Hi, my name is Debbie, I am 58, and welcome to my Spark Page!
As my screen name implies, it is my turn. All my life, I have been taking care of other people and now it is my turn to take care of me.

In my late twenties I jogged, in my thirties and forties, I jogged, belonged to a gym, did high impact aerobics, lifted weights, snow skied, ate healthy, and maintained at 127lbs. I am 5'4", have a small bone structure and cannot carry any excess weight.

So ya see, ...

Hi, my name is Debbie, I am 58, and welcome to my Spark Page!
As my screen name implies, it is my turn. All my life, I have been taking care of other people and now it is my turn to take care of me.

In my late twenties I jogged, in my thirties and forties, I jogged, belonged to a gym, did high impact aerobics, lifted weights, snow skied, ate healthy, and maintained at 127lbs. I am 5'4", have a small bone structure and cannot carry any excess weight.

So ya see, I have all of this knowledge and NO EXCUSES for letting my health go because I absolutely know what works for me.

I maintained my healthy lifestyle until my Mom passed away in 1997. Sometimes I would use these life events as an excuse to not care about myself. I would lose interest in things I enjoyed and I would eat to comfort myself. I am an emotional eater.

I took up bike riding 6 years ago to get back in shape, had an accident with my bike, fractured my left ankle in 5 places and on both sides. I had surgery for hardware in and a year later for hardware out and ligament damage. The doctors told me that I would always walk with a slight limp, and would never be able to run again or land on my left foot.

I started using the Total Gym but I knew I needed CARDIO too so I laced up my old workout shoes, went to a low impact aerobics class at my gym, and limped out of there in pain and tears. I could not land on my left foot. I bought a Pilates Reformer. It was ok, but again, I knew I needed CARDIO to get my heart rate up and rev my metabolism to burn those calories! That frustrated me - so I ate.

When my daughter married in 2006, I was shocked when I saw the image of myself in the shower and wedding pictures. I was in denial and had no clue what I weighed. My husband estimates 195 + ~ Those pictures depressed me. So I ate.

In January 2008, I made a U TURN and was DETERMINED. I ordered Leslie Sansone walk dvds, wiped the dust off my total gym and my pilates machines. I could do Leslies walking cardios, pilates and total gym and starting seeing results. Still, I was not eating healthy.

I came across Spark by accident on New Year's Eve 2008. Spark People is my HEALTH support system. I especially like the challenges and the nutritional (keeps me honest) and fitness trackers.

My left ankle actually started healing. I can now LAND on it and I DO NOT walk with a LIMP. I can also now RUN again and for me there is no better feeling then being one with nature, getting that rhythm going and getting in sync with my breathing. Running (for me) is one of the key components for losing weight and keeping it off.

I love working out too. No matter how stressed, tired or insane I feel, when I have completed my workout, I am a happier, healthier, and more positive person.

I am doing great on this journey and I am making good steady progress. I have lost 36 lbs, went from size XL to M, am toning up and my energy level is fantastic. I am eating and cooking healthier.

The changes I have made to my new healthy lifestyle are permanent and will continue for as many years as I am blessed to live.

My goal is to be fit and healthy for the remainder of my life here on planet earth and snow ski FREE across the USA when I am 70!

Excuses Begone!
Your beliefs, all of those formless energy patterns that you have adopted as your self-image, have the ability to change dramatically and give you the power to conquer unwanted traits, or what you unhappily presume to be your fate. ~ Wayne Dyer

Read More About MYTURN11 (Updated February 9)

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