Spark Spotlight: Maricela (CHELAGETSFIT)

By , SparkPeople Blogger
SparkSpotlight CHELAGETSFIT
 
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
 
This Week's Spotlight: Maricela (CHELAGETSFIT)
Age: 35
Location: Wasco, California
 
Small Success of the Week
 
Maricela took a walk during her morning break, logging 22 minutes, 1.3 miles and burning 106 calories. "That felt good!" she says.
 
What's your overall goal?
 
My overall goal is to get into a healthy weight and an overall better physical shape.

How is SparkPeople helping you get there?

More than anything, SparkPeople is helping me through with the support of all its members and, of course, that wouldn't be possible without this platform. Through the tools offered for tracking and through reading the articles. I've learned a lot of my nutrition information from SparkPeople and I am very appreciative of that.

I just came back to SparkPeople after a couple of years of being away and have been wondering why I ever left. It's been a few weeks and already I've found the support and information I need to get back into a healthy lifestyle.
 
What's your biggest challenge right now?

Right now my biggest challenge is following through. I have learned how to eat healthily and be active in different ways through the articles and videos I've read and seen on SparkPeople. I know how to prepare for each day so that I can follow through with my plan. I've learned how to plan my meals and schedule my workouts, but I need to actually follow through and eat the meals I planned and do the workouts even when I don't want to in order for the plan to work.
 
What advice do you have for someone who just joined SparkPeople today?
 
Start slow. Seriously, take it one step at a time. I'm sure you've read that at some point already, but it is the key to making this stick. In everything, whether it's changing your diet or starting your workouts, just take it slow, one thing at a time. You'll then want to keep going once you feel like you've achieved that small thing. If you set a huge goal and then can't make it, you're going to feel defeated and less likely to continue. Also, if I can add another piece of advice: Read the articles. Take time to read the articles on SparkPeople; they are very informative and really help a lot.
 
Want to be the next small success we spotlight? Share your successes on the goal feed or in the comments below, and you might be the next person we contact!