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Introduction Text Hi! My name is Melannie and I am a 44 y/o disabled mother to two adult bio children and three stepdaughters. I was always tall and thin my whole life until I had invasive brain surgery in 4/01. After the surgery, and daily since, I was put on multiple steroidal medications, with one being lifelong at 5 pills per day. Over the next couple of years, my adult lifelong size 5 went up to a tight fitting size 22 . . . my starting weight was around 130 lbs and I topped out at 268 by 12/05. The specialists kept blaming my medications and I was left with great frustration! In 12/05, I decided to consult with another physician who is also a family friend of many years. I begged him to either take me off some of the meds I was on or to change them to comparable meds that didn't have the added weight gain side effect. Together, we came up with a more reasonable combination, omitting about 1/3 of the meds altogether. A year and a half later, after changing my eating & excercise habits on my own, I lost almost 100 lbs and was able to wear a size 14. Shortly after that time, the summer '07, I met my husband - all 6'3" and 159 lbs fully clothed of him . . . . I went off of my low carbs and low fat diet regimen to accomodate his "beef and starch-based" method of eating. I gained back approximately 20 lbs of my lost total . . . and I had to start wearing size 16's again . . . . I've been miserable!!! I used to be very photogenic by nature and now I hate every pic that gets taken of me! I hate the moon-face, multiple chin, rolls of fat when I put clothes on and take them off, and having so little energy everyday, etc.!!! At the end of July '09, I decided it was time for ME to take action and take back control of my health and weight/size!! Since the last week of July, I've gone down from 192 lbs. to 184 as of this a.m. (10/2). On September 4, 2009, I discovered this website/program online and when my old/rebuilt computer isn't acting up, I've been trying to utilize the tools, information, support, and suggestions that SparkPeople offers in my journey to feeling better about my self, appearance, and my energy level. My husband and I moved to an area I've never been around before (Cabot, AR) so I have only a few support networks during this difficult process, and they all live a long way away from me (my family lives 3 hrs from me and my bf lives outside of St. Louis, MO). My spouse isn't very supportive of me bc of his own insecurities and I've found that when a person has someone else to share their journey with, regardless to the activity/destination, it makes the load so much lighter to carry. Thus, I'm posting my first (ever) introduction on a public website . . . . I hope to both find and be a support to other people on here that are struggling down the same road to better health and happiness that I am. I've returned to a whole grain carbs, white meat (fish, seafood, tuna, chicken, & turkey), fresh/frozen vegetables and fruits ONLY diet at the first of September '09 and the results are wonderful! With each lb lost and each outfit getting looser, my self esteem is climbing higher. My resting heart rate has gone down 8 bpm and my energy level is getting better. The only thing missing is a stronger support network with people who have similar goals. I always say, "Alone we can accomplish many things, but that amount is not near as much as what we can accomplish TOGETHER!" It's hard to do alone, so I'm looking forward to being part of the SparkPeople community and teams! Not only on the receiving end of support and encouragement either! I am a giver and I want to be a source of support and encouragement to other members as well on this long, difficult journey that will allow each of us to reap limitless rewards!

9/4/09: I have been battling my weight/size and although I have already lost almost a 100 lbs since 12/05, I still have another 52 more lbs to go. UPDATE 11/4: I am down 8" and 12 lbs in two months in spite of serious health issues! Only 41 more lbs to go! I'm loving the many positive changes in my body and my life since joining SP! UPDATE 12/19: I'VE LOST 20 LBS SINCE MID-SEPT! ONLY 30 MORE LBS TO GO!!

09/4/09: I began eating only healthy foods a couple of weeks ago and I'm already seeing the results! I only eat whole grain carbs, fish/chicken/seafood meats, fresh/frozen vegetables and fresh fruit everyday. I'm walking with Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVD's, my arms are less flabby and my resting heart rate went down 8 bpm. I'm using the SparkPeople website tools and I'm really excited about this network for those like me who are on a lifelong journey towards better health! My energy level is even improving! 11/04/09: I took my measurements today and after 2 months, I've lost 8" from my body so far. Three of those inches are from my waist . . . YIPPEE! I have begun to set both short-term and long-term goals and I'm increasing my participation on my SP Teams!!! The latter is a HUGE success for me. I just bought Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat Boost Metabolism workout DVD and I'm anxious to implement it in with my Leslie videos! I have plans in place to survive the hol

My name is Melannie and I'm a 44 y/o mother of two bio adult children, one daughter-in-law, and three stepdaughters. On May 2, 2009, I also became the very proud "Nonny" to my first grandchild, Kemper Michael Godfrey (he's the doll baby in the pic w/ me when my Sparkpage is opening)! I love to find ppl here on SP who have similar life circumstances/goals and become friends with them. I'm new to the Cabot, AR, area and I haven't met any ppl yet.

I'm an avid reader and writer with the dream of becoming a published author one day soon. I believe in God and I am a born again christian since 12/31/81.

Add a Link Melannie happygrl652010@yahoo.com
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