Update: January 2, 2017 Well, I went Paleo last February 2016. I had great success with it and experienced a complete disappearance of my chronic pain and inflammation. It was amazing!!! Since then, I've continued clean eating but have added back some of the non-Paleo foods. Yes, the inflammation has come back, but not as bad as before. When it gets bad, I just back off on the non-Paleo foods. :-) In 2016, I also gained a bunch of weight - for multiple reasons. I'm now working to rediscover balance in my eating habits. I no longer track all my food because that just makes me obsess more about food and calories. Instead, I am working hard to trust my body and the signals it gives me AND to obey those signals!! I love leading our OMAT Team and am always so grateful for the amazing people in our group. We are indeed small AND mighty. Onward and upward!! Bring it on 2017!! We've GOT this! Update: January 28, 2016 Wait, what?? I haven't updated this since February of 2014??!! Wow, that is HIGH ACHIEVING Procrastination right there!! :-) So I am continuing to do great with my OMAT plan and our OMAT Team. Our Small AND Mighty OMAT Team is such a treasure and I so appreciate my wonderful OMAT sibs. My next adventure is to start Paleolithic Nutrition (aka Paleo Diet) as of February 1st, 2016. I'm ready for this new adventure and hoping it might help eliminate a few lingering health issues. Learning that I am gluten-intolerant and going gluten-free back in the summer of 2012 completely changed my life for the better. I am hoping that this final switch to Paleo might also give me another new lease on life. Life is good here in Spark World and I just keep moving forward! :-) Update: February 15, 2014: SO overdue for an update. :-) I am finding SUCCESS with my OMAT plan!! OMAT = One Month At a Time. Each month I pick my own challenge and as I accomplish each challenge, I am forming awesome new habits. I am SO happy to have finally found my recipe for success. I am so grateful for my SP friends who have been there over the years and keep nudging me along. It might take a while, but you CAN find what works for you and you CAN find true success. NEVER give up! Update: December 6, 2012: I'm using Spark Coach and I LOVE IT!!! It is really working for me and helping me stay on track. I know, now, that I will get there. I'm doing it the right way....slowly, but surely. :-) Update: August 28, 2012: WOOOHOOOOOOO!!! I'm budging the scale! I recently signed up for Spark Coach and am making progress. I really love the structure and feel like I have a tool that will really help me keep moving forward. Also, as of June 1, 2012, I am gluten free and doing GREAT!! Turns out that I am gluten intolerant (non-Celiac). Well, that sure explains a LOT and so very many of my chronic health problems are GONE including the neuro problems, brain crashes, stomach problems, super sensitive muscles and fascia, fatigue, severe mood swings, and aches and pains. Yup. I feel good and I'm moving forward, inching ever closer to my goals. :-D Update: December 16, 2011: MAN, can't believe it's been SO long since I updated things. I haven't made much weight loss progress but I have made some progress in changing my habits. I eat less at each sitting now and I eat much healthier. It's been five months since I broke my foot in four places and tore all the ligaments I could find. It's been a long haul. I gained two pounds during that time. THAT is awesome that I did not gain more!!! YAY ME!!! :-) Now, I'm starting to be able to work out again and I'm SO happy about it. I still have pain, I'm still going to PT 3x a week, I still limp, and I'm still healing, BUT......I'm TRYING! I am making changes but not seeing results like I wish. I'm tired of being overweight and I am looking forward to continuing to make changes and slowly, but surely, LOSE WEIGHT! Update: January 15, 2011: Well, I'm learning - A LOT!! Most importantly, I'm learning that fabulous Spark People is here and stays with me even when I'm not present with Spark People. I am so grateful for that. I am back on track after a very busy fall semester. I have learned that I need to reserve brain space for my goals. When I am low on brain space, my goals slip away from me. I need to make those reservations for brain space and then keep first things first. My eating and exercise habits directly and immediately affect my health, attitude and wellness. I must keep my healthy priorities first and stick with it. I must be vigilant and NOT give up so easily!! I'm back..........and trying to stay on Spark track. :-) ==================== Original intro....July, 2010 I now know that I have FINALLY found a site that will keep me motivated. I finally realized that the reason I have not been able to stick to any calorie counting program or weight loss program is because it's just not FUN. So, I dug around AGAIN and found SparkPeople. I hope I hope I hope that I have finally found the right place!! I am 45 years old, married to an awesome guy, have 2 girls of my own plus three step-kids; I work full-time and am working on my masters degree. Life can get a little busy sometimes.... I'm sick and tired of being overweight and ready to work a program that works. So, HERE WE GO!!!

Always keep moving forward! ============= original: 1. To NOT jiggle!!! update: 2-24-14 Well, other than my healing right hip and leg, I am doing GREAT on this!!! YAY ME! update: 12-6-12 HUGE progress on this!! I am really get fit and much less jiggling! 2. To start: lose 15 pounds, will get new reminder bracelet then update: 2-24-14 DOWN 12.5 pounds!! Getting close! update: 12-6-12 My real goal is to lose an average of 1/2 to 1 pound per week until I reach my goal. 3. Keep losing by eating less and moving more. update: 2-24-14 I LOVE MY OMAT!! update: 12-6-12 I am definitely eating less and moving MUCH more. AND I am slowly losing!!

I figured out an OMAT approach that is working SO great for me!! Check out my blog on it from February of 2014. :-)

I live on the corner of two dirt roads in rural Michigan and I LOVE IT!!!

Motivation and staying on track seem to be my biggest problem, especially when things get extra busy or extra stressed. I'm doing way better with this, though, now that I figured out my OMAT approach!!

Add a Link -Mary in Michigan My OMAT Challenge Team (One Month At a Time) ****Team Administrator and Leader**** <link>www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp</link> "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." - Martin Luther King Jr.
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