"there will be no end to your success if you remember that determination not destiny, makes all the difference in life. In all matters of consequence never, never, NEVER give up" Author Unknown.

No matter where you are at in your journey know that YOU CAN do this!! I want people to know that it doesn't take a crazy diet, magic pills, killing your self 7 days a week at the gym, starving yourself, or ridiculous programs to lose weight and get healthy. It WILL take time, it WILL ...

"there will be no end to your success if you remember that determination not destiny, makes all the difference in life. In all matters of consequence never, never, NEVER give up" Author Unknown.

No matter where you are at in your journey know that YOU CAN do this!! I want people to know that it doesn't take a crazy diet, magic pills, killing your self 7 days a week at the gym, starving yourself, or ridiculous programs to lose weight and get healthy. It WILL take time, it WILL take commitment, and LOTS of effort, but if you stick with it you WILL succeed!! We ALL have the strength inside of us to make mountains move! So tap that power and go for it!!!

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ALSO FOLLOW ME ON MY BLOG WWW.FROMPHATTOFIT.BLOGSPOT.COM and read my page for how I've succeeded @ losing and please stop by and say hello too I love new spark friends!

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HI!! My name is Stacey, and I am a 28 year old wife, step mom, & accountant who in 9 years managed to pile on 90 pounds. Each year I got a little bigger, had to buy clothing a size bigger, and ignorantly ignored the problems literally starring me in the face. At my peak in Sept 2008 I was 210 pounds a size 18 with my clothes not even fitting, obese, and miserable. I ate almost nothing but fast food, and NEVER exercised. I suffered from constant head aches, acid reflux, insomnia and was at high risk for becoming a diabetic. I was at my lowest of lows. I had **tried to lose weight before. I use that term loosely because who was I kidding, I never TRULY tried -- I never put my heart in it, I never committed myself, I thought quick fix fad diets, weight loss pills, and extreme programs we're all it took. I tried it all: Atkins, South Beach, Metabolife, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, but truthfully though they worked temporarily, I never stuck with them, and I ALWAYS gained the weight back and then some!

Everyone I'm sure has had that nightmare where you show up for an event naked, people laugh and point and your totally embarrassed? Well my nightmare was a little different. I walk into my 10 year HS reunion (90 pounds heavier than when I graduated), the music stops, the entire room stops talking, everyone turns and stares at me, the jaws drop to the floor, and they all start to whisper and point. That nightmare was a year away from coming true.

September 2008 I woke up! Had my AH HAH moment. I was DONE! Done being the fat friend, done crying in dressing rooms, done getting winded after 1 flight of stairs, done covering up with layers of clothes, done struggling to keep up with my kids, done feeling tired all the time, done with the headaches, heart burn and insominia, and done feeling bad about myself! It finally all clicked. I needed to make MAJOR changes in my life. No more fast fixes, no more temporary ones either. I wanted a NEW life and I was DONE letting excuses and denial get in my way! My old ways and my current lifestyle just wasn't working for me any more and I was becoming a person I didn't want to be. I didn't want just to be skinny, I wanted to be healthy, I wanted to live longer, I wanted to be FIT, I wanted people to be jealous of my arms LOL! Starring at myself in the mirror one day I said to myself "Stacey, you don't like it -- then get off your butt and DO SOMETHING about it!" So I DID! and I haven't looked back.

My nightmare will never come true. Here I am 12 months I went to my 10 year reunion proud and loving myself, I'm 80 pounds lighter, 10 years younger, and 2000 times happier! I did it all by simply eating right, exercising, and never giving up! Thanks to the tools here on spark people and the amazing support, I've achieved something I was never able to before. I did the work, spark people gave me the reinforcement to make it happen!

Questions I get asked a lot:

1. "But HOW did you do it?"
Well first I determined my goals, then I put a plan in place how I was going to reach those goals: I cut out fast food and soda, I worked out at the gym 5 days a week, I stayed with in my spark recommended calorie and nutritional ranges, logged everything (on spark), cooked primarily at home, Limited eating out, planned meals ahead, went to the store with a list, remained positive, stayed patient, ate 5 times a day, drank lots of water, and no matter what when I fell off the wagon - I got RIGHT back on!

2. "What KIND of exercises did you do?"
At first I used the elliptical machines and resistance machines 5 days a week for about an hour. As I got stronger and developed more endurance I started to explore cardio classes like spinning, turbo kick boxing, and zumba then I added outdoor hiking and biking. I also incorporated strength training classes. As I got stronger and developed more stamina I was able to increase the weights in ST, increase intensity in my work outs, and increase my work out duration. I now work out 5 days a week for an hour and a half to two hours each night, I hike on weekends, I'm hiking the Grand Canyon October 23rd 2009 and just got P90X too - see "my program" for my specific work out schedule.

3. "What EXACTLY is your diet like"
On a typical day I try to stay on the low end of my recommended spark ranges. I do have days that I go over (like weekends) so I feel that keeping it low during the week makes up for any overages on the weekends. I am working on keeping the overages to a minimum. On a normal day I have breakfast: usually cereal, fruit, and skim milk. Mid Morning Snack: Fruit or Yogurt. Lunch: A low sodium turkey sandwich on low cal bread with fresh veggies no cheese mustard only or a salad with chicken or turkey. Mid Afternoon Snack: Fruit or Nuts, Peanut Butter & Apples. Dinner: Protein (chicken, fish, turkey) & a vegetable or Sweet Potato, sometimes a salad or brown rice. I love fresh fruit and veggies. I never ate them before but now they are a staple in my household. Soy protein shakes, granola bars, oatmeal, cereal, and 100 calorie packs are also something you'll see a lot of in my pantry & fridge-- but I try to keep my sodium as low as possible. I try to limit starchy foods like pasta, white bread, potatoes, white rice etc. and stick to more whole grains. I still have treats, but I try to make them just that 'treats' in moderation. I'm still a sweet a holic, but I do my best to substitute healthier options to appease my sweet tooth - like "ice cream" sandwiches... Fat Free Cool Whip & Low Fat Graham Crackers.

4. "Do you have loose skin?"
I've been asked this question a lot and its something I was also very nervous about starting out. Having near 90 pounds to lose I thought I would be left with gross hanging skin. But I think it depends on the person and I think has a lot to do with your general body composition and how much weight you have to lose. Surprisingly I do not have a lot of lose hanging skin but I do have problem areas like my stomach and flabby chicken wings. My trainer says with continued ST and reducing my BF% I should be able to tone these areas up with out too much flabbiness left though so I am optimistic. I think there are factors that have helped the loose skin area. I've never had kids. I know that can be a pretty big factor as far as stomachs go, but I did carry a lot of my weight in my stomach (sadly people did ask me when I was due when I was never pregnant) and I know everyone is different. Some women bounce right back after babies, and some women are never the same again. I also lost the weight slowly, I lost on average 1.45 pounds per week, this allowed my skin time to stretch back. I know we're all in a hurry, but there actually are benefits to losing it slow. I strength trained from the very start. ST has so many benefits, but one of them is that it makes you tone and trim. You can take two women who weigh the exact same, are the same height, body frame etc... but they can two totally different body types and looks due to body fat/muscle composition. I am planning on starting P90X soon, will let you know how that goes.

5. "How did you keep going/ what kept you motivated?"
"NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING". My desire to become a "me I could love" outweighed the desire to give up. When I decided to make these changes I didn't just set out to lose a few pounds. I committed to making a better life for myself over all. I never accepted failure as an option, and I told myself every day no matter what I'd become the person I wanted to be inside and out. Sure I had days where I didn't feel like doing anything, days where a McDonald's cheeseburger just sounded so good (and I'll admit I've even had a couple). But I've always kept my eye on the prize and always on the big picture. No matter what happens in life, how crazy my schedule gets, or how tired I am -- I know I want this and I'm not going to let anything stand in my way. I remember how unhappy I was and that keeps me going. Just like Dory on Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming". I'm not perfect I've had good days and bad, I've taken days off, but I've always come back to my goals. Knowing this isn't just something I'm doing for now, that this is a lifestyle change, has helped me immensely! I've never been able to maintain weight loss before, but this time I know I will because this is the new me. The fast food addicted old me doesn't exist any more, neither does the lazy never get off the couch girl. Showing myself what I'm capable of, and proving to myself just how much of a strong woman I am has shown me that I can achieve anything i can set out to do AND SO CAN YOU!!
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STATS:
STARTING WEIGHT: 210
STARTING SIZE (BOTTOMS): 16-18
STARTING SIZE (TOP): XL-XXL
STARTING BRA SIZE: 42DD
STARTING BMI: 37 (obese)
STARTING BF%: 44% (OH MY)

CURRENT WEIGHT: 132
CURRENT SIZE (BOTTOMS): 4/2/small
CURRENT SIZE (TOPS): Small
CURRENT BRA SIZE: 34C
CURRENT BMI: 23 (Healthy)
CURRENT BF%: 27%

GOAL WEIGHT: Somewhere between 115-125??
GOAL SIZE (BOTTOMS): 2
GOAL SIZE (TOPS): SMALL
GOAL BRA SIZE: 34C-34B
GOAL BMI:19-21
GOAL BF% 20-22% TONED!!

STARTING MEASUREMENTS 10/31/08:
Waist: 37"
Hips: 45"
Chest: 39.75"
Neck: 13"
Biceps: 12.75"
Calves: 16"
Forearms: 10"

MEASUREMENTS AS OF 8/26/09:
Waist: 28.5" (-8.5")
Hips: 37" (-8")
Chest: 32.5" (-7.25")
Neck: 11.5" (-1.5")
Biceps: 10.25" (-5" both arms)
Calves: 14.5" (-3" both legs)
Forearms: 8.5" (-3" both arms)
Total Inches Lost to Date: 34.75"

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WEEKLY UPDATES:
09/25/08 210 lbs (starting weight - Size 16)
10/02/08 207 lbs (-3)
10/09/08 203 lbs (-4)
10/13/08 202 lbs (-1)
10/20/08 201 lbs (-1)
10/25/08 198 lbs (-3)
11/02/08 197.4 lbs (-.6)
11/10/08 193.8 lbs (-3.6)
11/17/08 191.6 lbs (-2.2)
11/24/08 189.4 lbs (-2.2) (20lbs GONE)
12/01/08 186.4 lbs (-3)
12/08/08 183.8 lbs (-2.6)
12/15/08 179.8lbs (-4) (size 12)
12/22/08 177.6lbs (-2.2) (no longer OBESE)
12/28/08 176.4lbs (-1.2)
01/05/09 173.8lbs (-2.6)
01/12/09 171.8lbs (-2)
01/21/09 169.6lbs (-2.2) (40lbs GONE)
01/26/09 168.8lbs (-0.8)
02/02/09 168lbs (-0.8)
02/09/09 168lbs (Same)
02/16/09 165lbs (-3)
02/23/09 167.2 (+2.2 lbs)
03/02/09 163.2 (-4lbs)
**changing weigh in day from Mondays to FRIDAYS**
03/13/09 159.8 (-3.4)
03/20/09 157 (-2.8)
03/27/09 157 (Same)
04/03/09 155 (-2lbs YAY)
04/10/09 152.2 (-2.8 lbs)
04/17/09 152 (-.2 lbs)
04/24/09 153 (+1lb)
05/01/09 152 (-1 lb)
05/08/09 154 (+2 lb)
05/15/09 151 (-3lbs)
05/22/09 150.4 (-.6lbs)
05/29/09 150.0 (-.4lbs) (60lbs GONE)
06/05/09 147.4 (-2.6lbs) (HEALTHY BMI ACHIEVED)
06/12/09 No Weigh In
06/19/09 147.6 (+.2lbs)
06/26/09 147.6 (same)
07/03/09 148.0 (+.4)
07/10/09 148.0 (0) (fit into a pair of size 6 shorts)
07/17/09 146.8 (-1.2lbs)
07/24/09 144.0 (-2.8lbs)
07/31/09 142.8 (-1.2lbs)
08/07/09 142.8 (-0)
08/14/09 140.4 (-2.4lbs)
08/21/09 139.2 (-1.2lbs) (70lbs GONE-First size small shirt)
08/28/09 138.6 (-.6lbs) (INCREASING STRENGTH TRAINING)
09/04/09 137 (-1.6lbs)
09/12/09 136 (-1 lb - Purchased first pair of size 4s)
09/18/09 137.4 (+1.4lbs TOM :( )
09/25/09 135 (-2.4)1 YEAR SPARKAVERSARY
10/02/09 134.5 (-.5) Purchased 3 pairs size 2 pants
10/09/09 132.8 (-1.7lbs) 10 year HS Reunion OCT 10th
10/16/09 135 (+2.2) Not such a great week
10/23/09 No Weigh In - At the bottom of the Grand Canyon
10/30/09 133 (-2)
11/06/09 133.8 (+0.8)
11/13/09 134.8 (+1.0 )
11/20/09 132.6 (-2.2)
11/27/09
12/04/09
12/11/09
12/18/09
12/25/09
11/01/10
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Goal:.........................Reward:
200 lbs...Pedicure (achieved 10/22/08)
195 lbs...Weights (achieved 11/6/08)
190 lbs...Anniversary Dinner Outfit (achieved 11/18/08)
185 lbs...A trip to NY & Co - clothes. (achieved 12/6/08)
180 lbs...A pair of boots (achieved 12/12/08)
175 lbs...A Hat at Disneyland (Achieved 1/1/09)
170 lbs...Bike Gear- (achieved 1/21/09)
165 lbs...New Work Out Clothes (Achieved 2/13/09)
160 lbs...Clothes *Goal 3/13/09* (Achieved 3/11/09)
155 lbs...See a Movie *Goal 4/03/09* (Achieved 4/3/09)
150 lbs...Workout Clothes*Goal 4/24/09* (Achieved 5/16/09)
145 lbs...New Running Shoes (Achieved 7/21/09)
140 lbs...Make Over - Hair, Glasses, Clothes (Achieved 8/15/09)
135 lbs...Legally Blonde Musical (achieved 9/25/09)
130 lbs...New York & Co shopping trip -- prepaid reward 10/2/09
125 lbs..
120 lbs...
115 lbs...

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STACEY'S TIPS:

1. GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!!! This battle will be 80% diet, 20% exercise, and 100% MENTAL. What worked for me may not work for you. Losing weight is basically two things eating right and exercising. Don't make it more complicated than it is. Make a plan and do you best to stick to the plan. Attitude is EVERYTHING! Every day say "I CAN DO THIS" don't underestimate the "POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING"! Take the word "DIET" out of your vocabulary forever!! This is not a temporary fix, IT IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE! In order to make these changes last we have to re-train ourselves by erasing our bad habits and creating healthy new ones. "we can't become what we need by remaining what we are" Max Dupree.

2. GET MOVING!!! Boost that metabolism and burn those calories!! Walking, hiking, jogging, taking a class, taking the dog around the block, chasing your kids at the playground, taking the stairs, park in the farthest parking space, buy a work out DVD!! Remember slow and steady wins the race. Don't forget strength training too, even if you just start with small weights, building muscle is what will make you look trim & speed your metabolism which means burning more calories at rest (I like that!). Think of it as attacking it from both sides, strength training builds muscle from with in, cardio burns the fat from the outside~ so if your doing both the quicker you will see that definition.

3. BE ACCOUNTABLE!!! Log your food-the good the bad and the ugly NO EXCEPTIONS. Just because you don't log it doesn't mean you didn't eat it. Even for people who say they don't like counting calories or 'don't have the time to log' ~ take the 5-10 minutes a day it takes to do it. You'll be amazed how easy it can be to go overboard when we aren't paying attention to the details and underestimate calories. Not to mention it's been scientifically proven those who track what they eat are 10 times more likely to get the weight off and KEEP it off! I like those odds so what can it hurt? Besides if you have time to watch TV, read a book, take a nap, go to the mall - you have time to log!

4. STAY COMMITTED!!! Its important to keep yourself motivated, but more so than motivation it takes commitment. Motivation can come and go depending on how you feel that day. COMMITMENT lasts no matter whats happening. YOU CAN DO THIS! DON'T EVER GIVE UP!! We can't obsess over every slip up or mistake ~ but we can learn from them. If you blow it or give yourself a treat, make it that A TREAT, not an excuse to splurge the rest of the day. Make a plan and stick to the plan, even when life gets in the way.

5. FOOD IS YOUR BEST FRIEND!! Food is not the enemy, for so long I thought this was true. There are TONS of delicious healthy foods out there, explore what you like and experiment with new recipes. For so long I used to think I loved fast food, but I didn't - I was addicted (and lazy). Then I cut the cord and realized it wasn't the food I loved, it was the convenience and the comfort I got from the food b/c I was unhappy. I realized I needed to stop filling the hole inside me with food and start fueling my body with good foods so I could be a better more healthier me, which in the end would fill that hole instead of the food.

6. BE REALISTIC! If anything this is my #1 piece of advice!! So often we give up because we aren't "seeing" the results or the scale isn't moving. Maybe we think that we should be able to consistently lose 3-5lbs every week and get mad when that little evil box tells us otherwise! Maybe you worked your butt off, at perfectly and only lost a pound (Been there)! But think of it, 1 pound is 4 sticks of butter! 1 pound every week over a year is 52lbs GONE!! It took a lot of us a lifetime to put on the weight, so don't get down on yourself when it takes time to lose it. Remember it is a LIFE style change, and those changes don't happen in a week, or a month. THIS WILL TAKE TIME! Make realistic goals, make small weekly goals, and monthly goals (not just weight loss) This is a mental, spiritual, and physical journey so take care of yourself in all areas!! WRITE DOWN your goals, blog about your success, pat yourself on the back when you've lost 4 sticks of butter!

7. STICK IT OUT!! Most importantly remember YOU WILL plateau, that doesn't mean you've stalled or stopped making progress so KEEP GOING! Mix up your work out routine, introduce something new to your diet, try new recipes. Just don't give up! Take measurements and progress pictures. Just b/c the scale refuses to move doesn't mean all your efforts are getting you no where. Don't over look the non physical progress either - when the scale's not moving focus on how much better you feel, how much more energy you have, how much happier you are, and how much healthier you are! There were points of time in my journey where I lost no weight but dropped a whole pant size. Remember, even when the scale isn't moving, your body is still changing. We build muscle, we lose inches, we get lean and mean! The scale isn't the best way to determine our success. "be more stubborn than the scale eventually it will go down".

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My favorite Quotes:

"Most things in life are easy to get into, but hard to get out of"

"Obsessed us a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

"if hunger is not the problem, then food is not the solution" saw on a message board post on SP.

"Don't dig your own grave with a fork & knife" saw on a SP message board.

"You may encounter failure at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. You will never know how close success lies unless you turn the corner." Og Mandino

"I've come too far and worked too hard to let a cookie tell me what to do" ~ taken from a fellow sparkers page.

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" Weight Watchers

"Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Queen, and Dinner like a Peasant" spark friend ANEWAMANDA

"Results don't come for free" Jillian Michaels

"If your mind can conceive it, your body can achieve it!"

"Life is not about finding yourself, its about creating yourself" Taken from FitnessDiva

"Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail" Taken From Fitnessdiva

"If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always be where you've always been." Stolen from Salina78

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.” -Kenneth Blanchard

Be more stubborn than the scale. (if you keep doing the right thing, it will go down) Unknown

" When I was 13, my martial ares instructor kept kicking me in the corner. When I started to crying, he kicked me again. He was like, 'You can cry all you want, but you're eventually going to fight your way out of that corner'. So I cleaned up my snot, got really pissed and fought my way out of the corner. And that's what I do to my contestants. I make them fight their way out of the corner". Jillian Michaels Interview - Taken from MRAKS blog "Holiday Weekend - Muy Bueno"

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I borrowed this list from RAV4GRL's page, she borrowed it from CXJMeister, I really liked it:

Your weight loss =

1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human’s skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale’s brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant’s heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant’s penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World’s Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she’s 5’11”)
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she’s 5’4”)
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 pounds = an average football lineman
400 pounds = a Welsh pony

I've lost THE WORLDS LARGEST BALL OF TAPE what have you lost??

Read More About GIRL*IN*MOTION (Updated November 20)

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