I have been overweight my whole life. I have lived on the roller coaster of up and down as long as I can remember. If I am not losing, I am gaining. Time to change......

This is a journal of Life After Spark........

In the beginning, when the mountain seemed so high and the losses were minimal at best...I found myself getting very discouraged.......So I decided to focus on what I've gained, not what I have lost:

I've gained confidence.
I've ...

I have been overweight my whole life. I have lived on the roller coaster of up and down as long as I can remember. If I am not losing, I am gaining. Time to change......

This is a journal of Life After Spark........

In the beginning, when the mountain seemed so high and the losses were minimal at best...I found myself getting very discouraged.......So I decided to focus on what I've gained, not what I have lost:

I've gained confidence.
I've gained self control.
I've gained endurance.
I've gained strength.
I've gained muscle.
I've gained room in my clothes.
I've gained a plethora of nutritional, fitness and wellness knowledge.
I've gained many new friends.
I've gained speed.
I've gained a way to deal with anxiety that doesn't include meds.
I've gained the ability to put my rings back on.
I've gained the ability to paint my toenails again.
I've gained the ability to take a taste of something...and be satisfied.
I've gained courage.
I've gained the ability to say "no thank you" to cookies.
I've gained some tolerance to the hot and humid weather.
I've gained the ability to go to bed without taking an antacid.
I've gained the ability to tie my shoes....without holding my breath.
I've gained the ability to breathe without wheezing.
I've gained the ability to shop in the ladies' department instead of the big girls department....
I've gained the tag : "SPARK PEOPLE MOTIVATOR"
I've gained the title of "EE Team Co-Leader"
I've gained room in my closet.
I've gained the role of Challenge Coordinator for the EE team.
I've gained a gold medal....from the Spark Guy!
I have gained knowledge of "the Secret".
I 've gained joy.
I've gained peace.


As time went on.....I committed to the EE team. I felt right at home. So many of us share the same issues. One big difference that I did notice is that many women have become "lost" and "broken" throughout their lives and somehow....obesity just becomes a way of life and contributes to the brokeness. I realized that in order for us to truly conquer emotional eating, we must first learn to love ourselves...just the way we are. Being over weight does not make one unworthy of love or respect.....but to get either....we have to learn to love and respect ourselves first. So....every day...I spend time......helping others see themselves in a different light. We are all in this battle together. And if we stick together......we can help each other...one day at a time. I have found that encouraging others is so motivating for me to continue as well. It is all in the "attitude".......

At the 151 day mark.....I gained 2 lbs...instead of losing the 1 lb I had become accustomed to losing. My mind tells me....stop worrying about the weight. My heart says...what if this is it and you aren't going to lose any more. I plan to continue on as I have and take the wait and see approach at least for one more week. If this continues...I will have to reevalutate and make changes. God.....I hate changes........

F ollow the first letter of each line to reveal the secret to my success:

D rink lots of water….at least 8 cups a day.
O ne day at a time…tell yourself “just for today i can do this”
N ever give up……each day, start new
E xercise everyday…even when you don’t want to

B uy lots of fruits and vegetables every week
E at slowly; chewing every bite as though it may be your last
I ncrease your activity as time goes on to at least 30 minutes a day
N ote your progress, feelings, and successes in a journal
G o to Sparkpeople resources and messageboards when you need help

F ree yourself from emotional eating bondage
A chievements, no matter how small should be rewarded
T rack your food intake and fitness activities

Day 164 - I broke 180!

10/8/08 - 6 months - 29 lbs gone forever

10/22/08 - 177.3 - 30 lbs....gone forever

Day 237- I realized....I have already reached my goal.....which has nothing to do with weight. I am eating healthy, I am exercising every day and I am happy. I vow from this point forward...I consider myself "done" and will live in the present. I will no longer look towards a magic day...when I reach a certain weight.

4/21/09 SparkPeople Motivator of the Day

5/3/09 - Bootcamp starting staus
Weight 165
Goal Weight - 160



Life is God's gift to you......what you do with your life is your gift to God.

Life may not be the party we hoped for... ; but while we are here we might as well dance!

Read More About SASI_QUEEN (Updated July 6)

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