Cool weather? Hoodies? Caramel apples? BRING IT ON!

Now that living in one of the hottest (literally) cities this summer is drawing to a close, it's time to prepare a plan for the cooler months. I wasn't able to exercise outdoors much this summer due to the heat, so I have NO EXCUSE to not continue sweating my a$$ off indoors!

THE STORY SO FAR...

I've had great success with SparkPeople. Over 80 pounds down and counting! This has been nearly 100% mental ...

Cool weather? Hoodies? Caramel apples? BRING IT ON!

Now that living in one of the hottest (literally) cities this summer is drawing to a close, it's time to prepare a plan for the cooler months. I wasn't able to exercise outdoors much this summer due to the heat, so I have NO EXCUSE to not continue sweating my a$$ off indoors!

THE STORY SO FAR...

I've had great success with SparkPeople. Over 80 pounds down and counting! This has been nearly 100% mental for me. It is truly ALL in my head. Food is not my enemy!

I have set-backs, stumbles and plateaus like everybody else. Sometimes the ticker slides back and forth, but that's okay. I'd rather be the tortoise than the hare anyday.

@@@@AUGUST GOYAAM PLAN@@@@
~20 cups of water per day
~Positivity every day
~Blog at least 1x per week


YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE? SO GLAD YOU ASKED!

Bad knees, back pain and hypoglycemia caused me to take a long, hard look at the way I was abusing myself via poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. I've always been a confident person, but even I had to admit that self-assurance didn't translate into treating my body the way it deserves.

I hit my highest weight of 345 lbs. in December 2007, and I wanted to kick my own a$$ for letting myself get that way. That month, a bad stomach flu and desperation calorie restriction eliminated 20 pounds from my frame. Instead of feeling happy about the loss, I was depressed. I knew that wasn't the way it should be done if I wanted the change to last.

At rock bottom and feeling more mentally and physically drained than I ever had in my life, I scoured the internet for something to help me figure out what, when and how much I needed to eat. I missed the feeling of being physically active every day, but I had no clue where to start. With the right tools and right price (FREE?!?!?!?!?) in hand, I boarded the Sparkytown Express in January 2008 at 325 lbs.

HERE'S WHAT I KNOW:

- I control what I put in my mouth.
- I control when I move & how often.
- I am an emotional eater.
- I am my biggest fan & my worst enemy.
- I am fat. It is just a descriptor--nothing more, nothing less.


HERE'S WHAT I BELIEVE IN:

- Short term pain, long term gain.
- Making a way out of no way.
- Good or bad, change is inevitable. Why not change for the better?

HERE'S WHAT I PLEDGE:

I pledge to speak kindly about my body.

I promise not to talk about the size of my thighs or stomach or butt, or about how I have to lose 5 or 15 or 50 pounds. I promise not to call myself a fat pig, gross, or any other self-loathing, trash-talking phrase.

I vow to be kind to myself and my body. I will learn to be grateful for its strength and attractiveness, and be compassionate toward its failings.

I will remind myself that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that no matter what shape and size my body is, it's worthy of kindness, compassion, and love.

--"Love My Body Pledge" by Harriet Brown

Thanks for pausing at my little corner of SparkVille. Good luck with your goals!

Read More About RUSSELLORAMA (Updated September 3)

Member Comments Page (2758 total):  123Next >Last >>