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Introduction Text My spark journey... I have been a member of spark people since April 2009 - since then I have managed to lose 25 lbs (my start weight was 167lbs) with the help of lots of exercise and a healthy nutritional intake. I love the spark community and am thankful to all the friends I have made here who have helped me along this journey with their advice, encouragement and motivation. My plan for 2021 is to maintain the weight reduction from 2020 with the help of spark people and my fellow cloverleaf 5% challenge team members. The weight had been creeping up gradually over the past few years!! Last year (2020) I followed a new diet or WOE (way of eating) called the Fast 800. This involves drinking lots of water and eating food that is not highly processed as well as not eating white rice, pasta or bread. Calories are restricted for the first 12 weeks and it is following the Mediterranean style of eating - higher fat, lower carbs. Although it was hard at the beginning the results were really good and I went from an initial 178lbs to 155lbs which was brilliant. My heart rate reduced and I began short HITT sessions (15 minutes every other day) as well as resistance training on the other days. Since September 2020 I have moved on to the 5:2 way of eating. This is 2 days calorie restricted and 5 days moderate portions eating Mediterranean Style along with the daily intermittent fasting 16:8 (eating in an 8 hour window - no snacks) and my weight went down to 145 pounds. However over Christmas meant I began to eat more of the processed food so I am back up to 148lbs which is not bad really. I would like to continue until I reach 140lbs and then maintain that weight this year.

To lose 5% of current weight over the next 8 weeks To stick to a structured plan with 3 days short HITT sessions and resistance training on the other. Get rid of the junk food! To become more toned.

Walk at least 30 minutes on 6 days per week. HITT session 3 days a week. Resistance training on the other days. Eat more fruit and vegetables - 3-5 portions per day. Eat less chocolate!

I am 50, married and have 2 boys aged 19 and 16. We live in a village in Derbyshire, UK. There is a windmill in our village! We adopted Kiba from the RSPCA 5 years ago - he helps me with my daily exercise! We have been finding more places not too far away to take him on longer walks.

I love reading both paperbacks and my kindle. I enjoy taking part in a reading challenge on Goodreads called Around the Year in 52 books which encourages you to choose a book from a different genre each week. I have been a member of a 'rock choir' for 4 years now - it is a great way to meet and make new friends. A coupe of years ago we recorded some songs at the famous Abbey road studios in London! Last year we continued with sessions on zoom which although not the same means that we still get to meet up online once a week during term time. I rejoined the national trust last year and have enjoyed visiting historic houses.

Add a Link Julia Derbyshire, UK BST (EST + 5 hrs) Believe you can and you're halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt Don't follow your dreams...chase them!
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