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Introduction Text Updated January 2015 - fourth time lucky! My Spark History: Back in June 2010, I realised something "I have been this way for too long, I am SICK AND TIRED of being ashamed." Enough of "on again off again" dieting, I needed some help and some inspiration to achieve my goal of being 10 stone and healthy and having a body to be proud of, so I joined Spark People - again. But this time did it properly. This was my third go at the Spark way, third time lucky. I tried twice before in 2006 and 2009: I would start strong, be enthusiastic and ready for the battle, I would start moving towards my goals, but on both occasions a mental health issue would get in the way and something would disrupt my patterns, I would give up and go back into the spiral of unhealthy eating and little to no exercise. This had STOP. No more excuses, no more falling off the wagon. In June 2010 I tried again. I took long hard look at myself in the mirror and decided I needed a lifestyle change, both physically and mentally. I felt it was time to GRAB this lifestyle change by the horns and really GO for it. This time around I used everything Spark had to offer: I started reading the message boards and using them to respond to people and to ask questions, trying recipes, incorporating strength exercises recommended by the site, I built a Spark page and got talking to some wonderful people. I built a Spark network around me to keep me focused. IT WORKED. I lost 35lbs over all, finally reaching my goal weight of 138lbs in February 2011, although it wasn�t just about the loss: Because of Spark I ran my first 10km race, and then a half marathon. I felt healthier and more alive than ever, 5 inches went from my waist and hips, I got some little "guns" and actual visible muscles in my legs, and you could just about see some abs! Most importantly I developed an accountability I never had before. I learnt about the power of positive self talk, what to do when if I fell down or slipped up and most importantly I met some wonderful people! I successfully kept the weight off until approx October 2013, when unfortunately the flood gates re-opened. Here's the backstory: In June 2012 I got a serious knee injury which prevented from running, after nearly two years of running almost everyday and getting quite good at it. I spent the rest of the year battling with weight fluctuations because of a complete ban on cardio whilst my knee healed - but I still had a long distance runners appetite.. When I was cleared to do cardio once more I managed to get to my ideal weight by February 2013. However, this was in a rather an unhealthy way (binge\starve cycle, obsessive exercising etc). Next my mental health suffered; I was hit by a huge bout of depression and anxiety triggered by work stress and a bereavement in May 2013 which lasted for many, many months. This dark period was completed by my marriage breaking down in October 2013. During this entire period, my routine flew right out of the window and I developed many unhealthy eating and drinking habits. Surprisingly, my weight stayed low through the depression and the split, probably due to the fact that I was still binge-starving, exercising like mad and I was living on my nerves. Because the scale didn't change, my bad habits stuck as I thought I simply wouldn't put weight on because I exercised so much. I moved into my new place of my own and settled into a new life. I stopped running as I couldn't face it but keeping up moderate exercise - However I was eating significantly more. Over the months the number on the scales has crept up and up. I was shocked when I stepped up in March 2014 to see I had nearly added 12 pounds, but looking back I could hardly be surpised. I tried to be very active over the last 12 months to try and lose yet I have continued to gain and am now at my highest weight for 3 years. I know it can't be sedation that has got me here as I do work out a lot so it is down to my terrible diet, lack of care about how I treat my body and not enough water. It's time once again to re-evaluate, eat better and get back to my happy weight. So here I am, back tracking my food, eating whole foods and clean foods as well as continuing to track my exercise. I am attempting to re-learn lessons from the past 4 years and reminding myself that although problems come along, and life throws curve balls at you, unhealthy food and lots of it (whether you work out or not) isn't the answer. Just because something bad happens it doesn't mean you should take out your upset on your body. I am trying to heal myself once again through healthy, vitamin-rich foods along with fun filled exercise, setting goals and achieving dreams. It's a battle to stay on the wagon, each day, but over time it gets easier. I did it before and I can do it again. Feel free to contact me, it�s always good to connect with fellow Sparkers and hopefully we can help each other along.

Original Goals (2010): To loose 35 pounds - DONE as of 9th February 2011 To eat better and be more conscious of every forkful that goes in my mouth To tone up and to live a healthier more active life. To complete a 10k for Cancer Research UK 26th Sept 2010 - DONE! 57.00 To learn valuable lessons on healthy, active living and maintain this so I never slip back into old, bad habits. From now on it's a healthy, happy me. My new goals, as of January 2014, are to: Get to back to 139lb and stay there. most of the time give or take a few fluctuations. Stay active, stay positive, keep moving, keep progressing.

I am trying to keep my calorie under control and monitor what I consume. At the moment I am aiming for lots of lean protein, healthy fats and low carb. I aim for complex rather than simple carbs (big struggle for me!), plenty of omega 3 and vitamin b12 to keep my anxiety levels to a manageable level I am exercising as much as I can: For cardio I run, cycle, take Body Attack classes, swim and walk. For strength I do yoga as well as Les Mills GRIT Strength and CXWORX. Trying to use the car as little as possible and use these legs of mine to get around!

I am a 32 year old, single girl from the UK. The picture in the background of my Sparkpage is Newborough Beach on Anglesey,a very special place to me. I love Wales; Cymru Am Byth. I love to travel, especially around Europe and I really love Canada. I also love to cook, read and go to the theatre.

Running, skipping, singing, jumping, cooking, cleaning, dancing, dreaming, acting, walking, driving, crying, laughing, listening, talking, eating, drinking, reading, sleeping.....Thats me!

Add a Link "Ever tried, ever failed, no matter. Try again, fail again, fail better" Samuel Beckett "I can, I will, I SHALL" My dad
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