Page Title

Introduction Text Update 9/8/14: I have just hit the 120 lb loss mark after 2 years back at Spark... only 7 more pounds to go til my final goal and it finally seems real that I will get there. A lot of miles, a lot of pairs of walking shoes, but it feels so good to finally be at a healthy BMI... My name is Ginny and I am a 50 year old wife and mom of 4, living in Southern California. The last 10 years have passed by so quickly, taking care of everyone else that I kind of lost myself. When I turned 46 I woke up - suddenly I wanted to make changes and live a more active lifestyle. I was listening one day to an old REO Speedwagon song and heard, "If you're tired of the same old story - turn some pages..." That is my new mantra!! I AM tired of the same old story and so every day I am turning some new pages. I started slowly: first adding daily walks, then drinking more water, then joining sparkpeople, and eventually started tracking my food online and working out with weights. I lost over 125 pounds - over 45% of my body weight!! But more importantly, my body feels different. I am slowly changing from a slug into a runner- I am logging in an average of 5 miles a day - walking and running intervals. I still have a little bit further to go 7 pounds to lose to reach my goal, but every day is better than the way I was living in 2011. I am excited to be on this journey and look forward to making changes in lots of other areas of my life!! One of the best things to happen recently is feeling like I am not just normal sized again, but am now approaching slim... There is a lot of extra room in chairs and booths, I can shop in the same stores as my 14 year old daughter and can wear some of her clothes (some...) I no longer even look around to see if I am the largest person in the room. While I sure don't have a bikini body, I can wear a swimsuit without feeling humiliated...I am still adjusting to my new size - seeing myself in pictures is so odd, because I often don't think it is me. It has been a long hard fight to get here and as I contemplate the longer, maybe harder fight of maintenance I promise myself every day that I am never, ever going back!! Update 2016: After a year and a half of stressful family situations (four teenagers in the house, mother in law with dementia...) I have gained back 40 pounds... While it is a bummer and a set back, I have not lost the war - I am back and am recommitting myself to healthy eating and daily exercise. Time to push the restart button!!

My big goal is to get to 127 lbs and build muscle. Someday I'd like to run a half marathon. My smaller goal is always going to be the next 2 pounds. Recently I find I don't want to just be thinner - I want to be really fit with defined muscles...I want to see if there really is an athlete lurking within!!

I am walking 5-9 miles a day, 6 days a week, throwing in some jogging intervals... Am working on strength training with a few friends. Drinking LOTS of water. I am enjoying eating more whole foods. Staying away from sugar and processed foods, especially processed carbs. Tracking my calories - trying to stay around 1300 calories. Eating protein at every meal, and 8-10 fruit and veggie servings a day. Whole grains every now and then. A little red wine two days a week as a treat. Lose 10 lbs: DONE!! 2/25/12 Lose 20 lbs: DONE!! 3/19/12 Lose 30 lbs: DONE!! 4/20/12 Lose 40 lbs: DONE!! 5/22/12 Lose 50 lbs: DONE!! 6/29/12 Onederland: DONE!! 7/12/12 Lose 60 lbs: DONE!! 7/28/12 Lose 70 lbs: DONE!! 9/19/12 Lose 80 lbs: DONE!! 10/27/12 Lose 90 lbs: DONE!! 12/19/12 Lose 100 lbs: DONE! 3/30/14 Lose 110 lbs: DONE! 5/28/14 Lose 120 lbs: DONE! 9/8/14 Lose 127 Lbs

I love to listen(okay sing along with) to music - classic rock from the 70's and 80"s.. love to make jewelry, sew, quilt cook and hike. I read voraciously - mysteries, chick lit, Rosamund Pilcher novels, the newspaper...anything!

"There is no try, there is only do..." Yoda Bucket List: Wear a bathing suit without humiliation.. (done : 8/18/14) Horseback riding. Ziplining Front row seats at a Styx concert (done - 9/15 - even met the band...) Roller skate down the promenade at the beach in Ventura Guitar lessons Ocean Kayaking (done - kayaking in Alaskan lake - 7/16) Learn to surf so I can surprise my family... Scuba diving or snorkeling take the kids tubing go skiing again...

Add a Link
Save Changes