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Introduction Text Hello! I am Preacher, AKA Brenda. I'm here for one reason: to lose weight. I wasn't always heavy and thought I could eat anything I wanted and "get away with it." Over the years, I had thyroid disease. I smoked for 30 years but on March 26, 1995 and haven't looked back. These factors are why I am obese today. I can't blame anyone anymore. I did it and now I am trying to undo it. I also had Sleep Apnea, which went undiagnosed for years. When I started falling asleep at work and while driving, I figured something must be wrong! I never heard of Sleep Apnea before, but now I am using a CPAP machine at night to keep me breathing. I don't like it, but it's made my life much better. I am happy to report that since losing over +80 lbs, I no longer had Sleep Apnea. I don't have to use that ugly machine anymore! As if Sleep Apnea weren't enough, I also have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed with Graves' disease about 10 years ago and had to undergo radiation treatment for it. With all I have been reading about this disease, I don't have much hope of lossing all the weight I've gained. But I feel bad enough about it to keep trying. Maybe I'm fighting a lossing battle (pardon the pun), but I just can't give up. I'm going to a new Endocrinologist who maybe can help me, but that won't be till June. I've asked God to restore the function of my thyroid; that's all I can do. I'm in His hands and if this is my lot in life, then all I can do is try to stay healthy. Even if I don't lose weight, I will have gained strength and confidence I never had before. In 2009 I had a gastric sleeve procedure for weight loss. Don't jump to conclusions here--this surgery is only a tool, not a magic weight loss plan. You still have to do the homework! But since then, besides losing a lot of weight, I also lost my sleep apnea. I feel so much better than I have even when I was younger. I feel more energetic and healthier. I was on 2 blood pressure medications. I no longer have high blood pressure and I am off all that medication for it. I have been maintaining my goal weight since 2009 and it's been hard at times since I have a hypothyroid, but I keep up with my exercise; in fact, I started Zumba classes a few months ago. Wow, now that's what I call a workout! Watch out! I have a sense of humor!

My goal is to be down to 150 by the end of this year and it looks like I am finally going to make it happen! My husband calls me "Thinner." That's a big help. Now that I'm lossing weight, I'm having him call me "Leaner". I am now setting some new goals that I've been ignoring: to exercise at least 30-45 at least 5 times a week. Wow, what a challenge. But I also said I love a good challenge. Looks like I found it! I also want to start a Christian Counseling center in my area within the next 2 years.

I am going to rely on Sparkpeople to help me with my eating habits and to change what needs to be changed. My doctor put me on an appetite suppressant which I stopped taking b/c it didn't work! I gave updrinking soda. I only drank Cherry Coke Zero, but from what I've heard about soda lately, I just thought it best not to drink all those hemicals. I exercise 5 days a week, using kettlebells or a medicaine ball, Turbo Jam, Hip-Hop Abs and using an Eliptical machine plus free weights for toning. I'm gonna do this for me. I've also discovered Zumba. I've read that an hour of this burns over 500 calories. As I am a Senior Citizen now, I can take this kind of class twice a week for free. Getting old doesn't mean I have to learn to knit while sitting in a rocking chair!

I was born and raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. I just turned 65 but don't feel old! I hold a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Christian/Pastoral Counseling and recently became an ordained minister. I teach Sunday School children from 1st to 5th grade and never knew I would like it so much until I tried it! In the next 2-3 years I would like to open a counseling center called "One On One Ministry" in my home or nearby so people who seek God's healing can have a place to find help. It is my desire to pass on to others what God has been so gracious to give to me.

I have 2 grown daughters and 4 grandchildren.

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