One year ago I was unhappy with my health.

My weight was the highest it had ever been and my body was paying the price. Living in NYC means I take the subway to get to most places. Walking up those steps caused my heart to race and many times I was out of breath if the climb was long. I had to make sure I had extra time to reach my destination because I couldn't walk but so fast. My knees were beginning to hurt. My strength was decreasing. The worst part was needing cholesterol medication because my levels were in the danger zone. At 5'1", weighing 195 was taking its toll and my on again off again exercise routine was not working.

So at age 53, I decided to make a change. No, I committed to making a change. I had signed up on SparkPeople months before but made up my mind to use it in the coming year. What did I have to lose? I began January 2011 soon after my 54th birthday. I was familiar with tracking food and exercise from another weight loss program so I expected a small learning curve. Well, it took a little longer than I expected but I got the hang of it. Tracking real food really showed me what I was actually eating. Was I surprised! Not having "exercise points" was sobering but forced me to look at exercising differently.

Over the past year I've lost 47 pounds. I still track daily and my fitness level feels like it did when I was in my 20's! I can walk with ease, I can climb stairs without getting winded, I can carry my grocery bags instead of using a shopping cart. I am so much more at ease with my body and what it can do. The best part is not needing cholesterol meds!!!! I cried when my doctor told me I did not need them this summer. If I needed any motivation, this was it!

Folks ask me what I did to lose weight. I tell them all about SparkPeople and how the best part is its free! I'm not not quite at my first goal but I'm only 3 pounds away and still have some time to get there. There's no pressure. I can't wait to get there though so I can set my next goal: my healthy BMI weight.

All in all, I am so very glad I found and USED SparkPeople!!!