UPDATE ON THE NEVER ENDING JOURNEY.

There has been some changes in my life sine the last blog.
Here's a little back ground on my journey so far,
This is the picture taken on Christmas eve , 2009. I am wearing my usual black in order to give the illusion of a smaller person. 68 years old, weighing 335 pounds.
I would be starting a weight loss program in a week on January 2, 2010.


I won't go into the struggles I had to reduce my calorie intake from 3500 a day down to 900, but over a 3 week period that's where I was and would stay at that calorie count for the next 6 months.
I had a good team of doctors, dietitians and therapist. But no matter who's supervising your program, it's up to the individual to do the work.
I joined Spark on May, 18, 2010. Saw an article in a Good Housekeeping and the story of those two women convinced me Spark would provide me with the support I needed.
By November 6, I was at 235 lbs. and attended my sister in laws birthday party.
Bought a new outfit, although it was still black, it wasn't a 4 XXXX. It was a 1X..
I had had to use a walker to get around , due to bad knees. But for the party I was ab.le to leave the walker home and used a cane. I decorated it with beads. That's the artistic me. Ha!!
Here's how I looked that night,


I was working out 4, 5 hours a day at the gym. Lots of water aerobics . They were easier on my bad knees. and other joints. Plus bundled up walks with my Yorkie Titan. He was my exercise buffy.

By February 19, 2011 my weight was under 200 lbs and I had my left knee replaced. The right knee was replaced on Sept. 19, 2011.
I reached my goal of 145 in August. 2011..
Here's a few pictures of that time.
Still spending lots of time in the water, new suit, size 10. Va-Va-Voom!!




Xmas party, my Biker Chick look.


During the next 4 years, I had some struggles. I didn't want to have to work out for 4, 5 hours a day in order to maintain my weight. But when ever I cut back I would put on pounds. I was only consuming about 1400 calories a day.
So with some work with my dietitian we cut back on some foods, changed some other foods I was eating and reduced my exercise to no more that 2 hours a day.
I only eat real foods. No fake, no substitutes., . Whenever you use a food that has reduced calories or ingredients, there's usually something else in it to replace what was taken out. I would rather have the real food, just use portion control.
There was a time in the beginning that I was not allowed certain foods. But over time I was able to reintroduce most foods back into my diet. But with caution and portion control.
I will blog another time more on what worked and what I do to conquer my cravings
I was presented with another challenge in Dec. 2015 when a mammogram came up positive.
I had surgery to remove a tumor and radiation treatments early in 2016. I continue to be monitored and am on a hormone treatment plan.
I remember every time I got up on the table for the radiation treatments I was happy that I was limber and unburdened by excess weight. It made my treatments so much easier.
I was not happy during the Winter of 2016. I lived in Oregon and it was cold and wet and I was miserable
I started talking to my friend who lived in Miami Beach, Fl. We had been neighbors for 15 years and stayed in touch through the last 20 years since I had left Miami Beach and returned to Oregon.
Started making plans to move back to Florida
I weight all the pros and cons. As much as I would miss my friends, family. Give up many of my personal things, and no more craft shows. I decided the weather and better health insurance made it worth while. We had though we might share a place, My girlfriend is my age and we could look out for each other.
I started sorting and donating most of everything I owned That was kind of hard. But material items can be replaced, Happiness and good health are more important.
On Oct. 11, I loaded the van with my jewelry supplies,and a few warm weather clothes.. A TV, PC, Printer, and Titan.my adorable Yorkie. Had a cooler full of snacks and drinks and set
off on a 3500 mile 9 state road trip. .
Traveled down through California, , Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma , Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida.,
Checked into Motel 6's along the way and had a wonderful drive , seeing some beautiful scenery along the way.
I arrived in Miami Beach on Wednesday the Oct. 18.
For the next four months I stayed with my friend. But we discovered that we needed space so I moved into a cute little studio apartment in Miami Beach on Feb. 1st 2018. .
I have lovely pool that I use almost daily.


I took this picture in Feb, at my friends condo,. used the mirror by elevator to capture this shot.
I am 76 years old, healthy, active and plan to do all I can to stay that way.





Spark has been a good place for me to get support and info on many subjects. I will remain here for as long as it's available. Log on daily, track food and exercise daily.
We all have to make our own decisions and , choices for what works for us. ,
I just hope I have encouraged others that it's never too late to make changes.
SPARK ON.!

..