Spark Spotlight: Pele (PELESJEWEL)

By , SparkPeople Blogger
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.

This Week's Spotlight: Pele (PELESJEWEL)
Age: 54
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico 
 

Pele's Small Success of the Week

Getting up at 5 a.m. to exercise!

What's your overall goal? 

To live life to the fullest in a fit and healthy body, and to maintain a cancer-free lifestyle. 
 
I am cancer-free at this time, and say this to all who are reading: The one event in life that almost got you, is the event that makes you stand up and fight until you win! This is the good fight, it is the fight for your life!
 
I weighed 328 pounds at my heaviest, and have released 123 pounds of fat, weighing in at 205 pounds today at 5'10".
 
My short-term goal is to get into "Onederland" in April 2018, and then to journey further to 175 pounds, maintain, then journey to 165 pounds.
 
How is SparkPeople helping you get there? 

I celebrated my eighth Sparkversary in March 2018. I am a long-time believer of SparkPeople. 
 
The trackers are the #1 tool for me. Tracking food and exercise daily is key. The Spark community and my circle of SparkFriends are also key to a successful journey. 
 
This is the most loving community on the web! What other online format allows a 200+, 300+, 400+, 500+ pound individual to have a safe forum to step into the light and own their journey? 
 
Many, like me, have been weighted their entire life. We tend to isolate, in the shadows, ashamed of the struggle. When I found SparkPeople, I "stepped into the light," and now, I’m proud to hold the light high for others, so they can keep going, crawling if they have to, during their darkest hour, knowing there are other "weight warriors" here, holding the light, because we have traveled this path before and know with certainty that you can, too!
 
I’ve never seen a community cheer so lovingly for folks who are struggling, have weight to lose or have a debilitating illness that may have set them back. There is a sincere level of “I care” here. It is a true spark!

What's your biggest challenge right now? 

My biggest challenge is work/life balance and keeping stress at bay. I work at my health like it’s my full-time job, but I have to remember that I have a full-time career that is very demanding, includes a ton of travel and managing other people to reach business objectives and profitability. But it’s a challenge that I accept readily, as these blessings are not lost on me. I am very grateful. 

What advice do you have for someone who just joined SparkPeople? 

Own your journey. Own every aspect: the wins, the setbacks, the highs and the lows. 
 
Learn to be the SparkFriend you need. What does this mean? 
  1. Connect with your friends, once per week or more, on their SparkPage, and leave a comment.
  2. Read and comment on their blogs (not just for points). Like your friends' blogs so they get a “Spark Featured” blog and then the community at large will benefit by reading their inspiration. 
  3. Read and comment on their Community Feed. Cheer on your SparkFriends! 
Remember, when you cheer for others louder than you cheer for yourself, the community gets your positive vibration and will rise up and cheer for you with the loudest roar you’ve ever heard!

Want to be the next small success we spotlight? Share your successes on the goal feed or in the comments below, and you might be the next person we contact!