♀ has struggled with weight her entire life and it worries me when she goes from one diet to the next and if it doesn’t work and she starts saying things like, “maybe I should try those pills or that supplement.” She lost over 100lbs and during the past 3 yrs has put about 30lbs back on. The really big concern is diabetes; both her parents have it and one of her brothers has kidney damage from not knowing he has it soon enough.

Her blood sugar level was high a few years ago, but has it checked regularly and it’s been fine for quite awhile. When she went back to the doctor just before Christmas, the doctor said her blood sugar was good, thyroid working just fine and tried to reassure her that she’s healthy. “Eat sensibly and stay active, stop obsessing about your weight,” said the doctor.

I tell her that all the time and I tell her she’s beautiful, but ♀ thinks I have to say that so it doesn’t really count.

Anyway, just after her doctors appointment I found Sparks People online and I’ve been really impressed and not just because it’s free.  The diet part is very flexible and we’ve been doing the menus together, but that’s only part of it. You also keep track of physical activities and we’ve been doing that together as well. Of course *that*, but we joined a gym and have been going for walks. I bought her a watch on Ebay that counts calories so she’ll be able to track all the calories she’s burning when we’re doing *that*.  It really is about changing our lifestyle and there’s a lot there’s a lot of community support and it’s free. But what’s impressed me the most is the amount of information available on the site, it’s a huge resource available for anyone that wants it.

For instance, I had no idea how important drinking water…lots and lots of water is to healthy living. Sleeping well is also important, but with all that water we’re drinking….

But the point is, Sparks People is very cool and she says it doesn’t feel like she’s on a diet. We’re eating sensibly and staying active and she’s not obsessed about a number on the scale and oh yeah, did I mention that it’s free?

As part of her exercise routine, she has replaced our office chair…the chair I would normally be sitting on as I write this…

with an exercise ball.

HHNT

sss