1989, February. I tripped over this photograph this morning as I was looking for something else. The notes on the back identify it as being from our trip to visit my parents, about two weeks before I joined Weight Watchers at work. This would be very very close to my heaviest. You can see how swollen my wrist is, how uncomfortable it was to even bend over or get up from a chair. Later my mother (to the left in this photo) told me she was worried about my health, but she never said anything during this trip.

I ended up dropping 80 pounds in that first attempt to change my life. And then had to learn some other lessons to get where I am today. The woman in this first "before" is neither healthy NOR happy, and is desperately looking for answers. The little boy in the foreground, grows up to be the man in the next picture.


Hopefully, by this point, I have learned some lessons about how to maintain fitness. Let me say, it is NOT easy to lose, but it is far more challenging to maintain, in my book.

This morning, the woman depicted below had to prove she weighed enough to donate blood.


Be not discouraged if it takes more than one try. Be not discouraged if it takes years or decades. Never, ever, ever give up! Because it is worth it to feel the way I do today... and I wish I could bottle and sell it. NOTHING tastes as good as FIT feels.

Life is good. Spark on!