Tomorrow is my birthday. There are some things I have learned that may encourage you and I wanted to share them. Birthdays tend to be milestones and cause us to reflect on where we are today compared to one year ago. I have only been using Spark People since July, yet I have made significant improvements since my last birthday.

This year on my birthday:
I weigh about 25 pounds less.
I have increased my exercise from zero to 6 days a week for about 45 minutes/day.
I am doing strength training for the first time in my life.
I have increased my water intake from zero to 4 to 8 glasses of water every day.
I track my food daily instead of never-so that I can be knowledgeable about my nutrition, and eating habits.
I make a conscious decisions about everything I eat as opposed to eating mindlessly.
I eat less snacks and the ones I do eat are healthier.
I don't feel the need to snack while reading or watching tv.
I have learned how to make healthier choices when eating out.
I have increased my level of activity drastically.
I have lowered my cholesterol to normal levels.
I have more energy in general for everyday tasks.
I sleep better.
I have begun to go down in clothes size instead of having to buy bigger ones!
I have learned that one high calorie meal on occasion can still fit into a healthy lifestyle. (So I can have my birthday cake and eat it too!)
I am more positive, feel better emotionally and have hope for a healthier future.
I actually feel younger than I did on my last birthday! Whodathunkit?

There are so many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle. These are just a few. I have a long ways to go to get to a healthy weight. Thinking about that, I realize that if 5 months and 25 pounds can make me this much better, how great will I feel when I reach a healthy weight! It's exciting to look forward to the changes and progress I will see in the next year.

Don't wait until your birthday or New Year's or some other date to start becoming a better you. Start today. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised at how much you can improve your health by the time you reach your next birthday. One choice at a time. One day at a time. You can do this. You really can.

I am on a journey and I will not quit because quitting is not an option!