Hi! My name is Liz Conrade. I'm currently a student in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Master's program at Emporia State University, Emporia Kansas.

I was an athlete in High School and College. After that, I quit exercising on a routine basis and gained weight. I then had children...and gained more weight...now, 25 years later, I'm still overweight and it is taking a toll on my health. Basically, I represent a majority of the middle aged women in our society, and men (with the exception of gaining more weight due to having children).

The baby boomers are overweight, and unhealthy. Many of us have pre-metabolic syndrome, or metabolic syndrome which include: obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), insulin resistance (a precursor to type 2 diabetes), cholesterol abnormalities (high triglycerides, low HDL -the good cholesterol).

The adage of "if you have your health, you have everything" began to plague me. I realized that I was no longer just overweight, but I was beginning to lose my health too! I had to do something.

I rarely watch TV, but somehow caught an episode of the Dr. Oz show. He had an episode about the benefits of losing just 10 pounds. I thought to myself, "I can do that!" Shoot 10 pounds is easy! I just can't seem to lose the 60 pounds I'm overweight, but I know I can lose 10. Seeing the health benefits of 10 pounds, I set off to lose JUST 10! I did!! Woo hoo! It was easy!! So easy that I thought, I can do 10 more, so I did! And 10 more!! Wow, all of a sudden, I was 1/2 way to losing the 60 pounds I needed to lose and it was easy! Focusing on the smaller goal of 10 pounds changed my whole perspective. I was losing 10 pounds for the health benefits and I was only focusing on 10 pounds. This journey inspired me to take this Master's program so that I can help others just like me realize it's doable and it's imperative.

I wish I could say that I've gone on to lose the other 30, 10 at a time, but I can't...yet. Actually to be truthful, my life hit a huge stress level over the past several months and I've actually gained 10 back. So now, I'm back on track and going take 10 - off! I can feel the difference this 10 pounds have made in my energy level, mental acuity, my blood pressure (I had gotten off one of the 2 blood pressure meds I was taking and I've had to go back on it), etc. For me, being overweight isn't about physical appearance, it's about health. I'm going to get mine back!!

I hope you enjoy my journey to take 10 - off! Please let me know if you decide to do the same!

Liz