Spark Spotlight: Tara (TMP0418)

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: Tara (TMP0418)
Age: 42
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Small Success of the Week

Tara is happy to report that she fits into a size 10 bathing suit for the first time in decades.  
 
What's your overall goal? 

To live a healthier life and to be able to do simple things like tie my shoes or walk up a flight of steps without stopping to catch my breath. I'd like to no longer have to wear sweatpants because they are easier to put on than a pair of jeans or worry about busting a zipper or button off. I also want to feel comfortable in my own skin and gain confidence, which I am now thanks to SparkPeople. 

How is SparkPeople helping you get there? 

SparkPeople has helped me get to where I am now by reading the inspirational quotes, seeing "before" and "after" pics, all the "likes" and comments on my posts and the motivational boost I get from SparkPeople friends when I'm having a rough day and never feeling judged. Calorie counting is fun and easy as is reading the articles. I feel alive for the first time in a very long time and I'm not depressed when I look in the mirror. 

What's your biggest challenge right now? 

My biggest challenge is always going to be exercising with the chronic back pain I've had since I was a teen. 
  
What advice do you have for someone who just joined SparkPeople today?
 
For starters, I would tell someone [who is] just starting to count calories [to] drink water and invest in a food scale. Don't be afraid to try things you’ve never heard of, be sure to take "before" and "after" pics and take body measurements. You might not see results right away—just be patient, you will get there. Remember what works for some people won't work for others so you must find what works best for you. Never compare your progress with someone else because everybody loses differently, whether through counting calories or running marathons. Always take suggestions from your SparkPeople family—they rock. 

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!