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Trish (Secretracer) : Success Story
 
After she quit smoking, Trish realized there was another area of her life that needed to change. The extra weight she carried was impacting her health. She suffered from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low energy levels, and knee, hip, and back problems. Trish could no longer keep up with her children. She didn't like herself, and this was impacting her marriage and her job.
Trish says her strategies for success were simple: cook healthy meals, limit portion sizes, and work out regularly. She started by recording her food on a regular basis. Trish tries to track a few additional nutrients each week so that she knows how she's doing and can adjust accordingly. For instance, if she adds calcium as a nutrient to track and finds that she's not meeting her daily goal, she'll adjust her diet to add more calcium-rich foods.
In terms of exercise, Trish started with walking and Tae Bo. As her fitness level improved, she wanted to take her exercise to the next level. Now she's training for her first triathlon by biking, swimming and running on a regular basis.
Trish does the grocery shopping for her household, so her entire family is eating better because she no longer buys junk food. "I also realize that not allowing yourself a treat now and then can totally jeopardize your progress. Treats can, and do happen in my plan," says Trish.
Even though she's reached her goal, Trish still uses the nutrition and fitness trackers on a daily basis. She has also found the articles in the Resource Centers to be a helpful source of information. Trish says that the Message Boards have been a big motivator for her. She formed the "Rookie Running Group" and has found so much motivation from others who are working towards the same goals. She is also an active member of the Community Team and says that the Message Boards have been her way to spread the Spark to others.
Trish says the positive changes she's experienced are almost too numerous to list. Some of them include: more energy to play with her kids and even outlast them, a feeling of self-confidence when she looks in the mirror, improved productivity at work and a better relationship with her husband. She lost 51 inches total and went from a size 16-18 to a size 6.
Trish's advice is to get involved in the Community and on the Message Boards. She says she's met so many new friends who have helped her in ways that she never expected. Trish also recommends tracking all of your food—not just carbs, fat and protein, but other nutrients too—and using the meal plans when you're getting started because they are a good foundation for healthy eating.
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| Weight Before: |
183 lbs. |
| Weight After: |
131 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
