For the last 10 years, my New Year’s Resolutions have included at least one of the following: lose weight, get in shape, be healthier.  And between my lupus, the medications I take for my lupus and my love of food, every year I found myself moving further away from my goals instead of closer…until 2010.

I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and to top if off…

I was 100 pounds overweight.

February 2010

I decided I needed to make some changes, but to be honest, I was quite overwhelmed and I had no idea where to start.

I decided to start with 1 step: exercise.

I committed to exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes.  My first visit to the gym was miserable. I was out of shape.  My joints hurt.  I felt like my lungs were on fire. But each week it got a little easier.

The next change I made was much easier to implement.

It didn’t require pain, sweat or effort.  I started taking a Nature Made Magnesium supplement.  It was amazing what a difference this made in such a short amount of time.  My joints ached less and I had so much more energy.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though.  The USDA estimates that 75% of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet…probably because they don’t know how crucial it is to their health.  It’s important for heart health and blood pressure and is as important as calcium for healthy bones!  As I started reading on the roles of various vitamins and minerals in our body, I knew I probably need more than magnesium.

It wasn’t long until I added a multivitamin to my routine.

According to Nature Made, “Many Americans often fall short on getting the nutrients their bodies need. Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diet where there may be nutrient shortfalls. Vitamins and minerals work together to keep the body growing and functioning normally. They help convert food into energy, keep cells healthy, and support the immune system.”

In other words, when your diet consists of lots of processed food and junk food washed down with soda like mine did, you food doesn’t supply the nutrients your body needs.  While I didn’t mind taking a multivitamin, I was pretty sure that I needed to overhaul my diet to see the results I really wanted.

I wasn’t quite ready for huge steps, so I decided to start small.

I started by replacing one of my daily sodas with water.  Pretty soon I had cut out soda altogether.

Slowly but surely, my little steps have become bigger and bigger.  My gym visits are longer.  My monthly donut inhalation quota is much lower. Each good decision I made motivated me to make more good decisions…until my good decisions have become habits.

And now I’ve lost 80 pounds!

September 2011: Down 80 pounds

While I haven’t reached all my goals yet, I look and feel like a whole new person…a much better me!

Disclosure:  I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Nature Made and received promotional items to thank me for taking the time to participate. Vote for my entry at www.facebook.com/naturemade between 9/20/11 and noon (PT) 9/26/11.

Photo Source: eat-sleep-run-repeat.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

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