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Introduction Text Update February 1, 2020: Past year has been stressful due to hubby having stroke that left him paralyzed. Was overwhelming to me as I got used to caregiver role and daily routines and both of us accept the changes in our lives. He seems to be stable for now. We had some wonderful events recently including birth of our first granddaughter in March 2019, and wedding of our daughter in January 2020. We were lucky to spend Christmas with all four of our children and spouses. So some happy times despite the challenges. I am trying to focus on finding happiness and counting my blessings in the coming year. Update January 2, 2016 Recommitting to this journey today. I am doing the Winter 2016 5% Challenge and hoping for success. There will be challenges this year as my husband is having hip replacement surgery. My 4 kids are grown and on their own paths for the most part with occasional support needed from Mom and Dad. Hubby and I face some financial challenges because of his health issues and I am trying to tackle those. One of my biggest challenges this year (in addition to weight loss) is decluttering our home and ultimately preparing to downsize now that the chicks have flown the nest. Looking forward to making progress on many fronts during 2016! Update: January 25, 2015 I am approaching 5 years of cancer free. February 6 will be 5 year anniversary of my double partial masectomy. Have had a stressful ordeal with my husand in fall 2014 when he had a quintuple heart bypass surgery followed by a severe stroke. We had months of hospital and reha followed by gradual recovery at home. He isn't fully recovered yet, but he is doing much better and I am thankful to have been able to be there with him throughout his recovery. I am looking forward to a busy 2015. Hoping to lose at least 20 pounds. One of my daughters is living with us this winter and spring as she does her student teaching. She graduates in April. My oldest son recently moved to Columbus Ohio about 5 hours from us. Hope to get to visit him in the spring. My older daughter is living a few hours away in Detroit area. Get to see her occasionally since she isn't too far away. My youngest son is away at college. Looking forward to some family weddings this year and also a trip with my hubby to celebrate his recovery! Looking forward to a good year and celebrating life! End of January 2015 update. This has been a year that has awakened me to improving my fitness and health. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Christmas Eve 2009. I had double breast cancer surgery in February 2010 followed by 3 months of radiation therapy. Fortunately the test results say I have low chance of recurrence, but I am determined to make my health a priority. The rest of my life is pretty normal. I have four kids, two boys and two girls ranging in age from 16 to 25. We have all the normal joys and headaches. We live in western Michigan. It is beautiful here, but oh so cold in the winter, and makes exercise a challenge from November to April. I have a wonderful husband who works very hard and shares everything in my life. I love being part of the Sparkpeople community. Update: It's been 3 1/2 years since my surgery. I have partially met my goals having lost almost 30 pounds. I still need to lose at least another 30 pounds, but the progress I have made has already made me feel better and gives me hope for eventually attaining my goal! My kids are now age 18 to 28. The youngest is in college and one daughter is married. They are all still important parts of my life but my husband and I are also adding new activities as we no longer have kids at home on a daily basis. Looking forward to the new possibilities plus continuing to strive for my weight loss and fitness goals!



30 minutes cardio per day. Strength training 3 times per week. 5000 to 10,000 steps per day 5% Challenge to help keep me on track. Track my food. Drink 8 cups water per day. Post team challenge daily. Log in daily.

I live in Western Michigan near Grand Rapids. Near the Grand River and about a half hour from beautiful Lake Michigan. Born in Pittsburgh, raised in Michigan. Lived in Chicago area for 13 years before making our way back to Michigan.

Hobbies: Love to read expecially mysteries and historical fiction. Like to travel and see new places, and have been to most states in the U.S. including Alaska and to more than half of Canadian provinces. and most major Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax and especially love Ottawa and Quebec. Outside of North America I have been to London and spent 2 weeks in Ireland when my husband was doing a major systems install in Limerick at Tellabs in the 90's. Someday, i would like to travel to see more of Great Britain including Scotland and other parts of England. Also would love to see many other parts of Europe. We shall see where life takes us!

Add a Link Patty EST Grand Rapids Michigan (yes same time zone as Maine) You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C.S. Lewis It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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