It’s been a little over a year since I began my journey to better health here at SparkPeople, and it’s time for some changes. I’ve changed my goals and streaks, and updated my page. However, I don’t want to forget what came before, so this blog is to preserve what I wrote a year ago on my page, the goals I had, my accomplishments, my streaks and some of my reports. I’m very close to my second goal weight of 120#, and I’ve set a final goal of 115#, but I don’t really care how long it takes me. Right now I really need some new challenges and goals to motivate me to continue to eat healthy and exercise daily. If you read through this, thank you. If you don’t, it’s ok, there’s nothing terribly exciting here, it’s mainly so this information doesn’t get lost.
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This what I wrote in August and November of 2009:
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Having recently turned 51, and being rather sporadic about exercise and healthy eating, I've decided the time is now to get serious. I'm hoping SparkPeople, with all the great tools it has to offer, will help keep me motivated.

Nov. 8, 2009 update: It's been 3 months since I joined SP. I joined in August after a scare that landed me in the hospital. It turned out to be nothing serious, but it got me thinking about my health and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. It motivated me, not necessarily to lose weight (although I needed to drop a few pounds), but to become fit and healthy for the rest of my life. I am on my way to doing that. I've lost 10 pounds so far, which is fine by me. The first month I spent just relearning good eating habits and getting used to tracking my food here. I wanted to lose the weight slowly. I've learned to set goals, small attainable goals, for things other than weight loss. When the scale slows its downward trend, I have other criteria by which I can measure progress. I'm stronger, I sleep better, I have fewer headaches, and when I get them, they're not as bad. I have more stamina, I almost never take an afternoon nap anymore. My tight pants are fitting comfortably, the pants I wore in August are falling down! I've started jogging, something I haven't done in years. I'm not going far or fast, and it's mostly still walking, but it's a start. I'm taking advantage of all SparkPeople has to offer, and all the motivation SparkPeople members have to offer. I also belong to Leslie Sansone's Walk Club, which also has a great group of people who are a constant source of motivation and inspiration. However long, or short, my life may be, I believe I am on my way to making it a healthy, fit life.
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These were my goals and my program:
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My Goals:
The Ultimate Goal: to be healthy, to feel better, less tired and more energetic, to sleep better, to lessen my headaches hopefully, to be around to see my kids have families of their own.

1)To lose 25 lbs (reach 130 lbs)
met Feb. 2010
2)To reach 120 lbs
so close
3)To lower my cholesterol (right now I can do that with diet/exercise, it's not too high)
don't know, need a checkup in Sep. 2010
4)To fit into some smaller pants
met several times
5)Do 20 modified pushups
met and exceeded
6)Do 2x20 modified pushups
met and exceeded
7)Hold a full plank for 60 seconds
met and exceeded
8)Hold a full plank for 90 seconds
met

My Program:
1)Walking, outside or with Leslie Sansone dvds, or doing other cardio, 5-6 days/week, for at least 60 minutes.
2) Strength training at least 3 time/week using various SP videos and my own free weights
3)Stretching daily after every walk to maintain flexibility
4)Drinking at least 64 oz of water daily
5)Eating at least 5 fruits/veggies daily
6)Eating oatmeal at least 5 days a week
7)Having fun! Playing and doing workouts that I enjoy!
8)Tracking food and activity here at SP, to keep myself motivated and honest!
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Some of my streaks were:
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Exercise for at least 90 minutes a week: 58/58 weeks, 100%
Consume at least 8 cups of water per day: 382/403 days, 95%
Eat at least 5 fruits/veggies per day: 358/396 days, 90%
Walk 10,000 steps per day: 143/199 days, 72%
Walk/run 30 minutes per day: 175/200, 88%
Stretch 10 minutes 1 time per day: 170/200, 85%
Write in your walking/running journal 3 entries 1 time per day: 199/200 days, 100%
Lights out by 1am 7 times per week: 57/58 weeks: 98%
Eat oatmeal for breakfast (or other meal) 5 times per week: 54/56 weeks, 96%
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I did some fitness tests, but those results are lost now. I thought I copied them, guess I was wrong. I do know I’ve increased the number of pushups, modified pushups and crunches I can do, as well as how long I can hold a plank position. The step test score is better also, as is my resting heart rate.

So, that in a nutshell is the past year’s journey toward health and fitness. Thank you all my SparkFriends and others who have helped me along the way. Here’s hoping for another good year.