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Introduction Text I am focused on achieving my goals for weight loss and wellness. I have to be careful I don't overwhelm myself. Consistency, not speed will allow me to succeed! Family is important to me and they are very supportive. In fact, they are my biggest cheerleaders. I know I can change. Positive expectations will bring positive changes. 7/5/19 A new 5% challenge starts tomorrow... I am struggling right now. My weight is higher than my target range, and the medication I am currently on isn't helping. I am dealing with some medical issues, and living situation issues that are challenging my commitment to healthy eating, as it is still my go to to reach for comfort food. I have faith that I will get things under control though, and the 5% challenge usually helps me focus. I am cautiously optimistic that I will get a handle on everything... 9/12/18 Holy carp! life throws some doozies at you when you think things are settling down finally... Since I last updated we lost my mom to a sudden cardiac event. (5 minutes, and she was just gone.) I was diagnosed with a new auto-immune disease, and found out the extent of how low my hypoglycemia can go. (pretty darn low) My SIL was diagnosed my brain cancer... tried an experimental, treatment... and went into remission... My eldest niece moved in my dad to keep him company now that mom is gone... etc. And recently I spent over a month being viciously sick, with no discernible cause. But... I still have my family around me. I still have my dog. I still exercise. I eat as best I can. I started making a few positive changes for my mental health, and just try to do my best to stay on top of things on a daily basis. (Some days I am more effective than others...) 1/1/17 A new year... a new opportunity to stretch and grow. I have been at my goal weight for a while now. That is fine. But my life is about more than the number on the scale. I have been flying under the radar for a while now, just coasting due to some medical challenges which caused mobility issues. But things are resolving. So, now it is time to start challenging myself again. It is time take those steps outside cocoon... outside my comfort zone... and strive to do and be more than I have been. 3/24/16 Here we go again! The weight I regained has been coming off again. Losing it... again... is harder than it was the first time around, but I know how to do it, now I just have to be patient with myself and do the things I know work. I really like the low carb/high fat diet I switched to last Spring. It really helps with the blood sugar and cholesterol, though I do tend to run low on calories more often than not. I am working on it, and I am starting to make headway more days of the week. My brother and I joined the gym for the Winter months, but it is almost kayaking/hiking season, and our membership expires soon, and we will let it lapse until next Winter so we can focus on outdoor activities. 6/24/15 Time for another 5% Challenge. I changed to a Low carb/High fat diet, and I am losing weight again. It was a very stressful Spring. I am hoping for a calmer Summer. 1/12/15 I regained about 50 pounds from my lowest weight. Time to get real, and buckle down! 4/9/14 I am working on maintenance. I gained back 20 pounds from my lowest weight... when I only wanted to regain 5 pounds. It is a little frustrating, but I am still doing well. Thank goodness Spring is here! It was a long Winter. I kept up with my walking despite the snow and cold, but much prefer the warmer, sunnier weather. Right now I am focused on getting ready for a vacation with my eldest niece. We are going sea kayaking off the coast of Vancouver Island. Should be a blast! 7/14/13 Time for the Summer 5% Challenge... I will maintain my fitness streak of doing 120 minutes or more of exercise every day. I will eat clean and generally follow the Spark menu, with a few modifications. Since I am in maintenance now I will do my best to meet all the other challenges besides weight loss. 7/5/13 I have been in maintenance for about 6 weeks now, but I am still losing weight. I am now about 5 pounds underweight. If I could gain that 5 pounds as muscle I would be happy with that. I ran my first 5k at the end of June, and finished in 33:08. I had wanted to finish in 35 minutes or better, so I call that a success! 2/7/13 It is almost time for another 5% Challenge. I am committing to continuing my fitness streak. I am almost to Day 550 of 120+ minutes every day. I will continue to use the nutrition tracker and suggested menu- with some modifications. I think I need to eat more though. I have been on a plateau with my weight loss for about a month. I am hoping to break through that wall during this challenge. I have been hovering around 175 pounds, which is not bad, but it isn't where I want to be. If I lose my 5% this time, then I will only be about 6 pounds from my dream weight. 11/9/12 I didn't update at the start of the new 5% Challenge, but it is going well for me. I am down 138 pounds now. Only 22 pounds to go to get to my dream weight. It is more difficult to lose the weight now, but it still coming off... slow but steady! I have been in a bit of a slump lately. Still eating healthy, but not getting quite as much exercise. Kayaking is done for the season, so that cuts out one of my favorite workouts. I just need to get myself back on track energy-wise. I hope to be at a "healthy" BMI by the New Year. That is only 9 pounds away. 6/9/12 It's time for another 5% Challenge! I am now down 112 pounds from when I started a little over a year ago, and it feels really good. For the Challenge I will continue my fitness streak of doing 120 minutes of fitness every day. I am currently on Day 263. I am aiming for a year. I will also be continuing with weekly weigh ins (on Saturdays for the Challenge). Weighing myself weekly allows me to monitor my progress without getting too obsessive. In addition I will attempt to be more active with team discussions than I was for the Spring Challenge. It should be interesting to see if I make my 5% this time around! Think I can do it? I do... 3/17/12 It is the first day of the Spring 5% Challenge and I am off to a good start. I just wish I was allowed to post ALL of my fitness minutes, rather than being limited to 120. I guess they don't want us to overdo. I have now lost almost 100 pounds and 18 sizes in my jeans! I am also about to hit the 1,000 miles walked mark (since I started tracking my mileage). That is very exciting to me. In the last two weeks I have really stepped up my game. I finally felt comfortable joining a gym, and now intense ST 3 days a week. I still do cardio 7 days a week, but I switch it up a little and use the elliptical at the gym on the days I go to vary the intensity of my cardio. I also run intervals with my dog... when I can get him moving. (Some days he is a poky little puppy.) My newest goal is to reach 199 pounds on or near my birthday in July. What better gift could I give myself? Right? 12/8/11 After 6 months I am still going strong. I have lost over 70 pounds and 10 pants sizes. I have a LOT more energy, and much more stamina. I feel better overall, and I don't feel enormous anymore. I am more than halfway to my ultimate goal weight, and still losing steadily at my weekly weigh ins. Adopting a dog has helped my consistency with walking every day. He has to be walked daily... no matter what! Besides, I adore him. I am looking ahead to the next 6 months, but not obsessing over what I want to accomplish. I am going to revise some of my goals and my program to reflect the changes in my life. Merry Christmas everyone!

I want to increase my energy level. I want to keep up with my dog. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror in a bathing suit. I want to be thinner and healthier.

I am tracking all my food intake. I am walking everyday. I am running intervals at least two times a week. I am doing ST at least 2x a week. I am sharing my struggles with friends and family. Rewards: 1. Adopt a dog. Adopted 8/1/11 2. Get a good haircut. Cut 10/11 3. Get my hair colored. Skipped this one 4. Take a day to go hiking with friends. 5. Go on vacation with my niece. 7/14 6. Fly to visit a friend. 2/15

My name is Chandra, and I am a 45 year old woman with a disability. While I am unable to work it does give me more time to focus on regaining a certain level of well-being, which I haven't experienced in about 15 years.I want to live my life as best I can... being healthier mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I love to read, mostly romances and fantasy, but I also like a good thriller or mystery. I live in a small town, so there is only one used book store, but I go when I can. I also like opera, the theatre and being outdoors as much as possible with my dog. I may be doing an overhaul on my life, but I intend to have fun while I am getting where I am going!

Add a Link *Chandra* Just keep moving! New York EST
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