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Introduction Text I am a work in progress I'm a midlife wife, mother, RN, who likes to stay active and wants to keep it that way for the rest of my life. Have been overweight for 30+ years. I love dogs, I have an eight year old Bichon Frise named Linus who likes to walk/run then plop down until I carry him. 2020 Summer ADDENDUM: Linus was diagnosed with diabetes in July. It has been a difficult several months for my love bug LINUS. He had teeth extracted in March and had complications with a swelling of throat that put him in the ICU for several days. He came home on prednisone for 10 days and seemed to improve but within 2 months had developed diabetes and went into ICU again to flush out ketones and start on insulin. We are now adjusting his dose. He looks and acts much better and DH and I are walking him as much as possible :-) 9/8/15- Recently had surgery removing my thyroid and 2 parathyroids due to autoimmune disease making them overactive. Now trying to adjust to thyroid replacement medication. Looking for "just the right dose". 1/10/17 - My husband is supportive and joins me in diet/exercising. I bought him a Garmin activity tracker for his birthday this past summer and he has lost 48 pounds using it along with tracking food on my fitness pal. He is now on maintenance and inspiring me to track my food once again! 8/14/18 I have been suffering from a flare up of arthritis in my Right Knee since the spring. I gained a bit of weight from inactivity but have had my knee injected with cortisone and am now doing exercises in a pool 3 times a week. Also started Physical Therapy for the knee. My walks are slow and the resistance is low on bicycle. I am just starting to lose the weight gained this past spring. 1/2/2019 Arthritis of my knee is still an issue but I am pushing through the pain to get PT exercises done and still going to the pool 3 times a week. I have slowed down my volunteer work considerably and will focus my energies on getting better. Will be discussing a knee replacement with my doctor soon! 3/24/2019 I have decided to put off knee surgery for now because the Visco Supplementation Injection (Hyaluronic Acid) seems to have helped the knee pain. I am still getting most of my exercise in the pool doing "doggy paddle" with a floatation device around my waist. I am also now pedaling stationary bike 30 mins about 5 times/week and doing my PT exercises and strength training machines at the gym. Poor Linus has to wait for my DH to come home each evening to get his walks. Sometimes I drive over to his friend's house to let the dogs run together in the yard. He has gained a bit of weight this winter so I'm hoping to get him more active in the spring weather. 10/1/19 I'm still working on my weight loss. I have hit a plateau and lost my motivation to track food. I still exercise as much as possible and have pain in my arthritic joints (especially right knee). I find I can't do as much as I use to now that I am 60 yrs old but I push myself to get in as much activity as possible. I find that rest days help my muscles recover but my joints get stiffer and more painful with even one day of rest. I am working on finding a good balance of rest and exercise. Still searching for the best way to nourish myself. Nourish my body, heart and soul!

1) Find the right balance to Nourish my body, heart and soul! 2) To stay active and live a healthy lifestyle. 3) To set a good example for my family and loved ones. 4) To encourage my family and loved ones in their own goals and to help them along the way. 5) To lose weight while maintaining lean body mass (i.e. muscle and bone density) 6) To monitor my TSH, T4, Calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Maintain the proper dose of medication so that I have energy and a clear head. 7) To stay as active as possible to keep arthritic changes in R knee from getting worse Or explore the possibility of having a knee replacement. I would also like to lose weight to help my achilles tendon pain. I notice it is easier to walk (less pain) on cushioned surfaces (such as graveled or mulched as opposed to pavement).

THE UNDERDAWG OATH I do solemnly pledge: that I will do my best to eat healthy and within my calorie range, that I will exercise to the best of my ability, that I will watch my portions and avoid mindless eating, that I will avoid or limit unhealthy foods, that I will try to get enough sleep, that I will stretch myself out of my comfort zone, that I will always try to make healthy choices even when stressed, that if I slip, I will get back on track with the very next opportunity, that I will keep a CAN DO attitude, or ask for Help, and that I will support my fellow pack mates Because I am an UnderDawg And every UnderDawg has the heart of a hero. So Help me Spark People I have to make it simple. My life is too complex already. 1)Stay within calorie range. 2)Walk with my dog one slow mile a day when weather permits. Do this slowly so as not to irritate R knee which has arthritis. 3) Do PT exercises dail

Nature inspires me.

I love hiking, biking, kayaking or just getting outside to walk in the park. Have been hampered for a couple of years with R knee arthritis and arthritic changes throughout my body so I am moving much more slowly but still moving! I am a retired RN who volunteers by visiting the elderly residents of local Assisted Livings and Nursing Facilities just chatting and praying with them. I am married to a wonderful man for 34 years and have 2 adult daughters who are out on their own. But I am not an empty nester.. I have Linus, the perpetual baby of the family- LOL

Add a Link Harriet Eastern PA; Eastern Daylight Savings Time "EAT well. MOVE daily. HYDRATE often. SLEEP lots. LOVE your body. REPEAT for life." Sparkpeople.com "Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." Satchel Paige
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