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Introduction Text Hi all you fabulous Spark People! Like many, I spent much of my life not paying particular attention to my weight or fitness. I was lucky enough to be thin and healthy for a long time. Then things started creeping up on me over the years...things being pounds mostly. I found myself in my early 50s with 50+ extra pounds and a way too sedentary lifestyle. I started my new health routine and SparkPeople life in early April 2008. I'm happy to share that I've lost 60 pounds and am regularly exercising now. Slowly but surely I am getting closer to the fitness level I want, and perhaps more importantly, I am more active and just plain old feel better. Good luck to all of you in reaching and/or maintaining your goals! I am now (as of early 2012) honored to be an official SparkPeople employee. I work part-time in support and love helping Spark members with questions or issues. This has given me another view into this great SparkPeople organization; from the top down, they all truly care about helping the members reach our goals. I feel blessed to be even a small part of it. If I can ever help you along the way, just let me know. Many Sparkers helped me and I am ready to return the favor whenever possible. I try to let people know when they have helped, inspired and motivated me along the way; but, I know that I have not always done that & am trying to be better about doing so. There have been days when the only reason I got up the gumption to workout is because of the teams I lead and belong to and their wonderful members. I hate having to report to my SP friends that I did not complete a challenge or didn't do as much exercise as I should have...so I pull myself off the couch and do it, while at the same time I think how lucky I am to have the friends here that inspire this new healthy behavior. THANK YOU, one and all!!!

My original goal was to lose 50 pounds. Wow, I still find it hard to believe I was that much overweight. But, it is what it is. Losing 50 put me at a good weight for me; but still in the upper half of the range for my height. Once I got there, I took a good hard look and decided to go for a few more. Now, with 61 lbs gone forever, I'm moving to maintenance mode. Of course I want to look better and to feel better about myself again. But primarily I really am after the improved health benefits.

Tracking all my food. Keeping within SP recommended calories every day. Doing SP videos and joining every workshop challenge they create. I've built out my home gym: elliptical, treadmill, exercise bike, Wii Fit and other Wii exercise discs, mini trampoline, dumbbells, foam roller. (Many of these goodies were gifts. Yay!) Finding small ways to get in just a little more exercise: things like walking in the yard a bit more with the dog, going upstairs a few extra times during the day instead of combining trips, Doing some leg / ankle exercises while watching TV. All little but it adds up.





Add a Link Merle Ohio "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." Edward Everett Hale
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