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SparkPoints: (3,594)
Fitness Minutes: (2,675)
Posts: 56
11/20/09 8:48 P

I think you gotta do what works for you! Some people need to be more diligent with tracking than others. You could track during holidays or stressful times . . . or all the time! I think as long as you are weighing yourself weekly or keeping track of how your clothes fit do what works for you!

current weight: 140.7

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Posts: 1
11/20/09 3:16 P

Tracking food helps you to know how much you eat and of what nutritional value. It is a big help!

current weight: 181.0

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Posts: 309
11/20/09 11:40 A

I will ALWAYS track my food.....

SparkPoints: (24,420)
Fitness Minutes: (42,655)
Posts: 1,022
11/20/09 6:40 A

all the best

current weight: 165.0

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Posts: 315
11/20/09 5:07 A

Yes, I will keep tracking.

current weight: 166.0

198 178.5 159 139.5

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SparkPoints: (1,776)
Fitness Minutes: (655)
Posts: 10
11/19/09 9:59 P

I love it that Sparkpeople has an app on Ipod touch. Now I can track even better.

Posts: 998
11/19/09 7:21 P

I have tracked it for almost 2 years now.Why would I stop.That's what works for me...

current weight: 160.0

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Posts: 15
11/19/09 4:35 P

When tracking gets me to my goal, I hope that it is such a habit, I keep doing it. Sleep, drinking water and tracking food intake are considered the top three success activities to keep us at a healthy weight.

current weight: 317.5

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Posts: 15
11/19/09 4:33 P

The counters are on your sparkpage. Go into edit mode and look at the suggestions near the end of the page on the right side.

current weight: 317.5

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128

Posts: 26
11/19/09 1:41 P

I reached my goal a little while ago after diligently logging my food intake. I took a little break and stopped being so religious about keeping track for about a week and a half (I also ate a lot of halloween candy). At the end of that period, I had gained about 7pounds. Now, Im back to the diligent logging.

current weight: 124.3

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Posts: 2,536
11/19/09 10:33 A

I have just recently reached my goal. I'm going to keep tracking at least to get me through the holidays and reassess in spring if I can go down to only tracking a few days a week.

current weight: 133.0

170 160.75 151.5 142.25

133

Posts: 5
11/19/09 10:29 A

Where does everyone get the supercute counters? I want one!

Posts: 1,402
11/19/09 10:13 A

I've been at goal a long time, and I occasionally track my food. But what I do more than that is just keep a careful eye on portions. It's worked! I also weigh every day.

SparkPoints: (24,420)
Fitness Minutes: (42,655)
Posts: 1,022
11/19/09 6:52 A

weldone sir. All the best

current weight: 165.0

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Posts: 21
11/18/09 11:04 P

i havent hit my goal yet but i am close. when i do i have decided to still track my calories and my fitness for awhile. i know that if i didnt track my calories i wouldn't have lost the weight i have so far so why stop a good thing.

Pounds lost: 27.0

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Posts: 13
11/18/09 8:56 P

I still track my food, and sometimes still measure everything I eat, to keep myself honest about how much and how many calories. My goal is to keep in mind just how much I am really eating so I can stay on track even when I can't weigh and measure everything. I just came home from a two week vacation - and didn't gain any weight at all. That lets me know that the plan is working and I have developed healthy eating habits.

Susan

current weight: 128.0

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Posts: 998
11/18/09 8:08 P

I hit goal over a year and a half ago an still track my food.You just make it a habit.

current weight: 160.0

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Posts: 121
11/18/09 3:59 P

I think what works for one, won't for the other. So whatever works keep doing it. What works for me is exactly as Nicenix put it. I use the valuable time saved to exercise or do something active. I learned so much from the tracking tool- that I can do it mentally without actually recording it.

current weight: 118.0

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Posts: 4
11/18/09 12:14 P

I think once you hit your goal it is definitely worth some thought about continuing to track foods. I will not continue tracking for the following reasons:
- Tracking takes up a lot of my time that I could be out exercising.
- I weigh myself every day, so if I fall off the wagon I will know it immediately and I can start tracking again.
- One of my main goals is to learn how to live a healthy life, and I believe that can be done with very little monitoring ... once you have formed the right habits.

Edited by: NICENIX at: 11/18/2009 (12:14)

Posts: 1,567
11/18/09 12:01 P

I continue to track because I am not honest with myself if I don't. I got to goal weight, gained a bit back, and am now almost within my comfort range again. Tracking also tells me if I have "room" during the day for a special treat once and a while, which I also track.

current weight: 147.0

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SparkPoints: (3,437)
Fitness Minutes: (4,498)
Posts: 33
11/18/09 10:49 A

I haven't reached my goal weight yet, but I think I will continue to track my food so that I can maintain my weight-loss/goal weight. And with SparkPeople having an application on the iPhone, it makes tracking that much easier for me!

Pounds lost: 41.2

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Posts: 50
11/18/09 10:17 A

When I don't track, I start to nibble because I am tricking myself into thinking I have points left (Weight Watchers). Tracking is just a little effort for all the benefit. How much harder it is to get back on the program once nibbling turn to out out cheating?

Tracking let's me get a grip early.Sandy

current weight: 159.8

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Posts: 4,338
11/18/09 10:03 A

I've continued to track and also find I need to continue to weigh daily. I do have my downfalls where I will gain, but try to always stay within a 5-pound maintenance range and keep on top of it so it doesn't get out of hand.

current weight: 142.6

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Posts: 40
11/18/09 9:46 A

I'm with everyone else. Lost 120 lbs., but without tracking I've regained 15 lbs. over the past 2 years. I'm tracking for good now too.

current weight: 129.2

135 131.25 127.5 123.75

120

SparkPoints: (640)
Fitness Minutes: (570)
Posts: 5
11/18/09 9:43 A

Absolutely!! I haven't gotten to goal yet, but even when I make it to goal, how else am I going to make sure I stay there?!

Edited by: SOCWHEAT at: 11/18/2009 (09:44)

current weight: 243.0

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Posts: 309
11/18/09 9:36 A

Tracking works for me......I will NEVER quit!!!

Posts: 998
11/17/09 10:20 P

I will always track my food.That's how I lost all my weight....

current weight: 160.0

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SparkPoints: (24,628)
Fitness Minutes: (27,234)
Posts: 225
11/17/09 9:08 P

I reached my goal with SP in July 2008 and continued tracking for an entire year, at which time I was confident that I had established the right mindset to maintain my weight. It was a mistake, tho, to stop tracking...ounce-by-ounce I started gaining.

A month ago I started tracking again, first just on paper, now back online, and have returned to my desired weight.

So....won't stray again. Tracking is the key.

current weight: 118.0

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Posts: 2
11/17/09 8:30 P

In the past I did weight watchers and did really well on it because I was tracking my food intake. Once I hit my goal weight I stopped and the weight slowly creeped back on. I think it's a great way to see what you're consuming but if you hit a plateau you have a record of what you've been eating to try and shake it up a little bit. I would definitely keep tracking!

Posts: 24
11/17/09 7:56 P

Yes, of course because if you don't keep track of everything. It is very easy to overeat and not even realize it until your jeans don't fit anymore! I know this because I lost 40 pounds and thought I was doing good until almost ten pounds later I saw that I would need to track my diet and exercise just to maintain. Keep up the good fight everyone.

Pounds lost: 3.0

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Posts: 821
11/17/09 1:27 P

always

Pounds lost: 51.0

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Posts: 1
11/17/09 12:34 P

I've read the responses and have decided to start tracking more consistently again. I've lost 30 pounds and figure I can do it in my head too, but it's true that the little things start to add up and now I'm at a plateau. I'm happy with how I look and feel now but want to keep on going and up the intensity, so back on track! :)

Posts: 5
11/16/09 11:31 P

I agree. I stopped tracking when I reached my goal because I thought I could keep track in my head. The thing is . . . even though I can . . . I'm not nearly as honest with myself when I don't have to look at it on the screen. I've also noticed the pounds creeping back and I'm going to start tracking again. Even if you don't use the tracker, you have to find a way to keep yourself honest. Those sneaky little bites here, and there that are so easy to pretend away, really do add up.

current weight: 140.0

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Posts: 54
11/16/09 10:03 P

Track! Tracking is what helped you lose the weight and it's a great way to keep you honest. I stopped and wouldn't you know it I had to start all over again; twice! Those pounds so easily creep back on. Plus, for me knowing I have to track something make me MUCH more aware of what I'm putting in my mouth and how often. When I stopped tracking it was easy to down a few cookies, drink a few more glasses of wine after dinner with friends, munch on chips with my hubby, etc., because there was no accountability. Even the use of things like butter and light sour cream got out of hand because I no longer had to say if I was using a teaspoon, tablespoon, or four tablespoons. Not watching your calories is mostly likely what made you gain weight to begin with so don't let indifference be the difference in your weight loss success. I've done it and it sucks!

current weight: 119.5

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Posts: 998
11/16/09 8:40 P

I will always keep tracking my food.

current weight: 160.0

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160

SparkPoints: (1,546)
Fitness Minutes: (2,144)
Posts: 32
11/16/09 7:28 P

I definitely plan to track my food once I reach goal. I lost 160 pounds tracking my food on Weight Watchers and once I quit (thinking that I had it all down in my head), I eventually go off track and little by little fell out of my healthy food choices and calorie limits.

So take it from me, make the tracker one of your best friends!

Pounds lost: 9.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

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SparkPoints: (2,566)
Fitness Minutes: (1,108)
Posts: 135
11/16/09 6:36 P

I have become so dependent on food tracker, which at this thing I think is a good thing as I am still months from my goal. But I wonder about when I get to my goal. Am I developing a habit of tracking for life. I am hoping that in this process my choices become wiser so I don't have to be so concerened when I can not track.

current weight: 185.0

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Posts: 1,665
11/16/09 4:38 P

I track daily which helps keep me in line and keeps me aware of how much I am actually consuming. I think it is a great tool!

current weight: 138.0

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Posts: 257
11/16/09 2:42 P

Great ideas~

Pounds lost: 10.0

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SparkPoints: (8,188)
Fitness Minutes: (6,821)
Posts: 17
11/16/09 12:14 P

I fear I will need to track for a long time, until I can actually figure it out in my head!

current weight: 191.8

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Posts: 309
11/16/09 12:12 P

Tracking works for me, so I will continue to do so forever and ever........

Posts: 13
11/16/09 11:04 A

I keep hoping when I get to my goal, I will have good enough habits to not need tracking. It is probably a fantasy and I think I will always have to track.

current weight: 141.1

153 144.75 136.5 128.25

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SparkPoints: (17,970)
Fitness Minutes: (20,010)
Posts: 1,305
11/16/09 10:14 A

I haven't hit my goal yet but I have found that I backslide if I don't track my food. It is so easy to have those calories add up if you aren't some how tracking what you are eating.

current weight: 138.5

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Posts: 1
11/16/09 9:17 A

I went from a weight of 163 down to 120. I have been maintaining for about 2 months and I do it by tracking (In my head not on paper) during the week and then letting myself go on the weekends. So far it has worked, and if I go overboard I just make sure that I step it up even more during the week. I am trying little by little to get myself out of the Calorie counting obsession I was in, and getting back to a completely normal life.

Posts: 208
11/16/09 8:42 A

Yes yes yes! I find that it is easy to slip and forget serving sizes and portions. Keeps me accountable!

Pounds lost: 30.0

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SparkPoints: (24,420)
Fitness Minutes: (42,655)
Posts: 1,022
11/16/09 1:45 A

all the best., Keep it up

current weight: 165.0

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Posts: 1,777
11/16/09 12:32 A

I am planning to continue tracking my food and exercise. Both keep me accountable and focused I think it will be important to my maintenance.

Pounds lost: 69.2

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Posts: 4
11/15/09 9:36 P

For sure!

current weight: 150.2

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Posts: 383
11/15/09 9:10 P

I have to. I can tell myself I can maintain without tracking, but I know that I can't. I've been on this rollercoaster for many, many years and I know myself well enough to realize that I will always have to track.

Pounds lost: 78.4

0 20.75 41.5 62.25

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Posts: 3,262
11/15/09 8:59 P

i can run 16K today but lazy bones when it comes to tracking my food log

John

current weight: 167.0

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165

Posts: 998
11/15/09 8:20 P

I will always track my food.If it works why stop doing it?

current weight: 160.0

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Posts: 3,262
11/15/09 5:10 P

I lost 55pounds then ran 2 1/2 marathons within 3 weeks apart it gave me the freedom to eat more (although healthy foods I ate more and all the running made me hungry all the time. I gained 5 pounds and seeing that scale number go up is all I needed. I started watching my portions again and now lost 2 pounds.
I havent started logging what I eat because it takes too long but I can see how valuable it is

Cheers
John

current weight: 167.0

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Posts: 43
11/15/09 3:10 P

definitely!

current weight: 279.0

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Posts: 821
11/15/09 3:06 P

always

Pounds lost: 51.0

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Posts: 255
11/15/09 1:24 P

It's harder to maintain than to lose I found out. When I thought it was under control I stoped tracking but started gaining. I track again, and will at least every other day when I hit my goal again.

current weight: 121.0

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Posts: 309
11/15/09 12:24 P

Tracking is what works for me.......I will NEVER stop!!!

Posts: 59
11/15/09 8:34 A

After losing weight so many times in the past, I have come to realize that the only way to really keep myself in check is to be conscious of what I am putting in my mouth each day. Yes, I shall forever be counting the calories!!

Posts: 315
11/15/09 8:34 A

Yes, tacking the foods I eat will be just as important by then.

current weight: 166.0

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Posts: 762
11/15/09 7:28 A

I probably will. I have a tendency to want foods that are not health. So until I can get that in check, I will track my calories. I don't want to every put the weight back on that I have worked so hard to take off.

Pounds lost: 11.0

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Posts: 9,764
11/15/09 4:44 A

Yes becausing just throwing caution to the wind gave alot of sparks clients their weight problem in the first place..
I intend only doing this journey one time, remembering the rules of my company and needs. I am no glunten for punishment, I like to think I learned stuff and never forget the rules..

current weight: 137.0

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Posts: 9
11/15/09 12:28 A

I think it all really depends on the individual. I have gotten my weight to where I wanted it and started trusting myself to just make the right decisions. Every time I gain. I have come to the realization (and appreciation, I think) that I will be someone who always has to keep track. Like others have said, though, I probably won't have to plan my calories for the day and stick to a menu. I will be putting meals in at the end of the day to keep myself accountable though. Some people don't need to track, but I know that I absolutely do.

current weight: 129.0

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SparkPoints: (17,491)
Fitness Minutes: (7,515)
Posts: 2,084
11/14/09 8:21 P

I've stopped tracking for a while, and am back to tracking because I became less aware of what I was eating. I have regained some of the weight I lost, but not all of it.

current weight: 150.0

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SparkPoints: (15,803)
Fitness Minutes: (17,347)
Posts: 3,449
11/14/09 7:35 P

GOLDTREEFROGS, I agree with you. After so long, of correcting your portions of food, and eyeballing sizes, I see no need in keeping track of every calorie. Also, I know what to eat and what to avoid to keep my weight down or losing more weight. Also, when I exercise or do hard work or lots of walking, I consider that I am burning calories as well. I have maintained my weight loss for several months. I am doing exactly as stated above. I had surgery and I could not exercise vigorously, or I would have continued to lose pounds. I will be getting back on my exercise regiment next week.

Edited by: BRAVEONE92 at: 11/14/2009 (19:37)

Pounds lost: 10.0

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SparkPoints: (4,406)
Fitness Minutes: (5,006)
Posts: 100
11/14/09 7:21 P

Keep tracking--I do and it keeps me aware and on the ball. I think twice about eating that extra sweet or chip.

Posts: 2,810
11/14/09 7:10 P

yes I will keep tracking my food when I reach my goal because I don't want to gain it back

Pounds lost: 4.0

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Posts: 19
11/14/09 3:14 P

I don't want to count calories for the rest of my life. I think it's fine for weight loss to help you see what you're doing wrong, but it seems obsessive to do that every day forever. I can think of so many ways to better spend my time...

My mom has always been thin & has never tracked calories. She watches what she eats & takes correct portions. Once you know what to eat & in what quantity, you shouldn't need to track every calorie every day. I think if I follow her example I won't need to be a calorie-counting slave my entire life. We should be able to use what we learned when we lost the weight in order to not HAVE to track calories. I think if someone needs to track forever they either have no self-discipline, or didn't really learn how to eat, or both. Sorry if this seems harsh, but I don't think it's psychologically healthy to obsess over every calorie for a lifetime.

current weight: 176.0

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SparkPoints: (24,859)
Fitness Minutes: (25,075)
Posts: 1,695
11/14/09 10:50 A

I thought that I didn't need to keep tracking. I was wrong. The weight creeps back.

My current plan is to track when I am over my "range" (five pounds beyond my goal) until I reach my goal again. Once I am at goal, I just need to keep weighing to monitor whether or not I need to start tracking again. I don't anticipate that I will ever give up tracking completely.

Pounds lost: 72.0

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Posts: 3,484
11/14/09 10:17 A

Absolutely! Otherwise you get yourself into the bind I'm in right now, LOL!

Pounds lost: 52.0

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Posts: 309
11/14/09 9:58 A

I will always track!!!

Posts: 887
11/14/09 9:42 A

I'm sure I will keep tracking. It's pretty easy when I have the same thing for breakfast and lunch during the week.

Pounds lost: 60.5

0 16.75 33.5 50.25

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SparkPoints: (18,711)
Fitness Minutes: (11,751)
Posts: 1,914
11/14/09 9:18 A

The goal is to keep tracking my food!

current weight: 164.9

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SparkPoints: (24,420)
Fitness Minutes: (42,655)
Posts: 1,022
11/14/09 2:33 A

all the best

current weight: 165.0

194 183 172 161

150

SparkPoints: (24,420)
Fitness Minutes: (42,655)
Posts: 1,022
11/14/09 2:32 A

very correct

current weight: 165.0

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Posts: 137
11/13/09 7:20 P

always and forever

Posts: 309
11/13/09 2:03 P

Tracking works for me, so I will NEVER stop......

Posts: 27
11/13/09 12:03 P

I love your attitude!!!

current weight: 155.0

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Posts: 142
11/13/09 8:13 A

I know that to feel this good then i will always have to watch how much and what i eat..i track if i feel i am going wrong but so far so good..do slimming world so its quite easy to track!

current weight: 66.6

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66.6

Posts: 998
11/12/09 8:33 P

I will always track my food.

current weight: 160.0

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Posts: 2
11/12/09 7:36 P

I really enjoy the feeling of being completely organized that I get from tracking what I eat. Having the SP tracker on hand to tally up the nutrients I'm ingesting makes dieting feel less like an arduous process and more like a game. I'm not dieting, I'm just keeping score, and it feels great to win at the end of the day.

I think the best part though is that while I've been playing this "game," with myself, I've naturally begun to lead a healthier lifestyle. The more I eat nutritious meals, the less I find myself craving anything else. I'm sure if I keep it up, one day I won't even need to play the game, but why would you stop doing anything that makes you feel great?

I mean, Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals, but he still wakes up every morning to swim. Just because you win once doesn't mean you should quit playing the game forever.

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SparkPoints: (3,343)
Fitness Minutes: (320)
Posts: 296
11/12/09 4:31 P

Heck yeah!! I gotta be true to me~

current weight: 269.0

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