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Introduction Text Update May 24, 2014 What I wrote before was actually more than 2 years, more like almost 4. And I was doing great, although I hadn't lost all my weight. But then on Halloween morning about 8:30 am I had a sudden stroke with a brain bleed. I know when the paramedics came I remember one saying my blood pressure was 260 over something, but I don't know what. It had never been that high before. I was knocked out and by about noon that day transferred from our rural hospital in New Mexico to another bigger one in Phoenix, AZ. After 11 days they could finally take the drain out, and Nov 21 I was transferred to a hospital in Dallas TX near my oldest son and Daughter in Law. Got out on Dec 3, 2014. THen just before Christmas started therapy for about 2 months of 3 hours a day, 5 times a week till insurance ran out. I am doing pretty well though in spite of everything. I can't run right now, and walk like I'm drunk LOL. But I keep working on my walking anyway and go longer and longer distances. I will soon be getting an apartment of my own in TX and a whole new life. I've been through the ups and the downs and the way way downs but have trusted in God to see me through even the worst times. I can honestly say that things work out for the best, even when it seems hopeless. And the docs say they walking and exercising I did just before the stroke helped me afterward. So what you are doing now, do to help you now but also do it for your future. If I hadn't been doing what I was before I might be dead or in a rest home. Don't give up! I'm not giving up now either! _______________________________________________________ My life has changed so much over the past two years and I have really learned to see it as an amazing journey with endless roads to explore. I started working on getting fit in July 2009 after getting on thyroid medication and starting to feel a little better than I had been. My mother had also passed away 2 months before from a lot of problems that were related to her weight. I had done a lot of caregiving for her the last several years of her life. When she was gone I had two reasons to start working on myself. After trying to balance work, other family commitments, and taking care of her I finally had the time to work on myself. And I didn't want to go through the things she went through from diabetes, heart failure, some loss of eyesight due to diabetes, and severe osteoporosis that left her back very twisted and painful. I have lost 65 lbs and try to eat healthy and do exercise. I have 5 grown children and 12 grandchildren. I've been overweight most of my life and weighed 240 in high school. Starting this healthier journey in July I weighed 225. I've lost some weight numerous times in the past but always gained it back quickly. Now it's been over a year and I've not gone back to my old ways. I still want to lose another 20-30 lbs, and it's slow going now, but this is the longest I've ever been able to keep off the weight. I know that the main reason is because I have so much support here on SparkPeople that I never had before. The people and the tools are invaluable to me. My favorite form of exercise is hiking. I like living in Southwest NM because there are so many days year-round that it can be done and so many places to do it. recently I added running to my new list of physical activities I like. I've never been a runner before in my life but now am loving it and signing up for races to keep me motivated and compete against myself rather than the other runners. I've done a few 5ks, a 10k. a half marathon, and a 15 mile course at the annual Bataan Death March Memorial at White Sands Missile Range. I can't run all those yet but I walk them fast when I can't run. My goal is to be able to run the whole things. I've found on this journey that other things in my life have changed and I'm trying new and different things and it's exciting. As you can see from my pics, one thing I did was go from a blond to a redhead LOL! Something I never would have done before but I love it. I'm thinking about lifetime dreams and goals to do different things and actually believing that the possibilities are endless and I'm not limited to a very small little world like I always felt I was before. Dare to dream and go after things you never thought possible before! You'll be surprised at what you can do.

My goal is to get down to 140 to 150 lbs. I have never been that small in my teen or adult life Passed that mark sometime in junior high I think,. I said 140 but my doctor says 150. I'll see after I get to 150 how I feel and what I can live with. My other goal is to be a runner, which I've also never been. I'm making progress on that!

I drink lots of water every day, at leat 64 oz and often a little more. I go to the gym and do the treamill or the bike. My very favorite form of exercise is hiking, and there are lots of places to do I find to do that. I would like to be a runner, and was working on that before I had a stroke. But my goal fro now is to walk without looking drunk, and to be able to speak more clearly and to use my right hand more. And eventually to be able to run again!

My name is Linda, and I'm originally from Denver Colorado but have lived in Silver City New Mexico in the southern part of the state since 1969. Since Nov 21, 2014 I have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex through and with probably make my home there at least for a while. I have 5 grown kids and 12 grandkids. I am also very excited that my middle son, Ryan, is getting married next year and his fiancé, Heather, has a daughter that will soon be my grandchild too!

I also love reading mysteries and watching documentaries about various people including athletes.

Add a Link Linda Last is just the slowest winner."-C Hunter Boyd
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