I have been with SP since January of 2006.

I was a major success my first year - even made the Spark People Success Stories. I converted seven people to SP due to my evident lack of a pot belly, trim shape and healthy appearance! I dropped 40 lbs and went from a 44" waist to a 36" waist - and was very comfortable in all of my (new) clothes! Goodwill Industries and Purple Heart were my best friends from all the "fat stuff" that I was donating from my closet ! That was 2006. ...

I have been with SP since January of 2006.

I was a major success my first year - even made the Spark People Success Stories. I converted seven people to SP due to my evident lack of a pot belly, trim shape and healthy appearance! I dropped 40 lbs and went from a 44" waist to a 36" waist - and was very comfortable in all of my (new) clothes! Goodwill Industries and Purple Heart were my best friends from all the "fat stuff" that I was donating from my closet ! That was 2006.

Well, 2007, and most of 2008 were not so good. I gained a lot of weight, in fact 10 pounds more than 2006's loss, despite the 1,000 miles of walking I recorded in 2007 (yes, over 20 miles a week!). Also, so it seemed, I was still on my SP path with all the healthy nutritional habits that I had learned.

Even during my weight gain I was able to eat a very responsible breakfast every day, eat at least 4 to 6 servings of fresh (or fresh cooked) vegetables and fresh fruit, whole grain breads, and the house was always stocked with alternative treats like those 60 calorie pudding snacks, low cal microwave popcorn, nuts and whole grain hard pretzels. I cooked with olive oil, and broths and used Smart Balance Light as my "go to" spread. I never ate a hamburger at McDonald's and took most of my (healthy) packed lunches to work. I learned to appreciate a good night's sleep, receiving about 7 to 8 hours every night. I bought a 6 month gym membership - and used it about two times a week. I walked A LOT, probably to excess.

So, what happened to this Healthy Lifestyle Believer? This Spark People Disciple? Here I was, eating healthy foods, exercising, logging into the SP site almost every day, yet I was gaining weight. Well, what happened was portion control and sweets and carbs and mentally sloppy-ness.

I let some very bad unhealthy habits re-enter my life. I was not ever-vigilant and sat back and rested upon my successes. I let weight loss plateaus get me down and drive me off track. I stopped tracking my activities - or at least tracking them accurately. Good health can be fleeting and changing. It leaves you so slow and without any pain that you do not even realize what is happening. When you start to notice that your health is suffering you rationalize that this is just a bump in the road, just temporary, and that you will get back on track... next week...... for sure! Even when you have to buy new, bigger clothes, still you rationalize and procrastinate.

The good news, I am still here! I never left. The bad news, I am in very poor health! So, WAKE UP and take care of business!

MY WAKE UP PLAN:
I hope to learn from this small disaster in my path to permanent good health. I have learned that being healthy is the result of desire, fortitude and continued commitment. It is not necessarily a team thing, it is very personal and gut wrenching. The only true person you can count on is yourself. You are also your own worst enemy - so be wary when you look in the mirror and determine just who you are looking at! You control your own destiny, you are responsible for your actions and their profound effect upon your well being. If you have a sound plan and a method to track progress, you will win.

SP has great building blocks to use to reconstruct my plan, to shore up the broken walls and patch the roof. It worked before with great success. I have learned from my fall and have grown strong, never to fall again. "Pick yourself up eight times when you fall seven" and you are a success - and that is just what I am doing now. In re-doing my "story" it has been very therapeutic. The bleeding has stopped! I feel balance in my new path to a healthy me!

FAT HAPPENS: (Lessons Learned)
1. A one mile walk does not equal a piece of pie.
2. I have to exercise more than I think... and I can find the time.
3. Eating more healthy food will not make me more healthy.
4. Empty calories are not empty - they are full of danger.
5. My mind and body will work against me.
6. My friends, family and environment will work against me.
7. My cure must be administered every day.
8. If you think you have this licked, pinch yourself and wake up!
9. Reward days, a break day, or a day off, will kill your program!
10. This is not a diet, it is a life long journey to good health.

BEFORE YOU EAT SOMETHING THAT IS ENTICING, ASK YOURSELF, "HOW WILL EATING THIS HELP ME ACHIEVE MY GOAL?"

dennyb

Read More About DENNISBISHOP (Updated January 4)

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