During my four years on SPARK, I have made a lot of changes in terms of my exercise and eating. At one point, I was on fire and lost some significant weight – 50 pounds – in a reasonable amount of time. Then I slowed down. I have been gaining and losing the same 10 pounds for pretty much the last six months. You would think that such success earlier would have spurred me on, but I got distracted. I looked so much better, I felt so much better, I could do more. However, I wasn’t anywhere near my goal weight. Why on earth have I let myself be satisfied with stopping here and not be as focused on my goals as I once was?

It makes no sense to me. Perhaps I have forgotten WHY I want to continue to lose weight. Let me remind myself WHY.

I want to change my yo-yo dieting and settle into a pattern of making healthy choices more consistently. I want to be healthier, have more energy, and live a long, active life.

I want to stop avoiding the camera and actually be in pictures with my family and friends and not cringe when I do show up in a picture. I want to have more confidence in myself than that!

I want to be a few sizes smaller so that I can buy and wear more stylish clothes.

I want to lose weight so I can comfortably travel on airplanes and be able to walk the longer distances when exploring new places.

I have developed a lot of healthy habits over the last four years while being active on SP. I have increased my exercise from barely 30 minutes a week to 45-60 minutes a day. I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day no matter what kind of day I am having. I eat at least five fruits and vegetable a day even when the rest of my choices may not be healthy. I track what I eat most days and stay within my calorie range more often than not. This is how I have managed not to gain back all fifty pounds and then some, but this is NOT going to get me to goal. It is not rocket science. The missing piece for me is tracking what I eat EVERY day and staying within my calorie range EVERY day with very few exceptions.

If it is important enough to me, I will find a way. I am tired of making excuses. It IS important enough to me, so I am recommitting myself and pressing the reset button. I know what I need to do and I am going to do it. It starts now. Consider my fire relit!