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Introduction Text In 1994, at age 30-something, I weighed 165 pounds and was as fit as I'd ever been in my life. It was the height of the "Jane Fonda workout" craze, and I worked out every day at the local YMCA. I even had a personal trainer because IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE MEMBERSHIP FEE! How different things are today. Middle age crept on, as did 35 extra pounds. In 2008, I peaked at 202 pounds and knew I had to do something about this. My cholesterol was elevated, I didn't like how I looked, and I had no energy. Through calorie restriction alone, I managed to lose 25 pounds that year. I was able to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary looking thin again. I managed to keep that weight off for quite awhile. In late 2013, my husband got transferred and we uprooted ourselves from the home we'd known for 20 years. We also moved my elderly mother in with us. This transition has been stressful for all of us. I put on 10 pounds, so I'm re-committing to Spark. It pains me to have to go back and "re-do" weight goals I'd previously accomplished. Maybe I will channel that frustration into motivation. Everyone on this site inspires me. I hope something about my story with resonate with you and inspire you, too.

Exercise three times a week. Meet my calorie and nutrition goals every day. Work some weight training into my routine. Dream goal: hire a personal trainer. Goal #1: Consistent fitness activity every week on schedule. Goal #2: Hit my target weight on schedule (160 pounds by 11/1/15). Goal #3: Give myself non-food rewards along the way Goal #4: Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet for fiber. Weight milestones: 182 = starting weight 178 - done 175 - done - reward new earbuds for tunes while running 173 - done 171 - done 170 - done 9/9/12 - reward = heart rate monitor system RE-DOING EFFECTIVE 3/1/15: 168 - reward will be new tunes on my phone for workouts 165 - reward will be new workout togs 163 - reward will be a massage and manicure 160 - reward will be new size 12 jeans!

I try to eat my own hybrid of a glycemic diet and a high fiber diet. I'm going to start leaning more toward the Mediterranean diet, but without the daily glass of wine (gives me a headache and disrupts my ability to sleep). I walk or do indoor rowing three times a week for at least 30 minutes per session. Lately, I'm trying to incorporate more strength activities. I never eat after 7:00pm.

I'm a professional freelance medical writer and Registered Nurse. I cover health, healthcare, wellness, and history for various outlets. In 2010, I won an Online News Award for my blog "Dad Has Dementia." At my website rn2writer.com, I teach other nurses how to live the dream of becoming a freelance writer.

I love to cook. I love to eat. I'm married to the world's greatest guy. We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2012!

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