Excited to get started

Posts: 1,591
5/6/12 11:15 A

SparkPoints: (165,776)
Fitness Minutes: (74,082)
Posts: 21,062
5/6/12 10:54 A

Hi and congratulations on beginning your Spark journey!

There's so much here to help you along the way and excellent advice to setting and achieving healthy goals. With the thousands and thousands of fellow Sparkers you will always find someone you can connect with. I am always amazed how many lives have been changed for the better through the use of SparkPeople.

If you have not already done so, I suggest that you check out the videos in the "Healthy Lifestyle" section. Scroll down for the site orientation videos.

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_ar
ticles.asp?id=571

That should point you in the right direction. I find that if you just start looking around Spark, you will quickly learn about the wonderful tools available for your use. After being a Sparker since 2007, I still find something new and very useful.

Welcome and best wishes!

SparkPoints: (11,213)
Fitness Minutes: (7,658)
Posts: 1,229
5/6/12 8:47 A

Hello and Welcome to Sparks!

If there is any way I can help, just let me know!

Irish smiles,
Shannon

SparkPoints: (157,583)
Fitness Minutes: (172,692)
Posts: 53,925
5/6/12 7:14 A

Welcome to SP. I wish you the very best on your journey.

SparkPoints: (195,460)
Fitness Minutes: (124,654)
Posts: 45,090
5/6/12 2:27 A

WELCOME TO SPARK!!!
Congrats on taking the first step into changing your life to a more healthier one by joining the site. Spark is filled with amazing people that will motivate, support and encourage you on your journey. There is so much to learn and discover here, take this one day at a time. A couple of things I would like to suggestion to make you Spark experience a great one.

1. Make goals for yourself. Each month I make a list of what I want to accomplish that month and break them down to smaller goals to work with week by week. This way the BIG picture doesn't seem so big.

2. Join Spark teams. There are tons of teams here and you will be able to find ones that fit to what you like or want in a team.

The key to success here is to be active and you've already started by joining. You will find that everyone is willing to help you out if you need it. Spark friends are here for support, motivation and encouragement. Good luck on your journey to a healthier lifestyle! Again, welcome to the SP family!
*~ Paula *~

SparkPoints: (73,879)
Fitness Minutes: (33,495)
Posts: 4,017
5/6/12 12:49 A

I second what everyone else has mentioned! There are a ton of resources here! I recommend starting with the nutrition/food tracker because that is the key element in weight loss for most people. Then, once you are comfortable with tracking your food on a daily basis, you can slowly start adding in and exploring more areas of this site. I still find something new here almost every day. It works well for me. I've tracked everything since last May and am over 80 pounds lighter to show for it. It takes a little bit of time, but it is sooooo worth it!


Edited by: MPLSKEN at: 5/6/2012 (00:49)

SparkPoints: (69,690)
Fitness Minutes: (48,987)
Posts: 4,256
5/6/12 12:45 A

You've made a great choice for yourself in joining Sparkpeople. Take your time to explore all that is available to you here. There are so many resources and tools I guarantee it will seem overwhelming. Settle into it. Take your time. Stay positive. Practice something new. Change something small. Celebrate your progress. Learn from missteps. It's all good. Take care of yourself. Join a Spark Team or two based on your own goals, interests, hobbies. Give lots of support. Ask for and get support from others as you need. Always, always...remember to Enjoy the Journey.

SparkPoints: (24,463)
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Posts: 1,404
5/5/12 11:54 P

Welcome! I think that's the perfect approach! I love it here, and I hope you'll find all the tools you need. If you don't, feel free to ask, because everyone here loves to help.

Posts: 4
5/5/12 11:48 P

Hello everyone! I am excited to begin this journey. I am going to start with small goals at first and work towards major changes. I think I'll be more successful that way. I wish everyone success in their own goals!