Yesterday I attended the funeral of a woman who lived a very simple and yet powerful life. She never accomplished many of the goals I've set for mysel... Read more
Sorry that it has been so long! On May 4, I ran a half marathon called the Indy Mini. I finished in 3 hours and 7 minutes. It was great, and I definit... Read more
I'm cringing writing this. It's hard for me to believe how BIG and FAT I look when I'm out there working so hard. Friends, this is my reality. I... Read more
Prerace photos with a work friend who I got doing her first half, pre race with the fiance (he finished 5th). A candid photo snapped by my frien... Read more
I improved my time again in the half marathon at the Marion Arts Festival half marathon. Gun time 2:40:21 Chip time 2:39:35. The race is a beast with... Read more
Yesterday I felt great. My knee hardly hurt at all so I thought I'd do the thing I love to do more than any other workout except hiking. I went for a... Read more
This past weekend, I volunteered to hand out pretzels at the finish line of the One America Indy 500 Festival Mini Marathon. It was my first experien... Read more
Reading this news today that NJ governor Chris Christie had lap band surgery to reduce weight was disappointing to me. I don't want to knock anyone fo... Read more
It happened again. Yesterday I am talking with my mother-in-law and discover some troubling news. Before I left for my trip last week, I found out my... Read more
The month of April could not have ended any sooner. I have been in a mess. This all started with what should have been a good thing. I lost weight alm... Read more
334 Here is a photo of my son jumping into a swimming pool. His face, his enthusiasm and daring spirit are what I want out of life. He exemplifies eve... Read more
Last Sunday I ran the Drake relays (Hy-vee roadraces) half marathon and I PR'd by 15 minutes. with 2:43:06 this is super encouraging heading into the... Read more
It's been a month since I tackled my health hard core. It's my priority, my focus and something I study and work at every single day. I know that a ye... Read more
In November I made the decision to complete a mini as my way of having a goal besides weight. I am happy to say that today I completed 13.1 mile cours... Read more
Two days until the half marathon that I have been training for all spring!
I'm getting nervous, especially about the weather. I've gotten use to... Read more
I've never had digestion problems until about a week ago, a week into my new program. I'm eating no sugar and no animal products, just fruits and vege... Read more
Maybe I'm in denial about how I appear to others because last night I stopped and looked at myself sideways in the mirror. It's a very different image... Read more
Don't laugh. It's been a week since I've eaten clean and healthy and FINALLY combined that with strength training and cardio. I'm not gonna lie.... Read more
Ugh...well, wouldn't you know it? The DAY after my last blog entry (you know...the one where I was super thrilled because I was two weeks into my hal... Read more
It's been years. Many years. They are all I've worn because I can't fit into jeans. That's all about to change and I wonder what I'm going to do with... Read more
1. You. Those of you Sparkies who are out there doing it, eating healthy, exercising, praying, inspiring others, living happy, rich lives, especially... Read more
I have been busy with school, work, stress, etc, etc. My eating has reflected my feelings more than I care for it to. I have been on a one day good, o... Read more
I just read the following and wondered if any of my Sparkies has advice on this as I make the serious attempt to incorporate this practice into my rou... Read more
I'm obsessed with getting healthy. It is my priority, so I've been learning a lot and reading a lot about fitness and nutrition. Today I learned that... Read more
We all get caught up in the number on the scale, how our clothes fit etc. Often we get down when we get stagnant. We haven't seen the scale move in a... Read more
So I read this motivational quote and tried it out and found out that I feel weaker than ever AFTER I overdo on the exercise. The truth is, mayb... Read more
Today is my last day of the free trial of SparkCoach. Each day, one of my fast track goals has been to post my goals somewhere I can see them. I hav... Read more
I have this graphic printed in color and posted on my bathroom mirror.
I look at it multiple times a day, and have for months... maybe even more... Read more
This morning I ran my first 15K in 2:01:49. I pushed my pace the entire time. The race was very exciting and tiring. I just want to sleep and can't be... Read more
Not the most flattering picture but definitely one I would like to share. 15k trot this morning. 13:46 min miles. OMGoodness, my feet hurt. BUT, I d... Read more
It has been a very slow go trying to stay on track. I feel like I'll do well for a few weeks then fall off the wagon, then back again. The good thing... Read more
Tomorrow is the big 15k. I haven't ran since I hurt my foot during the 10k. I'm determined to finish the 9 miles just worried on how I will feel or if... Read more
I woke up this morning. Alive. That means I have a chance to start over and do better today than I have done in the past. I'm so grateful for th... Read more
These past three weeks, I've just been lolly-gaging along (not certain that it truly a word, but I think you understand; slowpoking). I've been doing... Read more
First thing in the morning, I am going to weigh myself. I am getting out the scale tonight so I don't forget. It is time I face the music and admit... Read more
This is my how I lost the weight and I am hoping it helps you. The first thing is you have to start being honest with yourself. You know you need to l... Read more
Okay so I have lost 100lbs cool but I met another goal. My body fat percentage is now low enough that if I were still in the Army I would pass body fa... Read more
After such a big loss I was scared I would see no progress or gain some back. I lost! 244 1.2 pounds. I am now only .2 away from being in the 160s.... Read more
The one on the left is fairly close to my starting weight, the one on the right is about 50lbs lost
This is my face this morning before work.... Read more
