12 of those 38 have been while here on SP and I am sooooo glad I found this site!

I've been kind of working my way into more and more of the opportunities available here. Having started with the nutrition tracker, I quickly added the fitness tracker (I love the "map route" tool) with walking since that was something I was doing anyway. I've also bought The Spark book and the cookbook and have been reading the articles on site voraciously while getting rewarded with lots of points and 'promotions'. I didn't realize how motivating those little points could be!

The biggest change has been on the mental/emotional front, however. I was ready mentally and emotionally for SparkPeople.com at this point in my life. I've been learning about and implementing goal-setting in my life, which I have desparately needed and didn't realize I needed. The motivational articles are excellent, excellent, excellent!!! The SparkPeople fitness philosophy is so doable it amazes me at times. The whole idea of streaks is wonderfully motivating and rewarding.

I am now actually doing regular strength training (although only about 15 min/day) but I'm actually enjoying it and looking forward to it!! That's never happened before!

I'm moving so much easier and freer than I have for years and it feels so good! I was in the grocery store yesterday and caught myself walking with a bounce in my step that was pretty marked. All I could do was grin at myself!! How fun is that!! The exercise has really helped me to deal with the stress level in my life, improving my mood and ability to deal with situations and circumstances. I'm excited and enjoying life in ways I haven't done for years and I am so grateful for the changes.

Thanks to all the members and staff of SparkPeople for doing such a great job and being such wonderful examples!