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Renee Took Control of Her Life--and Lost 100 Pounds*
Renee Hernandez (MIAMI_LILLY)
Weight Lost: 100 pounds
Hometown: Miami, FL
Occupation: Homemaker
What was life like before your weight loss?
I was an overweight child. Although I was always active, I loved junk food and sweets and had a grandmother that always overfed me. As I got older and had four children, I gained weight from each pregnancy. I was so busy taking care of my family, I didn't have time to take care of myself. I was extremely depressed. I had no energy, and would sit on the couch feeling sorry for myself. One time, I remember our vehicle breaking down, and I had to walk to the supermarket. My hips and ankles hurt so badly on the walk home, I could almost cry.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
My biggest motivation was being healthy for my family, and for myself. I already had high blood pressure, and my triglycerides were higher than normal. I was on a very dangerous road. It was my birthday, and my size 24 jeans were so tight, they were uncomfortable to wear. I had to make a choice, either spend my birthday money on bigger jeans or finally take control of my life. I decided to give myself the best present...a healthier body.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey:
Posted 11/3/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 51 comments 33,842 views
A Seriously FUN Full-Body Workout for Fall
Tired of the same old exercises? Are curls, raises, rows and squats no longer doing it for you? Fret not, fearless exerciser, for we have a fun workout that will change all of that!
These seven exercises require a little imagination but otherwise no equipment at all. You can do them outdoors, inside a tiny apartment or even on an empty soccer field. As a bonus, this is a workout that your kids will LOVE to do with you—because it feels more like play than exercise. So if you're a mom or dad who needs to squeeze in exercise on top of childcare responsibilities, this is a win-win-win. (The extra "win" is because your little one will become your accountability partner and will ask to do the whole routine with you again and again!)
Posted 10/28/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 47 comments 80,479 views
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10 Bizarre Things Your Body Does While You Sleep
We tend to think of sleep as restful, inactive and quiet. By while you're zoning out, your body is tuned in, doing everything from piecing together dreams to slowing down your kidneys--and much more that you might not expect!
Posted 10/28/2013 5:00:00 AM By: : 61 comments 398,489 views
86 Pounds Down, Marsha is One Active Grandma*
Marsha West (SLENDERELLA61)
Weight Lost: 86 pounds
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Occupation: Retired Non-Profit Administrator
What was life like before your weight loss?
I was put on my first "diet" at one year of age. The doctor put me on skim milk. I was heavy throughout my childhood. My parents were very loving and encouraging in many ways but were both overweight and didn't recognize my weight as a problem until I was 11 years old. I then tried diet shakes and diet cola. I tried to lose unsuccessfully for years. At age 16, I finally lost 60 pounds, going from 172 to 112 pounds. It took me nine months to lose it, and I probably did not maintain for even a week. I went back up to 155 pounds within three months.
As a child I didn't want to run, dance, or move fast because I was embarrassed to let others see my fat jiggle. When all my friends were dating, I wasn't. I was so sad not to have a date to the prom. As an adult, I constantly felt less than other people because of my weight. I put up with bad relationships and being treated badly because I didn't think I deserved more. I had given up trying to lose weight to look better.
What was your ‘light-bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
When the doctor told me, at age 59, that I had three months to bring down my cholesterol and blood pressure, I wanted to do it for my health. And then, my daughter asked me to help her lose her baby weight, and I certainly wanted to support her. There was an evening when I was sitting in front of the TV eating dry cereal out of the box when I noticed how empty the box had become with me not even really tasting it. I told myself that if I wanted to live life at the weight that I really wanted to be, then I simply could not continue this mindless eating. For the next week, I felt like I was in mourning the loss of my good evening companion.
Not long after that, I was just about to overfeed my dear dog as usual; I was always afraid she might be hungry. But then I stopped. I wanted her to have the same health and energy I was beginning to enjoy! The light bulb went on and I knew what I wanted for both of us. There were no doubts and no turning back.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey:
Posted 10/27/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 60 comments 44,038 views
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The Best Heart-Healthy Fruits and Vegetables
A delicious way to protect your ticker: Eat colorful fruits and vegetables. From watermelons to pineapples, there’s a rainbow of potent nutrients proven to help your heart. Read on to find out which produce is worth stocking up on.
Posted 10/21/2013 12:00:00 PM By: : 8 comments 19,254 views
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A Birthday Surprise Motivated Rachel to Lose 70 Pounds*
Rachel Murray (_RACHEL)
Weight Lost: 70 pounds
Hometown: Goldendale, WA
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom
What was life like before your weight loss?
I gained weight during each pregnancy and didn't take it off afterwards. By the time I had my 4th child, I had gained 78 pounds. I was an expert dieter and yo-yoed throughout my life between overeating and starving myself. I needed to stop having a "diet" mentality. Even though I am an extrovert and love people, I hid myself at home. I kept my social activities to the absolute minimum and relied heavily on my husband, to the point that he even did the grocery shopping. I hated holidays and trying to find something suitable to wear. I was constantly in tears. Even buying new clothes was painful.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
The year I turned 50, my sisters schemed to drag me into our community's largest parade. My husband knew there was no way I would attend because I hadn’t gone for years. In fact, I avoided going anywhere because I was so heavy. My sister, whose son had just passed away, told me that her granddaughters were going to be in the parade and asked me to watch. How could I refuse her? Little did I know that this was only a ploy to get me there.
I was in turmoil, deeply embarrassed and hoping I wouldn't see anyone I knew. As a spectator, watching the parade go by, my eyes became fixed on a large banner with my name on it announcing: "Welcome Our Newest Member, Rachel Murray- Happy 50th Birthday!” There was a small sports car all decorated in the Red Hat Society colors waiting for me. They drew me out of the crowd, placed a red hat on my head and had me get into the car. As I rode like a politician seen by everyone at the parade, I literally was dying inside. My sisters did me the biggest favor. That day was my motivator to get on track and try to lose the weight.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey:
I started on December 27, 2009. I joined a small SparkPeople group, the Wildflowerr Live~It's. Our leader created monthly challenges. I was an active participant and logged my food, water, and exercise daily. The result was that I lost an average of one to two pounds per week. SparkPeople has taught me how to eat right. I especially love the tool that shows my daily nutritional feedback. SparkPeople has played a tremendous role in my life. I have made long-lasting friendships and had the privilege of flying across our nation to meet these wonderful ladies. We have bonded even more and celebrated our successes. These relationships still continue even after almost four years on the site. I have been encouraged, inspired, and strengthened by reading other members’ blogs and achievements.
Posted 10/20/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 55 comments 29,395 views
10 Healthy Home Remedies
Treating minor health problems doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, you may already own some of the miracle-workers in this slide show. Click through to find out which foods, drinks and craft supplies (yes, craft supplies) can make you feel better fast.
1. Soothe a Sunburn with Vinegar
Plain white vinegar helps ease the pain and itch of a recent burn, and may also prevent blisters from forming. If the burn is on your face, soak a cotton ball in vinegar and dab onto affected areas. If it's on a larger part of your body, use a washcloth or paper towel and cover your skin for 15 minutes.
Posted 10/14/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 8 comments 19,705 views
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From Couch Potato to Hiking the Grand Canyon*
Stacey Clampitt (GIRL*IN*MOTION)
Weight Lost: 77 pounds
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Accountant
What was life like before your weight loss?
My struggle with weight started in high school and continued well throughout my 20s. I worked in restaurants while struggling with emotional eating, and it was a bad combination. Unhealthy food was always accessible. After high school, when I was no longer in organized sports, all fitness stopped and the young lifestyle of always going out with your friends started. The pounds piled on, and I didn't really even notice. I met my husband in 2004. From there I got really happy and comfortable, gaining 40 more pounds. I was topping the scale at 220 pounds and a size 18. For my 5'5" frame, it was painful for me to look in the mirror. I hid behind layers of clothing, ashamed of just how badly I'd let myself go. I was an emotional eater and drowned my misery in more food, only making the problem worse and worse. I hid behind baggy layers of clothing, avoided cameras and refused to wear anything without an elastic waist. I was the epitome of a junk-food junkie and couch potato. I was unhappy, depressed, and longing for changes that I could never quite make happen. I rarely had the energy to enjoy time with my family. Time at the park consisted of me sitting and watching the kids play because I didn’t have the energy or stamina to keep up with them.
Looking back at my overweight life now, I recognize that I had a lot more problems and issues than I realized at the time. I was constantly out of breath and suffered from insomnia and acid reflux. I was winded after a flight of stairs, avoided mirrors and social settings. I was certainly not a very happy person. I had very low self-esteem and felt very lost.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
My real "aha" moment was a random morning getting ready for work. I realized not a single piece of clothing I owned fit and the thought of having to go shopping for yet another larger wardrobe halted me in my tracks. That was the day I found SparkPeople and began my journey to health and wellness.
Posted 10/13/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 77 comments 73,465 views
30-Minute Latin Spice Walking Workout
Walking workouts are convenient, easy to do, and so great for your health (and your waistline!). But walking indoors can get a little repetitive sometimes, and since my Mom and I both love Zumba, we thought it might be fun to infuse some of the Latin-inspired dance movements into a walking-based workout! So if you're looking for a way to spice up your walking routine, try joining us for this fun, easy to follow, low impact dance walk that's appropriate for all fitness levels.
Working on a carpeted surface? Try this workout barefoot and/or modify some of the twisting-type movements to help protect your knees.
Posted 10/7/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 142 comments 104,353 views
Amy Wanted to Be a Better Role Model for Her Scouts!
Amy Dautreuil (AMY-MIMI77)
Weight Lost: 63 pounds
Hometown: New Iberia, LA
Occupation: Nurse
What was life like before your weight loss?
My children are 15 months apart. I gained quite a bit of weight with my first son and hadn't lost it when I found out I was pregnant with my second son. I don't know how much more I gained at that time. Then, I never really did anything to try to lose the weight. Years went by and the weight just kept on increasing.
I thought I was happy. In reality, I was restricted in most activities but blamed it on working so much and being busy with two children close in age. I now realize that the weight stopped me from really enjoying my children at a young age. I would get winded when trying to run and play with them. Don't get me wrong, I still played with them; but not like I would have liked to. However, my weight never stopped me from trying to do things or kept me from going places. For example, I still went swimming but just swam in shorts and a t-shirt rather than a bathing suit.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
I knew that it was time to change something in my life as I was getting more winded with activity. My oldest son is a Boy Scout and I was becoming his Leader. Part of the Boy Scout Oath is to promise "to keep myself physically strong". I have to help these boys work on certain Merit Badges (i.e. Physical Fitness; Healthy Eating); but I felt like a hypocrite educating them about these things when I wasn't following the rule myself. All of the Leaders (including myself) were overweight and we were short-changing our scouts by being unhealthy. What kind of example was this for our young Scouts? It wasn't fair to them when we had to "shut down" activities for a while because the Leaders were too winded and fatigued to continue. I wanted to do better for my Scouts. This realization, along with the minor health issues I was beginning to have, was just the kick I needed to get on the right track.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey:
I was so motivated and determined to make this happen that I went "all out,” so to speak.
Posted 10/6/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 21,907 views
Barbara Lost 100 Pounds and Became a Triathlete!*
Barbara Whitehead (ONEKIDSMOM)
Weight Lost: 100 pounds
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Occupation: Computer Programmer/Analyst
What was life like before your weight loss?
I have been a compulsive eater since childhood, raiding my parents’ food stores and downing large volumes of candy when I could get it. I was a fairly active child, so didn't start actually gaining the pounds until adolescence. I lost with an unhealthy fast/feast diet cycle between high school and college, which is the last time I was in the 120s before this current lifestyle change. I was the classic yo-yo dieter. I’d try for a while, lose some, and then gain it all back. I was so unfit that walking five steps across the room to answer the telephone caused my mother-in-law to ask me whether I had been running. I was afraid that if my young son would hurt himself on the playground, I would be unable to get to him to help him.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
My motivation to lose weight was to save my life. I also wanted to manage the stresses in my life in a healthier way and to be happy. The “a-ha moment” came when I realized it was not losing the weight or the number on the scale that made me happy. It was the behaviors that gave me weight loss and a healthy weight as a side effect that truly made me happy! I firmly believe that this is the revelation that will enable me to keep it off for life.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey with SparkPeople:
Posted 9/29/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 66 comments 27,744 views
30-Minute Indoor Walking Workout
You already know some of the amazing benefits of walking: It’s good for your heart, great for your bones and burns calories, but some days the weather outside can be frightful, and the treadmill can be well, less than delightful.
If you are in need of an indoor walking buddy today, join me for this full length, low-impact workout you can follow along with at home! This 30-minute power walk is easy to follow, fun to do, and it doesn’t require much space to move around. Plus, it's appropriate for all fitness levels.
Posted 9/27/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 305 comments 581,974 views
10 Unexpected Sources of Probiotics
The latest nutrition buzzword: probiotics, the live bacteria that maintain the balance of microorganisms (or "bugs") in your gut. And that’s proving to be vital for your health. Probiotics support digestion and strong immune function says New York City–based registered dietitian Rochelle Sirota. According to studies, they may also prevent obesity and improve your mood. You’ve no doubt heard that you can find probiotics in yogurt, but where else are the good bugs hiding? While there isn’t an official recommendation about how much probiotics you should eat, incorporating more of these 10 foods and drinks into your diet is a good start.
Posted 9/23/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 6 comments 19,986 views
From Size 22 to 6, Michelle Can Accomplish Anything Now!*
Michelle Miller (JUSTCHELLE75)
Weight Lost: 140 pounds
Hometown: Houston, TX
Occupation: Paralegal
What was life like before your weight loss?
My weight has had vast fluctuations my entire life. I maintained at 135 pounds for about three years and then I steadily went up. I gained the most recent weight when I was pregnant with my daughter. I gained about 100 pounds while pregnant with her and then had a C-section. I was so out of control I wouldn't even let the nurse tell me what I weighed. I didn't even realize how large I had gotten. I no longer looked at myself in the mirror and when I did, I didn't see what I was becoming. I got married and had a baby all in the span of one year while working full time and going to school. I had many changes and didn't know how to take care of myself. My husband and I were so busy that we turned to fast food or eating out much too much. I was winded to the point of thinking I had asthma just walking up the stairs. We would take my daughter out in her jogging stroller and I would hurt. My husband would tell me how beautiful I was but in my head I just didn't want to believe him. I didn't feel beautiful or secure.
What was your ‘light bulb moment’ that made you get serious about losing the weight?
I saw a picture of myself with my daughter in December 2010. It's the first time I really saw myself and how out of control I was. I decided I needed to lose weight and get healthy so my daughter would never have to go through what I did. I also wanted to feel comfortable taking pictures with her and our life. I had become happy with myself.
Tell us a bit about your weight loss journey:
I joined Weight Watchers and SparkPeople on the very same day. That day was January 17, 2011. That’s the day I have dubbed my ‘Healthiversary’.
Posted 9/22/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 108 comments 96,321 views
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Where to Go for Every Health Problem
Feeling sick? Used to be that you'd dial your doctor (or go straight to the ER). Now, there are more options. Click through to decide what's best for your situation.
Doctor's Office
Go here if: You have a non-urgent symptom like a sore throat or an elbow sprain during office hours. Your primary care doctor (usually a family physician or internist) is also best for checkups, shots and ongoing issues like diabetes.
Find it fast: Don't have a doctor? Check with your insurance for practitioners who are covered under your plan. You can also go to ZocDoc.com and search for local doctors who take your insurance; they'll even book appointments.
Posted 9/16/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 6 comments 17,030 views
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