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Introduction Text A fresh start deserves a fresh Sparkpage. I remember an old song my mom sang to me growing up. It talked about a spark. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. Such a simple concept, but such a true one. Sometimes getting the spark can be really hard. Anyone tried to light a fire before when conditions weren't perfect and no click lighters were available? It's hard! But, once you get a good spark, you can get a fire burning in no time. I've been struggling for years to keep my fire burning, but I've not lost my spark, so hope is not lost. At the end of 2007, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). At the beginning of 2008 I started to work toward a healthier life and to a large degree for a woman with PCOS, I was highly successful. I can honestly look back on things now and say that being diagnosed with PCOS is one of the best thing that could have happened to me. It is odd to say that, but I really believe that without the diagnoses I would not have found the motivation to do something about my unhealthy lifestyle. When I began this journey I weighed a horrifying 260 pounds. I suppose I didn't see things as bad because when I looked in the mirror I saw a very different person. I wasn't a complete couch potato. I was moderatly active most of the time, but my eating habits were awful. I know that most of the weight got put on in college when my mom wasn't around to smack my hands when I went for the ice cream or pizza at midnight. Plus, not knowing I had PCOS, I wasn't going about doing things right to control it. With PCOS comes insulin resistance and you have to follow a specific diet in order to control it. I was definitly on the wrong track. Carbs were my life! With the diagnoses, I still didn't get my butt in gear though. It took learning about PCOS and the problems it could cause in my future before I changed. The thoughts of miscarrying a baby, much less just trying to get pregnant, and having to deal with higher chances of diabetes, heart problems, and living a shorter life horrified me. And starting the beginning of 2008, I made the committment to change my life! I changed the way I ate, starting doing cardio and strength training, and overall started caring about myself. I lost 40 pounds within 6 monthes and felt amazing about myself. But then life came crashing down...my grandmother very suddenly passed away, followed by a change in employment that let to a lot of stress. My personal life was a mess and with the emotion rollercoaster, I lost track of myself. During the past couple of years, I've gained back 60 pounds. I've done little for myself and I can't be sure my motivation is completely back, but I can't give up. I don't want to live my life with regrets, so I'm going to give it my all. Weight loss is not a fast journey and going slowly will allow you to learn more lessons. Falling off the wagon, as they say, does not mean failure. It means you've been given a chance to learn from a mistake or two and learn what it means to fight for what you really want. Now, a new fresh start once again. I'm starting much heavier than the last time at 285, but I won't let that hold me back. It means more weight to get rid of, but slowly and little by little I won't let the weight beat me! I'm always willing to lend an ear if nothing else, so please feel free to post a comment, e-mail me, and please check out my page further!

1. Lose 140 pounds overall. I have no ultimate goal weight. I just want to be fit and toned! 2. Get healthy enough to stop taking medication and control my PCOS. 3. Finally have the body I've always wanted. 4. Find a new sense of confidence. 5. Reach my final goal of a dream vacation and photo shoot.

I'm a...kickboxing, jogger who does strength training and Yoga on the side. I feel I have put together an overall "package" that will be a key to success. I also follow the Herbalife program which includes two meal replacement shakes and supplements along with a exercise. 06/01/2013 Weight: 280 BMI: 45.7 Visceral Fat: 9 Body Fat: 54.5 % Muscle: 20.8%

I'm a 28 year old female living in central Ohio. I graduated in 2007 with a bachelor degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management. Work in natural resources has not come easy so now I work as a Customs Brokerage Agent for Expeditors International out of Seattle.

"In life, many things will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those." Author Unknown Romans 5: 1-11 "Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher 'standard of living' is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important that television." Aldo Leopold, Father of Wildlife Management

Add a Link Beks "Obstacles are mental. Defeat the mind and you will conquer the body."-Beks "In life, many things will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those." Author Unknown
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