VIDEO: "We Lost 140 Pounds Together as Husband and Wife"

We Look Forward to Many More Healthy Years Together

-- By Bobby and Anne, SparkPeople Members

1. Take baby steps. If you set a goal to lose 50 pounds, 100 pounds, or 200 pounds, it's overwhelming. Instead, look at what you want to do today, tomorrow, this week and this month. Keep it small and keep it focused by setting small goals, like losing 2 pounds for the month. When I started walking, it was tough. My hips burned just walking up the steps. But we walked a little each day, then a little more. Eventually we started jogging and running—but it all started with small steps.
    
2. Accept that there will be setbacks. No matter what you do, you will encounter setbacks. There were weeks where I didn't lose any weight, when I gained weight or hit a plateau. How you deal with these setbacks will make a difference in the longevity of your program. It's OK to mess up or not see results—you just have to accept it. You will reach your goals eventually. The most important thing to remember is that tomorrow is a new day.
    
3. Follow the SparkPeople Program. We believe in this program. It has brought us a long way! If you follow the four stages of the SparkDiet, you'll learn to use the site. Focus on the nutritional aspects of the program, from Fast Break to Lifestyle Change and you'll learn how establish good habits. Track your food daily and never go below your calorie range. The key for me was making it a lifestyle change because in all reality you are not on a diet, you are changing your life permanently.

1. Choose to make your life better. After my health diagnosis, I chose to get healthier instead of giving up. You have to make the decision to be healthier. It's a hard commitment to make. But you can find your inner strength and stick with it. Sometimes you have to make that commitment more than once! This is the first step in the journey. Now I feel completely empowered and in control of my life!
    
2. Track, track, track. Tracking is so important. By tracking your food, it teaches you how to eat better. I found out that I didn't eat enough protein or vegetables. Once I made changes there, I wasn't hungry all the time and my cravings for sweets went away. When you track honestly, you'll be amazed how it all works out and how the weight comes off, but you have to be honest with yourself.
    
3. Use the support systems. The SparkTeams, fitness videos, articles, the support you need—it's all on SparkPeople. I didn't want to join the Teams or talk to people on the site at first; I was afraid to. But I started in one Team, then another. We give each other support, we talk about our days, and the support system is one of the best things about the SparkPeople program. When you have a good support system to help you on your journey, it is a lot easier. If I did it, you definitely can do it.