What Has Spark Done For You?

When i first joined sparkpeople back in January 2009 I didn't know what to expect. I was skeptical about whether or not it could really offer me anything to help get me going in the right direction. And honestly for a long time it didn't. We all know though you only get from something what you put in to it. And frankly I didn't put much effort in to it at all.

It took me a while but when I finally decided to use the tools offered to us here I realized that maybe this little corner of the World Wide Web was just what I needed. I reached out to others and found in doing so that others reached out to me. I started using the trackers for food and fitness and started becoming more and more aware of what I was eating and what I was burning. Most importantly I joined groups and allowed myself to get to know others who are all going through the same struggles day in and day out. At the end of the day whether you have 100 pounds to lose, 50 pounds to lose or just trying to maintain and keep healthy we ALL are in the same boat. That is what makes this site so great. So many people trying to figure out the same things. It sure make it easier to wake up every morning and keep on going when you know the rest of us are doing it to.

This site has blessed me more than I thought it could, in SO many ways. One of the most special and wonderful things it has given me is a friendship that I cannot even begin to express my gratitude towards. Aimee (AIMEEM77) has been such an inspiration and friend to me. She pushes me, she believes in me and keeps me accountable EVERY day. A while back I asked her if she would come run a 5k with me? Almost without hesitation she said yes. So we decided on the Shamrock Run which was here in Portland on March 13th. I was SO excited for my friend to come visit me and run with me. Sadly while training I broke my foot and was not able to run. I felt so bad that I had asked her to fly dead across the country for this and then I left her to run without me. But she assured me it was okay and that the race was just an excuse to come visit. We had a wonderful weekend. I was very happy that her and my husband Chris got along famously, I knew they would be it was still a relief to actually see it. We took her to the Oregon Coast which is one of my favorite places EVER. We took her to Multnomah Falls and for a drive along the Columbia River Gorge on our way to visit another dear Spark friend Rachel.

Besties


Me and Chris


Rachel, Me and Aimee


My friends Tammy and Jeremy, Hubby Chris and my girl Aimee


Although I was disappointed that I couldn't run the race with her. I was so happy to finally be able to spend time with and HUG my friend who has become such an important and special part of my life.

To the rest of you much love. I am happy, blessed and honored to know each and every one of you. You all help and encourage me in your own ways and my hope is I do the same for you.