Welcome! And thanks for stopping by.

At my age, I am trying hard to focus on all the good things that happen around the half-century mark. According to my dad, you start feeling younger. If that is true, then Dad is sure acting like a teenager!

I've been on SP a while now and really love it. This site has helped me lose weight and has tempered my frustration with the mid-life, mid-section weight gains. Since joining SP in September 2007, my weight loss process has ...

Welcome! And thanks for stopping by.

At my age, I am trying hard to focus on all the good things that happen around the half-century mark. According to my dad, you start feeling younger. If that is true, then Dad is sure acting like a teenager!

I've been on SP a while now and really love it. This site has helped me lose weight and has tempered my frustration with the mid-life, mid-section weight gains. Since joining SP in September 2007, my weight loss process has agonizingly s-l-o-w, but I've kept most of it off. Woo-Hoo!

1/2/13--After over 5 years, I still love SP and use the site daily. My current log-in streak dates to February 2012. I log everything--the good, the bad, and the ugly! I've had some of each during the last year. I'm pleased to report that I weigh less at the beginning of this year, than I did last year. I also tried a few new things for me--lots of strength training, leading a SparkTeam, and tofu. If I've learned anything at SP, it's that all the little things really can add up to a much healthier lifestyle.

6/2/12--I lost about 40 pounds in 2007-08 and hovered in the 140s until mid-2011 when I had some elective surgery. Unfortunately, I've gained back about 10 pounds. So I need to re-commit, especially to portion control!

12/28/11--Looking at my 2011 resolutions, I see that I still have those 20 lbs that have been hanging around now 21 years; and my fitness level has decreased a bit. I took 6 weeks off from exercise this summer to recover from elective surgery. Mostly what I've discovered is that I've lost my ability to 'bounce back,' and must really work hard to regain my cardio fitness and strength. The good news is that I've resolved two long-time medical issues this year and can now do some things that I've not been able to do since my 20s. Yay! Now, I just have to learn to do them slower.

1/28/11--The theme of my 2011 resolutions seems to focus on some long-standing issues: the 20 lbs that have been hanging around for 20 years; the need to progress past my current level of fitness; my continued need for increased flexibility and strength. I hope that by working on these issues I will finally be able to achieve a normal weight range--something that has eluded me for a very long time.

7/15/09--Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I decided that I really needed to make some changes to become healthy again. I'm thrilled with the results so far, and encouraged to keep going. I count every new healthy habit as a success.

I no longer have an "all or nothing" attitude. If I have a bad day or eat out of my calorie range, I don't give up anymore. I just vow to do better the next day and begin to make immediate changes during the 'bad' day. I'll grab another glass of water and some fruits or veggies and call the bad day "DONE!" This is a huge attitude shift for me.

3/20/09--I had my first major illness since joining SP. It took me by surprise. I was quite sick for 10 days around the Thanksgiving 2008 holiday. That sure helped me drop weight! I saw a low of 143.5, a number I haven't seen in at least 8 years. Unfortunately, for me encouraged often means giving myself permission to celebrate and eat, which I did over the Christmas holiday. Presently, I'm hovering around the 142 mark, and hope to break out of the 140s any day now. I've been here long enough.

I feel fortunate that I know how to maintain my weight now (lots of practice here on SP), but I would like to lose more weight. I have never seen my pre-pregnant weight of 125 lbs, and my oldest child was born in 1990! I would really like to know if I could be in the 120s. I have wondered about it for many years and still feel like it is an attainable goal for me.

9/13/08--Well, here I am at my one-year anniversary at SP. Overall, it's been a great year. I have not been sick at all--not one little cough, cold or sniffle. This is another measure of progress for me. Although I really wanted to be at my goal weight now, I feel like I've made tremendous progress. I'm not sure I'll ever get to my GW--my 'moon'--but I feel like I am 'landing among the stars.'

All of my 'bad' numbers are down: weight, BMI, blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. I've lost my 'saddlebags' but still carry my weight in the middle. Could I PLEASE find my waist?!

I've maintained many good habits over the last year, including exercising 6 days a week, with ST on 3 of those days. I'm drinking lots of water; eating lots of fruits and veggies; and only doing those things that I'm willing to do forever. That means I continue to eat ice cream and chocolate and other desserts on a regular basis. Now, I just eat them in moderation.

I don't have many bad habits (I don't smoke, drink, gamble; heck, I don't even drink coffee), but I do enjoy dessert!

Thanks to all my SP friends and teams. I'm glad to be here.

8/26/08--I've kept up on the fitness and nutrition trackers and that has really helped. I saw my doctor in July for my annual physical and was encouraged and congratulated on my progress to date. That sure helped! I'm back to seeing a dietitian, whom I really like. She has some great tips. Today I saw her again and was again encouraged. I finally got to change my weight ticker! Let's hope it keeps going DOWN.

6/1/08--It's been a slow weight-loss quarter for me. I have backed down on the strength training, increased my cardio a bit, but haven't consistently held to the food plan. I have struggled with an unbelievable busy family, school, and work schedule and it shows! Fortunately, I have not gained a significant amount of weight, but I've barely lost any either.

I've alternated between being encouraged and feeling great, to just the opposite. I'm glad because I didn't fall back on old habits and give up when the going has gotten tough. I'm bummed that I haven't been able to do more to improve my lifestyle and keep up the weight loss. I am discouraged that this is taking so long, as I had hoped to be at goal by Sept. 2008, my one-year anniversary on SP. I realize that will not happen. So I keep plugging away...

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FAVORITE QUOTATIONS

"I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."
--H. Jackson Brown

"To keep a lamp burning, we have to put oil in it." --Mother Teresa

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
--Les Brown

"There are two ways to spread light; to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it."
--Edith Wharton

"Don't sacrifice your chance at a bonfire because you're too busy trying to keep a tiny match from going out. "
--SP Healthy Reflections

"You cannot accept another with a hateful heart. You cannot hear the other with a closed mind. You cannot embrace with closed arms. You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."
--Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi

Read More About JCEDIT89 (Updated May 4)

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