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Introduction Text I found this site, and loved the concept of it, so thought I'd give it a try..Since Dec '06, I've lost 54 lbs. I was AOWL for awhile, but found my way back, with more determination, than ever.. 5/30/08-Ok, I've changed my name, so may as well change my page, too. To start with, what that last statement doesn't say is how LONG I was AOWL, or why.. I actually joined in July of '07; I went "over the wall" August of the same year..Why? Because I didn't take it seriously, so it slowly faded away until I just pretty much forgot about it..March of this year (08), I re-discovered SP..Since then, I've lost another 12 lbs. I don't usually talk about my health issues; I hate the "Aww you're so young", or the "Geeze looking for alittle sympathy?" look, but I want people to know they're not alone, and people in general to know that there are disabilities that can't be seen, so don't judge if you've not been there! I had fibromyalgia before it actually had a name. Every doctor told me it was either A. It was all in my head B. I was lazy or C. I was looking for sympathy!..I actually cried the day a doctor finally diagnosed me..Finally, it had a name.. I was in my early 30's at the time; The symptoms began when I was around 21... I've had osteoarthritis since late 20's and degenerative bone disease, which is a common disease-if you're in your 60's or older..I was around 43 when found this one out..And for the finale (joint-wise, anyway) *drum roll, please* I have a congenital birth defect called spinal stenosis; Took them 40+ years to figure that one out..I did research on stenosis; One of the effects is clumsiness (woohoo..explains alot; at least I have a reason for being a clutz) So that's it for the skeletal/muscular portion of our tour..Are we finished? Of course not..Aren't I the lucky one? Anyway, 2 1/2 yrs ago, I'm diagnosed with diabetes type 2. Of course, went through all the stages..denial- doctors don't know everything; anger-"No one's going to tell me what I can and can't eat" (Pity party, table for one). Then I got down to business of getting this mess under control..We're into some serious stuff now; The other crap, at least, wouldn't kill me..This is the Big "D"..Nasty stuff; This one can kill me; all at once, or a piece of me at a time; Nice choices..I'd just as soon keep me on this side of the dirt, thank you, all body parts intact; Over the years, I've grown fond of those parts (lame joke , I know)..I'm also one of those that can find humor in just about any situation..Family medical history dictates that it's easier to make fun of this stuff and laugh about it, than it is to wallow in self pity, but, again, I digress... Basically, I'm just plain tired of feeling 10- 20 yrs older than what I am, which is 47. Some days, I have to drag myself out of bed, because I refuse to give in or up..So, when I get to my goal weight, I'll still hurt, but I'll look good while I'm at it! ;) 6/20/08: Yep, I'm at it, again, changing the page..If I'm gonna change, I'm taking the page down with me! No one is safe within my reach (Not that they ever were)! lol So here goes: 354 12/06 pre-SP 300 07/07 starting SP (disappeared a month later) 299 03/08 re-starting SP (lot of progress, eh?) 285 06/20/08 Now, I can actually put the day, too lol 290 08/01/08 no Diabetes med 08/07/08 - First goal met! 285 08/15/08 279 10/14/08 278 10/17/08 The only failure is when I give up and quit trying, sooooo..failure is NOT an option! "Some people, no matter how old they get, never lost their beauty-they merely move it from their faces into their hearts" Martin Buxbaum

To get rid of the last little bit of diabetes meds I'm on. done: 8/7/08 To be around for my son (who else can make his life as miserable as his mother?) To be around for my granddaughter..I want to watch her grow up, develop into the wonderful young woman I know she'll be, and make me a great grand mother way WAAAY down the road.. And last but certainly not least, to be around for me; If I don't care enough about me to do something about it, who will? And of course, for the vain reason; To look better, and buy "normal" clothes..lol

Portion control and exercise, plain and simple; No fad diets, no "miracle" drugs; Just know when to put the fork down, get up off my butt and do something.. I go to the gym twice a week, then either do a light workout, or walk a couple days a week at home..

Born and raised in Missouri, but living in a small town west of Des Moines, Iowa for almost 7 yrs, with a wonderful and VERY understanding (even if he is a pain in the butt at times) man; No kids at home, but our furkids, but he has 2 daughters,19 and 24, and I have one son, 25; We both claim each other's as our own (most of the time lol); My son has blessed me with a beautiful granddaughter, 6, whom we both claim at all times, of course! I have kind of a dry and warped sense of humor, finding humor, most times, where others wouldnt..that comes from growing up and taking care of an ill mom, and having my own health issues..laughing beats crying any day :)

I have an apricot toy poodle, a basset/pointer mix (he looks like a freckled basset lol), and 2 cats everyone, except Buffy, the poodle is a rescue kid..Buffy was a Valentine's gift in '07.. My favorite genre in books, movies, and tv shows is horror/scifi, though I do like some action films..I also like the CSI shows, and just about anything medical, crime, and supernatural on Discovery and TLC channels..Ok, and my secret guilty pleasure shows are Dancing with The Stars and Celebraty weight loss (ssshhhhh)

Add a Link Joy aka Star Dont take life too seriously; No one makes it out alive, anyway... Anon Laugh; It's like jogging for the soul Never be ashamed to admit you're wrong. You're only saying that you're wiser today than you were yesterday... Dave Gilpin "Some people, no matter how old they get, never lost their beauty-they merely move it from their faces into their hearts" Martin Buxbaum
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