Posts: 128
8/20/12 2:59 P

I am 67 and have been searching for a way to be healthier and I think I found a way here on Spark People. My goal in joining this challenge is to learn how to make better choices in my daily meals.

Pounds lost: 6.0

0 12.5 25 37.5

50

SparkPoints: (1,714)
Fitness Minutes: (2,854)
Posts: 6
8/18/12 9:26 P

Hello everyone! My name is Nikki, and I am 25 years old. I joined Spark a while ago to track my meals and exersizes, but now I am realizing how much more there is to this site. I joined this challange because my boyfriend and I tend to eat out more than we should, and it is kind of difficult to find things that are healthy and fit into my diet when we go! We both enjoy cooking, but tend to find excuses not to... About three weeks ago I decided to really get serious about eating healthy and not just working out so this will greatly help not only that, but my purse :)

Pounds lost: 1.6

0 8.25 16.5 24.75

33

Posts: 8
8/14/12 11:59 P

Hi, I am new to sparkpeople. I love to cook and try new things. I am married to a diabetic and I need to lose weight to be healthy for me. Heart disease runs heavy in my family. So, I want to kick it before it kicks me.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 9.25 18.5 27.75

37

SparkPoints: (38,535)
Fitness Minutes: (28,554)
Posts: 1,511
8/14/12 4:19 P

Hi,
I'm not too into cooking meals. I like to "cook" simple things like whole oats, or bean dip, or make a healthy sandwich. I only have 2 or 3 meals I really know how to cook, and my hubby is SOOO picky and won't eat any vegetables, that I gave up on making meals when we got married 35 years ago. He eats a peanut butter bagel and makes a smoothie most nights when we don't eat out, which is much too often. I need to find some things to cook that would be agreeable with him, but he also tells me he doesn't want me to cook...he hates trying new things I try.

current weight: 8.0  over

10 5 0 -5

-10

SparkPoints: (397)
Fitness Minutes: (357)
Posts: 9
8/13/12 10:40 P

Hi, I am Allison. The biggest downfall to my health are my eating habits. I never thought I would be able to commit to a site like this, but I am going to give it another shot and actually utilize the tools it has and the support here. I have realized sometimes it is just nice to vent to people who understand what it feels like to keep trying to lose weight, but have had a bad eating day and feel crappy!

SparkPoints: (4,531)
Fitness Minutes: (1,274)
Posts: 30
8/12/12 11:53 A

Hi all,

I'm Lynda. I've been sparking for a bit and I'm trying to take things up a notch. I already love to cook but I really need to broaden my healthy/good cooking skills. I have the SP eCookbook and I love trying new things from the site. What I have not done was plan my meals for the week and put a lot of thought into my grocery shopping.

SparkPoints: (10,261)
Fitness Minutes: (6,071)
Posts: 267
8/12/12 2:49 A

Hi reset this challenge YEA!

Posts: 90
8/5/12 3:52 P

Good afternoon, my name is Marcia and I am re-introducing myself to this team and have re-joined SP this past week. I had gotten to a point where I had just completely given up on doing anything; life was just nuts, think I went to the doc more than work, had surgery & gave up trying to keep up with my eating. So after great prayers & God's thumping on my head, I'm back to give it my best & "full" attention. Blessings to all!

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 34 68 102

136

SparkPoints: (6,055)
Fitness Minutes: (375)
Posts: 2
8/4/12 7:41 P

Hello my name is Jenn and I am 35 and have been over weight for some time now yrs now in fact. I am trying to learn how to eat correctly to lose weight and keep it off and don't want some fad diet. I have a condition called Psoriasis and my doctor suggested that I start eating heart healthy to help out with my condition. SO Here I am to learn how to learn healthy cooking.

SparkPoints: (2,062)
Fitness Minutes: (25)
Posts: 17
7/31/12 11:08 A

Hello, I am a 48 yr old mother of 4 Wonderful Children and Nana to 4. I want to be back to my "fighting weight" by my 50th Birthday. I want the rest of my life to be at the healthiest as possible. I Love to cook and try out new recipes. I like the idea of keeping the flavor but losing the excess fat, carbs and sodium. Determined to make it work this time.

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 26.25 52.5 78.75

105

Posts: 2
7/30/12 12:26 P

Hi!!
I am new to this team and very excited to learn how to cook healthy. Hers a little about me. I'm 27 year old almost 28. I've been healthy all my life. Starting to have health issue at the end of my high school year. I gave birth to a wonderful daughter in Feb. 2009 and since then my health take a plunge. I was diagnose with Fibromyalgia in May 2010 they believe too difficult labor. They believe I have lactose and gluten intolerance, and in the past year I put on 25 pounds wish is a lot for me.

My goal is to learn to cook healthier for my family and I and lose 30 pounds.

SparkPoints: (1,852)
Fitness Minutes: (1,404)
Posts: 31
7/29/12 3:48 A

Hi!
I'm new to this group. Have been around the site for a while but are having problems sticking with it. I'm sort of fed up now and trying a new approach! Although I don't really like living with a lot of structure and so on, I do believe this will be one of the things that will help me. So I am going to try to make my kitchen, my cooking easier.

SparkPoints: (22,388)
Fitness Minutes: (28,353)
Posts: 890
7/27/12 12:05 A

I am new to this team and very excited to learn how to cook healthy. I have view several SP recipes and they look easy to prepare. I think this will be a good and fun challenge for me and looking forward in meeting all of you.

Bon appe'tit

current weight: 160.0

168 162.5 157 151.5

146

Posts: 1,022
7/23/12 12:03 A

Hi all - new to this group. I have a lot of dietary needs in my home and that makes meal planning and execution very difficult at times.

I am allergic to dairy and we found that I cannot tolerate soy either. I can't take soy, cow, goat or sheep dairy. Luckily I know which milks and such I can use. I have fibromyalgia and am total deaf. I am primary caretaker of my mother. She has the beginning stages of ICU induced dementia and cirrhosis of the liver due to a bad blood transfusion back in 1986. My husband has a mild case or coronary artery disease and also has no teeth and his dentures were not made right and we can't afford new ones. He is also lactose intolerant and must have a low salt/low fat/low cholesterol diet. My daughter is lactose intolerant and has IBS as well. She is learning disabled and has speech problems. My son has severe asthma and massive allergies, but luckily, not to food. He also has a hearing loss that is moderate to severe. We all live with my mother-in-law who is legally blind and massively overweight and has no will-power at all and loves to make me break all my goals.

I am 49 and have 100 pounds to lose. Hope I can do this.

current weight: 239.6

251 225.75 200.5 175.25

150

Posts: 2,490
7/22/12 3:00 P

Hi Sunshine 49!

New to the team Hi

Irene

Edited by: FULLBLOOM at: 7/24/2012 (16:13)

SparkPoints: (63)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 3
7/22/12 11:46 A

Hello...I am reintrouducing myself - I was last here back in March 2012 and I think I started signing up for so many things I got overwhelmed with the website. I am going to unscribe to some sites and start over.

Now about me - I am 63 yrs young and weigh 183lbs. Suffering from high blood pressure and, high cholestrol and now acid reflux. I would like to get to 150lbs...Lose at least 10lbs by October as I am going on my first 7 day cruise...

I have started taking a TaiChi class (I'm not physicially fit) to take all that jumping and running. I am starting to walk about 15 mins a day also..living in FL..it gets hot here early so my walking is done...early in the morn around 6:30am (around my work complex)...My main issue is "snacking" I still work and it's a sedentary job so I am at my desk most of the day. It's so stressful so I just nibble all day....

All suggestions and advice will be appreciated...

SparkPoints: (60,649)
Fitness Minutes: (50,966)
Posts: 4,022
7/20/12 4:07 P

Some great stories here. Well, I'm 52 and run a bed and breakfast. Since joining spark people I have been offering my guests more healthy foods and when spark guests come, we learn together how to make healthier menus. My DH and DD are gluten free and I have been realizing how poor some of their food options were so SP has helped me find better recipes for them. My own food has improved tenfold and it shows in my blood sugars (I'm diabetic) however I am not losing weight at any big rate. I started a biggest loser team challenge and the first week dropped 4 pounds. I think a lot had to do with my food choices so I am trying to get a handle on what I did, make a plan and stick to it! I'm hoping this challenge will keep me focused.

current weight: 203.0

246 232 218 204

190

SparkPoints: (1,263)
Fitness Minutes: (598)
Posts: 10
7/18/12 2:26 P

Hi everyone. Back on the weight loss wagon...again. (Anyone else?) I'm tired of saying I want to lose weight and get healthy and then quitting because I try to be too stringent. My plan to be able to stick with it is to 1. Rely on God's help 2. Make it a lifestyle, not a diet. Meaning, no forbidden foods (use moderation) but emphasizing the good stuff. 3. Stress less about it. Not going nuts when I make a mistake and just go off the deep end but try to make a U-turn. 4. Move! Actually get myself off my butt and get moving...even if it's just a walk with my dog.

Pounds lost: 7.6

0 6.5 13 19.5

26

Posts: 323
7/15/12 4:51 P

Hi everyone my name is Jackie I'm a 63 yrs great-grandmother of one sweet lil boy :) and I'm from Maryland the Eastern Shore. I am interested in this challenge in fact I can hardly wait! Just looking around here and reading about left overs besides using them for soup, this is going to be fun, fun, fun!

SparkPoints: (178)
Fitness Minutes: (73)
Posts: 7
7/14/12 5:15 P

I decided to join this challenge after having a bad food night last night. After one and a half days of eating healthy and in calorie range, I still felt hungry last night and just gorged myself with really bad foods and ended up way over my calorie count.

Posts: 132
7/13/12 11:41 A

Hi,

I am very interested in this challenge. I am trying to keep up a healthy vegetarian lifestyle, but I often don't know what to cook or how to cook it!

I am also trying to take my lunches so that I don't spend the money that would be better spent on healthy foods.

Looking forward to this challenge and motivation!

Erin

current weight: 208.0

217 207.75 198.5 189.25

180

Posts: 226
7/12/12 6:40 P

Hi everyone I am excited about this challenge because I want to learn to cook healthy meals that aren't just salad. I do love chicken salads but I would like to add to my repertoire of dishes and find some easy meals that we can enjoy and are cheap and easy to put together. Spark recipes is a get resource and I hope to find some new favorites there.

Pounds lost: 4.4

0 28.5 57 85.5

114

SparkPoints: (96)
Fitness Minutes: (30)
Posts: 4
7/12/12 4:51 P

Hello everyone my name is Amelia. I just started Spark People three days ago. So far I like what I see. It's very motivating. However, I never been big on keeping track of everything I do. But hey it keeps me honest. Lol. Well I've joined because I'm only a new get healthy endeavor. I've got several allergies environmental, food, and otherwise and I've also got a lot of food sensitivities. So my whole goal is to start feeling better inside so I can start expressing it outside. My health problems have contributed to a lot of weight and image issues and depression based on those issues. I want to start feeling better about myself and looking better. I've struggled with weight my entire life and I would like to stop. So I'm here for any tips and advice people can give. And also for support and motivation.

SparkPoints: (12,061)
Fitness Minutes: (5,038)
Posts: 101
7/11/12 3:23 P

Hi Everyone!
I am a married mom of three (23-lives on her own, 20-in college, 17-high school senior), married for 27 years, and a middle school principal. I work long days during the school year, and the day is so busy, I frequently don't eat lunch (and don't even think about it) until after the students leave. I get home from work and just want to get dinner over with...cooking seems like too much effort. I joined this challenge to work on the habit of fixing meals myself, and finding some easy things to put on the table that will taste great.

Pounds lost: 1.4

0 4.75 9.5 14.25

19

Posts: 1,358
7/9/12 11:26 P

Thought I'd introduce myself, I'm Kelly. I'm a beginning cook. I actually hate to cook because then I have to clean! but I'm going to be changing my attitude and learn to like cooking and cooking healthier.

current weight: 258.0

258 232.25 206.5 180.75

155

SparkPoints: (666)
Fitness Minutes: (640)
Posts: 8
7/9/12 12:59 P

I like cooking and trying new foods. I'm on a stricked budget and need ideas to streach my food budget. Will be waiting for ideas. I like all kinds of food and am willing to try new.

SparkPoints: (114,031)
Fitness Minutes: (113,305)
Posts: 10,872
7/9/12 8:32 A

Hi my name is Patti and I can't wait to start this Challenge !
I'm a gardener and a canner/preserver.
I seem to keep going back to my mothers way of cooking. Good Old Hearty Rib Sticking meals.
I'm looking for lighter, lower carb and low fat meals.
Following a structure will help me accomplish my goals.
And with your help, I can do it quicker and easier. AND Tastier !!!!

Pounds lost: 25.4

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

51

SparkPoints: (69,364)
Fitness Minutes: (42,770)
Posts: 9,816
7/7/12 7:51 P

Hi,
I'm working on getting back on track. One of the things I need help with is preparing good healthy meals a priority. So, I'm hoping this challenge will help me. I tend to not plan and so, its pretty much hit and miss. I'm hoping this helps with helping reach my goals.
Cindi

current weight: 166.5

170 165 160 155

150

SparkPoints: (42,616)
Fitness Minutes: (16,821)
Posts: 1,445
7/7/12 7:25 A

Third time is the CHARM : ) you CAN do this!!!!!! small steps BIG rewards. I went to the movies with my mom yesterday- movie popcorn is the BEST :O danger zone :O We had diet coke NO popcorn : ) this was a HUGH for me NO popcorn- I won I did it :D I felt SO good about myself- you see this small step made me feel "I have power" "I have the control"
I know you can do this feel the POWER it is AWESOME :D

Posts: 7
7/6/12 4:01 P

I'm back. Again. This is my 3rd time. I was very serious when I joined the 1st time which I think was January 2010. I was ON IT! I didn't have the internet at home so I had little pieces of paper all over the place to bring to work the next day to write what I had for dinner, snack and on the weekends. I was getting my water in and really taking note of the amount of sodium and calories that was in the food I was eating. Then, something happened. I have no idea WHAT, but I stopped logging on, stopped cooking and went right back to Popeye's and their damn 2-piece special! Who can resist $3.99 for a 2 juicy pieces of chicken, onion rings and a large coke? Not me. Well, that was 2 years and 30 lbs. ago. Yes, I've gained 30 lbs. in only 2 years with 15 of them being packed on in the last 6 months. I'm back. Again. But this time I can't leave until I get it right. No excuses this time. I could always see the weight gain but this time I can really FEEL the weight gain. I get winded just by doing some of the simplest everyday tasks - putting on lotion, pick up something that fell on the floor, dragging the trash can to the curb. And tired all the time. I've got to do this. I want to do this. I don't knwo what's going to make me make it work this time but I'll figure it out and make it happen.

SparkPoints: (14,907)
Fitness Minutes: (9,014)
Posts: 535
7/2/12 2:00 P

BakingDeb: Two Thumbs Up! for you, addressing your weight and nutrition challenges while you're still young enough to bounce back to a healthy lifestyle! ...Some of us, well, our "elasticity's" gone, and it's harder work! I did extended research before choosing SparkPeople's website to use, and having explored and used it now for a month, I believe it's a smart choice.

You'll find all the information, support, challenge, and hints you could possibly desire. Just give yourself time to explore all the various areas in the site.

Pounds lost: 6.2

0 5.5 11 16.5

22

SparkPoints: (515)
Fitness Minutes: (155)
Posts: 11
7/2/12 1:47 P

Hi. My name is Deb and I am looking to change my health. I am 43 and am about 100 lbs overweight. I have been watching and planning my menu for 2 weeks now, but have just found this site and am excited to have people who understand what I am going through here to encourage me and guide me along on this journey.

Posts: 738
7/2/12 12:59 P

Hi! My name is Melissa. I'm 33, married, no kids. My biggest problem with healthy cooking is that my husband eats like a picky 6-year-old, so I am looking for ways to adapt recipes that he will eat to be more healthy. We had a major step forward yesterday though: he said, unprompted, "I really should start eating healthier too." Yay!

SparkPoints: (42,616)
Fitness Minutes: (16,821)
Posts: 1,445
6/27/12 9:54 A

HI Nancy : ) I am riding in that menopuse boat with you :O my son has moved out and cooking for one :O I ralther not eat than make something! SO I am here to get ideas and learn
Have a GREAT day,
Teri

SparkPoints: (14,907)
Fitness Minutes: (9,014)
Posts: 535
6/27/12 7:47 A

Every day I find something new and interesting on SP. I'm a great cook, but not a healthy one. I'm blaming menopause and my husband working overseas to have caused my weight creeping up and my strength and muscle tone creeping down over the past 5 years. But in truth, the blame lies in me just kind of giving up. Well, it's time to take action and reverse things! So this is the perfect team for me. I already started, by asking for help "Eating Up an Unhealthy Pantry" on the main message boards. People overwhelmed me with good ideas to get me going.

Pounds lost: 6.2

0 5.5 11 16.5

22

SparkPoints: (42,616)
Fitness Minutes: (16,821)
Posts: 1,445
6/26/12 10:33 P

HI Penny : ) good for you being young and thinking about your health and eating well : ) your a smart girl and keep up the good work : )

Posts: 5
6/26/12 12:38 P

Hi my name is Courtney I want to have a small stomach! I like to cook and try new recipes! So that is why I a joined the challenge :)

SparkPoints: (120)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 2
6/25/12 8:42 P

Hi! My name is Persephone but I usually go my Penny. :D I joined this because I want to improve my cooking skills and be healthier. I'm still a teenager but it's never too early to know how to cook well!! I'm Azeri and live in America and I'm really excited to finally be part of a community where everyone shares the same goal. Have a nice morning/afternoon/night depending on where you are!

Posts: 2
6/25/12 1:21 P

Hello my name is Shala, i am a military wife living in NC currently. After losing 63 pounds i find myself at a crossroad of how to maintain! my strategy to end this? Start cooking healthy everyday! planning out my meals dedicating one day to cooking, etc. I joined for inspiration and help with making decisions and staying dedicated to being healthy for the rest of my life!

SparkPoints: (102)
Fitness Minutes: (200)
Posts: 7
6/25/12 12:42 P

hi im sarah from england i have joined this challenge as im trying to eat and cook healthy

SparkPoints: (42,616)
Fitness Minutes: (16,821)
Posts: 1,445
6/25/12 10:12 A

HI my name is Teri : ) my life has changed with my son off to college and I am cooking for myself and it is kinda hard for one. SO I want to get started on taking care of me and starting with the kitchen : )

Posts: 8
6/23/12 6:34 P

Hi,
I am Wendy and i really glad to do this challenge. My goals are to lose weight and get healthy!
I have cut out all sugar except for my one cup of coffee in the morning and that is only two tsp .never thought i could give up my coffee or my pepsi but pepsi is no longer allowed anywhere near me (lol) and this one cup of coffee will go as well...I cut my red meat and most anything white...rice, potatoes ect...I am not missing any of those things right now and am lucky that i love veggies and fruit so much. i joined to learn how to cook better for myself and cant wait to meet so new friends as well!

Pounds lost: 13.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

75

SparkPoints: (744)
Fitness Minutes: (333)
Posts: 35
6/21/12 10:27 P

Hi all I am still somewhat new to SP and am finding it really hard to find a diet plan that works for me. I am currently staying under my calorie goals for the most part but nothing I eat is very healthy. I live with my dad and it is just us so it is kind of hard to cook for just the two of us without having left overs and neither one of us eats left overs. I think this challenge can help me learn alot about diet and finding the best fit for me. I also would love any ideas on simple healthy recipes if any one would like to share. I can cook just not a big fan of it in the summer since it is hot so stuff like salads and things would be really helpful and any other ideas. I could really use the motivation and support to get into a good habit. Thanks and good luck all

Josie

SparkPoints: (2,059)
Fitness Minutes: (1,895)
Posts: 69
6/20/12 8:39 A

Hello. I am pretty new to SP - this is my second week. I have always loved to cook, experiment, and find new recipes. I am a teacher and during the school year it is sometimes hard to come up with quick meals that don’t involve a lot energy that I don’t have at the end of a long day. With many family obligations and little time, we fell into the fast food dinners routine. I am excited about finding this challenge and hope to find many recipes that will help me on this weight loss journey.

Pounds lost: 4.0

0 13 26 39

52

Posts: 705
6/18/12 11:24 A

Good morning,
I just joined this challenge as an accompaniment to the Summer 5% Challenge. I have been with SP for almost five months and have been tracking fitness and nutrition regularly. I am a school teacher and during the school year by husband does the cooking. Summer is my turn to experiment with new recipes. I typically cook from Cooking Light and recipes I have been collecting on Pinterest and SP. I am excited to learn from this Challenge.

5 Maintenance Weeks

0 5 10 15

20

SparkPoints: (7,314)
Fitness Minutes: (2,120)
Posts: 330
6/15/12 5:12 P

Hi everyone.

I am starting over on my weight loss journey. One of the reasons, I keep starting over is when I am not thinking about losing weight, I eat terrible . . . lot of junk food and fast food.

When I am thinking about losing weight, I go to the extreme, like plain old grilled chicken, brown rice and green beans. Although this is good, I get so tired of eating plain meals. I would stay on track a lot longer if I could learn to cook a variety of tasty, healthy meals. I am not usually in the kitchen so this will be a challenge, but one I am up for.

This is why I joined this group. I am hoping it will help me.


Edited by: 1GODGIRL at: 6/15/2012 (17:14)

current weight: 189.0

250 222.5 195 167.5

140

SparkPoints: (19,009)
Fitness Minutes: (22,974)
Posts: 644
6/13/12 8:54 A

Hi STASHAHOLIC, We have similar goals (I too love to bake and knit and have a mostly sedentary job and am currently working on a volunteer website). Here is something that helps me out when I'm feeling overwhelmingly hungry; I picked this up when I had gestational diabetes. I make a chopped raw vegetable salsa with carrots, tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, celery, and lime, but instead of using chips, I eat it with cucumbers (which doesn't mean I won't ever eat chips). Last night, I made a large bowl thinking I was going to snarf it all, but I just ate a small bowl. (How do I reply to individual posts? This is the second time this happens to me.)

Edited by: MARIAJESTRADA at: 6/13/2012 (08:55)

SparkPoints: (19,009)
Fitness Minutes: (22,974)
Posts: 644
6/13/12 8:47 A

Hi, My name is Jesu Estrada. I rejoined SparkPeople for the third time and after having my first child. My primary goal is to eat whole foods in the right proportions. I make my meals from scratch but am aiming to eat healthier. I love learning new ideas to use in the kitchen, and I look forward to learning from you all.

SparkPoints: (17,744)
Fitness Minutes: (20,970)
Posts: 350
6/12/12 2:57 P

Ashley here. I love doing stuff and hate sitting still...it might be a disorder. I don't know. Rather not find out! I love reading, but only seem to make time for that when I'm waiting to board a plane or sitting on one. Go figure! My love of cooking kicked into gear about 14 years ago and my grandparents were sweet enough to eat almost everything (I was 18, but they always came first). I have gotten pretty darn good at 98% of what I try to make. Pork chops on a week night are still a challenge! LOL I'm hoping to learn to discipline myself with this challenge to sit down and plan. I plan everything else in my life (and my poor husband and son's), but I haven't been able to do a meal plan since I started SP.

Posts: 4
6/11/12 12:17 A

Hello I am Jennifer and just starting back up. Goals are to eat healthy and exercise more.