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Introduction Text September 10, 2013 I got active again on Spark in January 2013 after regaining most of the weight I had lost in 2010. This time, I focused on activity first. Eventually, that created enough incentive to get active on taking off pounds so that I could be MORE active. I've been dropping an average of 2 pounds a week since the start of July. I know I could do it faster, but this is very sustainable and allows me to feel like I am not restricted. For anyone who is just starting, we all have different paths, but even a litte Sparking, no matter how imperfect, will make a real difference to your health on all levels. February 3rd, 2013 I joined Spark in January 2010 weighting 348 pounds. I lost 85 pounds in 10 months. Then I got a job. A busy job. And I stopped doing all the things that brought success. On Christmas day 2012 I got on my scale again. I weighed 328 pounds. Oddly, I found that encouraging--I had not exercised at all, I'd eaten really badly, but I was still down by 20 pounds, or 10% of the weight that was my original goal 3 years ago. I decided to increase the number of veggies and fruit in my daily diet, workout for 30 minutes 4 times a week, and to stop buying any food at the Tim Horton's cafeteria at my job site. Today the scale said 315 pounds. I'm setting small goals--I want to up the number of laps I can swim this month in 30 minutes. I want to track the food I eat. I want to lose 4 pounds. I'll see how I'll do. January 10, 2011 Started on Spark January 8th of 2010. I weighed 348 ;pounds and by Mid October I had lost 85 pounds. And then I got really busy. And I stopped logging on Spark. And then I stopped my daily walking. And then I stopped my every second day walking. And soon I was only walking once or so a week. At first I was good with my food. And then the treats crept in. And then the 'treats' were regular, so no longer 'treats' which are, by definition, rare! And I gained back 23 pounds. So, one year on Spark is a total of 62 pounds down. Which is still pretty darned good. And today, I tracked my food and I walked to work, which is 3.5 km. And tomorrow, I intend to get up and do the same thing. And, if I keep doing that, last year taught me that me weight will come off, my knee will stop hurting, and I will enjoy walking and feel stronger and much more energized. July 30, 2010 I am truly starting to believe that I will be able to take off the total 200 pounds that will give me a healthy BMI. More importantly, I am also seeing living examples that show me that once the weight is gone, it is possible to keep it off--but it takes work and conscious effort. I've taken 70 pounds off 8 months and it wasn't a grand sacrifice or struggle. It is just constant attention to changing old habits and putting in new ones and new ways of thinking. Sometimes I backslide, but that just gives me an opportunity to refocus on building the new, healthy habits. No great mystery here--I eat mostly within my suggested calorie range, I record everything I eat, and I do my best to do the 15 minutes/186 calorie of exercise per day (usually walking or dancing). I am not special. I'm someone who loves fatty, sweet unhealthy food and who hates exercising. And Spark has given me the practical tools and the emotional support from fellow Sparkers to keep working on a healthy way of living. If you are thinking of working on your health, I think this is a great place to do it. There are different paces, different levels of exercise interest, different types of eating plans, etc. There is no ONE right way--I think each of us find a blend of things that works for us. Give yourself the gift of 15-30 minutes on this site and you will probably find a way that helps you reach your weight-loss and fitness goals. Good luck. June 11th, 2010: 6 months of Sparking have given me amazing results. Yes, the 60 pounds that means I am now considered insurable is awesome. Yes, the confidence I have that I will take off another 140 or so pounds over the next 2 years and keep it off is also great. But the best stuff, the best changes, were unimaginable to me. (My original January intro is below this text) Walking for pleasure (and boy, does it take inches off the hips). I can pop up off the couch or out of a chair! I can fit an airplane, theatre, or movie seat. Snug but comfy! I keep up with other people when I walk. I can go up three flights of stairs without needing to rest! Buying clothes is more fun. A lot of the junk food I used to love doesn't even taste good anymore (and the stuff that still does I allow myself once in a while in a sane portion size). Best of all--I'm not worried about Type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease, eating my way into a wheelchair as my joints give way, and so forth. There is no reason why I can't enjoy a healthy, active life for several decades. My body is now my friend instead of my enemy! January 8th, 2010: 4 years ago I lost 120 pounds and now I have put it back on plus 20! I was recently told that I can't be considered for life insurance unless I lose at least 60 pounds and keep it off for a year. A BIG wakeup call. I am lucky enough that my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are all good. I'm planning on losing 200 pounds over the next two years and then, a day at a time, keeping it off for the rest of my life. Recently, a friend reminded me that a goal without a plan is almost always doomed to failure. The daily reminders of Sparkpeople's program will be helpful in staying on track. I hope!!!

Fall/Winter, 2013 / 2014 Lose an average of 2 pounds per week per month. Swim four times a week for minimum 30 minutes per swim. Go on one 5 km walk every weekend. Attend weekly pottery session. Book a February holiday for Vancouver. Book one weekly date day with my husband, no phones, email, or social media accessed for 24 hours. February 13th, 2013 Swim a total of 2 hours a week. Walk a total of 5 km a week. Stay at the high end of my suggested calorie intake for this month. Track my food. Acknowledge that the scale goes up and down from day-to-day, but if I keep eating fewer calories than I use and exercise moderately, I will eventually see downward progression. Try not to get obsessed with losing weight, but make it just one part of my life and maintain it as well as I maintain the rest of life's pleasures and duties. Jan 10th, 2011 Track my food every day, even the days I go over my suggested caloric intake

Weekly weigh-in Weekly blog Track food Eat one really amazing dessert every week (just one regular portion)! Some form of physically healthy activity (minimum 15 minutes) every day.



Although you wouldn't know it from my stream-of-consciousness blogs, I make my living as an editor and writer. My office is about 10 steps from the fridge. Which is why I can't keep junk food in the house! Distraction snacking had a lot to do with me packing on the pounds.

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