Re: exercise anniversary/Vennitta

[Guest guest]

Hugs to you,Vennitta! I'm so glad I've had a chance to meet you! That Cliff House lunch was so much fun for me. I think that was in 2002. I think I still have a picture.I'm so glad that I've somehow helped a bit, but it is absolutely mutual. You have given me so much encouragement over the years, and I always love your enthusiasm. This means that you've been at it for more than 10 years, right?

Oh my gosh I was there with Sparky and you were then and are now such an inspiration. Because of you I started tracking my food again, this time more diligently (currently using FitDay) and I've lost a little over 48 pounds since September.

You may not realize how much of that is because I followed your journaling lead, the last time I had success was when I journaled using eDiets (I think), looking back on my calendars from the last few years I can clearly see how not logging my food kept me from meeting my goals.

So , I thank YOU and I'm so very glad you are on this list...if I were still in No. Cal I'd insist we get together for a hike and healthy salad or something else rewarding and fun.

Big hugs,Vennitta

May 20 was my 10 year exercise anniversary. That's when I went from being a very sedentary 40 year-old with a poor diet (vegetarian, but high fat, sugary, and waaaay too many calories), to discovering exercise videos and doing short, slow walks. It was hard to even walk around the block. I started logging my food and tracking my exercise around the same time. I became much more mindful of food, and my diet is much, much cleaner now. It's still a journey.

Right arount that time, I started posting on the old Firmie "sparklist." I think Vennitta was there too. The Sparklist became the Firmlist, and that list died when Goodtimes took over the Firm. Anyway, exercise video email groups have been my salvation. Thank you all so much!

Exercise videos are such a wonderful thing. They are a wonderful place to start if you are not an athlete, and if you feel too self-conscious to go to a gym. They empowered me to try all sorts of new things, and to see myself differently. I'm not sedentary and stuck anymore. I'm active and mindful, and am able to adapt to setbacks and new situations without going into a tailspin.

Tracking food and exercise changed everything for me.