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Introduction Text MINDFULNESS & LIFE BALANCE: This page is a reminder to me, of my intention to live mindfully, authentically, in the present, and enjoy every moment. Spark, Rhythm & Wonder: focus on my health (*spark*), improving a sense of routine at home and work (*rhythm*), and approach everything with a sense of *wonder*. Life is beautiful! (Embracing the changes in the Spark app: maybe freeing myself from the desktop will shake things up! But saving my old stuff below for inspiration) ~~~ Giving up on a goal because of a setback is like slashing all your tires because you got a flat ~~~ +++ YR 7 UPDATE, fall 2014 +++ Five years, two babies and +40 lbs later, I am ready to reclaim myself, my footing, my energy, my health. I did this before, right? So I know in my cells that it''s possible... not with some magic bullet, but by making many small, positive changes. By being consistent, hopeful, positive, and taking the first step. Each day is a new opportunity to make great choices. +++ YR 2 UPDATE, summer 2009 +++ Maintaining well this last year: started running last summer, did my first 5K, still hiking and eating (relatively) healthy. My main challenge is portion control. For now I''ve taken down my ticker, to concentrate on life''s most important challenge yet: growing our first baby (!). We''re expecting in January 2010. It''s gonna be tough to watch those pounds pile back on. So I want to focus on gaining weight in a healthy way, keeping active, and choosing the best possible foods. I know SparkPeople and BabyFit can help me do it :) +++ REWARDING my progress, back in 2007/08 [=2014 motivation] +++ :: joined Jun 2007 :: 25% goal (~9 lbs lost, early Jul07) = new hiking boots, woOT! :: @ 140ville & half-way mark, early Aug07 = massage :: reach a healthy BMI: DONE! Sep07 :: Pants loose , down 2 sizes! = new jeans (end o'' sep07). :: Switched ticker dude to runner...130s here I come! (earlyOct07) :: met 75% goal + 4 months of sparking = nice moisturizer (midOct07) :: 140s are tough; Joined 130ville team to tempt me (end o'' Nov07) :: 130s! Subscribed to an outdoors magazine. (4dec07) :: Just because: I fit into new, single digit jeans (11jan08) :: Beautiful new underthings, for my b''day (jan08) :: Lose 30 lbs (165 to 135). DONE! Feb08 = Treat for reaching goal weight...a sweet lululemon outfit for walking. YAY! :: Fab new runners for couch to 5k action :D (aug08) � completed the program (DONE! 28Sep08) :: Run a 5k race in 2008 (DONE! 5Oct08) :: Reach revised goal weight = 127, to aim for maintenance range of 125-130 lbs. (DONE! 18Nov08) :: Took a Caribbean cruise with my brother, Xmas08. A long-planned celebration of a major life goal (done my PhD). What an extra great reward, to be fit and healthy for it! =D +++ YR 1 UPDATE, summer 2008 +++ It''s been over a year since I started sparking. Lost 30 lbs - then in the past couple months I gained 5 back, distracted during some new life changes. I seem to be stumbling, yet I remain positive and determined. I realize I need to adjust my approach with time, to stay active, aware, and engaged, but in a way that suits my life. Let''s see how it goes! Step one was making some updates to this page. And now I''ll focus on some personal streaks to get back at it. +++ STARTING OUT, summer 2007 +++ Had trouble controlling my weight in my late 20s, and feeling sorry for myself, I chalked it up to being "naturally chubby". Yeah, whatever ;) When I lost all the excess on a year-long trip several years ago, it reminded me I can be perfectly fit and healthy. Then over the last couple years, I devoted less time to exercise and more to comfort munching. My weight crept up slowly, and I didn''t see how big I''d become. Until some photos shocked me... But I''ve licked the personal albatrosses that were dragging me down, and re-found the motivation to nurture my health. I had a mental picture of myself as slimmer & fitter than I looked. Now I want to be that same girl I was before, that I am inside... The exact numbers don''t really matter. Rather, I want to feel energetic, fit, and strong! I want to be *my* own best, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. And I wish the same for everyone else, too. YOU CAN DO IT! Every day is a fresh opportunity to make good choices & to be happy :) See ya ''round & warm wishes to all for great health, inside and out !!! ~Nature Girl ________________________________________ * MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION * --- "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." --- Mohandas K. Gandhi --- " ''I have done my best.'' That is about all the philosophy of living one needs. " --- Lin Yutang On why life experience is beautiful... --- "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain." --- Kahlil Gibran --- "If my muscles ache, it''s because I''ve used ''em...I got a few wrinkles here and there, but I''ve laid under thousands of skies with sunny days" --- Maggie McGlone, in The Guardian "Scars hurt, and they take time to heal. But they make you look fierce and sexy" --- my friend Antonia ________________________________________ *CELEBRATION * Signs of PROGRESS, independent of the scale ~ (to remember, when discouraged -- these came from my first few months of super-enthusiastic sparking!, summer ''07) * posture is better because my core is stronger * recently felt comfortable in a bathing suit, for the first time in forever! * enjoying my new outdoor club, hikes in the city, and time with my walking buddy * I feel good about taking better care of me * Mom commented that my face looks thinner, my best friend noticed my hips look slimmer, work friend said I look ''so together & fantastic'' (!) * my shorts feel looser * I''m not feeling as stressed, despite being busy * all of these healthy habits are becoming easier, second nature * this is amazing...one day I noticed that my long-term knee pain is almost gone! I guess my body enjoys having less weight to schlep around =} * Jeans that gave me a "muffin top" (ugh) are now loose, hooray! Down two pants sizes, and I have a "normal" BMI !!! * while grocery shopping, I notice the junk is less tempting, and I''m craving the good, real food. When I do eat some treats, I don''t pummel myself so much anymore, just get back on the horse. * Made it to Stage 4 -- what a great feeling, to set goals & stick to them =) * Wow - my old favourite Levis that I haven''t worn since I was 20 actually fit! Well, I can do the buttons up at least... ________________________________________ WILD GEESE by Mary Oliver You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting-- over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

BE HERE NOW, with a spirit of optimism. Improve my physical and spiritual health: *feel* better. Say goodbye to needless worry, guilt, time travel, comparing, and negative self talk. *** Goals for 2017 *** + Trade these rolls for tone: shed the 50 pounds of (cough) "baby weight" / (~185 to 135 lbs) + return to a healthy BMI. + Do the #10kTrainer program (completed couch to 5k in summer '08 and again in spring 2016, loved it)

W3, my own simple acronym ~ * WALK: keep moving * WATER: guzzle it * WHOLE: replace whites (salt, sugar, fat, refined carbs) with WHOLE FOODS & COLOURS (veggies, fibre, complex carbs) + fill fridge and cupboards with healthy options + start day with positive thoughts, a small set of exercises, and meditation. + eat many small, healthy meals per day :: track what I eat (even quick track) and control portions. + strength & cardio 3x / wk. Get outside, every single day. + don't get bummed by plateaus or dips...keep the faith: 1 step back, 2 forward =)

45 years young, mom of 2 young boys I like fresh air, green living, curiosity and creativity, and sharing good food and times with people I care about.

REWARDING my progress... kicking it back into gear, Spark II: Renewal 2017: [x] a boost for my spirits, shake off those winter blahs! = bright new WALKING SHOES (10Apr15) [x] Slow but steady wins the race! Keep motivated while struggling for consistency = new WORKOUT OUTFIT (14Feb2016) :[ ]: Back in 170ville = [ ] reach a merely "overweight" BMI ( @174 lbs, for my small height) = :[ ]: 160ville = :[ ]: 25% goal (11 down, @169) = :[ ]: 150ville = :[ ]: half-way mark (23 down, @157) = :[ ]: 140ville = :[ ]: 75% goal (33 down) / reach a healthy BMI (@147, for my small height) = :[ ]: 130ville = :[ ]: Treat for reaching goal weight @ 135 = ?

Add a Link ~*~ Spark, Rhythm & Wonder ~*~ Giving up on a goal because of a setback is like slashing all your tires just because you got a flat. Let go, or get dragged!
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