I joined Spark at the end of Summer 2007 - with gusto. All my life I've struggled to "diet" and with motivation to exercise. But then a friend told me about Spark, and once I joined, it just took off for me! I managed to lose weight over the holidays that year!

By Summer 2008 I had lost about 40 lbs. I'm still hovering right around there, and trying to lose another 5-10, but it's tough. I just keep going up and down a pound or two. I know I need to really get back to being as ...

I joined Spark at the end of Summer 2007 - with gusto. All my life I've struggled to "diet" and with motivation to exercise. But then a friend told me about Spark, and once I joined, it just took off for me! I managed to lose weight over the holidays that year!

By Summer 2008 I had lost about 40 lbs. I'm still hovering right around there, and trying to lose another 5-10, but it's tough. I just keep going up and down a pound or two. I know I need to really get back to being as disciplined as I was in the beginning, but you know what? What's more important is that I have kept up this lifestyle for a year and a half. I still struggle sometimes, I still slip up here and there, but overall, I know that I am making this work, one day at a time.

This is from my original page intro, and it still hits home for me:
"I want to prove to myself and everyone else in my life and in my past that I can change and I am as beautiful on the outside as I am on the inside."

I'm doing it!!!

I've had a lot of people just starting out ask me for tips. Honestly, there is no secret. Here is the advice I can offer though:

1) I had to re-learn how to eat, and have worked on staying within my ranges of calories, fat, protein, fiber, and sodium. I don't eat much processed food, like 100-calorie pack stuff (those things are totally worthless, nutrition-wise!). I get lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies, and we cook nearly every night of the week. Kashi GoLean original cereal for breakfast is one of my keys - it has soooo much protein and fiber that it keeps me full all morning, no problem!

2) I work out really hard. Right now I do Spinning, jog outside (weather permitting), or use the treadmill or elliptical three times a week, plus shorter cardio sessions a couple other times a week (before my strength training class), and strength training at least twice a week. I get in extra activity when I can, like biking, hiking, roller skating, yard work, walking, and other weekend activities.

2a) If exercise isn't fun, you'll never do it!! With that in mind, find the one or two activities that you truly enjoy. Mine is cycling - I do my Spinning classes, but if I miss one of those, I know I can always get out the bike and go for a ride outside. Cardio from an activity that you actually like will give you more motivation to exercise. So try out a variety of activities! Dancing, skating, sports leagues...find things that don't feel like exercise!

3) No one can give you motivation. People can inspire you, yes, but your motivation will always come from within. You just have to tap into it. Adopt a mantra, like "just keep swimming!" or "nothing tastes as good as thin/healthy feels". Whatever it takes, but you will have to find that thing that keeps you going.

And the most important thing...

4) NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER. NEVER.
It does take time, it takes committment, it takes sacrifice. It takes hard work, it takes sweat and tears, it takes everything you've got. But it is soooo worth that sweet feeling when you try on your favorite pair of pants (the ones that used to make you look thin!) and they are far too big. It's all about getting out of it what you put in, and just staying consistent. Don't throw in the towel because you had a candy bar after lunch...learn from your mistakes and ask yourself "what can I do to make myself feel better about that mistake?". Learn from it, deal with it, and move on. Don't beat yourself up over stuff like that. Forge on!!

Read More About SCHWINNER! (Updated September 9)

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