I take notice of SparkPeople who are having conflict with themselves and other people. It pains me to see it!

Let me just say that those "other people" really don't matter in the scheme of things. I've been a rebel all my life. At 62, I certainly won't stop now. Furthermore, I'm in the best shape of my life and I'll be damned if I listen to those who don't understand what I've been through or want me to be miserable like them! I've lost so called "friends" in my journey to embrace this "healthy lifestyle!" I don't need that negative and they've just shown their true colors! I have closer virtual friends here on SparkPeople who know me better and inspire me more. I've also developed new relationships with friends locally who have a positive and healthier outlook on life. I wanna party with them!

I implore those of you who have false friends to call them out or get rid of them! They're either with you or against you! There is no gray area here! They will only steal your dreams and hopes of ever becoming the person you really want to be!

I've heard this so many times. YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST OBSTACLE! I believe it because I've realized it! Don't try to find excuses to cover it up! Find ways to overcome it! Embrace the fact, own up to it, and champion it!

You say you don't have time to do what you need to get rid of the weight you need to live a healthier life. You don't know how much truth is in that statement. I was on course to a young death! I really didn't know if I would live the next day! I would have never been able to live happily with my wife in the Paradise I now live in! I never would have seen my granddaughter grow up! I will do both now!

I'm thankful I took notice that my wife had made the decision to change. I'm proud to say I embraced that to the fullest and made the choice to join her! And along this journey, I've continued to make choices. I've made mistakes. I trained wrong. I placed undue expectations and pressure on myself! I made excuses! I tried to say that I was doing everything I could and still couldn't achieve! I lied to myself! I was not happy! I took a stand! I corrected myself, and moved on. I set goals I could reach to move forward. I let nothing stand in my way. I was fighting for me!

Yes, we all want to live a healthy lifestyle. We have to realize this is a life's journey! We also have to want it. We have to realize the alternative and we have be willing to pay the price! Whether it's losing those so-called friends or the lies we are telling ourselves, we have to make the right decisions. We have to commit.

I'm educated but not in this area. I'm learning daily from others who are becoming successful in their journeys, from experience and from being open to change. There's a lot to learn. But now I have the time as I've taken back the years I lost! I'm also being true to myself! I guess that's the biggest lesson learned. I hope I've said something worth holding onto! Much love...