I was in pain but hiding it, suffering and embarrassed. I was over 100 pounds overweight with many health issues; high cholesterol, borderline diabetes, depression, back and knee pain, a fatty liver and the list goes on. I was also taking many prescription and non prescription meds as well. I was a physical mess but I knew I had to change. I had my family who depended on me. I wanted to be around for my kids and grandkids. So I got on my knees and asked for help. I started with a small simple change to kickstart my effort. I knew I didn't put all that weight on overnight so I certainly was not going to lose it overnight. I was committed. So began my journey.

As I began my journey to get healthier, many folks noticed my physical changes and asked me what I was doing. They also encouraged me to write a book about how I was losing all that weight and physically changing for the better. I wanted to get my message of health and hope out to as many people as quickly as possible. I knew being an inde author would allow me to do that and more.

My fans fuel my passion. When I hear a person tell me they no longer take medications for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, now have more energy to play with their kids, or can now garden without pain because of the weight they lost through Small Simple Changes, my eyes water with joy for them.

I love to read books on a range of self-improvement topics, health and fitness and inspirational stories. I like to say we need to focus on F U N (F itness, Yo U and N utrition) to continuously improve our quality of life from the inside out and contribute to the world. The yoU component is about dedicating time to yourself to reflect, recharge and continuously learn and improve spiritually, intellectually, behaviorally, etc. Life is busy, but we must carve out time for ourselves to improve our happiness so we can be of greater service to others. It reminds me of that safety announcement on an airplane, if you have small children, put your oxygen mask on first, then your child. You are not much help to your child if you pass out! I gained over 100 pounds and become sick and obese, because I did not put my oxygen mask on first... Now I am so much more healthier to serve and do the things I want to do.

I read on many devices. When I am at home relaxing I like to read on my iPad. But I have a Kindle Paperwhite by my bedside. I also read on my phone when I am on the go. That's what I love about ebooks, we can enjoy content just about anywhere from the cloud.

When I decided I wanted to lose that excess weight and get healthy, I journaled my Small Simple Changes and weight each week. After a short while many people who I don't typically see daily or weekly, asked me what I was doing? I told them I was making Small Simple Changes in my eating and activity weekly. They ALL said I should write a book about it. So here I am. What a great journey. I am working on my next book to provide more Small Simple Changes and more background on the F U N focus - F itness, yo U and N utrition.

It's been 10+ years since I have lost over 100 pounds and kept it off. Not saying that to impress anyone, well maybe a little :), but to impress upon you it CAN be done. You CAN do it. The stats tell us most folks gain the weight back between one and three years. I realized through my journey we truly are creatures of habit. Habits are neutral - both good and bad. I learned a great deal about habits when it comes to myself, others and the science of habits. So, my next book will be about sharing this hindsight and lessons learned to beat the odds and keep it off as well as what to do when we hit a pot hole and relapse.

I grew up in the Big Apple, New York on Long Island. My Dad worked in the city. When I grew older and landed in Northern Virginia, I started my own commute to Washington DC daily, I really began to appreciate what my Dad endured all those years commuting. That appreciation and empathy along with the bottom line style of communication I grew up with had much influence on my writings. My goal when writing is to see the situation from others eyes and share my nuggets of hindsight in a way they can benefit from them

I enjoy reading books on F U N, Fitness, You (personal development) and Nutrition. I'll pick up some recommended fiction now and then to stimulate the right side of my gray matter. My current project is raising a Labradoodle puppy with my grandson. What a blast and challenge. I also love to simply walk for twenty minutes or so several times a day in the neighborhood and enjoy the surrounding sounds, people and landscape. Whenever I feel my mood going south, walking crushes the cranky and lightens the mood. Give it a try.

I usually have a topic in mind and search. I like reading the recommendations, but the book description and sample is more important to me. When I find a great author I look for other books of theirs to read as well as their recommendations on other authors.