Hi sparkling sparkers!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my page. When I first started SP I spent a lot of time looking at the motivational spark pages. Seeing their struggles and success gave me hope that maybe one day I too could be an inspiration to others with my own success story. And this here folks is my story in a nut shell . . .

My life before Spark People:
I started my Spark journey October 2008 (the first time). I strictly followed a ridicules eating & ...

Hi sparkling sparkers!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my page. When I first started SP I spent a lot of time looking at the motivational spark pages. Seeing their struggles and success gave me hope that maybe one day I too could be an inspiration to others with my own success story. And this here folks is my story in a nut shell . . .

My life before Spark People:
I started my Spark journey October 2008 (the first time). I strictly followed a ridicules eating & exercise plan and quickly lost 35+ pounds. At that point in time in my life I was going through an emotionally abusive marriage and I devoted my every waking moment to losing weight in a very unhealthy way. This was honestly the only thing that I felt I could control. When I finally separated from my ex-husband, I slowly got back into my old habits; eating handfuls of potato chips, gobs of ice cream and just mindlessly eating for the pure pleasure of it. With that being said I gained back all 35 pounds, plus 10 more. Talk about a wakeup call!

For as long as I can think back I have always been on a "diet". In all actuality I should be dangling from a key chain with as much weight I have lost and gained back. I have tried; Weight Watchers, South Beach Diet, Atkins, Curves, Eating Clean Diet, Diet pills. You name it and I was the spokes person. Seriously- I would stick with something for a few weeks, all gong hough, then BAM- I would binge and blow it. I use to blame me not being able to lose weight and keep it off on my "big family jeans". In all honestly the real reason was me. I'm not sure if I was afraid of succeeding or afraid of failing. I knew I had that inner *spark* in me, maybe I was afraid of letting it shine?

Where change began:
Since my first attempt last October SO MUCH has changed in my life. Besides finally getting a divorce and gaining the weight back, I have gained a ME back. That is something that I lost a long time ago and I'm so glad to have her back in my life. I have also gained such a loving man in my life, named Andy. He is my reason for living and breathing. He makes everyday such a blessing just by being there and being mine. I have gained a lot of new friendships that have turned into my own little family. I'm surrounded by such great people now that support me, love me, and truly care for me and that's the best gift anyone could ask for.

Now it's time to give a gift to myself. I need to support myself and believe in myself. I have one of the lowest self esteems of all time. I was told actually today, "Just think about all the good things you have going for you and know that if you weren’t the person you are, you wouldn't have them". My friend Melinda told me that as I was crying to her about not being happy with my weight.

In order to transform myself into that sleek, fit, and healthier Mackenzie, a LOT of changes needs to be made. Slow and steady wins the race. That's my motto this time. No quick fixes. I'm looking at this as a lifestyle change not a "diet". Taking control of your life is so empowering and this time I’m DONE for good!!!!


I'm DONE being the "big boned" girl!

I'm DONE not feeling fit and healthy!

I'm DONE turning to food for comfort!

I'm DONE blaming everything around me for my mistakes!

I'm DONE loosing and re-gaining back the weight that I worked so hard to loose!

I'm DONE not feeling sexy in my clothes!

I'm DONE having a negative attitude!

I'm DONE wearing a size 15/16!

I'm DONE...DONE...DONE...DONE...DONE...DONE...
DONE!!!!!!!!!!

Weight no longer defines me. I define myself by the work I do, the relarionships I create, the people I help, and the things I love. Bye Bye yo-yo dieting. Hello healthy new lifestyle :)

My life during Spark People:
Update: I'm currently down 48.6 lbs and I'm really feeling great! I have 12.8 more lbs to go, to face my first mini goal of 60 lbs total loss. I feel myself getting stronger and healthier everyday. Spark people has been amazing. I've met some great friends and continue to make a better me- everyday!


My life after Spark People:
Stay tuned, there is more to come..



__________________________________

WEEKLY UPDATES:
6/1/09: 226.4 lbs - starting weight
6/8/09: 223.2 (-3.2)
6/15/09: 221.4 (-2.3)
6/22/09: 219.6 (-1.8)
(changing my weigh in day to friday)
6/26/09: 218.6 (-1)
7/3/09: 215.0 (-3.6) 10 pounds DONE!
7/10/09: 216.4 (+1.4) - first gain, boo- 4th of July to blame?
7/17/09: can't bare the weigh in..thanks TOM
7/24/09: 212.4 (-4)
7/31/09: 211.2 (-1.2)
8/7/09: 210.8 (-0.4)
8/14/09: 206.4 (-4.4) 20 pounds DONE!
8/21/09: 205.0 (-1.4)
8/28/09: 203.0 (-2)
9/4/09: 202.0 (-1)
9/11/09: 199.4 (2.6) In ONEderland :)
9/18/09: 195.2 (4.2) *Va Beach vacation* 30 pounds DONE!
9/25/09: 195.2 (0) ((my birthday!!))
10/2/09: 195.2 (0)
10/9/09: 194.4 (-0.8)
10/16/09: 189.4 (-5) I'm in an "overweight" BMI not obese :)
10/23/09: 187.4 (-2)
10/30/:09: 185.2 (-2.2) 40 pounds DONE!
11/6/09: 181.8 (-3.4)
11/13/09: 180.8 (-1)
11/20/09: 177.8 (-3)
11/27/09:
12/4/09:
12/11/09:
12/18/09:
12/25/09:
1/1/10: [6 month sparkiversary]
1/8/10:
1/15/10:
1/22/10:
1/29/10:
2/5/10:
2/12/10:
2/19/10:
2/26/10:
3/5/10:
3/12/10:
3/19/10:
3/26/10:
4/2/10:
4/9/10:
4/16/10:
4/23/10:
4/30/10:
5/7/10:
5/14/10:
5/21/10:
5/28/10:
6/4/10: [1 YEAR Sparkversary]




________________________________
PERSONAL GOALS:
Lose 10 lbs by 7/3/09: DONE 7/3/09

Lose 20 lbs by 8/21/09: DONE 8/14/09..early!

Lose 30 lbs by 9/25/09 [my birthday]: DONE 9/18/09..early!!

Lose 40 lbs by 10/30/09: DONE 10/30/09

Lose 50 lbs by 12/4/09:

Lose 60 lbs by 1/8/09:


__________________________________

MY STATS:
STARTING WEIGHT: 226
STARTING SIZE (bottoms): 15/16 - 18
STARTING SIZE (tops): Large to XL
BMI: 35.4

CURRENT WEIGHT: 177.8
CURRENT SIZE (bottoms): 12, 13/14
CURRENT SIZE (tops): Med or Large
CURRENT BMI: 27.8

GOAL WEIGHT: 165
GOAL SIZE (bottoms): 9/10
GOAL SIZE (tops): Medium
BMI: 24.9

_______________________________

Goal........................Reward:

215 lbs...haircut (achieved 7/17/09)
210 lbs...pedicure (achieved 8/7/09)
205 lbs...book (achieved 8/21/09)
200 lbs...massage (achieved 9/11/09)
195 lbs...manicure (achieved 9/18/09)
190 lbs...new panties from v. secrets (achieved 10/17/09)
185 lbs...facial (achieved 10/30/09)
180 lbs...new outfit (achieved 11/19/09)
175 lbs...car detail
170 lbs...pedicure
165 lbs...go to chicago to see jennie :D

________________________________

MY 2009 GOALS:

Lose 30 lbs: 30 lbs DONE 9/11/09
Lose 60 lbs:
Complete C25K: C25K graduate 10-8-09!!
Sign up for a 5K: DONE- 10/17/09
Go from "Obese" to "Overweight" BMI: DONE 8/16/09
Go from "Overweight" to "Normal" BMI:


__________________________________


My Races:

10-17-09: Blue Ridge Hospice 5K, Boyce Va
Time: 39.16 -- Placed: 130/173

12-5-09: Shenandoah Greenway Romp (3.4 miles), Front Royal, Va

12-19-09: Jingle Bell 5K, Boyce Va

1-16-09: Treasuer Hunt 5K, Berryville Va

2-13-09: Run for a Rose 5K, Stephens City Va

2-27-09: Predicted Time Five-Miler, Front Royal Va



__________________________________

QUOTES THAT KEEP ME GOING...

"Love ya Mac! You're the greatest thing that could have happened to us! You are true blue"! - my best friend, 4MARLEY1

"Unless You Puke, Faint or Die, Keep Going!" - Jillian Michaels

"I think about how lucky I am to have a body that can be so active--health is a gife, and it shouldn't be taken for granted" - Candida Junir, Shape Reader

"Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail"

"You're so bright and beautiful that I can't even open my eyes this morning" - my Andy

"This is where it matters the most. This is where lives are made, in these moments when you can choose wheather or not to say "I can't" or "I can." - The Biggest Loser

"A year from now, you may wish you had started today" - Robert Schuller

“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

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but i can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." - Louisa May Alcott

"Don't dig your grave with your own fork and knife."

"Every woman has a story, It's not how you tell it ,It's how you live it" - taken from ANGELZM21

"One of the most important things to remember when starting out is to know before hand that there will be hard days. Mentally prepare yourself that the scale will not always move each week, in fact some weeks it may go up some. This is normal. This does not mean that you are not on the right path. Stay focused and know that if you are consistent you will see results. Nothing is more important in this journey than persistence!! You will be tested, you will be tempted to eat the wrong things, you will want to quit, but if you hold on, you will reach goals, and what a day that will be"! This passage is from Tom Venuto's book Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle and I find it motivating - taken from JENSFITJOURNEY

"You are beautiful. You have a beautiful man that loves you for you, and you deserve every ounce of happiness" - IM chat with my girl, GIRL*IN*MOTION

"You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face." - Gatorade

"There is no I'm sorry. There is no I'm weak. There is no I can't" - Jillian Michaels

"It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop" - Confucius

"So you are living proof that as you lose weight your back fat will come off" - FATGIRLSLIMMM posted this to me on a blog of mine

"Stand up for what you believe in, even if your voice shakes" - Sparkfriend, KEEKS9191



________________________________

I borrowed this from GIRL*IN*MOTION's page.. 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 an elephants heart & a ostrich egg! What have you lost?

Read More About MRAKES (Updated November 20)

Member Comments Page (2402 total):  123Next >Last >>