About Reaching Goal Weight

Sunday, August 02, 2009

I have been at my goal weight twice in my adult life. Both times it was after very strict dieting. The first time it was when I was planning a wedding when I was 21. I went on shots of women's pregnant hormones. As I remember I had to eat only about 500 calories a day. I was weak and miserable. There was no way I could do any exercise or I would pass out. Wedding pictures looked great though. The second time was around five years after that I was turning 25 at the time. That time it was Herbal Life protein shakes that I chose to torchure myself with. I got down to that same weight again but as soon as I began to eat of course the results. Both times I immediately began to put the weight back on. No exercise, No lifestyle changes only restricting food. I have learned FINALLY, that this will Never produce the results that I am looking for. Thank God that I finally "get it." And to think that the answer is sooooo easy. That's the biggest reason that I decided to skip the weight loss surgery. The threat of regaining the weight again like I have done every time in the past was unbearable. I honestly think that this time is different. I can live with the lifestyle changes that I have made. Believe me, I still worry about regaining but I really think I have a good chance of being able to enjoy all my hard work when I do reach my goal.

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Spreading the Spark by Example

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Every day I work in a classroom with high school students. It is a special ed class so the students are with us all day long. In our program we form a close family like relationship. Most of these kids don't have any positive role models. We eat lunch together every day. For the last year they have been watching me on my weight loss journey. They are always curious about what I have brought for lunch that day. They say" that salad looks good, make me one tomorrow." It has made them aware of what they are eating. They ask question about how they can improve their eating habits. I learned last week that one of my students has signed up for Sparkteens.com I feel so honored that I have influenced him to take control of his health. As young as he is now, by learning how to practice a healthy lifestyle it could be just what it takes to brake the cycle of life long obesity.

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My thoughts

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

People ask me all the time how I managed to lose all the weight that I have. They usually go on and on about how hard it must be for me. Honestly, I can say that it has not been so very difficult. It was just a matter of deciding to do it. I didn't have a final binge or feel like I would miss eating. I was tired of living my life with a painful handicap of being obese. I just did it. There is nothing nothing magic about it. I Eat less and moved more. It is such a simple concept. You have to truly want to change. It is people who think it hard because they really don't want it bad enough. I think that the biggest thing that will lead to weight loss success is that you must be flexible. If one thing doesn't work try something different. Another thing that has really works for me is having lots of variety in the foods that I eat and also exercise. Last of all, you must have patience, eventually the pounds will come off. Always be positive with your self talk. Enjoy every little improvement as they come along. Life is good and is getting better every day.

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Spreading the SPARK again

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Today I spoke to a group of future GBS patients. There were two other speakers ahead of me. The first woman had surgery right around the same time I started my weight loss journey. She has lost 110 pounds. The next speaker had lost 187 pounds in about 3 years. Both had GBS but they both have changed their lifestyle and exercise daily. Then it was my turn to speak. I told my story and told the group that although I went through the same program that they were attending, I decided not to have surgery. I passed out around 50 spark cards. I told them that although most of them will have surgery to hang on to the card for later down the road when they begin to experience problems with keeping the weight off. I was very excited to have three people come up at the end of the meeting and tell me that I gave them hope that they could also reduce without surgery. The director asked me if I would come back and share my story again next time. Life is sooooo good.

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The Importance of Walking

Monday, July 13, 2009

A good friend sent this to me and I wanted to share it with all of you ......Here goes....

The Importance of Walking

Walking can add minutes to your life.
This enables you at 85 years old

to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing

home at $7000 per month.


My grandpa started walking

five miles a day when he was 60.

Now he's 97 years old

and we don't know where the hell he is.



I like long walks,

especially when they are taken

by people who annoy me.



The only reason I would take up walking

is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.



I have to walk early in the morning,

before my brain figures out what I'm doing..



I joined a health club last year,

spent about 400 bucks.

Haven't lost a pound.

Apparently you have to go there..



Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',

I wash my mouth out with chocolate..



I do have flabby thighs,

but fortunately my stomach covers them.


The advantage of exercising every day

is so when you die, they'll say,

'Well, she looks good doesn't she.'



If you are going to try cross-country skiing,

start with a small country.



I know I got a lot of exercise

the last few years,......

just getting over the hill.



We all get heavier as we get older,

because there's a lot more information in our heads.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


Every time I start thinking too much

about how I look,

I just find a Happy Hour

and by the time I leave,

I look just fine.

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