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Introduction Text As of May 2, 2008, I am a 58 year old retired woman. I have had a severe weight problem for what seems like my entire life. This winter I participated in a weight loss study at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and I believe I have found the way for me to finally lose weight and keep it off. I have lost 54 lbs since retiring 4 years ago, about 40 of that since Sept 2007. I babysit for my twin nieces' 4 children 3 days a week, and exercise 4 to 5 times a week for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. I am really feeling great, and have been enjoying reading some of the Spark People entries and thought I would try it too. Well, as of September 14, I am now a 59 year old retired woman! Still feeling confident and good about myself and my weight loss journey! I have been having a difficult time with my chronic back injury for the last several months. I began physical therapy today, Monday, Sept 22, 2008, and am encouraged that the therapist seems to think we can correct some of my problems so they do not become acute so often. I have been unable to exercise until the last several weeks, so I am trying to get started again! December 28, 2008. The physical therapy has helped a great deal with my back pain. Am feeling much better in that regard. My heel spur has been giving me trouble for a few weeks, so I have changed my exercise routine from elliptical and treadmill to swimming. Also am continuing physical therapy exercises. Over the holidays, I have lost an additional 8 lbs. I am not subtracting that from my tracker until my weigh in on January 5, 2009. Kind of my reward for the new year. So, this morning my scale was at 265. Feeling really good about how easy it has been to get through the holiday season. I know I have learned a lot over the last year between the weight loss study, and the wealth of information and support I have found on Spark People. I am sure that one of the main reasons for my success has been the change I have made from negative self talk to being more positive about myself, and less critical of who I am. January 22, 2012. Have just reread what I have written here. It is a good reminder for me to remember that in 2008, I was having such a terrible time with my back. I know that it began to be really bad long before that, or I would not have gone to therapy. Makes me know, if I didn't already, (I do), that having surgery in Oct of 2011 was so the right decision. I turned 62 on Sept 14 just before having my back surgery. Recognizing that I had suffered for so long. Things are looking so much better without the pain that I am so much more optimistic and confident that I am doing well. I had gained weight during the period before my surgery, but am realizing, that I have still kept 51 pounds off for over 4 years (since the beginning of the study on Nov 26, 2007) even with the tough times. Wow, glad I read this, it is giving me a whole new appreciation for the changes I have made in my life. On to better days ahead! May 15, 2012 Today I was Motivator of the Day on SP. Not sure how it came about, but it was a boost of encouragement. Have had a setback in the last 5 or 6 weeks due to the issues with my back, legs, knees, etc, that the back surgery could not address. The surgery was a success, so that is a good thing Have been going to the Chiropractor for the last week and 1/2, and am improving Hoping that by next week, I will be able to get into the pool again. Needed to write this here and now, so I could see where I am the next time I check this out. The pain is no where near what I had before the surgery, but the dr's don't want me to exercise yet. Have done PT, and am looking forward to getting back to that soon. One day at a time. Have to keep myself reminded! April 21, 2014 Just reread the above, and decided to add a bit. In Aug and Oct of 2013, I had both knees totally replaced. Had gained weight again before surgery, lost weight after surgery, and have been struggling for the last 2 months. Right now, I have kept off about 48 pounds, up and down, but still have kept a lot of what I had lost off. I am beginning to work on the basics again, remembering to stop the negative self talk, and working on one small change at a time, one day at a time. Life really is a journey.

My ultimate goal is to be healthy and be able to be more active. I would like to lose an additional 80 lbs, but am in no hurry. Just want to concentrate on learning to live like a healthy person. Then, I know the weight will come off.

Exercising and forgiving myself if I overeat. NOT punishing myself with food.

I have decided to update my personal info. This is Jan 5, 2014. I have been with SP for almost 6 years. I originally lost 70 pounds, and was doing well being active. Three years ago my chronic back issues became acute, had a major back surgery Oct 2011 and now have had 2 total knee replacements. I have been helped so very much over this time by being here on Spark. I am much better physically, and am looking forward to losing more weight and being much more active.

My favorite books are the ones written by my close friend Nina Wright. If you enjoy Stephanie Plum in the series written by Janet Evanovich, I think you would enjoy Nina's Whiskey Mattimoe series. It begins with "Whiskey On The Rocks". There are now 4 in the series with the 5th to be published within the next 6 months or so.

Add a Link Bonnie Toledo, Ohio, USA TIMEZONE 0. we do go on daylight savings time in the summer. "LIfe is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain," I am going to relearn doing each day, one day at a time. I am going to do 10 minutes of exercise every day that my body will allow it.
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