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Introduction Text The Original Title of My SparkPage was "On A Journey To Save My Own Life". I was on my way to being in a wheelchair and there really wasn't much "Life" in my life if you know what I mean. Then I joined Curves and was told there about SparkPeople.com. My goal in joining Curves was never to lose weight. I looked at the hydraulic machines there as a type of 'Physical Therapy' and I hoped just to increase my mobility, stay out of a wheelchair, and decrease the pain in my knees. As I told one of the Trainers at Curves more than once, "My body doesn't know how to lose weight". I had tried and failed at so many Diets that I was tired of even trying. I didn't Count Calories and I didn't "Diet" because I knew I would fail anyway. But I did add more Fresh Vegetables and Fresh Fruit. Eventually I was eating less because the Vegetables and Fruit were filling me up quicker than the Meat and Fried Foods that I had been snacking on. I started putting my Gravy and Sauces 'on the side' instead of covering my food with them. I would challenge myself to see how much gravy or sauce I could leave on the table. When the pain began to subside I added more activity to my Life. Walking at Wal-Mart was a goal that I hadn't dared to dream of before Curves and SparkPeople changed my Life. When walking with an empty grocery cart became too easy I started adding Kitty Litter to the cart. The weight of the Litter added a challenge to the walk, and loading the 10 or 20 pound containers in to and out of the cart added Strength Training to my time at Wal-Mart. Eventually I was pushing 120 pounds of cat litter around Wal-Mart several times a week, never dreaming that it would lead to an appearance on The Rachael Ray Show in January 2011. Today I walk from 3-5 miles almost every day, go to Curves 5 or 6 times a week, and have learned what it is to CRAVE fresh fruit. I am leaving my Original Introduction on my Page because I don't want to ever forget where I came from. I want new SparkFriends to read it and find the hope that I found here and to believe that they can save their own lives by making small, gradual changes. I am changing the Title of my Page to the nick-name that Rachael Ray herself gave me when I stepped out on her stage from behind my "Before" Picture. (edited on 2-1-2011) (Achieved My Goal Weight 10-6-2009) ~~ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION~~ "On A Journey To Save My Own Life" In February of 2009 I finally realized that my weight and inactivity were killing me quickly. Life is supposed to begin at 50 but I felt and moved like a much older person. I take care of elderly people for a living but I realized I was not far from needing someone to help me with daily activitys like shopping, paying bills, and walking. And the pain in my knees was becoming unbearable. I knew that--at the best--I was only a few years away from being in a wheelchair myself. I began eating better and joined Curves (March 28, 2009) even though I was sure that I could not do all the machines. I soon found that I could do all the machines and that I ENJOYED getting to Curves every morning. No matter how tired or bad I felt when I got in the car, I ALWAYS felt better when I finished my workout. Maybe it was the exercise endorphins or maybe it was the fellowship with other members and the staff, I don't know which. I was SHOCKED at my first weigh in-- a month after I joined Curves. I had lost 16 pounds!!! The Trainer and I both cried. It was the FIRST time in my life that I had stepped on a scale and cried because I was happy. With the support and encouragement of Curves and SparkPeople I have continued to lose weight and Gain Mobility and Joy in my life. People tell me I look younger and I know that I feel younger and HAPPIER than I have in YEARS. I am looking forward to much more LIFE in the rest of my YEARS. EDIT, JULY 11, 2018 In the past four years there have been a lot of changes in my life. The biggest change was my husband's cancer battle, after fighting for 3 years the colon cancer finally was too much, and he died in December of 2016. Diet and exercise took a backseat to all the other priorities that we had to focus on in these years. Although I kept exercising, the strength training that have been so important to my weight loss in the beginning took a distant backseat to other priorities. I gained back about 50 pounds what I had lost in 2009. As of April of this year I have recommitted to my Strength Training, and eating a Better Diet. I've only lost 5 pounds so far, but I think I'm well on the way to getting back to Teeny Jeannie! I treasure all of my Spark Friends who have been with me through this entire Journey. My advice today is to Enjoy Your Journey, whatever your goals are, and remember We Are Stronger Together!!

I want to walk without pain and without being short of breath to the point of embarrasment. (Done on March 28, 2010--my 1st Curves Anniversary) I want to enjoy going to concerts and on vacation without worrying about whether there will be some where to sit down and rest or whether there is too much walking involved. I want to get on a plane and fasten the seatbelt without help and without having to ask for a seatbelt extender....(met on October 21, 2009 NWA Flight #3620 Oklahoma City to Minneapolis) I don't want to be using a wheelchair when I am 60.

1) Go to Curves at least 5 days a week. 1 A.) My Curves closed on Dec 7, 2012. I am now going to Anytime Fitness 5 - 6 times a week, and Lifting Weights 3 Times a week. For now I am just doing Machines/Circuit Training. I might go to Free Weights in the Future. 1C.) The Anytime Fitness Gym did not work out. I was not happy there, so when a new Gold's Gym got b here in town, I joined them. So Far I am Really Happy with them. I am doing Free Weights almost exclusively now. 2) Do some kind of exercise/activity for at least 8 hours a week. 3) No foods are "off limits" If I am hungry for something high calorie, indulge--but budget your calories for the rest of the day to accomodate it. ... 3a) Try to limit any 'white' food like bread potatoes, rice, etc by substituting wheat or whole grain products whenever possible. 4) Eat 5 Vegetables a day--Try to include at least one vegetable with EVERY meal. 5) As often as possible, eat foods "naked,"

I have lived in Oklahoma most of my life. I have been married since November 24, 1978. We have two grown sons: Geoff and Geonn

We LOVE visiting Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon whenever possible. In the past it has always been problematic for me because of all the walking in both places and the seatbelt on the plane was always difficult. It is embarrassing--no matter how nice the Flight Attendants are--to ask for a seatbelt extension. I am looking forward to our first trip to Las Vegas since joining Curves and SparkPeople. We are leaving on October 21--my Birthday. (DONE-October 21, 2009)

Add a Link Jeannie "When You Are Consistent With Your Healthy Habits, Magic IS Happening In Your Body And Mind --- Even If The Scale Is Not Moving!" SparkPeople Coach Nicole ----------- Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Give Your Fears To God .... And Watch Him Step On Them. **APRIL 3 ~ NATIONAL WALKING DAY
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