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Introduction Text Welcome to my world! I've been using spark people since January 2, 2007. My initial goal was to loose 140 pounds. As of 6/13/08 I've lost a little over 100 pounds - I've modified my goal - want to loose 25 more. Never have I been this successful at anything, other than raising my 3 wonderful children. I'm a special education teacher - emotionally disturbed high school students, in SW Penna. I am in the midst my 20th year - all of which has been with this population. This past year has seen some big changes for me. I now live by myself with my 3 cats - my youngest child moved out and lives w/ her roommate in the South Side of Pittsburgh. I recently completed a year participating in a weight loss study w/ the University of Pittsburgh. As a result of the weight I've lost, I've learned that I don't accept change well, even good, positive change - but that too is changing. I'm making the most out of it and having fun. For the first time I'm really living and enjoying life and me! I learned many things things in the study, many of which reinforced or were reinforced by spark people. #1 You must change your lifestyle a. what and how much you eat, as well as when you eat b. EXERCISE is key to loosing weight. It doesn't have to be fancy, I've lost mine by walking briskly and on school day mornings, in winter/or bad weather riding an exercise bike or following a Leslie Sansone walking video for 2-3 miles. #2. Write down what you eat! Those of us who did this consistently lost weight (in the study), those who didn't ~ didn't. #3. Look at your calorie intake on an average. If you have a "bad" day and eat what you shouldn't - don't beat yourself up about it - if you refocus the next day - then average it out over a week you will see that you don't have to give up - it all works out. #4. Plan, plan, plan - if you have events or holidays coming up, be prepared ahead of time. I've had a bag of healthy veggies prior to going to a friends home for a holiday dinner - that way I made sure I got in my veggies with out all the extra and fattening sauces and I was less hungry so I could taste a variety of things with out over doing it. Ok, now who can't tell I'm a teacher? I found this quote on GerryD8784's page it seems to sum things up. "You can't leave footprints in the sands of time if you're sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?" -- Bob Moawad Another quote that fits the new me: "Your life is a story, with an exciting new chapter written every day." (Make that chapter memorable!) Yet one more quote: Enjoy life now-it has an expiration date! My goals set on the Convention team page: Mikeo - here's your WooHoo! I'm in, but trying to pin down my goals - * stay the course and continue logging food & exercise *clean up and clean out the clutter around the house and my desk at school - I think, I think more clearly when things are neater. *set a long term personal - lifetime goal AND the plan to meet it (I'm thinking of the extra marital baggage - I've made reference in a blog) * by 2010 I'd like to be no more than 10 away from my goal weight.

Goal # 1:not have to move the "counter-weight" to 250. I've been really close to 300. Met in September. Goal #2: get below 200 by October. 10/07 - I have lost 50, count them 50 lbs - in time for my 49th birthday! Jan. '08 and I have seen 200 for the last time. February '08 - I've lost 75 pounds! It's May '08 - I've lost nearly 1/3 of me - 90 pounds. June '08 - Lost 100 big ones. New goal: 155 by Valentine's Day (2009).

My program has totally evolved and changed through the past year & a half. I had the help of a weight-loss study - but that's over with. I've lost over 100 pounds and now with 20 more to loose then maintain - Sparkpeople is very valuable I eat 3 meals and at least 2 snacks, sometimes 3. I make a point to drink 8 glasses of water daily and most days have 5 + fruits and vegetables daily. During the school year I ride an exercise bike 20 minutes in the morning 5 days a week, I walk about 50 minutes on the evenings I get home early enough, and walk 3 miles at dawn on the weekends - Winter too! I log my food and exercise daily - it so very important. In addition, I wear a pedometer and participate in America on the Move. I've been participating in Yoga after school once a week.

I'm Frances, a Special Education teacher in Pennsylvania. This is the beginning of my 20th year all of which have been teaching deeply emotionally disturbed children - currently high school age. I have 3 children, the last of whom graduated high school a year ago and moved into the South Side of Pittsburgh last August leaving me with an empty nest. I've adjusted better than I expected. My oldest lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. My son lives and works 4 hours away just west of Philly. I'm very much involved with my church and am an officer on the public library board. I've also spent some time with a local Native American group.

Current favorite author : Andy Andrews The Traveler's Gift, Island of Saints (read in a week), The Lost Choice, summer '09 I've read his book The Noticer - which I also recommend. Also read this summer : Tea Time for the Traditionally Built a #1 Ladies Detective Agency Novel. Recommended book to read: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini or any of the Andy Andrews' books I've mentioned above. Current read: The Cellist of Sarajevo. The coolest thing about success at weight-loss is the new found confidence. Never in a hundred years would I have predicted that I would ever get on top of a Coyote Ugly bar and dance - well - that happened the day I turned 50! Wahoo!

Add a Link Emotional Support High School History - SW Penna. I want to live in the spirit of faith. I accept everything that comes my way as given me by the loving will of God, who sincerely desires my happiness (St. Faustina).
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