Today is my 1 year healthy life style anniversary

I created my spark people account April 25, 2007 -- but I let it sit allowing another year and a half to go by and even more pounds to pile on, more bad habits to sink in, falling deeper into my rabbit hole. Exactly 17 months later on September 25, 2008 I had my wake up call. My AH-HAH moment. You know that moment that everything just clicks, your brain stops, reboots, and the wheels start spinning in the opposite direction. I was tired of looking at myself in the mirror, disgusted by the rolls and extra chins. I was tired of having no clothes that fit and sad that I had become the "fat friend". I was tired of being tired all the time. I was tired of the shame I felt for the way I'd let myself go not only physically but mentally and spiritually. I was tired of being a grouch towards my family and loved ones because I was so unhappy with myself. I was tired of having a negative outlook on life!! I finally decided enough was enough and I wasn't going to accept excuses any longer. No one was going to do it for me, so I had to do it for myself. I remembered a website I had found ages ago, logged back in, hit the pavement running, and never stopped!

Here I am exactly 1 year later, and exactly 75 pounds are GONE for GOOD! (not LOST because I have no intention of finding them ever again). I started this journey obese, at 210lbs, size 18, with a body fat percentage of 44%. I wasn't able to climb a flight of stairs with out getting winded, I was sleep deprived, I constantly suffering from head aches, acid reflux, and had no energy. I remember my first day at the gym, I was so excited yet terrified. I remember getting on the elliptical machine and after 4 minutes thinking "dear god, has it been 30 minutes yet!? I'm going to pass out!" I wasn't about to let any of this discourage me though. I powered through the breathlessness, and the soreness the 4lb weights caused, and ever day grew stronger and stronger, showing myself there was a powerful woman hiding inside me all along! Now a year later I'm hiking the Grand Canyon, completing two hour work outs, squatting 30 pound barbells, feeling STRONG, and POSITIVE about life! I no longer get head aches or acid reflux and I sleep sound! I'm now a size 4 with a "HEALTHY" BMI, and 27% body fat! I'm looking into nutrition classes at the community college and becoming A.C.E certified. The changes I have made have improved my life more than words can say. These changes have made me a better wife, mother, and friend. Sparkpeople gave me the tools, my friends here gave me the love support and encouragment I needed to keep going, and I made it happen by staying committed and never accepting failure as an option.

My Favorite quote:
"You may encounter failure at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. You will never know how close success lies until you turn the corner" Og Mandino

A year ago, I turned that corner and found my success!! Though my journey is far from complete, my goals are constantly evolving to make a better, healthier, happier ME by continuing to turn each bend in the road!