I guess I was thinking the weight would just mysteriously drop off on its own. Who would think I would not have any adverse health affects carrying around an extra two 50# bags of mulch on my body all day long. What WAS I thinking? If I put THE SPARK on my nightstand, the words and wisdom of the book would just somehow find their way into my head? No, No, NO! I am no longer in denial. I am no longer making excuses. I am no longer pretending to be a Sparker. I am no longer thinking MY way is the best way. I am no longer wasting time. I am DONE. I am doing it TRIED & TRUE this time. I am committed to follow SPARK to the letter.

Okay, so it took about six months for this chronic, yo-yo dieter to check out and discover all the SparkPeople website had to offer. Moreover, the NEXT six months it will all be put into ACTION. I absolutely love the support of the other Sparkers. I have not had such kind words and encouragement spoken to me in a long time. However, I love their honesty and genuineness MORE. When I see their vulnerability by posting before and after photos, I cannot help but get teary-eyed knowing how elated they must be feeling -- knowing THEY DID IT! They persevered and did the work and crossed the finish line. I clap, and shout, and get out of my chair... and that’s the key right there... GET OUT OF MY CHAIR... and GO AND DO it, too.

This IS not just another AHA moment. I NEED to be honest with myself. To show my vulnerability. With bravado, I posted two photos today. Okay, so I am no longer that darling 18-year-old at 105lbs in my red bikini. I am now an 18-year-old with 37 years experience and a morethanafew extra pounds in my XXL red cover up. And because of that, I am doing a good Austin Powers kind of job by hiding behind people and things in the photos. But I assure you, the pounds are soon-to-be GONE. ALL of them. No 35-55 pound loss and be content with that. Nope. This time I am committed to something I would never have done at 18. I am going ALL THE WAY. Soon I will be posting my OWN before and after photos - maybe even in a red bikini!

This morning, on this newfound transparency and vulnerability quest, I also posted my weight tracker for all to see. I NEED the accountability. It just has not been moving as fast as I know it should. I stared at it for awhile. I’m half-way to my first quarter of weight lost - which is a safe way of saying I have just dipped my toe in the water with that 15 pound loss. Somehow, I still felt motivated by that. So I will GO and fill up my water bottle, get my Nikes on, and get my Spark book. Time for Chapter 2. One page at a time. One sip at a time. One step at a time. One POUND at a time. What matters ...is that it IS time.


SPARKPEOPLE: Individual commitment with group effort = team work that makes the dream work. WooHoo!!!