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JUJUELLIOTT's Recent Blog Entries
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Saturday, August 25, 2012
So, when I decided to join SP it was because I was at a really bad place physically. I knew I needed to lose weight because I felt so bad all the time. One doctor had said I had Fibromyalgia and wanted to put me on a daily pill with scary side effects. I refused. Another occasion I was asked if I had a history of high blood pressure and was on medication. I was shocked. All I did know is that I was in daily pain. I hurt from head to toe all day, every day. I couldn't climb the stairs to clean an apartment without having to stop and catch my breath. I was miserable and I blamed it all on being so overweight. At a short 5 foot 1 inch, finding clothes to fit when you are 188 pounds is nearly impossible. I hated the way I looked in pictures. No, I just hated the way I looked. But, I didn't take this journey for vanity sake, I chose this because I was afraid of becoming steadily sicker and dying too young to enjoy my family and life.
So, thanks to SP this last year I have lost about 50 pounds and several inches and clothes sizes. I am happy when I look in the mirror and see all my progress. I have been even happier at how great I feel. The pains, the high blood pressure, the insomnia, the short of breath feelings....all gone. 
Then last month I had to have a cyst removed from my back. No big deal, except it's taking longer to heal than I expected and I have not been able to exercise all month. I have good and bad days with following the calorie count and that with lack of movement I have gained back 5 pounds. Not worried, I know that will come back off soon.
My discovery is that the pains are back. It wasn't the weight that caused my pains, my legs to swell, and the sleep issues. It was the lack of exercise. The longer this month has gone on, the more pain I have experienced. Everywhere. My legs are feeling swollen and my feet hurt at the end of the day. All of these things went away while I exercised regularly.
So, exercise is for life. Our bodies are meant to move, to be used physically. We are not built to be couch potatoes or sit at a desk and just use our brains. We must push it, pull it, strengthen it and work it. Change of diet alone will never be enough.
I'm planning to start back slowly on Monday. Wish me luck. I need to get back on that treadmill and push this body back into happiness. 
Sunday, July 15, 2012
So, I've reached that stage where I lose and gain the same few pounds each week. Up one, down two; it's like a dance step without the music. There where times in my life when this alone would have frustrated me to the point of giving up. The thought pops in my head that I am smaller than I have ever been, why worry about it? The fact is I have learned in this last year is that the scale only represents numbers, not me.
I know I am healthier than I have EVER been. I can breath better, I can move better, I have energy and stamina that I never had before. I have learned to see my life through a new set of eyes. I see the future with possibilities of all the new things I would like to do.
And I know I don't always share my personal ups and downs online, but this last year has had some real roller coaster moments for me. Most of these were not related to my health changes, and at other points in my life would have derailed my progress. It has been the support and accountability I feel from coming here everyday that has been my comfort and push to keep going. I am so glad that I am here.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
I have spoken to quite a few of my fellow sparkers about my college courses over the last year. Well I just finished 16 weeks of Physics I & II which made me realize I understand nothing of how the universe works. 
But I also finished my speech class. We were allowed to pick our own topic to give an 8-10 minute informative speech about. So of course, I chose something that has been forefront in my own life this last year. Portion control, obesity and of course, Sparkpeople. I feel it came out okay, not bad for someone afraid of the camera and public speaking.
 At least I survived and received an A+ for the class.
For anyone interested in watching here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XJmYcMIAck&
feature=g-upl
I hope you enjoy and hope you all are having as much fun doing this as I am.
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Member Comments About This Blog Post:
I am so glad that you are feeling better than you were Before Spark People!!
Maybe start with an Easy Walk this evening instead of waiting until Monday? I know that when I had Surgery back in October I couldn't Exercise for 6 weeks. But I walked to the Gym EVERY Day to visit the Ladies there. Walking really DOES make a Huge difference even when you just walk 10 or 15 minutes once or twice a day.
I think that's what makes this work for so many of us when we couldn't do it any other way. It's so important to know that you are not alone in your daily battles.
Keep up the great work!
