Page Title

Introduction Text I've been dieting and exercising on and off for the past 30 years. When my weight hit an all time high (162, I'm 5'1") and I turned 50 years old I knew I had to take charge of my life again. I am determined to get my body in the best shape that I can. I originally joined Sparkpeople in January 2006. I was doing really good tracking my food and exercising 3 days a week. In July 2006 I joined a gym and was working out 5-6 days a week burning a ton of calories. At that point I stopped tracking my food thinking I was ok because I was burning so many calories. Well I did lose about 5 pounds, but that dang scale wouldn't budge any further. True, I did gain some muscle but my measurments were not changing. I finally realized it had to be my diet and I really needed help. In April 2007 I joined Jenny Craig and the weight slowly started coming off again. I had a steady weight loss through December 2007. My Mom passed away in January 2008 and I lost my motivation to exercise. I was still eating Jenny Craig meals but I was doing a lot of snacking inbetween. OF COURSE the pounds started creeping up again which in turn just depressed me even more, finally, I just said "ENOUGH" I have worked to hard for to long, it's time to get back on track again. That's when I rediscovered Sparkpeople and was thrilled to see all the great changes they had made to their website. I joined several Spark Teams and found the motivation that I needed to gain control and get my life back on track again. I've met so many wonderful people that have encouraged me to keep going. I discoverd the joy and benefits of running and have completed four 5K's at the age of 53!! I turned 2008 from being a failure into being an accomplishment. What an incredible feeling! Update April 2009:I really felt it was time to get off Jenny Craig and start eating clean. I'm stressed right now trying to plan meals (I haven't done this for 2 years) but I know it will get easier as I find the recipes that I like and I'm used to buying certain brands of foods and I don't have to read labels all the time. Update 2009: Well 2009 didn't exactly go as planned. I ended up with a sprained calf in June and by the time I was healed I lost my motivation to run. From there things spiraled downward and I ended the year with a 10 lb weight gain. Update April 2010: I've found my motivation to run again. I ran a 5k in March and it wasn't my fastest but it wasn't my slowest either. I'm planning a 5k each month for 2010 and have finally bought a bicycle to cross train. Update November 2010: I've run 5 5k's this year. I joined the BLC team and that has made a huge difference for me! With all the challenges and requirements for the team it has kept me accountable and on a losing streak, woo hoo! I will be Captain of the BLC Silver Spy team for Round 15 starting in January, I'm so excited! Update April 2011: I've lost 14 lbs in the last two rounds of BLC! January 2012: Starting my sixth round of the Biggest Loser Challenge and Captain of the Silver Spies. I love this challenge and together with my fantastic Co-Caps and teammates I will reach my goal this year! September 2012: I'm starting BLC 20 as a MOM (Master of Maintenance) I reached my goal weight last round and have maintained! Woo Hoo! November 2013: I'm still maintaining but would like to get my weight down another 5 lbs. Being Captain of the BLC Silver Spies team has kept me on track and accountable. January 2014: Goals - Stay in maintenance range by weighing in weekly and adjusting calories accordingly. Plan meals and snacks, pre-cook when possible. Limit sweet snacks in the house. Start C25K again in order to run 5K's with DD. April 2014: In the beginning of 2014 I knew it was time to leave the BLC team. The opportunity came along with another like minded BLC captain. We decided we wanted to move beyond weekly weigh ins and weekly challenges built by someone else. Together we created a new Spark Team and named it Camp WannabeFit. We based it on a healthy challenge where You decide what you need to work on and what Your Measure of Success is. January 2015: Camp WannabeFit has been a huge success and has kept me very busy along with working 2 jobs. I did not reach my weight goal but instead gained roughly 10 lbs. In December 2014 I began the Sugar Impact Diet and lost 7 lbs only to regain it between Christmas and New Years. I'm now back on track and will work hard to reach my goals and Maintain this year!

To reach my weight goal in 2012. Done! To run a 5k race. DONE! 11/27/08 Time 44:12 5K Spring Gallop 3/28/09 38:20 PR To get a sleeker, toned body! To stay within my calorie range, no more snacking on sweets at night.

Strength train 3x a week. Cardio 5-6x a week. Staying away from sugar and flour, I will start following the Bright Line Eating plan.

I am originally from Vermont and now live outside of Chicago. I am married and the mother of 2 grown children and 2 grandchilden. My hobbies are reading, cooking, motorcycles and gardening.



Add a Link ~Darlene/Dar~ Chicago, IL BLC 13 Golden Gladiators BLC 14 - Silver Spies BLC 15-24 - Captain of the Silver Spies BLC Silver Spies take the Gold in R18 & 21!! CampwannabeFit - Leader
Save Changes