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Runningwater : Success Story
 
Runningwater retired from the Army, so he was used to being fit for many years. About 12 years ago, he quit smoking and started gaining weight. His clothes didn't fit and he was out of shape. His yoga practice suffered because he couldn't bend and stretch like he wanted to. Simple outdoor chores like cutting the grass became more difficult, since he sweated so much and had to slow down frequently. Runningwater tired easily, lacked strength, and felt older than he wanted to.
Runningwater tried to lose weight on his own by cutting calories and watching what he ate. He joined a gym, walked on the treadmill, and lost a little weight. But he didn't have the motivation to continue. When he found SparkPeople, he decided to put more effort into changing his lifestyle. He started tracking his food and paying more attention to food labels. He also got a handle on nighttime "snacking" which had been a problem for him in the past.
Runningwater also joined his local YMCA. He started slowly with 20 minutes on the treadmill and began strength training. Now he is up to 90 minutes of cardio which includes, walking, jogging and other challenging activities. He also continues to strength train, working to add muscle to his shoulders and arms.
The first time Runningwater joined SparkPeople, he did not use many of the available resources and soon stopped logging in. This time he read articles in the Resource Center, tracked his food with the Nutrition Tracker and his exercise with the Fitness Tracker. He says getting involved made a big difference in his success.
Runningwater says the Message Boards continue to be his greatest source of motivation. He has gotten to know so many wonderful people, joined in challenges to stay accountable, and found buddies that he checks in with every day.
In addition to losing 22 pounds, Runningwater went from size 42 to size 32 pants. He says his clothes fit much better and he gets nothing but compliments on his lifestyle and appearance.
"I can do all the things I enjoy with a passion- dance, yoga, drumming- without losing energy," says Runningwater. Doing yard work is also much simpler and he can finish the job without wearing out.
For anyone just beginning, Runningwater recommends developing your own program and figuring out what works best for you. Being committed and determined to reach your goals is also important.
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| Weight Before: |
187 lbs. |
| Weight After: |
165 lbs. |
Are you interested in being featured for your success? Tell your story on your SparkPage and other members can vote for you to become a " SparkPeople Motivator!"
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SparkPeople's 500-Calorie Thanksgiving Feast
