UPDATED: Saturday May 4, 2013

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my corner of SparkPeople.com! Looking for THE ANSWER? (I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV,) I am not a guru or self help icon; but this I do know: The only way to permanently lose and keep off weight is by changing your LIFESTYLE permanently (from inactive to active, start EXERCISING!) and to eat properly in moderation, healthfully and nutritionally.

"The truth is that our finest moments are most ...

UPDATED: Saturday May 4, 2013

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my corner of SparkPeople.com! Looking for THE ANSWER? (I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV,) I am not a guru or self help icon; but this I do know: The only way to permanently lose and keep off weight is by changing your LIFESTYLE permanently (from inactive to active, start EXERCISING!) and to eat properly in moderation, healthfully and nutritionally.

"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." M. Scott Peck

That means you have to "make every bite of food count," paying attention to WHAT and HOW much you are eating. Get rid of the junk, high fat, high sugar, prepared foods/convenience "foods." It is not food, but "chemical cuisine." Eat fresh, natural unprocessed food whenever possible. Avoid like poison High Fructose Corn syrup, added salt fat, and sugar, convenience foods, non-whole grains. Eat simple, wholesome, nutritious foods. Eat more vegetables, fruits and quality protein. (You must permanently change your eating habits.) You will have to learn to read nutrition labels and break out of the agribusiness food marketing, consumer driven pattern of convenience foods with their high fat, sugar and calories that make your blood sugar soar and your waist expand!

You must do it for YOU. There is no easy or simple way to do it. You must commit and believe you can do it! It is something YOU have to do--- FOR YOU.

I invite you to stop the urge to make excuses, stay in denial, say you'll do it later...I know all the stories, I've told them to myself and lived it. YOU MUST DO IT FOR YOU! There is no magic potion, pill, plan, whatever. It is something YOU must do for YOURSELF, because you truly love and believe in your worth and health. It is a conscious, mental adjustment as well as physical and spiritual changes. (See my blog entries "A Little Less Talk..." from Feb 7, 2008 and "The Greatest Lie is the One We Tell Ourselves" Feb. 11, 2008 and "Past, PRESENT and Future" March 30, 2008 and others on My Blog) I have moved my long detailed "History Section" that shows my struggle and various attempts to get healthy in a new blog entry "Some Things About Me" (January 7, 2008.) I intend to use the newly freed up space for some new content, but wanted to save this important part of my journey and story as well as renew and start some new things on the page.

USEFUL THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER:

"One does not arrive at happiness. Sometimes, the moment you change your perspective, you are already there." (Source unknown.)

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. "

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought."

"The secret of health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha

"Life happens in between the moments spent regretting the past and worrying about the future." (source unknown)

"Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth. It is the journey not the destination."
(Alfred D'Souza)
________________________________________

I'VE BEEN TO FAT CITY...

On this page I enjoy sharing my thoughts, experiences, frustrations, successes, etc. on the simple, yet sometimes difficult personal journey to health, happiness and fitness with a spirit of humor, directness and the desire you can get something out of my experiences to help or inspire you. I can tell you my experience, as I went from 387 lbs, size 52 waist and 52 XXL/"El Gordo" jacket (see picture in my picture album) all through exercise and eating right. It is very simple, yet very difficult at times. I've had setbacks and periods of low motivation. You have to be committed, dedicated and do your work, day by day. If you fall off the path, forgive yourself, don't dwell on it and move on, back on the path and back with your plan and lifestyle changes.

As soon as you make the commitment or personal dedication to yourself and the belief YOU can and will do it, then you are well on your way. Along with peer support, a eating and exercise plan incorporating diet, exercise and some of the tools/suggestions, and resources (like here on Spark People) you can make it easier; but it is still difficult work requiring your action and dedication every day for the rest of your life.

WHERE I AM GOING: (You may join me...)

There are lots of truths and life lessons along the journey. YOU EITHER DO IT OR YOU DON'T. It is so important you have to love and care about yourself AND to do all the work (mind, body, spirit to achieve health and happiness.)

I am still working on it. You must address all three aspects (spiritual, nutritional/dietary, exercise/physical activity. I am thankful that I have made it this far, with no lasting damage to my body or major health issues. You can do it too! Just decide that you will and do whatever it takes, for you. It is a journey that you have to do for yourself...It is easier to share the journey with a friend or buddy, but ultimately, IT IS ALL UP TO YOU. You are the only one that can "walk the path." That, in short is "it," something painfully simple and yet very difficult. As is said, its the journey not the destination!

Feel free to leave a comment, please check out my SP blog and thank you! I am always looking for like minded friends! Speaking of which, if you are a Parrot Head, come join us in the Parrot Head Sparkers Team! May you have happiness, health and success in your journey to health and fitness! All the best!

Read More About PIR8DAVE (Updated May 4)

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