20/2009   11:18:28 AM

Great Blog thanks!! - 7/16/2009   12:54:08 PM

I so agree with dont take for granted the health you have now. I used to be able to do so much more, but didnt swim because I looked so bad undressed. Now I look worse and of course probably will never be able to swim. I used to walk 2 miles a day and although I never enjoyed it I could do it - now guess what, I am so stiff sometimes I look like the hunchback of notre dame. Tennis - I used to play, then came to a country where it rained so much you could only play for a few weeks in the summer - guess what, now I couldnt play unless a gun was to my head.

Dont stop doing things because they hurt. Exercise is meant to hurt. Dont take [pain for granted - it gets worse if you do and stop exercising. - 7/15/2009   1:40:28 PM

This is awesome =) - 7/10/2009   12:43:14 PM

Great reminder. Thanks for the word. - 7/9/2009   7:21:46 AM

Wonderful reminder of the ways in which to enjoy and appreciate this journey - especially the last point - THANKS SPARKPEOPLE!!! - 7/7/2009   8:41:16 PM

Yaay Nancy! More power for you - Go YOU!! - 7/7/2009   11:12:47 AM

So enjoyed the bill of rights and it is so true if we follow them we are important to ourselves and deserve the best life has to offer thanks for sharing - 7/7/2009   9:00:03 AM

I'll second that "AMEN" - 7/7/2009   7:13:01 AM

I love ANY bill of rights, 10 Commandments lists and so on. They are inspirational and full of insight. I have two LARGE binders full of inspirational items like this one that I've been gathering from the web for years. Loved it and appreciate it sooooooooo much! - 7/6/2009   11:31:25 PM

I'd add "LISTEN TO OLDIES MUSIC AND REMEMBER OUR YOUTH". - 7/6/2009   11:00:59 PM

Thanks, this was a great blog just as you wrote it. - 7/6/2009   9:41:56 PM

Oh I like these thanks. My mom always said "you learn something new everyday" and I have found that to be pretty true. I am very thankful for SP, best place I have ever found for learning and being. - 7/6/2009   5:32:11 PM

Great thoughts!!! Also, Thou shalt share the SPARK when you can!!! Happy Belated 4th...had my "ceremonial hotdog - ketchup and onions please"...enjoyed every bite and now, life goes on!!! - 7/6/2009   2:31:22 PM

Amen! - 7/6/2009   2:16:07 PM

Thou shalt thank the Creator for inspiring the creator of SP! AWESOME!!!! - 7/6/2009   11:51:21 AM

What a great blog! It sums up this whole journey! - 7/6/2009   8:58:55 AM

I shall save this entry, and re read it again and again! thank you. :) - 7/6/2009   2:52:03 AM

Thanks so much. With no activity after surgery, I was discouraged with a 4 lb. weight gain. Can't do much but I can walk. Will start tomorrow morning. Thanks again. - 7/5/2009   11:49:53 PM

Thy shall free thyself from the imprisonment of thy thighs. - 7/5/2009   8:58:14 PM

Thank you, Nancy!
You have given us a long, long list of gifts and this may well be the finest!

Good luck to you on this new path!! - 7/5/2009   8:57:34 PM

Thou shall release thyself from thy scale . Great one - 7/5/2009   8:16:29 PM

Thou shall release thyself from thy scale . Great one - 7/5/2009   8:16:28 PM

I wish that I could not be a slave to my scales. I know that I am wrong, but I still weigh once a day - as soon as I get out of bed. My support group (TOPS) meets once a week. I must weigh then. At the present time I have 7 pounds left to lose. It is going slowly, but steadily. - 7/5/2009   7:45:41 PM

Loved this. - 7/5/2009   6:32:36 PM

Love this! I did a similar blog about gaining independence from what hinders us... your bill of rights list is a great, important one. I look forward to seeing how FREE you become in the coming months.. You can do it! :) - 7/5/2009   5:56:09 PM

I am really working on that scale one. - 7/5/2009   4:55:07 PM

((((Nancy)))))) WOW what an awesome blog and what wonderful Bill of Rights~
I wouldnt 'add' a thing and hope to be able to acomplish these all soon!!!
YOU are AWESOME!!!!
- 7/5/2009   4:19:51 PM

Very nice and I agree with some of your points. - 7/5/2009   4:12:11 PM

"Thou shalt " use negative terminology to reinforce positive thinking.

Using negative terminology is less likely to persuade the desirable, positive thinking process. Better to say, “I will smile and be happy this day,” than to say, “I won’t be grumpy this day.” - 7/5/2009   2:58:49 PM

You should never let a day pass without visiting SP pages and communicating with your SP friends

Uhura - 7/5/2009   2:43:07 PM

I just came back from a BBQ at the beach where I ate less than I would have a year ago, but more than I should have if I had kept my goals in mind. Your Bill of Rights is just what I needed after entering all my "sins" into my nutrition tracker. Thank you. - 7/5/2009   2:38:48 PM

Thou shall always remember that having a sense of humor helps keep your life balanced. - 7/5/2009   2:03:50 PM

A very timely blog. I applaud the content and the intent.For those of us who get wrapped around the use of the "Thou shalt not" wording, I encourage you to read for the intent and theme.
Let's relax, try to be healthy and just live better.
Well done! - 7/5/2009   1:41:02 PM

Way to go Nancy. I constantly need these reminders - I haven't been able to grasp this freedom yet! But I'm working on it! - 7/5/2009   1:36:53 PM

Good to see someone has their head on straight. That is awsome. - 7/5/2009   1:34:38 PM

Thanks for sharing. Continue on your journey.

Thou Shalt have the faith & will power to move you to your next adventure. - 7/5/2009   1:26:28 PM

This is such a great reminder! Thanks for sharing. - 7/5/2009   1:05:18 PM

Absolutely loved it!! Thank you so much Nancy for sharing your "Bill of Rights" with us... - 7/5/2009   12:31:15 PM

That was absolutely Brillant. Thank you so much. I hope SP puts it on a plack to sell in the store . Plus put it so we all can print it up.
what an Inspirational post. - 7/5/2009   12:23:03 PM

This is by far one of the best blog I've read.
I wouldn't add a thing but if I did it would read.

Thou shalt never give up, be proud of who you are.

Thanks for sharing with us Nancy, It is GREAT!! - 7/5/2009   12:03:25 PM

Thou shalt never compare thyself to another. Everyone gets different results at different times! - 7/5/2009   11:50:28 AM

i love your declaration, we should take it and vow not to give, Like I have so many times in the past. Not anymore!!! - 7/5/2009   11:47:44 AM

That was perfect!!!! Great rules to live by!!! - 7/5/2009   11:33:00 AM

Thank You. I wouldn't add a thing. - 7/5/2009   11:12:07 AM

I'm a sparkpeople member who is English, and living in South Korea..A bill of rights here as a foreigner is a laughable concept...I'm maybe a size 4/6 us(I'm not sure of the uk/us sizing, i'm a size 8 uk) and I'm told I can;t try on clothes...because I'm too big! It's unforrunately usually related to me being 'foreign'. I'm frequently told, I'm too big and will stretch the clothes, despite Korean girls of the same shape or bigger trying clothes on.

.Overall, I lovef the articles on Sparkpeople, even tho they can be quite specialised to American culture. Maybe a bit more of an international input would be welcome. Otherwise, everyhing is fantastuc :) - 7/5/2009   10:18:54 AM

Thanks! - 7/5/2009   10:09:23 AM

I liked it and it's "Your Bill of Rights" not the USA's and the title doesn't matter to me, the content was great. I agree the scales should not define us, but it can be a great tool to help keep us on track. Thanks for sharing with us. - 7/5/2009   10:08:56 AM

I'd add, "Thou shalt thank Nancy for sharing her wisdom and experience with us!" Your Bill of Rights is as realistic as it is inspiring! And you can tell by my name that I hear you on the "no-more-diets" score. - 7/5/2009   9:51:05 AM

Fantastic! I am making a copy and put up on my refrigerator with my other motivators. Thanks. - 7/5/2009   9:47:14 AM