Once upon a time - LONG AGO, there was a lady with a very curvacious, slim, trim and compact body. She was me. Somewhere between 40 and 60 this body of mine began to become uncontrollable. Yes, I excercised it, fed it, starved it, looked at it and cried, more than a few times. Then one day I realized, Jay this is your body.

I looked at all the women on both sides of my family. They were a little big (to say the least). But most were unhealthy also; high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes - just a few little things that could be of concern. It was then I decided, I wanted to be healthier and live well.

Dieting frustrated me. I Love to cook, I Love to eat. So what to do? About ten years ago, I really started to pay attention to what I ate and when. At that time I was almost 300 lbs. I'm sorry to say that I stayed that way until about two years ago, when I really got serious and focused. I am now 232 lbs, and still will be losing more - safely and happily.

Our bodies are made up of water, a lot of it. It's really important that we keep it nourished. Plus the water we put into our bodies really helps the tone of our skin. Check out your hands when you become dehydrated, then look at them again when you've done continuous watering. Yes, we are our own gardens!
4-6 eight oz glasses a day - good for us.

I am a CHOCOHOLIC!!! Big time. Though, as we all know, chocolate is good for us, medicinal even, we must LIMIT our intake. I did two things; increased my apples, mangos, fresh pineapples and cherries, and really renewed my old childhood love affair with Jello. In doing this, I have been able to cut out a lot of the sweets, including bakery goods, and still get my need for a sweet taste satisfied. About once a week I allow myself to indulge in one or two favorites - then do what I know to be right, and will get me where I want to be.

EXCERCISE. Got to get up off the butt in order to keep the butt formed and in shape. Walking is one of the best forms of excercise. Light weights are good for tone. Take a can of peas in each hand and lift. One can is 1 lb. That's better than nothing. Your heart needs to have a work out. I had never considered until I needed to run, how out of shape my heart was. We REALLY do need our hearts to work right.

SALT. Oh this was so hard for me. I love salt and butter, like on hot buttered popcorn. Oh My Goodness, do I have to give it up? NO, not completely, but there are limits. Think about it. Who's in control of you? You or the foods you eat? Att that salt and butter hurt your arteries. Be Wise, learn how to substitute. I learn that mixing herbs got my food more tasty than by adding a lot of salt.

The next thing I changed was the time I eat. Nothing other than Jello or fruit after 6:00P.M. EXCEPT on a few occasions during the month. I might have a late meeting, so I'll order light. Friends get together on the weekend, think about what you can have that will satisfy, without going overboard. But if you do go overboard, don't beat yourself up - start all over again. You Win.

Okay, that's about it for me and body beautiful - I'm still on the path, but not struggling. And at 61 years old, pretty content to be who I am, and what I am - Healthy.

bottom pics: Me in pink at 232 lbs. Me in orange shirt at 276 lbs.