I am not so sure what I am doing. I have wanted to blog about my health for a while now, but I didn't quite know what to say or how to say it, so I am just gonna fo for it. I have lost a total of 80 lbs. It took me about 2 years. I have been on maintainence for close to a year now. I am going to be one of the 5% that will not gain it back. I just feel so good about myself and I can't imagine eating any other way than I eat right now. As for exercise, I can't get enough. You see, I have COPD, Rumatoid arthritis, and I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol before losing weight I could not breathe when I got hot, I couldn't walk very far without getting out of breath. I couldn't stand to be outside for very long at a time. If it was humid, I couldn't go outside at all. I would almost die. My arthritis was very painful. I had to take medication for it. It is in every joint from my neck to my toes. I had a lot of pain in my back and hips. I couldn't sit nor stand for long at a time. I don't mean to go on and on but I would like for every one to see and understand why I am so thrilled about my healthy lifestyle now. I can walk, jog, climb bleachers, ride my bike, jump rope, I can stay outside and work all day long and I CAN BREATHE! SO THIS IS TO ALL OF YOU WHO NEED MOTIVATION. IF YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS, COPD, ALLERGIES, AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU MAY HAVE, THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU. DON'T GIVE UP OR GIVE IN. HANG IN THERE AND SEE WHAT CAN BE YOURS. DON'T GIVE UP HOPE. DON'T THINK YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN PAIN. I DON'T TAKE ANY MEDICINE FOR ANYTHING NOW. MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS GREAT, AND MY CHOLESTEROL IS PROBABLY NORMAL NOW. IT'S TIME TO HAVE THAT CHECKED AGAIN. THE ONLY REGRET I HAVE IS WAITING SO LONG TO LOSE IT. I AM ALMOST 58 NOW. THE ONLY THING I CAN'T DO SINCE LOSING WEIGHT IS TURN BACK THE CLOCK. THAT DOESN'T MEAN I WON'T TRY THOUGH. I LOVE MY LIFE NOW AND I LOVE MIRRORS.