Now I've Done It.

My sister invited me to check out a website that, she said, is a free comprehensive weight loss/healthy living resource on the internet. It's called SparkPeople. I had never heard of it, but they have about a jillion members. I've been checking out the site for the last few days and am very impressed and encouraged by what I have seen so far.

SparkPeople is very much like having a personal trainer online. The site will tailor a fitness program to your needs and resources. It offers a healthy eating plan that can be customized to your nutritional requirements or food aversions. For example, I loathe seafood and indicated my disgust of all things that come from the ocean depths when I filled out the initial information form upon joining. There's no seafood in the eating plan set up for me.

There are groups to join where you can meet people with similar needs, personalities, religious affiliations or lifestyles. I've already joined the Biggest Loser Fans group (I LOVE that show!) and the Conservative Christian Women's group. It even has a bit of a reward system to encourage you to explore the site's seemingly endless resources. There are motivational articles, nutrition information, even a place to look up illnesses and their symptoms!

I'm sure I have only touched the surface of this site. If you are considering making some healthy changes in the new year, SparkPeople might just be the place to start. Here's a link button for those who might want to take advantage of this FREE resource.



Get a Free Online Diet

If you want to learn a little more about the man who began this website and why he did it (it's a pretty interesting story),follow this link to a news story about the founder.

Right now, I'm still getting a feel for the site and putting their advice and tools into practice. My plan is to be ready to roll by January 2. I'll probably blog a bit about my progress and the tools I am using through the coming months, but I promise not to obsess here about any of that. SP has a blog tool that I'll use to share those thoughts.

Here's my first blog entry from there to give you an idea of why I'll keep my weight loss/healthy living diatribes safely enconced at SP:

Here's where the rubber hits the road. I'm overweight, my cholesterol levels are through the roof, my stress level is rising and my energy level is dipping precariously in the opposite direction. But it's not time to beat myself up. It is time to give myself a stinkin' break.

I am not my weight.

I am an intelligent woman. I write some mighty fine articles and prose that have been appreciated by many. I can problem-solve and multi-task as well as any CEO out there. Plus, I can complete a level "hard" sudoku puzzle!

I am not my weight.

I am a funny woman. I have been blessed with a quirky way of looking at the world. I like that about me! I love ending up in the midst of a group of people and making a casual comment that elicits cackles from everyone. I love being alone, seeing humor in something and laughing out loud.

I am not my weight.

I am a loving woman. Nothing is more important to me than relationships. First, my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Then, of course, comes my husband and children. They are the neatest people in the world! Seriously, you will likely hear about my children on the news one day. For a GOOD reason! Making the time to nurture growing friendships is a growing priority for me. I hosted a movie night with some girlfriends last week and had a great time. The week before Christmas no less!

I am not my weight.

I will not puff myself up with false pride, but I will no longer beat myself up constantly about my shortcomings. It is time to focus my energy on what I am doing right then build from there. I cannot build a new lifestyle on a foundation of failure; I need to begin with a solid footing. To that end, I will focus on my strengths, gaining momentum as I grow. Yes, I am overweight and that needs to change. But,

I am NOT my weight!

Feel free to join me...if you can stand me! Blessings to you in the coming year!