This journal will help me focus on my efforts to stay healthy during my retirement years.

For most of my adult life I have struggled with morbid obesity. It was in part responsible for my marriage breakup and it certainly affected my job performance and any opportunities for promotion.

After reaching a WHOPPING 472 pounds in July of 2001, I decided that I needed to do something drastic. I joined a local health and diet clinic and in approx. 16 months dropped 274 pounds.

Unfortunately, I didn't learn to eat properly and slowly gained weight until I had gained back 186 pounds. With retirement looming in the distance and on the verge of losing my mobility I once again embarked on a weight loss journey. With the support and encouragement of friends from Health Steward.com I have lost 140 of those pounds and am closing in on my goal of 195 pounds.

I just recently started to walk again. It has not been easy. There is severe damage to both knees and arthritis is taking it's toll. Nonetheless I have embarked on this journey to stay healthy so that I can enjoy my retirement years and hope to travel around North America and combine my passion for photography to chronicle my journey in the years to come.

I will post pictures and any thoughts that might cross my mind as I continue my waking program to better health.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

During a recent trip to Northern New York a friend and I climbed Mount Azure.

One short year ago this would not have been possible. It took two hours to climb up

and another two hours down.

Thanks Peggy for your support and encouragement and challenging me

to take the extra step in my journey to better health.

WHAT A JOURNEY!!!!