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Introduction Text Hi, I am a foodie - I love to cook, enjoy figuring out how to make recipes more nutritious, and challenging my friends and family to try new foods. I have rheumatoid arthritis which was diagnosed when I was 2 years old. I went into remission when I was about 6. I came out of remission during my junior year of college when I was studying nursing and focusing on midwifery (yes that moment sucked). I ended up changing my focus to psychiatric and truly that was the beginning of my learning to be "flexible". I have had 25 plus surgeries. I have learned there is no defined "line in the sand". You do the best you can do and you learn to alter your expectations of what you can do or what you want to do - otherwise you get stuck (and depressed). Not a good place to be - I don't do depressed. My exercise program is tailored around whatever I can do within my limitations with my rheumatoid arthritis (and the lovely Pacific Northwest weather). Currently I am in the "let's replace the total joint replacements that are wearing out" phase. I redid my left hip in August, only to have it fail. So I am now 2 1/2 month postop... What I found with Sparks was a sense of community. This is an important factor with dieting, and especially with anybody who is at home due to whatever circumstances and/or disabled. Sparks has kept me accountable. It keeps me motivated. It reminds me that there are plenty of other folks who are on this journey who are just beginning or on their way - and they need to know that there is hope that their weight goals are attainable. And all I can say is they are! It takes work, patience, and heck - you need to be a pit bull (love my doggies) and push yourself forward. YOU CAN do this - it takes time but if you are persistent, anything is possible!

Reboot - my goal is to once again hit 145-150. One pound at a time... Prior history: I would like to get to 150 pounds by January 2008. 12/28/2007 update: I made my goal plus 4 pounds. I am wearing a size 6. For 2008 try to lose another 5 pounds (to 140) and tone up. 3/28/08 - met my goal of 140. 5/25/08 - going for 135 since I have managed to lose 3 pounds anyways during maintenance. Evidently my body can handle a little more weight loss! 10/1/08 - On maintenance all summer and decided to lower my maintenance to 130 - 135 since still losing. I have a Thanksgiving Challenge going which I hope to lose 3 pounds to hit 130. 11/11/08 - hit 130lbs! 11/30/08 - NY Challenge. Goal to hit 128 for an even 60 pounds by my 2 year SB anniversary. 1/27/09 - hit 127. Considering myself now maintenance 9/12/10 - Survived the summer and continue to maintain although my body doesn't seem to be comfy at 125. More ideal is the 135 range for my lifestyle

Currently am vegetarian - I need to get back to measuring/weighing for portion size. Then I am going to see if I can modify South Beach to fit my needs since SB worked well before (although I was a heavy protein kinda gal). My exercise program is modified due to having multiple joint replacements and rheumatoid arthritis.

I am 57, married with 2 adult children (ages 36 and 40), and one adorable granddaughter, Aliegh who is 9. My daughter, my grandchild and their Boston Terrier have lived with us for the past three years. Add to the chaotic household is my fat cat Riley and my old lady kitty, Missy. I use to have weimaraners but we lost them both (and I miss my walking buddies horribly). I love to cook, craft in several mediums, play with graphics/web sites and reading. My biggest passion these days is music: am a music fiend, collect vinyl, get to dj occasionally and am known to break out in dance regularly.



Add a Link I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. Agatha Christie ----------------------- Kierae Co-leads:South Beach Diet/Smart Carbing/GLBTQ Spark Network <link>www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/Kierae</link> <link>www.facebook.com/Robinlove60</link>
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