In 2008, my life changed for the better thanks to Sparkpeople and the Couch to 5K running program. I used to think I couldn't lose weight and I was SURE I couldn't run. Now -- 57 pounds later -- I have lost more than 25% of me and run two half marathons. I am planning to run a marathon in 2010. I have goals in every aspect of my life and am getting them done. I am more fit, healthy and energetic at 48 than at 38 -- and that feels great!

Click "read more" for my story about my ...

In 2008, my life changed for the better thanks to Sparkpeople and the Couch to 5K running program. I used to think I couldn't lose weight and I was SURE I couldn't run. Now -- 57 pounds later -- I have lost more than 25% of me and run two half marathons. I am planning to run a marathon in 2010. I have goals in every aspect of my life and am getting them done. I am more fit, healthy and energetic at 48 than at 38 -- and that feels great!

Click "read more" for my story about my journey to better health.

LAB-LOVER'S JOURNEY FROM OBESE TO ALMOST NORMAL...

Like many, I've struggled with weight my whole life. At 221 pounds, I reached the point where I was fed up with being a fat, slow person who couldn't walk a mile without sore feet and had high blood pressure. I had a new job at work, was caring for an aging parent, and could have easily rationalized that I was too busy to fit healthy eating and exercise into my life. But in January 2008 on a snowy weekend in Portland, Maine, I decided to get honest with myself and make MY goals a priority. It's hard to believe that I've been here for two years, but how I've changed!

For the first time in my life I’ve really been successful with healthy eating and exercise – and the results are amazing! I've lost 57 pounds and my BMI has gone from obese to overweight. I’ve shrunk from a size 18/20 to 8/10. I've cut my blood pressure meds in half. I never imagined that I could be a runner, but I completed the Couch to 5K program in March 2008 and ran five 5K races and a 10K in 2008. In 2009 I ran 2 half marathons and about a dozen races. I’m a slow runner, but that doesn’t matter much… it’s the improvement I see in myself that keeps me motivated. I can find something to be proud of almost every time I work out – even if it’s something small. And it’s a great feeling!

There’s no magic to this – just hard work. But along the way I’ve learned that it’s important not to get negative if you make bad choices. Be gentle with yourself. If you know you had a bad day, you are at least paying attention. Figure out WHY it happened, learn from your mistakes, and do better next time. As time goes by, success breeds success. It’s amazing how losing just 10 pounds can improve self-confidence in every aspect of your life and make you feel great! Thinner face, looser clothes, more energy! And oh, the compliments! I’ve been told I look thinner, younger and fit. Someone recently called me "skinny"! And I know that I have more energy, am sleeping better and feel great. All of this keeps me on track through the tough times and plateaus.

My Sparkbuddies and team members have also been a huge factor in my success. We have fun and support each other. I have made friendships with people I would have never crossed paths with in “real” life -- and some have now become real life friends! They were a huge source of support and a daily inspiration. We've tackled our food and body image issues together. With their encouragement, losing weight has given me the confidence I never expected to tackle other challenges in my life – personal and professional clutter that was weighing me down. I truly feel like there’s nothing I can’t do if I put my mind to it. My weight loss and fitness success has inspired me to set goals in other areas of my life. And I’ve made a long list to keep me on track – health, fitness, professional, financial, travel, etc. I feel like I’m facing the future with a roadmap, rather than wandering aimlessly.

I’ve been upfront about telling people in real life about my goals and my successes. Having others tell me that I’m an inspiration is incredible. It’s allowed me to take risks, and to open myself to new possibilities and relationships. To me, that’s one of the powerful things about Sparkpeople… everyone has the ability to be an inspiration. This year, I'm honored to be quoted in "The Spark."

But my resolve to put myself first has been most critical. As SparkCoach Dean says: "If you’re not the loudest and most active member of your own fan club, your chances for long-term success will be pretty low. Other people may help you get started or keep you going on those inevitable bad days. But you are the one who has to be there for yourself each day when it’s time to make the right decisions to reach your goals.”
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***MY 2010 GOALS***

1. Weight Loss and Health

a. Focus: Reach my goal weight by 9/30/10
Milestones: 163 by 1/31/10; 161 by 3/31/10; a normal BMI (159) by 5/31/10; 157 by 7/31/10; 155 by 9/30/10

b. Reinforcement: Daily log in, 40K sparkpoint trophy; put a before/in progress photo in my office with a copy of The Spark; read The Spark.

2. Be in the Best Shape of my Adult Life in 2010

a. Consistency: Burn more than 120,000 calories; run/walk at least 850 miles; and 12,000 exercise minutes

b. Challenge: Run in 10 races, including 2-3 half marathons, and at least 2 10Ks. Begin training for a Marathon (event will likely be in early 2011) – or decide that I’m not going to do it and let it go. Set at least 1 PR.

c. Strength: Institute strength training program (find a place in my house to do this by January 15, 2010): SP Bootcamp in January; focusing on core strengthening, and running stretches. No less than 2-3 times a week once bootcamp is done.

3. Have Fun, Keep it Fresh, Make Connections

a. Reconnect: Hike the length of Cape Cod in June; Make calls to at least 6 friends that would be happy to hear from me. Take (or plan) a great vacation.

b. New Firsts: Run/race in at least 2 new states, run in at least 2 new races, attend two trainings/conferences of my choice

c. Prioritize My Needs: Post 2010 work goals over my desk (DONE) – stay positive, check out on time at least one day/week (pick a day and make it a commitment), and make progress on my three year plan (details elsewhere).
____________________

Take your head there and your body will follow.
-Craig Harper
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I am a river, forever changing
Struggle is perfect, and all that is here is for good.
-Adrienne Young
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"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~ Roberta Brenick
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"I think there is no better way to invite a human being to view their body differently than by inviting them to be an athlete, by revering one's body as an instrument rather than just an ornament. It's a really great way to reorient how you see your body so you can see it as this incredible, awe-inspiring machine that you need to fuel well in order for it to function."
Alanis Morissette, Singer/Actress
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"How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming with that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all, you've got to lay it all out on the line "
-Tim McGraw
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I WILL REACH MY GOAL ONE POUND AT A TIME

Sept 06 - Heaviest weight at 221
Jan 3, 2008 - 213 - Join SP
Jan 8 - 212 - Starting to "get" my way around the site
Jan 10 - 211 - Set small daily goals
Jan 13 - 210 - Got serious about 8 cups of water
Jan 20 - 209 - Notice my face is looking thinner
Jan 23 - 208 - Get "lost 5 pounds with SP icon"
Jan 29 - 207 - Started telling friends about my goals
Feb 5 - 206 - Pull "skinny me" clothes from closet to motivate me
Feb 14 - 205 - Post a "before" picture of myself in SparkGallery
Feb 16 - 204 - Intentionally tried to shink jeans in the dryer so they fit!Feb 18 - 203 - Get "lost 10 pounds with SP icon"
Feb 26 - 202 - Gotta exercise! Sign up for 10K/Start 10K team
Feb 28 - 201 - Wearing pants that didn't fit in January.
Mar 4 - 200 - Notice I don't enjoy taste of fries at McDs
Mar 8 - 199 - Onederland! Reached my 1st short term goal.
Mar 9 - 198 - 15 pounds lost! New SP Icon; 10% of me is gone
Mar 12 - Started Couch to 5K program
Mar 27 -197 - Make first appearance on my SparkPage
Mar 30 - 196 - Week 3 of Couch to 5K training, run 9 minutes
Apr 12 - 195 - Busted thru plateau. Bought new 4" smaller jeans
Apr 13 - 194 - Celebrated 100 days as a Sparkperson
Apr 14 - 193 - 20 pounds lost! XL T-shirts getting too big!
Apr 15 - 192 - 10% of me gone! Can run 5 minute intervals.
May 7 - 191 Week 8 of C25K, can run 2.5 miles without stopping
May 8 - 190 - I am "only" overweight! New BMI category!
May 11 - 189 - Skipped right over this one
May 11 - 188 - Lost 25 pounds! Have gone from Size 18/20 to 12/14
May 12 - 187 - Jettisoned four huge bags of clothes.
May 18 - Finished C25K. Ran/walked first 5K. Time 39:16 (12:38/mile)
Jun 8 - 186 - Halfway from Pre-Spark weight to goal!
Jun 9 - 185 - Wearing short shorts!
Jun 11 - 184 - Got my 10,000 point trophy today! WOO HOO!
Jun 21 - I am a SparkPeople Motivator! Thank you all!
June 23 - 183 - 30 pounds lost! I am now tucking my shirt in!
June 29 - River 5K - Ran whole way at 38:30 (12:23/mile).
July 6 - 182 - Notice I'm no longer avoiding mirrors!
July 8 - 181 - I've lost 40 pounds from my heaviest!
July 17 - 180 - I can run 4 miles without stopping to walk!
July 29 - 179 - Wearing MEDIUM shirts!, 20% of me is gone!
July 29 - 178 - 35 pounds lost on SP!
Aug 8 - 177 - Beginning to see myself as a "not fat" person.
Aug 26 - 176 - Mom passed away yesterday. Lost 45 lbs from heaviest.
Aug 27 - Started the Hundredpushups.com training. Initial test: 6
Sept 1st Week - Meet CJROMB and TRUE_TEXAN! What fun!
Sep 14 - 5K - 38.55 (12:31/mile)
Oct 7 - 176 - Time to make progress again!
Oct 13 - 175.5 - First 10K and set a new PR at 1:18:11 (12:35/mile) - faster than I did 14 years ago!
Nov 2 - First 7+ mile workout!; Half Marathon training begins
Nov 14 - 174 - Notice that legs are feeling stronger, ran a mile in 11:33
Nov 21 - 173 - 40 lbs lost since joining SP! Put down deposit on puppy
Nov 23 - Bought a pair of size 8 pants! Did 160 pushups in sets!
Nov 27 - Gobbler 5K - New PR at 37:43 (12:08/mile) (clock, not chip)
Dec 14 - 5K - New PR at 37:00 (11:54 mile) (chip)
Dec 19 - 1st ever 9 mile run!

2009
Jan 6 - 172 - 1st loss since before Thanksgiving!
Jan 7 - 171 - 50 pounds off from heaviest! WOO HOO!
Jan 7 - 170 - got two huge compliments this week!
Feb 4 - 169 - WOO HOO! One-sixtyville! Just 10 lbs til normal!
Feb 27 - 168 - Notice that I don't mind the me I see in photos!
Mar 22 - 167 - Hubby says I have a "nice azz"
Mar 23 - 166 - 25% of me is gone!
Mar 25 - 165 - I keep up with colleagues hiking in the woods
Apr 19 - First ever 10 mile run!
May 3 - First ever 12 mile run!
May 18 - Hometown 5K - PR- 35:30 (11:25/mile)
May 24 - Half Marathon - 2:52:51 (13:21/mile)
June 23 - Passed 500 miles in run across U.S.
June 25 - 164 - 1991 pre-wedding weight!
June 27 - River 7.5 mile race PR: 1:32:07 (or 12:17/mile - chip)
July 5 - River 5K - New PR at 35:25 (11:24/mile- clock)
July 23 - Summer 5 Miler - 58:58 (11:48/mile - clock)
July 24 - Made it out of Virgina in X-C virtual run! Hello KY! Mile 555.6
Sept 15 - I am called "fit" for the first time in my life
Sept 17 - I am called "thin" for the first time. It's a good week!
Sept 18 - 163 - Have lost 50 pounds on SP!
Oct 15 - 170 (ugh) - Set a PR in 10K at 1:15:13
Oct 18 - Farm 5K - 37:05 (11:58/mile); 16 miles in 1 weekend!
Nov 1 - 14.25 long run - longest run ever!
Nov 2 - Completed 1 year of Virtual Run across the US - 800 miles!
Nov 15 - Second half marathon in San Antonio with Sparkbuds!
Dec 13 - Jingle 5K - 36:32 (11:46/mile)
Dec 25 - Met goal of acquiring food scale
Dec 31 - Ended the year with an 8.5 pound weight loss.
Coming soon - 162

2010
Jan 15 - Began strength training
Feb 4 - Cut blood pressure meds in half (w/ doc approval)

VIRTUAL RUN ACROSS THE US - Started 11/1/08
2/10 -In Kentucky - Mile 1010

LONG TERM HEALTH AND EXERCISE GOALS
DONE 10/13/08 - Run/walk 10K in Fall 2008
DONE 10/13/08 - Run one 12 min. mile – 1st mile in 10K
DONE 10/25/08 - Run 2 consecutive 12 minute miles
DONE 11/16/08 - Run 7 miles for the first time
DONE 11/21/08 - Run 3 consecutive 12 minute miles
DONE 11/27/08 - 38 minute 5K (37:43 or 12:08/mile)
DONE 11/27/08 - Run a 11:30 mile
DONE 12/6/09 - Run 8 miles
DONE 12/14/09 - 37 minute 5K (37:00)
DONE 12/19/08 - Run 9 miles
DONE 1/7/09 - Reach 50 pounds lost milestone (171)
DONE 3/2/09 - Ran 3 speedwork miles at 11:45 each
DONE 3/23/09 - Reach 25% of me lost milestone (166)
DONE 3/27/09 - Run one 11 minute mile (10:38)
DONE 4/9/09 - Added California to my "states I've run in" list
DONE 4/20/09 - Run 10 miles
DONE 4/25/09 - Run 11 miles
DONE 5/3/09 - Run 12 miles
DONE 5/16/09 - Get a gold Spark Trophy
DONE 5/18/09 - Run a 5K in 36 minutes (35:30 or 11:25/mile)
DONE 5/24/09 - First half marathon (first 13+ mile run)
DONE 6/28/09 - 1st 7.5 mile race - 1:32:07 (12:17/mile)
DONE 6/28/09 - Join the Ntl Weight Control Registry.
DONE 7/18/09 - Run one 10:30 mile (10:21:06)
DONE 7/23/09 - 1st 5 mile race (58:58 or 11:48/mile)
DONE 8/09 - Added Maine to states I've run in
DONE 8/6/09 - Ran 2 nonconsecutive 10:00 quarter miles (2:30 laps).
DONE 9/18/09 - Reach 163# - 50 pounds lost on SP
DONE 10/15/09 - 10K PR - 1:15:13 (12:07/mi)
DONE 11/1/09 - Run 14 miles (14.25 miles!)
DONE 11/15/09 - 2nd Half Marathon - 2:58:06
DONE 12/25/09 - Acquire a food scale
Try a yoga class
Run 15 miles
Run 2 consecutive 11:15 miles
Run 3 consecutive 11:15 miles
Reach 60 pounds lost milestone (161)
Leave 160ville forever
Normal BMI
Run a 5K in 35:00
Reach 70 pounds lost milestone (151)
Reach my weight loss goal
Run 2 11:00 minute miles
Run 3 11:00 minute miles
Run 2 10:30 miles
Run one 10 minute mile
Run 15 miles
Run 16 miles

2009 MM Times
6/19 - 10:44:08
7/18 - 10:21:06
7/26 - 10:28
9/11 - 10:54 (weyl, that was a disaster!)
10/25 - 10:24:06

Read More About LAB-LOVER (Updated February 8)

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