SparkPoints: (104,551)
Fitness Minutes: (136,680)
Posts: 22,215
4/20/12 1:17 P

Hi, I'm Barb. Today April 20th is my Wedding Anniversary!

I am the Mother of two beautiful daughters, 7 grandchildren, and one GGson.

I am the only caretaker for my sweet Mother, who is 92! She does not live
with me, she lives in senior housing. Her mind and attitude are great. She
is very feeble in walking. She has fallen countless times. She injured her
foot and broke her back in two different falls. She's still tough and is rarely
sick. She is blessed and I am blessed that I still have her in my life.



Edited by: BRAVEONE92 at: 4/20/2012 (13:24)

104,551 SparkPoints

SparkPoints: (6,879)
Fitness Minutes: (6,840)
Posts: 2,157
4/18/12 10:41 A

It's so wonderful to see so many new faces on the team. I look forward to getting to know everyone over time.

Posts: 1,431
4/16/12 10:47 A

Good Morning Everyone,

My name is Debbie, I am 51 years old, I'm the wife of Sam who I have been married to for 33 years, daughter and care giver to the best 89 year old mommy ever( ! ), mother of 4 grown children, grandmother of 15 wonderful grandchildren, and great grandmother to 4 new faces.......

I love GOD!..... My family, my friends, new people, and life!
I have a host of illnesses , aches, and pains and might get into those at another time......
I just wanted to say HI
and let you all know that I'm glad to be here!
Debbie

current weight: 329.0

342 294 246 198

150

Posts: 15
4/15/12 8:09 P

Hi Everyone,
My name is Monica. I am 40 years old and live in Massachusetts with my husband, Terry, and my 3yr old son, Luke. I am an Elementary Music teacher and a professional singer.

I was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I am staying positive, and looking at my life in a new way. I want to wake up every dayand make better choices for myself, and be a better role model for my son.

I look forward to getting to know everyone.

SparkPoints: (20,569)
Fitness Minutes: (31,854)
Posts: 1,026
4/15/12 11:55 A

Hi, My name is Bobbi, and I am 56yrs old...and I am married to my hubby of 15yrs as of 5-2 of this year...anyway I have restarted myself on 4-14-12...because of all my hernia surgerys
my weight has been going up and down and that is not what I wan't to happen...so now I think
I wanna try and get some weight down...my 1st goal is try and get to 299 lbs and I will go
from their...my weight will be slow because of my meds and I need alot of support...I am disabled and I am on a walker since I came out of the hospital...I was told that was one of my side affects ugh...I want off of my walker and get back on my cane please ...so this is why I
need to get some weight off...so I can be accountable for my actions...so I am willing to do one step at a time to one pound at a time with friends here if you would just support me though this phase...if you wanna know more just go and read my profile on my sparkpage.

I have many health problems that I wanna get rid of...that is why I need to lose the weight...
I cry at night before bed because of my Edema and many others and I am just tired of being
Obese ugh...I want my life back....

I am not new to sparks just new to this team.

Thank-You
BoBBi

current weight: 355.0

375 331 287 243

199

SparkPoints: (40,466)
Fitness Minutes: (31,924)
Posts: 6,194
4/14/12 8:34 P

To day its been 90 days since i found Spark i have so great spark friends and have joined several teams and challenges this one sounds great because right now the wheels on my Spark wagon are shaky and i like the the statement that every day is a anew start and need to make it positive i need to remember that simple statement. and keep sparking.
. I need to lose 50 pounds i have lost 12 some i have lost more then once and Easter and the chocolate bunnies got me. I live in Spokane WA enjoy going to the gym 3 to 4 times week right now i am training for Bloomsday a 12 k race held the First Sunday in May for the last 37 years. i am training to walk I am not a runner to hard on the knees . I have the Spark cook book and enjoy reading the stories and trying the recipes. now that the weather is getting nice i will be out on the yard working to get winter clean up done and a few flowers planted. looking forward to getting to know my team mates as we spark along this trail to good health. and learning how to eat healthy.

SparkPoints: (113,146)
Fitness Minutes: (112,770)
Posts: 33,859
4/14/12 5:42 A

Hi all,
My name is Denise and I have had trouble with my weight for about 20 years now.
I have about 75 pounds to lose.
I have Multiple Sclerosis (a neurological disease) and Asthma and exercising at times can be tough, but I keep plugging away nevertheless.
I am excited to meet everyone!

SparkPoints: (34,115)
Fitness Minutes: (8,866)
Posts: 5,017
3/30/12 4:58 P

Welcome to the team Ramona.

SparkPoints: (38,470)
Fitness Minutes: (35,615)
Posts: 1,282
3/30/12 12:33 P

Hi! Ramona! Welcome!
This is a fun, great team!!!!! If I can help in anyway, just let me know!

Pounds lost: 50.0

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

51

SparkPoints: (6,879)
Fitness Minutes: (6,840)
Posts: 2,157
3/29/12 5:51 P

Welcome, and glad to have you.

SparkPoints: (45,406)
Fitness Minutes: (45,246)
Posts: 3,107
3/29/12 11:04 A

Hi! I'm Ramona. I've been on SP off and on for several years now. Throughout the course of time I've lost 63 pounds. I've been struggling with my weight since I was probably 8 or 9 years old. Right now I'm at a place I haven't been since the early 1980's which is wonderful. I still have a ways to go but I'm working on it.
The scale's always been my enemy but I'm learning there's more out there than the number on the scale. I'm wearing sizes I haven't worn since probably the late 1970's early '80s so I'm thrilled. I'm finally accepting that imagine in the mirror, some days more than others. I want to get down to 145 lbs because that is the high end of normal BMI. I still have 70 pounds to go.
Life's an adventure so I'm going to see how things go on the way down. When I graduated from high school 6/7/1972 I weighed 152. So this will definitely be interesting!
Thanks for the invite to the group.

current weight: 206.4

278 244.75 211.5 178.25

145

SparkPoints: (6,879)
Fitness Minutes: (6,840)
Posts: 2,157
3/25/12 5:32 P

Welcome to the team. You're not alone. We're here for you.
It's hard when weight keeps "finding" us, isn't it? I've just recently put up my scales and am relying more on how I feel and working in more exercise daily. It's going to be a struggle to stay off the scale since I've had a love/hate affair with it for almost 30 years, but I've been struggling with the samr 20 lbs (losing it then regaining it) for almost 3 years now and seeing the number on the scale hasn't helped a bit. I'm actually 80 lbs heavier than I should be. I just figured if I could get the first 20 lbs off and keep it off, then the rest would follow suit. But it hasn't happened that way. So now I'm trying to just eat in as healthy a way as I can and get more exercise, and hope over time I'll see a positive change.

SparkPoints: (38,470)
Fitness Minutes: (35,615)
Posts: 1,282
3/25/12 3:10 P

Hi! Everyone! I'm still a newbee too! (Is this a "huddle" post?) But I just found this is another way to relate to my new team mates! I love to start the day with a smile on my face! Before I really open my eyes, I thank the universe for all the amazing serendipitous blessings, in my life!

I am still in love with my high school sweetheart, 44 years now! (We did have a 17 year "respite") More in love than ever before. He just went thought major back surgery. He's doing great now, still recovering.

I am a third generation marionette artist, I travel a lot per4forming. I perform for children & now Seniors, in their environments. Several Disney Legends & many people who just love this fading art form. My Mom & I make all of our marionettes. I can finally say I live in Las Vegas, with all the travel sometimes I forget where home base is! N. AZ, Hollywood, CA & L.V. NV. They all feel like home to me! My weight changes up & down about 50 lbs. over 4 years at a time. Other wise I am in GREAT health! I know how to loose weight, but not keep it off. I can stay at my goal weight for about 4 years, then it comes back. That is why I am SO glad to find SparkPeople!

I want to invite everyone in this team to join my Spark page, I will try to make you feel at "home" too!

Have a Sparkling time with this AMAZING, transformational, website!
Sparkling in N. AZ right now

Pounds lost: 50.0

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

51

SparkPoints: (6,879)
Fitness Minutes: (6,840)
Posts: 2,157
3/24/12 5:56 P

Thought I'd better introduce myself, for those that don't know me.
I'm Vicki and I live in Florida.
I'm working towards making the healthiest choices I can when it comes to taking care of myself.
I want to make exercise a top priority as I have a couple of health issues that exercise would improve. Also it would definately give me more energy.
I am basically trying to keep all my nutritional numbers within a set goal I think will work for me. It's not strictly any one specific program. If I had to push it, I'd be more inclined to say it's a lower carb plan.
I'm working to lose about 100 lbs but have no set time to lose it in. I'd love to lose it over the next couple of years, but I tend to be a very slow loser. So I'll take it one pound at a time.

Edited by: VICKI-B--56 at: 5/21/2012 (12:17)

SparkPoints: (1,492)
Fitness Minutes: (2,361)
Posts: 52
3/22/12 11:41 A

Welcome to the team!

current weight: 322.0

400 333.75 267.5 201.25

135

SparkPoints: (10,833)
Fitness Minutes: (15,207)
Posts: 783
3/22/12 9:27 A

Hi - my name is Debbie and I live in Salt Lake City, Utah - I'm not a mormon in case you are wondering.

I like to think of each new day as a baby day unfolding. A new day to start again. I love this team name.

I have lost 15 lbs so far and it feels so good. Started walking and doing some chair exercising. Have also been tracking my food.

Looking forward to getting to know this team.

Hope you all are having a healthy day.



Debbie

SparkPoints: (83,794)
Fitness Minutes: (27,055)
Posts: 8,795
3/20/12 10:22 A

Hi, My name is Carrie. I just joined this team today this looks like a great team to be on! I am always looking for new friends, challenges and great health tips.

current weight: 149.0

151 148.25 145.5 142.75

140

SparkPoints: (3,004)
Fitness Minutes: (208)
Posts: 55
3/12/12 8:39 P

Hi everyone! I love the concept of this team! My name is Nancy. I'm 49 years old and am looking to be fit and fabulous by 50 and continue the healthy habits that I learn for the rest of my life! After all, it is a new day! I'm looking forward to meeting you all!

current weight: 189.0

195 178.75 162.5 146.25

130

SparkPoints: (1,285)
Fitness Minutes: (530)
Posts: 26
2/19/12 9:35 P

Hello my name is Lisa I just joined Spark yesterday I stumbled on this group and wanted to join all of you. I'm at 181 and hope to get to 127. Good luck to all and God Bless!

SparkPoints: (12,817)
Fitness Minutes: (4,810)
Posts: 737
1/27/12 9:14 A

to all the new members.

Posts: 4,351
1/26/12 11:13 A

Edited by: 4MRSDAND123 at: 1/26/2012 (11:14)

SparkPoints: (47,617)
Fitness Minutes: (57,754)
Posts: 1,431
1/23/12 8:53 P

I joined the team and got sick. I'm starting to feel better now and hope to be more active on the site.
I've been working on this for about 8 months now and have been struggling for about a month. I joined a group at work with a goal to lose at least 5 pounds in the next 6 weeks. I'm looking for some motivation!

current weight: 167.0

180 171.25 162.5 153.75

145

SparkPoints: (34,115)
Fitness Minutes: (8,866)
Posts: 5,017
1/21/12 3:30 P

Thanks for the welcome.

Posts: 4,351
1/19/12 4:57 P

Welcome Dore!

I noticed the team leader was welcoming new members but right now we don't have a leader so Welcome Dore...and welcome all.

Edited by: 4MRSDAND123 at: 1/19/2012 (18:46)

SparkPoints: (34,115)
Fitness Minutes: (8,866)
Posts: 5,017
1/19/12 2:52 P

Hi everyone, I was invited to join the team by FLA-1956. I have been reading things in the back ground and thought that I would take the leap and join you all on your journey to lose the weight.

I am a 54 yrs. old grandmother of 4. 2 boys and 2 girls. I have been on Sparks since 2008. This past June I was diagnosed with diabetes. I knew then that I had to get serious about getting my weight off. So I got serious in July and have since then lost 69 lbs.

I spend much of my time working on my sewing and quilting. I do lots of hand work. I live in a small town in rural Idaho.

I hope to be able to encourage everyone and also am looking for encouragement.

Talk to you soon.

Dore

Posts: 1,640
1/17/12 10:26 A

Hi Pat, glad to have you. I know myself, I'm yo-yo-ing back and forth. Trying to get a handle on it though.

Posts: 5,830
1/16/12 6:54 P

Hi team, joined this team as I like the name. As I am eating chaotic at the moment I think it will encourage me to treat each day as a new start

current weight: 205.0

208 204.75 201.5 198.25

195

Posts: 1,640
1/16/12 10:36 A

Welcome to the team Karen. Glad to have you.

Posts: 317
1/16/12 12:27 A

Hello everyone. My name is Karen I live with my two boys. Guapo(cat) and Buddy(dog) LOL. My son is grown and has his own family. I've got a 9yr old granddaughter. She's one of the main reason to loss this weight. I want to be around to see her grow up. I do the South Beach lifestyle. Hope to get to know everyone real well. And need all the support I can get. Keep in touch.

Posts: 1,640
1/15/12 4:21 P

Welcome Ladies.

Posts: 4,351
1/15/12 3:03 P

Hello everybody! My name is Linda and I rejoined Spark about a year ago. I am needing a new start to this new year and the name of this team drew me in..:)

Edited by: 4MRSDAND123 at: 1/15/2012 (15:06)

SparkPoints: (12,817)
Fitness Minutes: (4,810)
Posts: 737
1/15/12 8:53 A

Hi, everyone. I joined Spark on Dec.28, and I had been a member before. I found this team on one of my friends Spark page, someone had suggested she check it out. It sounded perfect for me. I like the small teams better. I have lost a few pounds since I have been here. So I am back to take it one day at a time.

Posts: 479
1/14/12 3:11 P

Welcome and Congradulations Pat on your weight loss. Wow 50 lbs you should be so proud of yourself. Have a great weekend.

Posts: 1,640
1/14/12 8:53 A

Hi Pat and welcome to the team!

Posts: 5,432
1/13/12 8:10 P

Hi, Everyone! I'm here because I'm a little crazy and goofy and I like to make others laugh. This seems like the place to be for that. Besides, I know the leader!

Anyway, I love SP and it's helped me lose 50 pounds unofficially and 40 pounds officially. I am off to a great new me. I started this journey actually seeing myself, thin, in the mirror, sort of superimposed over my real relfection. It was a little astonishing as I had never really seen myself thin before. I always saw myself as I was in the mirror. Large, economy size! - make that extra large industrial strength economy size!

Well, I'm at the halfway mark, maybe a bit more than halfway, but the point is, I have changed my life a great deal. I always feel it was because of SP and my Sparkling Friends.

Anyway, I wish all of you sparkling success in reaching all your dreams and goals, health, wealth, and happiness.

Have a super good Sparkling Day!

119,094 SparkPoints

Posts: 479
1/13/12 7:44 P

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. Am looking forward to getting to know all of you and following your jpurneys. Have a great weekend..

Posts: 1,640
1/13/12 3:58 P

Welcome Jenny. Glad to have you.

SparkPoints: (37,613)
Fitness Minutes: (16,473)
Posts: 2,886
1/13/12 3:57 P

Hello everyone. I'm Cheryl and am 60 years old, live in Florida with my daughter and 2 cats. This last year has been my most successful year as far as weight loss/health goes. I lost 50 lbs and went off 3 of my prescription meds. I feel much better. This last few months have not been good though. Went through a semi depression and comforted myself with food and gained back some of that weight I worked so hard at losing. So I really identify with the each day a new day instead of wallowing in "what might have been" or "what I should have done". We'll get there, ladies. I feel it in my fat covered bones!

Pounds lost: 11.8

0 40.25 80.5 120.75

161

SparkPoints: (54,318)
Fitness Minutes: (59,871)
Posts: 10,076
1/13/12 3:40 P

Welcome Jenny.

Posts: 479
1/13/12 3:39 P

Hi Everyone! Am Jenny from Arizona. I' ve lost over 100 pounds twice before. I gained it back and more because I did it the wrong way. This time with my Spark Friends help and encouragement Am learning a healthier LIFESTYLE and not dieting. We Can Do This. Good Luck everyone with your Journeys.

Jenny

Posts: 1,640
1/13/12 11:36 A

Welcome Sami and Irene. Glad to have you here.

Posts: 6,427
1/13/12 6:23 A

Hello to all the team. .I admire the teams aims Every day is a fresh start and i do like to be positive.
I am Irene ,I am English I live near Nottingham in the middle of England , Iam married to Maurice Both retired, I am an oldie but with a young heart! I do enjoy Sparking, I do counted cross stitch. I do reseach into historical costume and do talks on that topic.
Weight wise I have lost about 35 lbs but so slowly, I accept this now and just happy not to regain any,I only have few pounds more to my target.
I do exercise at home and walk most days I and my dh both cook and love healthy eaiing
we seldom have any processed food.
I am in other teams on SP and am co leader of Dont let the Scale Rule your lIfe. I try not to!
I look forward to getting to know you all. Chat soon .Irene

Posts: 14,743
1/13/12 4:17 A

Hello.I have been sparking since July-2010. I am 1/2 way to my goal,but spent too much of last year doing the yo-yo thing. I must have gained & lost the same 10lbs. a dozen times. DONE...I am going to make this my "I did it" year! I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

75 Days until:  Reunion

100 75 50 25

0

Posts: 1,640
1/12/12 5:30 P

Hi Alethea, Nice to have you here. Congrats on what you've lost so far.

Posts: 1,640
1/12/12 5:29 P

Hi Tammy, Hope we can keep you going strong. Welcome.

Posts: 1,640
1/12/12 5:28 P

Glad to see you here, Gwen.

Edited by: FLA-1956 at: 1/12/2012 (17:29)

SparkPoints: (54,318)
Fitness Minutes: (59,871)
Posts: 10,076
1/12/12 2:44 P

I'm Gwen and I have been a member of spark since August 2011. I have 5 children, 2 cats, and 1 kitten. I will be celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary this month. My favorite workouts are walking, dance, and lifting weights.

I want to thank Vicki for inviting me to her group.

SparkPoints: (47,617)
Fitness Minutes: (57,754)
Posts: 1,431
1/12/12 2:23 P

I'm Tammy, I'm 40 years old and have been with Spark since May27th. My goal right now is to lose 50 pounds (total) by July 1st. I've lost 30 pounds so far and have 20 to go. I've been stuck on a plateau for the last few weeks and could use something new to help motivate me to keep at it.

current weight: 167.0

180 171.25 162.5 153.75

145

SparkPoints: (64,717)
Fitness Minutes: (61,651)
Posts: 10,573
1/12/12 1:42 P

i am Alethea, 38 with three children two girls 9 and 4 and a son 2.
I joined sp 3 1/2 years ago. lost 60lbs in six months. kept the weight off until i got pregnant following year. after i had my son, i gave up on the healthy lifestyle and gained half my weight back. i have slowly gotten back on track have lost 15 lbs so far. 15 pounds away from prepregnancy weight. i try to think every day is a positive day.

current weight: 212.5

247 230.25 213.5 196.75

180

Posts: 1,640
1/12/12 11:06 A

Tell us about yourself and how we can best support your goals.
****************************************************************************

In 2011, I dropped 12.2 lbs for the year. That's not a lot but it's 12.2 lbs no longer in/on my body, and for that I'm thankful. I realized that my long term goal of losing a full 100 lbs in 2 years isn't the most practical for me. Not that I wouldn't like to lose the full amount, but because I doubt I'd be able to maintain it for any length of time. So I've decided my long term goal is to be 165 lbs by Jan. 1-2014. That gives me 2 full years to lose 71 lbs.
My goal will be to lose 37 lbs in 2012 and 35 lbs in 2013. That's right at 3 lbs a month. This is also the amount of weight Bob's cardioligist recommended Bob lose on a month to month basis. If I can lose it faster, that's great, but the goal will be to lose 3 lbs a month and keep it off.
I'm also going to make myself do 45 minutes of exercise daily, no matter what. I've got to get into the regular exercise routine to keep myself more limber. And it helps my blood pressure as well.

Edited by: FLA-1956 at: 1/12/2012 (18:34)