Hi Sparkies! A year and a half into this and realized my page is way overdue for a facelift ☺

I have been a chubby girl for as long as I can remember…literally. (I may have been thin at like 2 or 3 but my memory doesn’t go back that far☺)

Also, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been on some sort of diet. I can remember being 11 and counting calories burned on my treadmill. My issue lied in that I only “dieted” (I hate that word) in random spurts ...

Hi Sparkies! A year and a half into this and realized my page is way overdue for a facelift ☺

I have been a chubby girl for as long as I can remember…literally. (I may have been thin at like 2 or 3 but my memory doesn’t go back that far☺)

Also, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been on some sort of diet. I can remember being 11 and counting calories burned on my treadmill. My issue lied in that I only “dieted” (I hate that word) in random spurts of time. I would do it for a summer and then quit, eat like it didn’t matter (not gluttonously but definitely not consciously), and then naturally put on more weight. Eventually, I’d hate myself for looking the way I did and go through another “diet spurt” and the cycle continued.

In April 2009, I made a lifestyle change. I’ve heard that term many times in my life but only knew the true definition when I fell upon this site.

Total weight loss since joining SP is 65 lbs.

**Why I Started**
Honestly for superficial reasons. My best friend was getting married and she asked me to be her Maid of Honor and I wanted to look great for her big day (and all those pictures).
I have always wanted to lose weight though. I just didn’t know how to in a healthy way. Most my dieting was based on fad diets. I really was tired of being overweight and knowing that I had 8 months until the wedding made me realize that I could actually do it this time in a realistic and healthy way. When I found spark and its nutrition trackers (that work!), I knew I had to stay committed.

**Challenges Faced** (aka “oh crap” moments):
Weekends!
Vacations!
Midnight Snacking
Grazing Moments
All of my challenges have been food related. My strengths are my workouts. It is actually easier for me to workout then it is to eat right, but having said that, I am way more conscious of what I eat now.

**The Little Victories**
Finding my clavicle.
-I was brushing my teeth and saw this bone sticking out of my skin and seriously wanted to cry. Sounds a bit dramatic, I agree, but I’m sure some of you can relate ☺
My first “M” purchase.
-I can never remember a time where I was not buying XL clothing nor did I even attempt to try any size smaller than that. Unfortunately (for my wallet), I now know what it means to love to shop ☺
Seeing 175.
-I don’t think I owned a scale until I was 13 and the first recollection of my weight was 180 (yes, at 13)…so seeing 175 was a major “little victory”.
Running. Period.

**Tips of the Trade** (sometimes this does feel like a job) ☺
-Water Water Water: I drink about 20 glasses of water a day. Sounds like overkill but it makes me feel fuller longer, gives me healthier skin, and gives me something to do with my mouth when it longs for more food (if you’re a “grazer” like me, you’ll know what I’m talking about)
-Eat Smart: spread out balanced meals throughout the day and eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day (more veggies than fruit)
-Join a Gym: my LA Fitness membership saved my life. You can workout at home and get comparable results but I’ve done that and for me, I ended up on the couch longer than I was on the treadmill. Knowing you’re spending money on it, FORCES you to get to the gym and since you’re not in the comfort of your own home, you can’t be lazy once you get there.
-Lots of Cardio: I run on an elliptical/treadmill for at least 60 minutes a day. Fortunately, for me, I have a gym downstairs in my building so I spend lot of my lunches down there.
-Strength Training: This is a must! Trainers usually say to workout one muscle group at a time, but I’ve seen the best results (and you do see results) from working every muscle group for a 30-45 minutes a day/ 3 days a week.

Read More About RAIN454 (Updated August 15)

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