Almost two years later, I'm back on Spark. I have to admit that staying at my target goal has not been achieved; I've regained 2/3 of the 70 pounds I lost 2-3 years ago. Ouch! Several things got me off course: adjusting to working fulltime while dealing with my fibro; a complete emotional meltdown over turning big 5-0 last fall, shoulder/arm issues that have virtually eliminated swimming, my go-to exercise; a dangerous foot infection. My wake-up call came when I went in for a physical and ...

Almost two years later, I'm back on Spark. I have to admit that staying at my target goal has not been achieved; I've regained 2/3 of the 70 pounds I lost 2-3 years ago. Ouch! Several things got me off course: adjusting to working fulltime while dealing with my fibro; a complete emotional meltdown over turning big 5-0 last fall, shoulder/arm issues that have virtually eliminated swimming, my go-to exercise; a dangerous foot infection. My wake-up call came when I went in for a physical and my cholesterol results were the highest they've ever been, 257. There is just NO WAY I am going on cholesterol meds. I get it now, it really is about my health. Yes, it's great if I look better; reviewing the pictures I posted just two years ago, I'd like to get there again. But more importantly, I want to be as healthy as I can be. What is the point of paying down my mortgage and saving for retirement, if I'm in lousy shape once I get there?

The trick is finding a way do this that I can live with. So my new mantra is, what am I willing to do today? I don't have hours to spend in the gym (nor the energy, due to the fibro). I can't deal with an all-organic, Paleo diet. I work full time, I have a teenager and home to take care of, I need lots of rest. So here's what I can do:
- Aim to go to the gym every weekday morning and one weekend day for 30 minutes
- Aim for an additional walk of 20-30 minutes each day
- Alternate calorie days between 1000 & 1600
- Reduce alcohol, high-fat foods and sugary treats to special occasions, no more than 2x/month
- Stop focusing on the number on the scale!
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September 2010

In April 2010 I reached my goal weight, having lost a total of 70 pounds since my return to Sparkpeople in 2009. Now I am facing the challenge of keeping the weight off, and boy that is no small feat. I've returned to work full-time, as well as having issues with CFS/Fibromyalgia. If I don't stick to a routine that includes plenty of sleep I quickly become run down, exhausted and depressed, and more vulnerable to skipping workouts and eating large amounts of junk, primarily chocolate. The odds are also not in my favor, only 5% of those who lose weight keep it off for 5 years. I've got my work cut out for me, but I'm determined to be in that 5%. I kept the goal of losing 70 pounds in sight for 15 months, this is simply taking it to the next level!

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============

From February 2009:

In 2006 I lost 35 pounds with the help of Sparkpeople. Unfortunately I didn't deal with my emotional eating/binge eating issues and I didn't keep it off...then in 2008 I got laid off and added an additional 20lbs. However, I'm dealing with the issues that lead to my demise (so to speak) and back to battle the dragon. I do expect it to be a long and sometimes turbulent road; there's a lot that's wired up in me that tends towards gaining weight, and I'm thinking that this is a battle I will likely need to face every day, regardless of what the scale says. I'm hopeful that with lifestyle changes to reduce stress, dealing with health issues that have interfered with maintaining a healthy weight, and working through the emotional issues that cause me to overeat, I'm on the road to a slimmer, healthier, happier me.

My Progress:
~230 - December 2008
227 - February 12, 2009
225 - March 1, 2009
226.5 - March 13, 2009 (Monthly fluctuation)
223 - March 16, 2009
222 - March 19, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
218.5 - March 23, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
215.8 - April 10, 2009
217.3 - April 12, 2009 (Monthly fluctuation)
214.2 - April 19, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
211.2 - April 23, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
210.8 - May 1, 2009
209.5 - May 8, 2009
213.5 - May 11, 2009 (Monthly fluctuation + Mother's Day, oy!)
206.9 - May 15, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
206.3 - May 16, 2009
204.1 - May 22, 2009
206 - June 1, 2009
199.8 - June 6, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
201.4 - June 30, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
198.6 - July 4, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
198.3 - July 13, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
196.3 - July 17, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
194.6 - July 27, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
191.9 - July 31, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
192.4 - August 28, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
189.4 - September 1, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
188.4 - September 22, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
184.8 - September 26, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
185.5 - October 8, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
182.9 - October 12, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
181.2 - October 26, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
177.8 - Ocotber 30, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
175.7 - November 18, 2009 (Jumpstart start)
174.0 - November 23, 2009 (Jumpstart end)
176.5 - January 19, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
171.2 - January 23, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
170.0 - January 30, 2010
172.0 - February 3, 2010 (TOM & Jumpstart start)
168.0 - February 7, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
168.9 - February 22, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
165.3 - February 26, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
165.6 - March 8, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
163.8 - March 12, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
166.0 - March 22, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
161.3 - March 26, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
164.8 - April 5, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
158.9 - April 10, 2010 (Jumpstart end)
166.0 - May 25, 2010 (Jumpstart start)
161.1 - May 29, 2010 (Jumpstart end)

Read More About LKG9999 (Updated April 5)

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