i think this is a great giveaway. 
 
 
 
suzi

iam disabled and it is easy to get down on myself, but your emails keep me going and pushing forward.  
 
 
 
suzi

My inspiration for "The Best Life" came from two places: 
 
(1) My wife - who has been a devotee of this lifestyle for a couple of years now. 
 
(2) My father - who hasn't, and unfortunately his body and physical condition is beginning to betray him. I am now motivated/frightened enough to take action and responsibility.

Choose life 
embrace inner beauty 
face fears 
absorb the knowledge 
create a new path 
set the goals 
seek support 
journal daily, no excuses 
combine routine with creative choices 
love, laugh and feel deeply 
optimism, courage and community are necessary ingredients 
blessing abound: cherish these 
Choose life, the Best Life!

Much of my inspiration comes from the wonderful friends I have made on the BL website. We keep each other going, and accountable! The BL program transformed my life. Thank you, Bob Greene!

Much of my inspiration comes from the wonderful friends I have made on the BL website. We keep each other going, and accountable! The BL program transformed my life. Thank you, Bob Greene!

Bob Greene and his website are my motivation. The Community threads reflect the enthusiasm Bob has instilled in us to take a deeper look at ourselves and find the real problems to weight gain. Once we face these we can put them aside and live our Best Life. 
 
Thanks

What inspires me is the never ending NEED, DRIVE and HOPE to become INVISIBLE, to be "NORMAL", to FIT IN and to keep my HEALTH INTACT. I want to enjoy and experience my dreams of a BEST LIFE. I want my dreams of being successful to be a reality. HELP! 
 

1992 doctor told me I was diabetic.Going through a divorce ignored the disease. Under such stresss going through a divorce and hadd three children to worry about...I was last on the list..Had to move from San Jose to Sacramento, leaving my support systen and exercise world. Moved took my pills and did what I felt like would help but oh so mad. Now the last 3 years have decided to start doing better hearing exercise and eating habits can reverse so many problems..I am now a grandmother of 3 and 1/2 wonderful children and want to be healthy for me and my family...the first step is the hardest...need help and direction and want the anger about having this disease. Want to change and want help... Teri

These give-aways are awesome! Especially in these troubled times. I'm inspired by Bob and the BL team to bring a sensible and joyful way to live better each and every day. Cheers to all of you!

After losing my oldest sister, oldest sister-in-law and oldest cousin before they reached 57 I feel I should take care of myself. Its scary when people so young pass, even if it was their past living that took them, but I want to be around to see my grandchildren graduate high school like my father was...I want to be able to run with them and pick them up. I've had cspine surgery and I'm trying now to build up my muscles, I'm only 52 and feel so old and I can't seem to control what I eat lately because of feeling sorry for myself sometimes-this alone will give me the incentive to pick my book back up and read it

ok I feel that at my age..proudly 55 I still struggle with my weight n self esteem..BUT its now becoming a mission to help my youngest daughter(age 26) who is too heavy n this could hurt her sooner then she thinks!(Family history of Diabetes) We joined Ballys(for the physical side as well as trying Weight watchers as well) THO...it has to start at home.. 
 
Better eating habits...better choices, amounts and things that will pre occupy the mind so the binge or excess eating doesnt begin ;) Its not EZ!!!

My age and my pets inspires me. I often struggle with being over 40 and my self confidence and self esteem suffer. I strife to love myself as unconditionally as my pets love me. I want to be a good as person as my animals believe me to be.

My son inspires me. He is the future. I want him to know that what he sees in himself and me that needs improvement, we can work at whatever it is to improve our lives..

Before retiring the doctor said I was boarderline obese. I decided it wasn't boarderline: I was fat. On retiring I started daily workouts at the YMCA and with weight loss DVD's. It was the people who told me I looked good and were proud of my dedication that inspired me. From 186 to 156# and at 67 years young, forever dedicated to exercise, eating right and your website for tips to keep me going. Thank you for being who you are!

I decided over 2 years ago after being diagnosed with diabetes that I needed a changed. I still have a lot of things to accomplish and I was not yet ready to give up on life. I changed my eating habits and began to exercise and lost over 40 pounds and I am still working hard at it. I am enjoying life more now than ever.

LIFE, inspires me to live my BEST life! I had a reality check. I will be celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary. I don't have children I think that makes me feel older. I have vowed to live my BEST life from here forward. I will appreciate and enjoy everyday.

This is easy - my children inspire me. My father died of a heart attack when I was 7 yrs old. I only have vague memories of him. I am terrified that if I don't improve my health, then my 6 yr old, 8 yr old, and 4 month old will not know or remember their mother.

I am not living my best, but want to find out how to do so. I am a mother of four who needs lots of help to learn how to live a healthy life style. At this point I have no clue how to juggle work, bills, dinner, and excercise!

I am a newly diagnosed person with Diabetes. I am scared and what to do the best I can with this. I have to do it for son & for myself.

Who inspires me to do much better: 
 
 
 
My son 
 
My Husband 
 
Thats a great bag and could help me out a whole lot. 
 

I'm inspired by my kids. I want them to be able to put their arms ALL THE WAY AROUND me when they give me hugs. They are so active and I want to be able to keep up.

After losing my Mom to cancer 5 years ago, I literally sat down in life and gave up as I denied dealing with my grief. After gaining 40+ pounds and started on blood pressure meds, I looked up and did not recognize myself in the mirror. Today, I have lost 65 lbs and am going to reach my goal with only 19 more lbs to go. I am training for a half marathon and feel the best I have felt in years. It just takes a close group or friends with the common goal of losing weight and a trainer that cares about YOU, not just the lbs. Bob you inspire trainers to care for their people and push them to believe in themselves!

Two little Grandsons age one and five, 
 
make me want to continue to strive, 
 
To live the "Best Life", so I can see,  
 
and in their future, I can be.

Diagnosed 6 years ago with Type II. Seeing 1st hand the complications from this disease is my biggest motivator. I do not want to lose limbs, eyesight or organs! It gets overwhelming, but I am blessed to have the chance to control it. Any help is always welcome!

A friend of mine died in December. She never complained went to work and cared for her family but was seriously ill. No one realized how ill she was. She always put others first,neglected herself. A wake up call! Her family and work place will continue with out her. Is it worth it? NO, but I AM!.

My family and my daycare children inspire me to live my best life! I am trying hard to be a great example to not only my children (aged 23 and 20) but also to my daycare children (ages 1 and up). I want to be around, for not only them but also my wonderful, supportive husband, for many years to come and the best way to achieve this is through eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting my proper rest, and taking time out for fun and relaxation.

Oprah has been my inspiration to live my best life; her ups and downs and issues with weight loss are similar to mine; she does not give up and encourages others to be their best and teaches us how.

My husband inspires me to live my best life. He has been on kidney dialysis due to PKD that is genetic in his family. I recently donated a kidney to him and he is doing great! He has a whole new outlook on life now. It's wonderful!

What inspires me to have a better life is for a better future. By getting healthier now, my health will be better, my marriage to my husband will be stronger, my future kids will have a good role model, and I will be around longer to enjoy my friends, family, and most importantly, my life.

Inner beauty 
 
Never giving up on a dream 
 
Special people in my life 
 
Parker and Haley (my two beautiful children 
 
In a loving & supportive marriage 
 
Remembering those who have sacrificed for me 
 
Everything that touches your spirit, soul, and heart! 
 

I want my six children to have the best life possible. I have to teach them by example that making smart eating choices and staying active is the foundation that will enable them to achieve all of their life goals and dreams.

My boys, Steven(12) and Jake(3), and my faith inspire me to live my best life. We play at the park, we do wii fit as a family, and we are always looking for the next adventure. We our inspired by nature and our curiosity to keep moving forward.

My five year old and 6 month old sons have inspired me to start trying to live my best life. My five year old recently passed away in August '09 of a rare inoperable brain tumor. Life is too short, and I want to be around for my 6 month old son. In my five year old son's memory I'm inspired to lose weight and run the St. Jude 5K in Memphis in his memory.

My family and I could really use this. My son who is only 19 is close to 300 lbs. and i am really worried about his health. My husband has heart disease and i need to lose some weight myself. What a great beginning for us.

My husband and kids inspire me to try harder to keep diabetes in control. Lost both parents to this disease and am trying to keep a better lifestyle with more knowledge. Want to be inspiration to my kids in case they also acquire disease later in life - since it is more a heredity issue in our family.

I spent a big portion of my life taking care of everyone else. How care I take care of someone elso if I don't take care of me first. I'm ready to care about me and my future.

My inspiration to live my best life comes from my desire to want to be healthier and more active to keep up with my dog. My dog, Presley, is full of energy. I began to feel like I was holding her back from living a happy, healthy life.

My kids inspire me to strive for a healthy lifestyle. I want to be around for them as they go through all of the great things life has to offer. I look forward to their graduations, weddings, careers, babies, etc. I also want to be healthy to take care of my husband who is 12 years my senior and a Vietnam veteran. We have dreams of traveling the world together when I retire. He is already retired, so I need to keep him active while he waits for me to begin the next journey in our lives.

"Let's get this Healthy Life started!"

I have to inspire 126 tenates in a Memory Care & Sr living complex, I am the Life Enrichment leader. But yet they inspire me to continually to go on because of their need & zest for a rich life. I use your comments from your site in my news letter monthly - Thank you

Recieve a TOTAL BODY MAKEOVER....that would be something...heaven knows this body of mine needs it. Hope you all agree. Getting oldier is not for the weak.

I am widowed. My children give me the strength to win the battle of over eating. Have to loose that weight.

My inspiration came first from Oprah and Bob go through Oprah’s weight loss back in the 90’s. More recently listening to the Oprah channel on XM I have been enlightened, inspired and challenged by the discussion and information to take the steps necessary to become a much healthier person.

My mirror and any set of stairs inspire me to live my best life!  
 
When I look in the mirror, I want to feel good about my reflection and not see a protruding omentum (aka fat) flowing over the top of my jeans.  
 
When I walk up a set of stairs, I want to feel the burn and have the energy to make it all the way to the top without loosing my breath.  
 
I also keep up to date on how to live my best like by staying in touch with Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey's websites! I always find very inspirational messages to help me live my best life. 
 

What inspires me most to live the best life possible is undoubtfully my family. There have been so many mountains (cancer) and valleys (children) that we have conquered together, that alone we never would be able to survive. Being supportive to them daily is what keeps me going.

I am inspired to stay healthy 
 
1. I can help my husband who was diagnosed with NHL 4 years ago. 
 
2. To be there for my 2 year old grandson and to pass family traditions and stories along to him. 
 
3. To serve others less fortunate than myself via church and community activities

I have been training for a marathon and trying to loose weight. It is so easy to get discouraged. I appreciate the Best Life e-mails to keep me on track.

My two kids ages 5 and 10 inspires me to live my best life yet. I am over weight and 40 years of age. They are always on me about being health. So this year I will put myself fist by taking care of ME! I want to run a marathon some day that's my dream.

I believe my family inspires me to get up every morning no matter how I may be feeling that day. I also believe that Bob Greene and Oprah are also a great inspiration. Just their outlooks on things are a big help. THANKS!!! :)

I am inspired to live my best life by my mother. As I grew up I resented my mother's desire to help all, even when being walked on by some. I became mean and evil often questioning why help other especially when they dont seem to want to help themselves. But now I realize that life comes with it's challenges and those acts of kindness and her overall good nature makes life all the more worth living to show kindness and lend a helping hand. Even through her fight with breast cancer she continued to bless others through her belief and testimony. So now I live each day to the fullest, as a School Social Worker and Parent Advocate helping others realizing that this gift God has blessed me with should not be bottled up but shared to make life all the more worth living for others. All while realizing that a more healthy lifestyle will help me to be around alot longer to continue to learn her life lessons.

Who inspires me are my deceased grandmothers, (one was diabetic)One lived till 82 and other 97,losing their husbands early but kept going and were strong. Always postive. Being 50 and borderline diabetic they have encouraged me to me change my lifestyle and eat better. They maybe gone but not forgotten!

My daughter inspires me most to live the "best life", to be stronger and healthier, as most family members have a health issue and I want to live to see her grow up. I also want to teach her the "best life" way.

My four grandchildren inspire me to feel my best. I retired from teaching and now watch my grandchildren whose ages are 4 yrs. to eight months. Also my son who has cancer and his positive attitude, has inspired me to try to live and eat healthy.

Life it self. live it fully everyday, by giving more, spending less,love often and laugh a lot.

My mother inspires me, when she was diagnosed with cancer last year, It made me think why she would have this? she always took care of her health, when I didn't. She inspired me to take care of my health with her words and tenacity to do her best.

What inspires me to live my BEST LIFE is ME. I have to do it for me first then it will spread to my family and friends. I am living for me and I am living the BEST LIFE!

My btother moved in and started cooking everything and I would eat everything. I drank plenty of sodas. So after I gained about fifty pounds I started setting some goals. I would eat healthier and exercise more. It took me a little while but I stuck with my goals. I have now lost twenty- five pounds. I cut out soda and exercise more. You'd be surprise what a difference makes.

My two young boys inspire me to get healthier. They help me watch what I eat and when they are in doubt they ask, "Mom, is that good for you?" Also, by my wonderful fiance' who makes me feel better about myself than I have in a very long time. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I am inspired by my grandchildren, I want to be around to see them grow up.

Dana Chapman inspires me every day to evolve into my best self. She is my friend and the owner of Evolution Health & Fitness in Haskell, NJ. She made her dream come true by opening her gym 2 years ago and now every day she plays an active role in making the dreams of so many others come true. She inspires me to set goals and provides me with the tools to achieve them. I am so thankful for her and I am truly blessed to know her.

Who inspires me the most would be my dad but also my daughter. My dad passed away going on 2 years at a young age. He had diabetes. I have now been diagnosed with diabetes. I have a lot to live for. I am a single mom raising a beautiful daughter who inspires me to be my best not only for her, but also for myself!

My grandsons inspire me to live my best life. I want to be able to play, run, adventure in the woods and enjoy life to it's fullest with them, as I watch them grow into incredible, caring adults. However, I have to motivate myself to take care of ME!

My Mother inspires me to be healthy. She died this year, at age 66! Major stroke and poor health choices killed her. I am 42, hypoglycemia, married with 3 children and want to inspire my family with good health, and we all live happy long lives. I thank Oprah and Bob Greene for bringing so much knowledge and hope to my life!

I have always tried to inspire myself to live my best life for someone or something and have failed miserably. I have inspired myself by forgetting dieting and simply taking care of fabulous me. Suddenly after 53 years I realize what a wonderful worthwhile person I am and I need to take care of this wonderful gift - ME!

Open and honest sharing by other women over the age of 60, that change is possible and definitely worth the effort, give me the courage to pick myself up and to try once more. My life depends on succeeding with getting stronger and reaching my goal weight. I have lost too much to this disease already. I do not want to lose any more.

my mom and dad who both died of heart disease as a result of being chronically overweight. For years I have lived with the fear of ending up like them. Best life gives me hope of changing what I can and altering the health legacy I live for my child and future ancestors.

I am inspired by two daughters. I want to set a better example that even though you have made wrong choices, you can change yourself and your choices to better yourself for the future. Also my miror, clothes and scale are inspiring me to get up and do something so that I wil feel better.

my dad inspires me. Even though he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he continues with his exercise regimine daily - all this at the age of 84! If he can do it, so can everyone and so can I.

My Mom, neice and sister in law all have lost between 25 and 55 pounds in the past 6 months. They are full of energy, motivated and loving life! They support one another and their enthusiam is infectious!

I'm a 50 year old mom inspired to eat healthy food, run, cycle, swim, hike, raise goats, grow veggies to pass on these priorities to my 11 & 13 year olds. Result: I have two kids who have never wanted to own a gameboy or xbox and can kick my fanny in sports!

This Bob Greene email as of this minute is my inspiration! I’ve been single for 15 years and focused on my kids (now teens). We have recently made it through some very scary health issues and my deal with my higher power was “let them both be healthy and I promise to do it myself.” Here I am!

I realized I’ve been an idiot for 40 years sitting, eating myself to death instead of for life and living. My inspiration: My doctor, nurse, nutritionist and most importantly my husband, sons, daughter-in-laws, grandsons and sister. They believe in LIFE and LIVING and in me, and now, so do I.

I am inspired by Oprah herself. I can relate to her is so many ways, although I am not rich or famous like her. We are close to the same age. We both battle weight and we both ran our first marathons within weeks of each other. When I see her successes with weight it inspires me to fight harder. When I see her slip I know this is part of the battle and I don't feel defeated, just inspired to keep fighting for good health and fitness.

I work in a Dr.s office and I get inspired by patients that are making positive changes in their lives. I like to ask them how they are doing it and I learn from the patients that come to us with issues. Seeing people loose weight, get off meds etc. is very exciting.

I choose to be the best me is for my family. Its tough, hard and at times I fail that day but never give up. Ive been knocked down but not out. Ive had so many start days (again today)have 50lbs to be the healthiest I'll succeed. Help me

After 41 years I am finally finding motivation from within myself. Redirecting my self talk from negative to positive helps me continue motivating myself with end results in a positive direction.

My children have inspire me. I have taught them that they must show by example and not just simply with words. My 22 year old son has eaten junk most of his life. He now eats a diet full of fish, vegetables, and healthy drinks. He has encouraged me to exercise and eat healthy. My 9 year old daughter is eating healthier by taking lunch to school on days that they do not have a healthy lunch. She exercises every day and encourages me to join her. With them behind me and the products of Best Life to help me, how can I fail? It's all about choice. I choose to have the best life I can.

I have two inspirations in my life one being my little boy who I want to live a long and healthy life for and be there to see him grow up and also my grandmother who has done everything for me in order to be healthy.

The world at large inspires me--there seems to be this vital balance amongst the elements. It feels as if people in general are moving away from this equilibrium, and I would like to live my best life so I may practice self-discipline to find my own bit of harmony.

I am inspired by my in-laws (no joke). They are 67 and 73 and they ski, bike, walk, snowshoe, and golf. They are careful about what eat and drink and it shows in their zest for life. I want to be able to do the same at their age.

My husband has ALWAYS inspired me to be my best no matter where I am in life. Being a breast cancer survivor, my komen sisters are truly an inspiration to me even though we have never met face to face! I love them all.

Back in my younger Military days I was all about healthy living, but as I had children I began to worry only about theirs and I let my own health take the back seat. Now that my children are a little older I am trying to get back into taking care of myself again. This would be the best choice so I can begin to put back into myself again.

I inspire myself! “This is no dress rehearsal.” Medications are a benefit to those who need them. Too many people need medications because of abuse that we inflict on our bodies. I choose to live my best life because I don’t want to depend on medications to control diseases.

Following a school shooting in 2003 PTSD nearly ended my life. I started to take small steps to reclaim little pieces when looking at my son. Honest communication, learning and change with my husband, trauma specialist, spiritual director, doctors... I will live my best life ever because of me.

1 Boyfriend 
 
+ 2 Kids 
 
= 3 Inspirations

Waking up in the morning excited about my day inspires me to lead my best life, the life of my dreams and imagination. Taking responsibility for my own health, learning more and more about what makes me feels my best inspires me to strive for my best life.

When I was 19, I was 1/4" from paralysis after a sledding accident. After several years as a graphic designer, I went back to school to teach high schoolers. I want the best life for my students. Because life is too short -- and I want them to know that someone cares.

I am inspired by LIFE itself; the weather, friends, co-workers, family, music, television, gardening, reading....everything that is a part of life is an inspiration. I choose to view it all as a blessing. You only get one Life. Live it to the max!

What inspires me is my faith in God,through God all is possible.HE has equipped us with the intelligence and ability to educate ourselves and take care of the GREAT gift HE has given us,LIFE. we are to take care of HIS gift and not abuse it and destroy it with all the garbage and not-nourishing food and drinks we put in our bodies. NOT all of us are made to be a size 5,but all of us can make healthier choices. 
If we do our part God and our bodies will do theirs. 
Let the warmth of the Sun each morning or the sound of the rain or even the brightness of the snow inspire you and let your Spirit shine in the Knowledge that WHO made all these things ALSO made YOU, so you are worthy and deserving to BE NUMBER ONE.

This is my year!! 2010! I turned 50 on 12/30/2009! I am an overweight woman trying to become a "Juicy Cronie" which is a fabulous term for a woman who is becoming of age after 50! I love life! This is my year to get healthy & strong! This awesome treat bag would get me on that road!

As an elementary teacher, I feel my students serve as daily reminders of the importance of staying healthy and living my best life. They need positive role models for healthy behaviors as well as life-long learning. They look up to me, and I refuse to let them down!

Thank you so much for having this contest. I really appreciate it. I try to live a healthy active lifestyle each and every day.

I just found out that I am diabetic and it really depressed me! I have tried to stay active and eat healthy (diabetes runs in my family)but to no avail! I need help!!!

My inspiration, is Dr. Oz. His TV program is the greatest and most informative. He motiviates with his frankness on obesity and terrible lifestyles we all live day to day. He has inspired me to live a more healthy and fruitful lifestyle. He has inspired me by all his guests, who have lost weight to keep pushing on, for me and for no one else. I am important! The time is now, and the best time is now to feel and be the best I can be for myself. And Bob Greene is my other inspiration, by his programs and articles on the Oprah website. You can catch him anywhere, from Cityline, Toronto to all broadcast talk shows. His information is an inspiration for all to follow. I appreciate what Dr. Oz, Bob Greene and all health advocates do for us in our struggle to live better lives. Thank you.

My mother has Alzheimer's Disease and I seem to be her major lifeline to maintaining some clarity and pleasantness in the midst of a lonely nursing home. It is my happy job to stay strong and fit for my mother and for my husband who encourages me to eat right and work out. I owe it to them and to myself and to try to provide a good example to others. Thank you.

my kids. they have lots of energy to play and jump around. I want to be able to be more active with them and have more energy to play while they want to play with me!

My inspiration to live the Best Life I can would be my faith in God, the support and love of my husband and children, and the wonderful friends I have. My life has been "easy" but I have been blind. My eyes are wide open now and even though there will be numerous struggles, weight, health, monies, etc... My Best Life is my future!

My Mother knowledge inspired me with saying like “sometimes you just have to get up and do it even if you don’t feel like it.” Now, I want to inspire my children with “do it, even if you don’t feel like it so you can live your best life possible.”

I would love to one one of your give away bags. 
 
 
 
I am fighting diabetic problems. I need to buy your book. I am insulin resistant and I need to exercise to build muscle so that by body will absorb the insulin and so I do not need to start taking daily shots. Any information you could supply me I would appreciate to help me with my diabetic 2 problem. Thank you.

Today is my 58th Birthday. Last year at this time I was having a difficult recovery from a hip revision surgery, and my RA meds were failing. My family, friends and doctor all helped lift my spirits and pushed me ti take care of myself. They took a lot of the burden of everyday tasks off of me. I am doing so much better. They are my inspiration to make this coming year one of the best.

I would say that it has to be myself who inspires me to live my best life. If I don't do it, no one else can. I figure if I don't feel good or look healthy, I won't be the best for loved ones in my life. I want to be around for my grandchildren and be active in their lives.

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in June 2008. On that very same day, I found out that I was expecting my 3rd child. It was then I swore that I would not only live the best life for myself, but put my children and husband on the path for their best life as well. We've made a lot of changes together and we're living much healthier lives (exercising together and eating well). Rather than wind up in a wheelchair, I believe living "The Best Life" will allow me to chase my grandchildren around (on foot!).

My faith in God, support & love of my husband, children, & friends. My life has been "easy" but I have been blind. My eyes are wide open now and even though there will be numerous struggles....My Best Life is my future!

My two beautiful granddaughters inspire me. I have genetics that point me out as a candidate for diabetes and heart disease. I want to break that link right now with me so that they do not give up on their health. I want to live pill free!

What motivates me is my family history. As a child I viewed my grandmother as "cuddly" but her health was taking a toll. As an adult, I realized that 'cuddly' was just another word for obese. I think of my father who died at 63, weighing over 400 lbs and suffering from sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, asthma, diabetes, seizures and a host of other related illnesses requiring constant doctor visits. I see my mother, who wasn't actually hugely obese, but boarderline who also died early with blood disorders, diabetes, congestive heart failure and other illnesses. I also look at my sister who is likely closing in on 400 lbs herself and who likens the quality of her life to what and how much she can eat. Then I look at my two children, who are beginning to exhibit the same bad lifestyle choices that my parents taught me and I realize that I'm perpetuating the bad choices of my family. I am beginning to realize that I, too, am starting to see the health effects of weight, sedentary life and just outright lazyness as I close in on 200lbs. I see the handweights beginning to gather a layer of dust, and the eliptical machine that became more a clothes depository than workout aide for the subzero days and I realized I have to make a change. I have to decide to make things better for my children and myself. I have to WANT to be better...BELIEVE that I DESERVE better. 
 
 
 
That's when I stumbled upon the Best Life website from an ad on another webpage. I've started making small changes in the way I live my life and looking forward to the emails and testimonies of others who've had the same struggle and are winning the battle. THAT is what really gets me through...knowing that I'm not the only one sitting where I am right now, and that if others could come out on the other side of this battle a winner than I could to. These are NOT people with the help of a million dollars worth of personal trainers and chefs - but ordinary people like me. This tells me that no matter how discouraged I may feel, or how tired or whatever excuses my "old life" mentality wants to come up with, I can and WILL win this battle too.

Each person's life is an example for everyone they touch. I am inspired by so many people in my life (my parents, my husband, my children, friends, and on and on). I live my best life in hopes of inspiring everyone I touch. Thank you for touching my life!

What inspires me is being true to myself. I recently started a 30 day vegan diet and although it's not for everyone, it has inspired me to live my best life. I am empowered knowing that I am not causing suffering or pain to so many animals out there.

What motivates me is my family especially my grand-daughter. I want to be here a long time to love and support them in all of their lives.

Being able to focus on myself through God and church is inspirational. Asking God for the strength and endurance for life is essential.

I need to save my family's life. My husband just received a cardiac stent at age 53. Where do we start, how do we change a lifetime of bad habits? Our children are only 13 and 10 and need their parents to be around for a long time. We need your help.

My daughter, mother and me are all borderline diabetics. We are all over weight. It would be nice to break the cycle for my grandkids. I really want us to have the Best Life we can. I am always inspired by Oprah and Bob Green. My favorite shows are the ones that help us to have a healthy life.

My 5th grade teacher Mrs. Gilpin completely changed my life. In 3rd grade I had been pulled out of a class and I thought that it was because I was too slow. Mrs. Gilpin told my Mom that I had so much potential in me that had not begun to be tapped into yet. All I needed was someone to tell me that I could do it. From then on I was a straight A student and ended up graduating second in my class. It's amazing what power words have. 
 
I am also inspired to be the best version of myself by all of the tragedies going on in the world. I only have one life and I need to do a better job of leaving the planet a better place.

I could tell you many things that inspire me but they may be both an inspiration as well as reminders...Number one being ME...call me selfish but thinking of myself unable to be around my daughter with her smile and endless energy, my husband, my family, and the patients I nurse that are sick and going through things most of us could only imagine serve as more of a reminder of what could happen if i don't take care of myself..

Because I finally had that aha moment! This is not a dress rehearsal this is it. We get one life, one body and one soul. I finally have grown enough in myself to not beat myself up from past mistakes, but to make today a very good day. I'm heading for 50 and I want to make it 50 and fabulous. Because if I'm healthy in mind body and spirit, all those I love will benefit as well. I learned a long time ago, that you gotta take care of you before you can take care of anyone else. Peace.

...When my Mother lost a leg to diabetes, she showed me that while the lost of a limb could be a limitation, her ability to live a happy life was within her reach because she was truly a spirited saint made of power, love and a sound mind rather than a tormented soul controlled by fear of her physical state. Thus, I am inspired to honor her memory by remebering that I have the ability to achieve spiritual, physical, emotional and financial health even during the occasions when my wings are clipped by life's challenges if I don't allow limitations such as fear, doubt, temptation and disobedience to control my behavior.

Thanks so much for all you do Bob. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and with high cholesterol last year. I did really well on my own for a while but then "fell off the wagon". My father and maternal grandmother passed from heart disease and my paternal grandparents suffered with diabetes. I want to be around when my son goes to his first prom, graduates high school and college and gets married. I want to be healthy. This is a great goodie bag. You are such an inspiration!!!

There are a number of factors that inspire me to live my best life. They encompass psychological, physical, and spiritual realms. I want to live to a ripe old age and have a lot of spunk, vigor, and vitality. It'd be great to look 70 when I'm really 90. I want to have a good, cohesive social network of friends. All of these factors will help me live my best life.

For years, my inspirations for the best life, came from outward sources. Now it comes from within. Ive learned to value myself and my contributions to this world. In life, we leave footprints reminding others where weve been. I want mine to show I lived the Best Life each step!

Both of my sons are getting married this summer – that should be inspiration enough!! 
 
 
 
However I realize that I need to make a lifetime commitment for change-everyday provides an opportunity to celebrate 
 

I am 67 years old and still have not suceeded in my weight goal; but, I keep trying. If I knew when I was 30 yrs old, what I know now, I would not be in this place. 
 
It is definately a struggle but I know each day it is worth it when my grandchildren come in the door! Thank you Oprah and Bob and Dr. Oz for teaching this generation about a Best Life! I know my children and grandchildren are really benefiting from all your information. And me too! I can use all the help I can get! Ha Ha

God is the one who inspired me. His words are very clear stating who i am; so being in the word empowered me to be the best and wanting the best. Before i was conceived he blessed me, he said to be fruitful and multiple and take dominion. I choose to obey his word and believe. I am the best and i will always put forward 
the best. These items are tools that will help me. Thank you for recognizing my values and my appreciation.The best deserve the best. God Blessed

What inspires me and has changed the way I look at life is the number of friends and family that are fighting cancer and diabetes. I need to learn how to cook for my diabetic husband and to find a fun way for us to work out together.

With all of the problems in the world today I am still inspired by life itself. Look all around you and you can see that life is still wonderful and worth living. This life is our God given right and we should make the most of it. No matter our trials and tribulations our attitude is what makes or breaks us. I am determined to live an attitude of positive thinking and a glass half full mentality. This is my only life and I will make it the best life I can!

I am inspired by the heavenly father. Without him there would be no me. In addition, Oprah Winfrey inspires me. Watching her show has revealed so many positive things for me in my life. I am also inspired by Monquie. I also watch her show daily. I like the no judgement zone. I wish the whole world was a no judgement zone.

Inspiration to live my best life comes first from within me from the burning desire to live healthy and strong every day, and from my Dad whose intense drive made him a human arrow propelled in constant focused flight toward the center of life’s target.

Life isn't about a box of chocolates! It about eating right, working out 
 
and loving and helping each other.

When I look at my daughter(age 11) and think of all the wonderful events that have and will happen in her life, I am inspired to continue to work at the best possible health that I can. You see, I want to be there for every first, every accomplishment, every moment that is important to her.

My inspiration is: I want to enjoy my later years with upcoming grandchildren, retirement with ACTIVITY..not chasing dust bunnies around the house. I need help in reaching a healthy goal. I know Bob can help me with making the right choices. help me to Live my best life Bob!!

Both my husband and I are overweight and in our mid 60s. I belonged to Weight Watchers 7 years ago and lost weight but have put it all back on. Four years ago I had a hysterectomy to treat endometrial cancer. My husband has arthritic hips and knees and will need joints replaced. We both need to get our weight down by 15-20%.

Bob and thebestlife team have taken all the guess work out of not only losing weight, but staying healthy. This give-away is the ultimate tool to staying on track. Bob's emails from the community help me stay on track because I can identify with the "real people" who follow his plan. Thanks Bob and your team!

I am a 54 year old foster parent. I am sure my weight problems are due to my stress eating. I am trying to curb my eating habits by eating healthier and I use the Core and Yoga DVD's that MacDonalds were giving away with their Healthy eating prmotion that did in 2006.. I think I need something a little more up dated..LOL

I just want to say a Big thank you you to Oprah and you Bob you are my greatest inspiration I watch the show almost every day and it helps me to stay focused on what is really important in life. I have always been self conscious of my weight and watching you and all your helpful hint and reading the web page daily keeps me motivated!I would be thrilled to receive the goody bag. Thank you, Bobbi

My greatest inspiration is myself. Having had a wake up call that I was prediabetic was depressing. Soooo I decided that I could manage my weight or I could take pills for life. Guess which one won over? You are right. I am watching my weight and exercising. Slow journey.

It is an easy fix to say my 21 yr old son is my inspiration, but that is the jest of it. He has been the wind beneath my wings since he was born. I just can't wait to see what comes next. Also turning 50 made me wake up and see what I was doing wrong in my life.

I have been inspired to improve myself in body and mind by certain events in my life. A woman important in my life is the role model for all things wrong -- she lets herself be a doormat, she is depressed but doesn't look for positive ways to relieve that, she is very overweight and just continues to eat and be inactive. I know it's the depression that causes her negative actions, but when she is introduced to ways and programs that would be helpful, she doesn't grasp it. I realize now I can't change her, but pray she finds the message that will inspire her. I can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped, but I can still show her love and support. I do know I can control my own life. I also have depression and let it control some aspects of my life. But a diagnoses of 'pre-diabetic', and the love of my young grandchildren makes me want to improve my health. I am seeing a therapist and consulting with a nutritionist. I have changed the way I eat, but still have many slip-ups. I have increased my activity and am seeing some progress. I hope to be the role model that helps my children live healthier. We had to move from a different state because of my husband's job. It was so much more difficult than I imagined. It is not easy to meet people when you don't have young children. Depression hit me hard. But with time and therapy and the love of a great husband, I am finding ways to get out and meet people. I hope to make this new life, and each new phase of my life, my best life.

Bob, on January 19, 2004 you changed my life forever by being on Oprah promoting your then new book "Get With The Program" along with the fabulous free support from like-minded people who wanted to change their life at the Get With The Program website message boards.  
 
 
 
I thank you for literally saving my life then and helping me to change my lifestyle forever. 
 
 
 
Laura 
 
Brougham, Ontario, Canada

My future husband. I don't have one yet - but the thoughts of how I want my life to be with him makes me want to continue to make my life better so that I can share my life with him.  
 
 
 
I want to make sure that I am living a healthy, well balanced life so that when he finally comes into my life we will be able to share all the good things of our life together.

My mom has inspired me to live my best life. She is battling diabetes and sudden early onset alzheimer's disease and I am her caregiver (since 25, I am now 32). She makes me live each day to the fullest because you never know when your life will change.

My son is MY inispiration. A single chind to a single and now disabled and homeless mother he has held his own...is still a full time student and working on his PhD. In spite of ME, he is a vegetarian, eats no sugar, refined flowers and gets not sun. For money reasons we have not seen each other in over a year. 3000 miles hurts but INSPIRES me to be healthy to be able to see him again.

Bob Greene, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and Carolyn Myss. When I first saw you (Bob Greene), it seemed that I would have to quit drinking wine and I knew I was not ready for that. After listening to all of the above, I quit drinking wine (for life or maybe just for losing weight I do not know but I feel I can now go on your diet without feeling guilty and not following the full plan. Thanks to all of you for your inspiration. This change at this time was not at all difficult, I just knew I was ready. 
 

What inspires me to live my best life is seeing others live their best life. It is all about choice and when I see other people make the hard choices to go on and succeed at whatever it is they want, I am inspired. At this moment, I am on a journey to finally become fit and healthy. I stay inspired by reading of other people who have made the choice to also become fit and lose weight and it makes me feel if I want I can do it too. Being healthy means a longer life with the ones I love - that is inspiring.

We only have one life to live in this world and we need to make the best of it. For ourselves, our children. Eating good, wholesome food and exercising makes me feel alive. I can't put into words how wonderfully awake I am everyday. That's all the movtivation I need!

The insparation I find most compelling to get in shape is the terible things that can happen if I do not get in shape--death being the largest.

My eating has always been reasonable- not to say it couldn't be improved somewhat - so my challenge is exercise. Ever since I was a teenager, I would prefer a book to a walk. After 61 years, that's a lot of books and a definate lack of walk. My inspiration to exercise comes from my grandchildren. I want to be the grandmother who plays with her grandchildren, not the one who watches them play.

Everyone in my live inspires me to live my best life, from my husband, four kids, pets and all my family and friends.And now that I have found out that I am going to be a grandmother a whole new chapter has opened in my life and I want to be the BEST grandmother ever in every way.

I have been slowly gearing myself towards this resolution for quite some time, and I think I finally get it! I've been doing baby steps way to long and with lots of prayers for a sound mind and a healthy body I feel I'm there. My change of life style from old eating habits and lack of exercise to just the opposite has been fairly easy. I'm not 100 % as I'd like to be, but Ive got the mind set now.... Live is good!

My grandchildren inspire me to stay healthy and fit so I can enjoy a long life with them. My sister recently passed away at 61 years old following gastric bypass surgery. That has been such a tragic loss to me and my family and it shows me how important it is to stay healthy and fit. I was lucky to survive a ruptured brain aneurysm and now I want to do what I can to stay healthy!

My little 5 year grandson Ryan has recently been diagnosed with type one diabetes My daughter and her husband, who is also diabetic, are handling the situation admirably. Both are very health conscious and take fitness routines pretty seriously. I would dearly love to have them receive your goodie bag for further help and guidance. 
Thanking you, 
Sheila.

To have the best life ever..is to have a healthy spirit, to love those around you and to honor yourself and life. I honor my parents who influences has changed me alot. I honor my son and daughter-law who havejust given me a gift of a beautiful grand daughter, name Eliana. 
I hope to be honest with myself and my body as i advance in years. I'll be 60 on the 8th of Feb. wow what a momentus event! Life is good!

My inspiration comes from my husband and friends. I have always been over weight and have lost some of the weight but, not all of it....Everyday is a battle however last year I started cycling my husband and friends have been so helpful and motivating I have continued to ride. I am still over 200 lbs but, I get out there on the bike and ride the furthest I have ridden is about 36 miles as one time. My husband and friend Teresa are my motivation!!!

My Inspiration is my Mother who died at 66 yrs old froma massive heart attack,she had congestive heart failure,arthritis,thyroid issues.One of the things she said to me was If she knew then what she knows now she would've taken better care of herself,she told me I have the choice and the option to treat myself better,to be healthier.Time waits for noone and there is no excuse not to take care of yourself.So It's my mom's words that resonate in my head when it comes to working out,on those days when i don't want to and I will never forget them.I have quite a ways to go but I'm getting there and its a slow process,weight doesn't come off quick but it does come off! This giveaway is great and I hope I'm even considered to win that goodie bag,it would certainly be a great addition to my workout,health and the new me to come.Thank you Oprah and Bob! Lynette

I am inspired by how I feel when I exercise and eat right. If I don't feel like working out, I think about how I feel if I just sit around and compare that to how I feel after I work out. That amazing feeling. Same with eating right. Imagine how I feel after overeating compared to how I feel after a healthy salad.

Every morning when I can feel the cold tile under my feet upon awakening; despite how chilly the apartment, how grey the skies, or how much is in my "IN" box, I am alive! And that alone inspires me to live my BEST LIFE!

Two years ago, our beautiful 33 year old daughter, mother of our two wonderful grandchildren, was diagnosed with, and had surgery for colo/rectal cancer. She is a voracious reader, especially of cook books, and a fabulous gardener/cook. She has learned so much about good fuel for our bodies. I am learning how to cook from my daughter! Isn't it supposed to be the other way around???!!! I'm thrilled to say that she has gotten good reports from her doctor. With great food and exercise, so much can be accomplished. Thank you.

My daughter just had my first granddaughter and i want to live life to the fullest now, i want to live healty,and to the fullest to be able to get around and play with my grandchildren until GOD CALLS ME HOME

My husband and children inspire me to live My Best Life. I was recently very sick and realized I need to take steps to take care of myself first so I am able to give everything I can to the three most important people in my life. The fitness for the Wii would be fantastic and would allow me to work out in my home when I have free time. Thank you for spreding the messge of better health!

My kids and my husband. As simple as that. 
 
Thank You!

My father who passed away nearly a year ago, made me realize how truly important it is to pay attention to our family history of heart disease and also diabetes. It is not about looking good or just to be thin, it's about feeling good about yourself inside and out, more importantly to want to live longer and be there for life's priceless moments. My father didn't live to see his first grandchild, he was 52 years old. My goal is to live way beyond that age and be happy and healthy.

Life-It extneds it 
 
Living - It enhances it 
 
Loving - Seeing the look in the eyes of the people that really love you! 
 

My family and the mantle of health issues they have genetically shared, my children and my husband for the current and future experiences we celebrate and the earth, wind, water, rain and sun who share their positive energies with me, I want to always give back to them more then they all have given to me.

My husband Steve inspires me, along with many others. He has survived lung cancer, a heart attack, drowning, and made it through all with his wonderful positive attitude. We are making healthy lifestyle changes for ourselves so we may have the opportunity to be around for our kids, grandkids, families.

I want to live my best life because I enjoy being a pain in the rear end to my family and friends. If I'm not here who is going to make sure that my daughters are going to be the best mom's and wife that they are to be. Who's going to put up with my husband's jokes and be the butt end of my jokes? What example of wife and mother will I be to my son have if I'm not here? Most of all, who will spoil my grandson and which I can dish out revenge back to his mother. hehhe. Who is going to inspire my family to always make the right choices even when being right isn't easy? Who is going to teach them laugh? They are the ones who inspire me to live and to love. P.S. My mother would have no one to nag at. I'm important because quiet frankly they need me to be here because I need them.

Inspiration to live my best life comes from deep within myself. It means taking a long hard look at oneself both physically and emotionally and making a conscious choice to change all that hinders me from living and not just surviving life. Take the first step, make the choice, START LIVING LIFE!

I have 100 lbs to lose and was recently diagnosed with diabetes. I'm so afraid I won't be able to lose the weight! I'm going to need all the help I can get. I'll be watching Oprah on Thursday.

I am looking for a "Who" and a "What" to inspire me to live my Best Life. I'm sixty three years old and still fighting the battle of my weight and health. This past year I was able to loose ALL the mental weight that was destroying me and now my heart is desiring to get physically well with all the help I can get for my Best Life Ever. Believing that Bob will give me more healthy ways to discover the new me with the tools he has to offer. Just reading how he is "out there" for me is so encourageing. I am looking forward to his words of wisdom and correction as I go into this new adventure of my life.

SO many reasons!!!! for starters I am 40 going on 41 this year. I had a baby last year. And would like to have another baby soon. My 18 year old is over weight, my 16 year old has type 1 diabetes and I am 50 over weight. I have many reasons to want your goodie bag. Right now I am going through a foreclosure and my husband continues to look for work. Its a hard world out there and it is VERY difficult to eat right and exercise when all these things are swirling around you.  
May the best person win!!!!!

thank you for this great opportunity! I hope I am one of the lucky ones!

Great giveaway!

I am inspired by my dream for a happy, healthy future. Respecting my body will enable me to play an active part in the lives of my children; grow old with my husband and bounce out of bed every morning with the ability to help and inspire others in need.

My unborn baby boy. I am due in May this is my first pregnancy. I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I work out every day and work on eating really well, because this baby needs me to live my BEST LIFE so that he too may have life.

Trying to be own motivator, husband is a big help. Suffer with severe migraines, on prevented medicines, which you gain weight, and high cholesterol. I'm almost borderline high blood pressure, diabetes. I can't do many exericses, have bad knees. I'm only 46. I lost Mom to pancreatic cancer at 68 (diabetic), Dad at 55. Scared I will pass early age too.

My inspiration is my sister. Two years ago she gave me a call and told me she needed a kidney transplant. I told her no problem... I'll donate one of mine. One problem I was 90lbs overweight and had high blood pressure. I saw an Oprah show in June featuring Bob Greeene and the BL. Ran out read his book and followed his steps for success. I lost 90 lbs in 1 year and donated the kidney. I still follow his ideas and am living the healthiest life I can... now it is for my future. Never felt better

My future inspires me to live my best life now. I know that as a result of eating well and exercising now, I will have a much better future - for me, my future kids, and future grandkids. I am still young (25) and have been looking for a job for about 8 months since I graduated with my Master's in Civil/Environmental Engineering. It is hard for me to keep motivated because my focus is job applications, resumes, and cover letters 24-7. But by exercising and eating right I can keep my attitude in check and not let it get me down because I know that my future is bright and soon I will have everything I've been dreaming of.

I could say that Oprah inspires me. I could also say that Bob Green inspires me. I could even say that a friend or someone in my family inspires me to live my best life. But I won't! 
The person who inspires me is one of my grade 9 students. She is so dynamic and full of life. She is funny and alert. She loves exercise and participates in many sports every day. She is everything I am not but wish I could be.  
She is my true inspiration!

The person who inspires me most is my grandson. It is nothing that he says or does, but how he looks at me when he sees me. It's in his eyes. It says, MY NANNA IS HERE! I need her to stay healthy and happy so I can be around when he grows up and has children of his own. He brings joy and meaning to my life.

I am 61 yrs old and overweight. I  
am tired, sluggish, clothes are tight. Nothing excites me, i would rather just sit around. I have 2 beautiful little grand-children and another coming in May. I need to lose weight to be around for them. They are what I need help for. I want to see them graduate, get married and see their little ones. Bring on the motivation!!

Live my Best Life 
 
I was inspired by the book "Devotions for Dieters" 
 
I read my daily insiration & when I get hungy or fail I say alittle prayer for strength or to thank God for giving me the strength to succeed & go on. So far 14 pounds

I was supposed to inspire myself! This was to be the ME year. I had all kinds of plans to eat right, get fit,and get mentally and emotionally fit. Did all my research and I was ready!!  
Then i got sick. I picked up an infection which turned into Rheumatic Fever and Pericarditis. Right now I am on short term disability from my job as a nurse. I am hoping to get back to work in the next 4 weeks, and then back to my plans for my ME year! Your help would make it much easier for me to do! Thanks so much!

I think the bag would help most of us,but like many others I am on Social Security and my money for such things is very limited. I have type 2 diabetes, I have had a coronary bypass, I have COPD, degenerative disc disease, I only have one kidney,and many digestive problems. My inspiration to stay as healthy as possible is my family, I have six adult children, several grandchildren and one great grandson who was born with heart defects. I know we need all the help we can get to make it as far as possible with the best health possible.

My neighbors who are 81 and 90 years inspire me when I take them to the market and I see they buy lots of fruits and still read food labels. Plus, they get out and walk every day! 
 
 
 

I am 44 years old mother of 4 who has done childcare and homeschooled her children for the past 20 years, and since staying home, I have gained a good 40 pounds and am in need to find the will to lose my weight and become the healthy mother I need to be for MYSELF, and my family!

The more healthy and fit I become, the more I am inspired to continue. 
 
 
 
When I looked at pictures of myself from my 40th birthday and I was 100 lbs overweight, it was time to do something: for my family, for my health, for life, for myself. Over the past two years I have worked to lose 100 lbs and continue to enjoy the process of learning and living fitness. No more pre-hypertension, little concern about developing diabetes, heart healthier than most 30 year olds. Feeling great inspires me. (I even went skydiving for my 42 b'day and am now preparing for my first triathalon sprint! Yeah - Feels great from 100lb couch potato to fitness fanatic!) 
 
 
 
I'm inspired to inspire and encourage others to do the same. My philosophy it is that it is you against you. Don't compare yourself, just be your best. Do your best. Just do something.

THE ONES WHO INSPIRED ME IS MY BROTHER WE ARE OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE BOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS AMONG OTHER THINGS,HE ENCOURAGES ME TO WALK AND EAT HEALTHY AND HE WANTS ME AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.ALSO MY HUSBAND AND BOB GREENE AND OPRAH.

My inspiration these days is my best friend. She took on the challenge of turning her health around and reclaiming her life. What a journey. She still works hard to maintain but she gives me a sense of hope that I can do it too. My second inspiration is The Best life program. The website the books. It all gives me good advice I can live with. Thankful for the inspiration and help and encouragement when I need it.

I am a single mom with 3 kids with no father's involved, but I am lucky to have the support of my family. I was diagnosed diabetic 1 year ago, I was laid off from my job 7 months ago. I decided it is a new year and I need a new attitude to feel healthier and happier. I have decided get off the couch and exercise and eat better !!!

What inspires me are my children and grandchildren who (gratefully) want me in their lives as long as possible. Also my husband who is a wonderful help with daily activities I can't handle. I have fibromyalgia and nerve problems all over my body.

my inspiration: My son, he is 20 years old, will be 21 on the 14 of feb. He is in Afghanistan at the moment..i've begun shedding the pounds (18 lbs down :) ) long way to go at least 50 more!! as my way of paying tribute to his courage..my way of making a sacrifice as he is for us :O)

I am 42 years old. I reached a weight over 200 lbs. I had trouble with my hips, knees, and ankles. I decided it was time for mom. I couldn't be the best mom for my kids if I was in bad health. I stated walking 2 miles every morning and borrowed Wii active and used it. I have now lost 40 lbs. and feel much better but would love to lose the rest. Life is great and wonderful and exciting now that I am back into it. I enjoy doing things with my kids and running and playing with my grandkids. My seventeen year old son asks me to play basketball with him. A lot more activities have opened up and I am finally living life again. I just want others to know that it can be achieved. You are not alone, you always have support. Just believe in yourself and take that leap. LIFE is GREAT!!!

My DRIVE to Stay ALIVE Inspires me. 
 
 
 
Three Princesses, Trianna, Shaylee & Carissa won't let me be. 
 
 
 
For we know WHAT we eat reflects what our children choose, Every exercise complete, is our kid's do's!

There are so many who inspire me, but I have yet to inspire myself. I know it's time to take back the me I once was and not let my Hashimoto's Thyroiditis take control. I am in desparate need of help.

My Mom is a big inspiration to me. She is 85 years old and about 20 years ago joined a water aerobics class and has continued with that to this day as well as walking, cleaning her own home and taking care of anyone who needas a little help. (By the way she doesn't swim and is afraid of the water)

I am inspired by desire, a fierce appetite for a full and meaningful life steeped in joy and purpose, rather than lackluster days fueled by empty calories. It’s within my grasp but I must choose to reach for it. It begins with one simple commitment: I am worth the effort.

I am diabetic and struggling to deal with this disease. I want to learn an easier way to eat and excercise so that I can be around in future years to watch my children graduate college, get married and raise families of their own. I know my children are at risk also so I want to be able to teach them that you can manage diabetics and have a full healthy life. I have a lost of respect for Bob and all that he does to help educate the public and to help people learn to live better lives and eat healthly. I want to absorb and learn all that Bob can teach me so that I can inspire others.

Suprising, what is inspiring me is ME! WIthin a span of 30 days last year, my marriage crumbled, lost my job, and found out my husband is having a kid by another women. I could have let that send me into a tail spin, but I refused. I am now holding my head high, working, and trying to live a positive and healthy life. I WILL NOT let lifes bumps and burises stop me. Am I perfect? No! But I am trying!

My motivation to live a better healthier life are my children. After having just gone on blood pressure medicine and knowing that I need to lose weight b/c I'm only 38 years old, I am determined to take control back over my life so that I can not only BE HERE for my two beautiful daughters but also so that I can be an example for them.

It is time to start living again before it is too late. Help needed!

The UNIVERSE holds all the inspiration that we need.... 
I have promised myself to pay ATTENTION to this for 2010 and beyond! Live each day with true ALOHA for yourself and all the people of the world.  
Sharing this consciousness is a blessing and our calling. 
We are all in this together... We are A Global Home

I am inspired to live my Best Life because I have health issues I need to keep under control. I influence other peole by my dedication and inspire them to live their Best Life as well. I use the tips and recipies to encourage and improve my already healthy lifestyle.

So, how can I enter the contest?

My two daughters inspire me to live my best life. I have watched them grow into beautiful young women and I want to set the best example I can. Also, the spirit of my Mother (whom we lost to Cancer last March) was an inspiration. 
 
 
 
Living your best life and being grateful for what you have is the best way to stay happy. :-) 
 
 
 
Carly, LMT 
 
 
 

What inspires me are my pets who depend on me for the love and care they deserve. They were abandoned but thankfully I found them (or they found me). I need to live my best life to manage my diabetes to be around for those that depend on me most.

My biggest inspiration for living the Good Life are the people around me, and who I am exposed to through the media who live it. I want to be one of those fit, vibrant, enthusiastic people and remember being their in my past years - going back to it come H or high water.

Kindness, Compassion and the desire to make a Difference are things that inspire me. Daily we have examples of these...simple things like holding a door, a smile, making allowances for others etc.... Many think it comes it large public displays, but it also must happen on a small scale. My Grandmother and my children remind me to be a BETTER PERSON EVERYDAY...and those I touch through the course of the day reap the rewards!

What inspires me to live my best life is being a survivor of cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma). Remission has taught me that anyone can fight this disease and I will put my best forward everyday and stay healthy!

The memory of the Love of my life has inspired me to put one foot in fron of the other and move forward. He died suddenly 22 months ago and I basically dropped out of life. I was blessed with 13 wonderful years of love & laughter with the finest man in the world. He would have wanted me to take care of myself and enjoy life. I am eating healthy, exercising and enjoying life again.

Inspiration comes from within! I look at myself, my family, and the world around me every day to tell myself I need to do more. Excuses are coming too easy these days, especially with all the negative reports presented in the media. 
My wife and I (in our 50's & 60's) try to eat healthy, but lack the time management to get into a routine. These free gifts will provide us with fun tools that are easy to follow and hopefully see a steady decline in weight, which we are AGAIN trying to accomplish. 
The yo-yo'ing scale numbers are nobody's issue but ours and as a team is how we find the strength to bring the weight down again. 
I would certainly appreciate and use these free tools to come up with a way to enjoy staying at our goal weight, and include them in a routine to extend our time on this earth, and make sure we are around long enough to harass our kids til the ripe old age of 110 !!!

I am inspired by not only by friends and family, but by all the people around me. When you see someone older or with a disabilty and they are doing something as simple as walking their dog or sweeping their front walk, without complaining and or giving up that is inspiring. We all need to do our best in life.

Bob has inspired me since 1996. I read his first book when I was pregnant with my daughter and was so inspired, I lost all my baby weight (50-plus pounds) and an additional 10 pounds, getting me back into my "dating jeans" in just a few months.  
 
 
 
I recently lost my mother to breast cancer and both my siblings have Type 2 diabetes. I have hypothyroidism, but have never been overweight or unhealty because of the way Bob inspired me nearly 14 years ago. I still pull the book off the shelf every now and then to get re-inspired (highlighted and ear-marked but still good). 
 
 
 
Even if I don't win a goody bag, I just want to say THANK YOU BOB!!

My two young daughters truly inspire me beyond the limits. Being a single mom of two, their life is depended on me solely and I undoubtly know if something happens to me at a young age that they would end up separated in someone's foster home. So, this year it is my goal to become healthy and fit

My inspiration comes from within. I envision living my life happy, healthy and enjoying each daily moment to the fullest. Inspiration comes from the soul...the ability to recognize what I need to change and the desire to change it! I AM my biggest fan! The problem lies in believing in that inspiration for the long haul. Otherwise, I'm just a big disappointment to myself.

My God inspires me! He let's me know that this body is not my own. It was bought with a price, so I should take good care of it! i have a purpose in life and i can't fulfill that purpose being unhealthy.So I decided to live my best life!

My two beautiful girls inspire me everyday as they watch me exercise and eat right. I know that they are learning by example to be the best they can be, and they realize that everyday is a gift.  
 
My active family spends our time together camping, and when we are with our families our 2 and 3 year old girls have great stories to share.

My husband and 2 kids are my support system but I have to inspire MYSELF to be the best ME I can be! They offer the love support and extra push I need but it's all about what I can do for ME that makes the difference!

Four things that inspire me "now" to live my best life, short and simple. 
 
#1. the aches and pains I experience as a result from being overweight. 
 
#2.Being a Massage Therapist, and really wanting to live what I teach.  
 
#3. The mirror, my vanity, social embarassment, and not being overlooked anymore. 
 
 
 
These things "will" empower me to do the right thing for myself! 
 

My inspiration comes from my beautiful newborn. When I look at his angelic face, I picture all the great things that he will acomplish and I want to be right there beside him cheering him on. I want to be strong and healthy in order be a good example to him. After all, in the early years, children mirror what's directly in front of them. Me! This year I am going to start being the best me that I can be!

My inspiration comes from life itself! No one is perfect so we should all strive to be the best and live the best that we can; realizing that healthy isn't always the size 2 but feeling, looking and moving with the freedom to live! and thanking GOD every step of the way!!

This is a great giveaway- hope I win one!

My children inspire me to live my best live. I want to be around for them and for my grandchildren. Have not always taken care of myself and trying to change that. It's hard somedays but always have my son and daughter to cheer me on.

Taking care of yourself is one of the hardest things to do for women. They are the care takers and always put thier family before there own personal needs. My husband is disabled and I am the sole bread winner. I work two full time jobs that include working seven days a week. I need to be healthy and stay healthy to continue this life style. Your website and information keeps me motivated to take better care of myself. It is so easy to go home and sleep or sit down when I have a spare moment. But with your words of encouagement and positive atttitude I know I must keep exercising and moving to get in shape. I love to see you on Oprah and feel renewed that I can achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Who inspires me. 
 
My girlfriends who live in different states now. Each of us is trying to get/keep in shape. When we live together in the same state is was much easier but now with skeptical support at home its hard. So, I try to inspire myself. 
 

What inspires me to live my best life is, this is the only one I have so I'm determined to take care of it! To not live in the past or focus on failures but to strive to treat each day as a gift from God. To be a good example for my son and do unto others as I would have them do unto me.........

I want to live MY best life for me! In return, I'd be setting an example. My husband is overweight. Tried countless diets, & has a family history of diabetes. Everyone knows it's easy to talk the talk. When you learn to walk the walk, it's much easier to help others learn to be happy & healthy- living their best life!

I'm inspired to live my best life by both of my sons, Benjamin and Elliott. Both of them have developed atypically and Elliott has been diagnosed with autism. I put everything I can into those boys, and, as a result, both of them have made huge progress. Benjamin is in kindergarten now and doing great. A year ago, Elliott (just about to turn 3) wouldn't even hug me and now he kisses and hugs me every day and tells me he loves me. The challenges my husband and I have faced have made us stronger and more determined. I focus on staying mentally, spiritually, and physically healthy so that I have the strength to continue to help my two boys, whom I am very proud of.

I have always been inspired by my maternal grandmother. Although she was bed ridden with RA for over 20 years and never left her house for 17 years, she never complained. She always encouraged me to eat right and exercise.  
 
 
 
I became ill 10 years ago. During those years I put on 50 pounds. I am working hard to take the extra weight off. Bob is very inspirational and I look to him for motivation. Thanks for being there for us.

My mom inspires me to live my best life. She has several illneses which she has fought and has not given up on. She has taught me, given me knowledge to take care of myself, eat healthy and be informed. she is my role model and my best friend

I am a heart attack survivor,breat cancer survivor,mitral valve repair and diabetic(so far) survivor. I recently completed pulmonary rehab because of 3 bouts of pneumonia which left me with only 47% lung capacity. I am trying and working very hard to do the exercises as well as loose weight. My husband if extremely supportive in all ways. I would be a lost soul without him. I need HELP in many ways. Can you HELP ME IN THIS. I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!

I just need to will power to lose weight and exercise. One thing I have learned that changing my diet and eating more fruits and veggies is a life time commentment. My sister's tell me they did it so can you. I am commeting myself to cut my grocery bill and send money to the Red Cross for Haiti. That way I feel I am helping someone and also myself. 
 
 
 

I volunteer at an animal shelter, these animals give me motivation to fight for my health. These animals come in abused and sick and yet fight to survive, and have so much strength. If they can get through abuse and neglect and still have a joy for life, I can too.

What Keeps me motivated to live my best life is my 13 Year old son and my Mom. Shs is a 2 time breast cancer survivor who made me see the light. She never gave up to have her best life taken away.

I have struggle with my weight all of my life. I am 38 yrs early and I am signle mother of two children. I have been on just about every diet that I can think of. I want to loss the weight for me and my children.

This inspires me! 
Blood sugar high,  
Weight high 
Energy low  
Mom lets ice skate, Sorry I can't 
mom lets ride bikes, Sorry I can't 
No more sorry I can't,  
I am worth living for.  
My 4 little ones are worth living for. 
Now to learn to live, and live well.

One of the most important things I did for myself, my marriage and my children was to put myself first. I had suffered with being overweight since I was a child. It wasnt untill I began to pay attention to myself that I realized how worth-it I was. I am a better me, wife, mother, sister and friend because I have learned to lived my best life. Thank you for taking the guess work out of making choices at the grocery. I continue my journey, road blocks and all, just by simply taking one foot in front of the other each day.

Hello, my Name is Sheila C. Rogers i'm 47 years old as 01/25, my mother had diabetes, yes it was the most part of her passing away along with having 2 strokes, I beleive was because of it, she made me promise her that i would do everything in my power to beat this disease, so i am asking for your help in any way I just told GOD this morning I want to change for the better, and not be afraid. 
 
Thank you.

I think your stories are all motivational....but I think your missing the competition rules. you are suposed to be creative enough to get it all in 50 words or less to be eligable for the prize.

Oprah and Bob Greene inspire me to live my best life every single day. We lost a daughter to Marfan Syndrome recently and I was medically retired from teaching due to a form of Marfan and having over 30 surgeries, 7 of which have been to my spine, I now have found inspiration to knit and sew for charities and to live out lifes journey. I wouldn't be able to do that without the support of our 3 other children, my wonderful husband and by watching the Oprah Show every single day! Thank you for allowing me to see the importance of living my BEST LIFE EVER!!!

I'm 48 but felt closer to 84.Now that I have a grandchild I want to be as healthy as possible to be there for her. She has inspired me to live a better life. I am eating healthy food for once and exercising.

I want to be the best me I can be. I teach 1st grade and my students need all of me, not just "more" of me! Bigger isn't better. “More to love" is a myth for compensation and should not be my affirmation. I want the Best Life possible.

I am the one who inspires me. I feel that I have the power to sculpt my mind and body myself and that I do not need to look at anyone else's life to see that keeping my mind and body fit, will aid others by my example. Some of my friends have already bent to my way of thinking by the way I eat and exercise and I hope that helps them to get stronger all around. Life is too short to not feel good about yourself.

i dianosed with diabetes after my mother passed away and it just did not matter to me . i would not take care myself. then in 10/09 my dr. laid it out for me that it was a must to take care myself cause i was only getting worse. i thought that i would not be around for my children and grandchildren and that was real hard to swallow. i have now lost 24 lbs and my sugar is lower than when i was diagnosed.life is to short as it is so i will continue to do my best for my health

My daughter inspires me. She lives a life that would make any parent proud. She uses her vacation times to work with her church in taking the youth to Mexico to build houses. In this its teaching these privileged youth life lessons in seeing these families so happy with the two room homes they build and how greatful they are for a door and windows. She gives her time in helping others all year round.

At 42, I am inspired to live my best life by the thought that, as I live-out my life free from the burden of the 100 extra pounds I carried for most of it, I will be able to help others find their way out of the obesity trap and to the life they were meant to live. I still have at least 25 pounds to let go of if I am to reach a healthy BMI, so each day I live with my goal in mind and then strive to make healthy food choices and to train physically for at least an hour. The taste of peanut M&Ms and salt and vinegar chips--my default sources of comfort--offer little reward compared to the ability to love well and live long in the body I was meant to have!

What inspires me and echos in my ears are my mothers words "your son won't even know me." And he deoesn't. This was a comment she made just a year before she passed. And he doesn't rememberher. Diabetes, heart disease and poor life style made her a ticking time bomb. I will be there for my children. I will not be the mother on the side lines any more. I am fighting it every day and it is not easy. I am making a better life for my children and my husband. They love the new me and so do I. Thank you for you continued support and emials. They are great. 
 
 
 
Dia Eggers

My son inspires me. He has suffered with kidney failure for twenty years and has once complained, why me. His faith has helped to cope with what life has for him. He is now waiting for a transplant and we're praying that a perfect match will come for him. 
 
He inspires the people around him for his sunny nature. He has coached Jr. High basketball for many years and the boys all look up to him and also volunteers with the High School teams.

I'd love to win one of Oprah and Bob's goodie bags, I can't afford to sign up for his program and this would be a big, big help.

All of my inspiration comes from my 16 year old son, AJ. In this last year he helped me get thru chemo and radiation for breast cancer and now he is always encouraging me to start back on the fitness trail

I am inspired by my boys to live my Best-Life Ever! I need to be at my best just to keep up with them! Being healthy renews and recharges me! I see the positive changes in myself which helps my children too. I'm being the best Mom I can!

My children inspire me every day to exercise and eat well. I had 2 parents with diabetes, Type 2 and a father that passed away from complications of diabetes and heart disease. I was an athlete in high school and have worked out most of my adult life (I'm 44). When I am tired of tired of working out, I see my children and am refreshed anew to work out and eat healthy because when they see me take care of myself, they want to do the same. They inspire me, and I them! Then they can inspire others too. When I'm on the treadmill,they roller blade. When I lift weights, they use little 2-3lb wts. When they see us eat our veggies, they want to have a salad too. My youngest and pickiest eater loves veggies, not because I forced her, but because our kids want to imitate their parents. My children are sensitive to the fact that so many children and adults as well are obese in this country, and when they say, "I don't want to be fat" I tell they they need to make better choices. It's all about educating our youth, and it can start with ME! Thank you Bob and Oprah for giving us the tools and putting a face to good health. You don't have to be skinny to be healthy! (Sorry, it took more than 50 words)

I maintain a healthy lifestyle for everyone around me; because as the saying goes "When mama isn't happy - NOBODY is happy". 
 
 
 

My best life motivation comes from my mom. SHe has lost 65 pounds. I am about 30 pounds overweight and 40 years old. I want to get a handle on my weight now. And I want to be a role model for my child.

Seeing the sun come up in the morning inspires me by letting me know it is a new day and I can start all over with my exercise and weight management. By noon, I need a jumpstart to keep me on track.

I am inspired to live my best life by me. Please believe there isn't any vanity involved in this statement. I am an overall happy person and reasonably satisfied with my life. My one hiccup is my weight. It is a hiccup and not a handicap because he does not stop me just slows me done. The bottom line is I have tried fat and have been highly successful at it, now I want to try toned and fit to see if I can be as successful. What do I have to loose but pounds, plus if I don't like it I can always go back.

I choose Life-The Best Life,I could use some help Bob with your expertice and direction in fighting and controling Type 2 Diabetes. I want to be healthy and loose weight and live to be a healthy old woman someday.

I have lost 110 pounds (and counting) by walking the walk and talking the talk of THE O TEAM - - Oprah, Oz, Louise Hay, Martha Beck, and Bob Green. I am what success looks like when you practice what THE O TEAM preaches! My doctor is elated that I went from 279 to 169 with no surgery or pills! THANK YOU, O TEAM!

I woke up and decided it was just time to get healthy and drop a few pounds that have been adding on over the last 5 years. Loosing just a couple of pounds has inspired me to keep going and I feel better every day! The goody bag will just be a bonus!

My Motivations:  
 
 
 
Seven years with Diabetes. 
 
My 60th birthday in April. 
 
My over weight family that  
 
I neglected along with myself  
 
for ten years after family deaths. 
 
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) 
 
Oprah, Bob, Dr. Oz, and Best Life. Have helped me find my will to live my life well.  
 

My 18-year-old son, who remains cheerful despite being wheelchair-bound with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. My mom, who had diabetes and died of heart problems at 64. I'm 55 tomorrow and need to live to take care of my son. Lost 30 lbs. with Weight Watchers - 90 more to go!

Who inspires me are my13 wonderful grandchildren Also mywonderful Husband who never complains about my weight 
 
 
 
I am 62 year old obese woman who needs help. Please help me try to get rid of this please.I really want to try to better my self and to look and feel the best I can. I also am a diabetic & cancer survivor

My inspiration for a healthy lifestyle is my late grandpa. the picture of health, an active person (ALWAYS) whether it be running rowing hiking biking ot nature walks, my grandpa developed lymphocytic lukemia in 1994 and died in to 2005 when the disease reached its height and metastisized spredaqing throughout his body and affeting almost every system in his body. i had a very close relationship with my grandfather and always remember doing healthy active things with him when i was little. he instilled in me the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what it can do for your atittude and quality of life. so my biggest inspiration for living healthy is my grandfather, his strong will, strong heart, open mind, and healthy living influence the choices i make each and everyday. i will continue to lead a healthy lifestyle in his memeory and for his legacy.

My two boys inspire me to live my best life. They make me want to get out and do things with them. They can learn to be healthy if I live a healthy life. Which is something that I am trying to work on better.For me and My boys!

BEST LIFE GOODIE BAG 
 
Inspiration: Being healthy at 50 – which beat how I was in my 20’s. I was never concerned about my weight or health until my Dad was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and my mother had surgery for a pacemaker and eventual back surgery. This isn’t going to happen to me!

my friend had a total laryngectomy for ca of the larynx 3 years ago.today, she is doing great, eats healthy, exercises, can't talk , but no other problems.I'm out walking with her 30 minutes each day, but I need to tone up. I think your goodie bag would help us both. Your website is great, and very helpful. THANKS

My future grandchildren are my inspiration. I have diabetic neuropathy and have lost feeling in my legs and hands. I want my kids' kids to have a gramma. It took WAY too long for me to wake up to that realization.

Alway embrace life ,help other if you can,be kind to your self and 
other know matter what,because life is to short ,and alway eat right.

My wonderful grandkids..Morgan, Matthew, Logan, Thomas, Liberty, and Rocco...they are my inspiration for getting in shape. I love them more than words can say!

My friends and family that want me to be happy inspire me. My children and grandchildren inspire me. Bob Greene, Dr Oz, and Oprah inspire me. Every man, woman or child that I see struggling to overcome a problem inspires me! Oprah inspires me because she proves it can be done, admits we (she) can slip and have to start over and she does start over. None of the people who inspire me tell me it's easy and I appreciate that. 
 

I am inspired by life. Life is an adventure. Everyday, we are blessed to live and breathe and be with our loved ones. I have three beautiful children and a georgeous husband. I think of how can I extend my life to be with them as many days as I can. I will be 40yrs old in 8 days, and I am inspired by life.

I am inspired by the goal to live a healthier life style that affords me the opportunity to enjoy everyday life and to hopefully be 
 
here to experience seeing my grandchildren grow up. 
 
I would love to be a guest on the Oprah's Show. 
 
I have prayed for this opportunity for a long time. 
 
Please consider me and Thank You for 
 
allowing me to express myself.

Being an 8 year survivor of a rare form of eye cancer and having radiation treatment that destroyed the sight in my left eye, I wanted to grab hold of life to the fullest. Healthy eating, exercising daily and keeping a gratitude journal inspire me to be MY BEST!

I am a vegan and have become an animal activist for my health, the animals, and for this Earth. As I tried to think who inspires me the most, I couldn't think of anyone that inspires me more than myself. Nobody else should be relied on to complete my own goals and truly be happy. I live the life the way I do for the things that I believe in. I work out so that I can be healthier, not for anyone else. Countless times I have spoken about ways to better yourself, this Earth and everything on it, and I know that most of the time, people won't listen but I keep doing it anyway because I know that I will once in a while come across someone who will. So to answer the question again. My biggest inspiration is myself

Two years ago due to a "Welness Program" at work, a physical that included a mammogram that I had been putting off, was required. Early stages of cancer were found and treated. I have been cancer free for two years. Living the "Best Life" we can be eating healthier and regular exercise are so important. I appreciate the e-mail reminders. Thank you!

My mother is my inspiration she is 66 and walks every day does not have any health issues. I have just begun lifting small weights and aerobics at our local community college. Hope to be able to keep up with her.

MYSELF! This is my life, and what I do with it is up to me. There is so much in this wonderful world to do and see, and I plan on making the most of it with as much zest and love as I can muster! I recently lost 73 pounds and it has made such a difference in how I feel and look at life!

I am approaching my 74th birthday and look forward to many more years. I am not fond of exercise routines, but lead an active lifestyle through gardening and walking. Winter is a tough time as the weather prohibits me from doing my usual activities. My hero is my husband who at 82 tries to walk a mile every day and has a positive outlook despite having had bypass surgery(2X), a heart attack, strokes and atrial fibrilation. What a guy

randell,randelljr.,riley noel,justin,totta,aubruie,brodie,brookie,garrison,austin,jacob,evan,sam,jace,levi,joseph and me 
 
these are my own children, cub scouts, and my daycare kids i want to be around for them to help them become good people and good eaters

My grandmother is my inspiration. She died last year and had a lot of medical problems (Type 2 diabetes, overweight, depression, etc..) She would not want me to live like her. I tend to take after her in a lot of ways and had gestational diabetes while I was pregnant, so I am at risk. Would love for her to be smiling down on me, seeing that I am living to the best of my ability and setting a good example for my kids.

My dear sister who passed away on Dec. 27, 2009 from breast cancer inspires me. She was initially diagnosed with breast cancer almost six years ago and at the time only given six months to live. Her unwillingness to accept the diagnosis, strength and courage to use traditional medicine complemented with alternative treatments gave her six years with us. She was an advocate for the alternative treatments she used including the macrobiotic diet. My sister's diagnosis changed my life and I want to make sure my family and I are following good eating habits to have the strongest bodies we can have.

My family inspires me! I will be 50 this year and my twins are only 11. I want to he healthy to see them grow up and make me a grandma! I have been overweight most of my life, starting very young. I want better for my kids! I have lost a lot of weight and now work hard to keep it off. The difference is to live it and never give up! I will not "quit" this time! Thank you Bob and Oprah - you both inspire me in so many ways!

My greatest inspiration for my BEST LIFE is my daughter. God has blessed me when he decided I should raise her. I adopted her right out of the hospital. She has so much energy and is full of laughter and life. She inspires me daily. I would not know what to do without her. She is our life!

ok i have been a yo yo dieter for years now,but one thing i have to say is that when i am in full gear with exercise and diet i crave less bad things and have so much energy! Mood swings lessen, good feelings stay, everything just looks brighter.So that is what inspires me to live life the best i can. My body and mind encourages me to keep moving in the right direction!

My father absolutely inspires me.At the age of 78 we thought we were going to lose him to the effects of diabetes type 2 five years ago.We shouldve known 40 yrs ago as he was up all night drinking gallons of milk and OJ.He is blind now,has renal failure stage 4 and is at 27% congestive heart failure.He still gets up every day and does his little chores.But sleeps close to 18 hours a day.I have type 2 also,but I was dx early and hope to never get there.I love my daddy:)

Another super giveaway, but again, I can't enter. We are a Military family overseas and not allowed to enter. Wish we counted.

I have had 2 very unhealthy pregnancies one of which was born at 24 weeks weighing only 1 lb. He is truly a miracle in my life. HE is my inspiration to a better me. He survived and is three years old now and doing so well. I'd love to have more cuties just like him and my daughter but I fear if I'm not healthy the pregnancies will not go well and could end tragic. This pack would kick start my motivation for sure.

Have faith in yourself and others. 
 
Put your best foot forward.  
 
Inspire others and be inspired.  
 
Always offer credit before you offer (constructive) criticism. 
 
Empower yourself with truth and kindness. 
 
Live, love and laugh yourself to a better life for you and all those around you. 
 

Who inspires me? My husband who fights type 1 diabetes with a vengeance and my beautiful sister who has lost 50 lbs through exercise and eating right (no diets!) I have neither issue, but work out and eat well to be strong, healthy and there for the whole family.

My inspiration? A family history of diabetes that killed my father and contributed to my brother's suicide this past Thanksgiving; a daughter with diabetic neuropathy; 2 beautiful grandchildren that I love so much I followed when they relocated; but mostly a loving Father who has blessed me with all good things!

My husband is my biggest supporter to live my best life. We have only been married for 1 1/2 years but he tells me everyday how much he loves me and wants to make sure we are healthy as we grow old together. We want to be healthy for as long as we both shall live.

My Inspiration has always been my mother, she short and over weight and I never wanted to get that way, I have kept my weight but I was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I was very upset because I live a healthy lifestyle 
 
I am trying learn how to live as a diabetic now!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!

I'm "pre-diabetic" and would like to reverse that dx....I'll be working on that goal this year. 
 
At 74 I'm concentrating my efforts on extending my present (good) quality of life for as long as I can..I owe me that much!!

My inspiration is an always has been my Mom. She has fibromyalgia and arthritis, but continues to get up and go every day. I had a bad motorcycle accident 9 years ago, and when I feel like wallowing in my own self pity, I get a good kick in the butt from my inspirational Mom, and I get going!! Thanks for all the great tips Bob!!

My two very active little boys are what inspire me. Not only do I want to be able to keep up to them but I also want to lead by example. They are little copy cats and they want to eat what I eat and participate in activities with me. As their mother, it is my responsibility to provide the best and healthiest upbringing I can.

My inspiration is the belief that falling down is not dead; that you must pick yourself up and try again. I realize that if I do not value myself; then no diet, wishful thinking or whispered prayers will give me the healthy life I want. It is my belief that preseverence, committment and hard work will prevail as I strive for progress.... not perfection.

My children inspire me to live the best life that I can. The joys and happiness I feel from them is something that motivates me to take care of myself. Watching them grow up is the best and I would never want to miss it due to poor lifestyle choices.

Today inspires me, seize the moment. I am a wife, a mother, daughter, and sister and I work all the time. It is hard to stay focused, to do the best for myself. I can't be the best at all these things unless I take care of myself.

I am a 39 year old 275lbs mother of 4 boys.2 With special needs.I need to be strong for them and be a good teacher as how they should live their BEST LIFE. We have a strong FH of DM, Cancer and Heart Disease.It needs to stop.

I find that my children have inspired me to get healthy! I want to be around. Plus, I want them to learn to be and stay healthy too.

After loosing a very important person in my life to an health related illness, I need to begin my journey to a healthy lifestyle. 
 

My children are my inspiration! I watch them as they can hardly contain their joy and enthusiasm, and I want to be like that again! My body and health drags me down--I have little energy and extra baby poundage. But when I watch my kids and their excitement and oomph (is that even a word?), I want to jump right in there with them, before they grow too old to want me to play with them anymore. That is my wish and my inspiration.

Well, I'm a walker and I will be 50 soon..and I wanted to add something to my walking to increase the chance of loosing weight..I saw Bob on GMA and saw he had a DVD that looked doable and had my husband to buy it for me..I have a problem area and its my stomach...can't seem to get it to budge..I am praying that Bob's DVD along with my 4 mile walk DVD will be beneficial..

My son who is eight and has autism is my biggest inspiration. Keeping up with him has been a challenge, he is so active and I am overweight. Since October I have lost 22 pounds exercising. My son noticed and said "I can hug you now." That was awesome.

Motivation for me comes from many people, places, and things. My mother motivates me to try harder to live a healthier life, while going for a walk everyday outside in the fresh air motivates me to take better care of myself with diet, and exercise!

Two men, although no longer with me, inspire me by example. My Dad walked every day and ate healthy home cooked meals which allowed him to live 93 healthy active years! My Father-in-Law smoked when younger, quit, but got emphesema.Though weak and on oxygen, he used the treadmill daily.

I am going to be 47 in March and I, have lived my life on a diet! I have high cholesterol and a family history of many diseases. I want to feel and look the best i can for each decade i approach. So My children 12,17,19,23,and 25 made me make a life change!

What inspires me?  
 
My greatest inspiration is my mother. She is my Hero! We came from another country and she gave up her life in our country to give her kids what we wished for. As a result, she became very ill, she lost her skin and was a vegetable for 6 months. Her spiritual strenght empowers me to keep going in my life. She never gives up, she is learning English and she wants to go to school to get a degree. Her inside is stronger than her outside. She guide us and gave us the best legacy anyone can give to her children: Never to give up not matter what, also she always tells me Don't leave for tomorrow what can be done today. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Aziel :) 
 
Wish the best to everybody!

Glad I opened this email today and got to this page. It is time I got motivated so I can live life LARGE and live to be healthy! 
 

My daughters(10 and 4)are my inspiration. When I'm on the treadmill running, all I can think of when I'm ready to quit, is if I stop now those girls might not have there father there to walk them down the aisle when they get married.

my two children inspire me. My son was born with spina bifida and my daughter with bilateral dislocated hips. They were never suppose to walk. Today my son plays the drums and is a goalie for his college lacrosse team. My daughter snow skis, water skis and skates for gliding stars. the word can't is not in there vocabulary. If the can accomplish these miracles, i can continue to try and eat healthy and do pilates and gyrokinesis with my RA and osteoarthritis. "NEVER SAY NEVER"

My inspiration comes from my Mom who is 88 and still going strong. She has heart problems, has gone through colon cancer and was just diagnosed with diabetes this past year.Her positive outlook and attitude inspired me to learn all I could about diabetes and what I could do to help her. I took a nutrition class, make her meals and help with her shopping. My father was a diabetic also and my numbers are higher than they should be even though I watch. Helping her is in turn helping me help myself. I just turned 50 in December and it has taken years of yoyo dieting and watching my own health decline to realize that the only one in charge of me; is me. If I want to see positive change then I have to make positive changes instead of just waiting for things to happen. I want to be strong and healthlier in the next 50 years than I have been in the first 50. Having such a positive role model for a Mom and a best friend is the best gift a Mother can give to a daughter and one in which I can pass along to my own step-daugher.

My inspiration is my husband. He has lost 30 pounds since September by swimming and eating right. He wants to be around for me and our 3 boys! He has inspired me to start losing the weight I have, to be a better me! 
 

I inspire me. It's my turn to finally take care of my needs, my health, my weight. I've always worked and raised three children on my own, through all the ups and downs of teens. A daughter that was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes since she was nine, together we learned how she would live her life with this disease. I believe I would definetely benefit from all the information in the Best Life Bag.

It's time you see 
To take care of ME 
I've been a mother & a wife 
 
The husband left 
The kids are grown 
But there's a grandbaby in my life!

I'm inspired by all the amazing fit senior citizens I see. I want to keep mobile and maintain as much strength as possible as I age.

I have 2 constant workout companions who greet me (before the crack of dawn, thank you!) each and every morning-Rocky & Zues, my 2 Adopted Pups! Both are 2 years old and FULL OF ENERGY!!! Their waggin' tails & crazy antics keep me moving & groovin' all day long-we go for long walks, we do "workout time" - which pretty much consists of all 3 of us chasing each other around our basement, play in the snow (yes,you guessed it I'm in Wisconsin--brrr!). I just had to share how bringing these 2 doggies into my life has given me an instant motivation to MOVE! 
 
Stacy Stengel 
 
Colgate, WI

My husband who has cerebral Palsy and goes to work every day to take care of me and my three sons. I am a cancer patient and cannot work and we have a 10 year old disabled child that I am solley responsible for. My husband gives me the strength daily to keep doing the best possible daily.

The one person that inspires me is Dr. Oz. He has enriched my life in so many ways. I have taken better care of myself from watching him and learning all about my body and he believes in everyone. I joined weight watchers and lost 22 lbs and feel great.thanks Dr. Oz.

My inspiration is: knowing how hard life can be but with courage and determination you can get through anything. About 6 years ago I went through a life changing event- I had a brain surgery, twice in one year! Now being cancer free and finished with rehab I have changed my outlook on life! I have become an avid runner- 5 marathons in 3 years, all but one in less then 4 hours! I got back to work doing the same as before even though I had been told I probably wouldn't ever be able to to have thecognitive ability. While I know you never now what could happen to you at any time I think it is best to live life to its fullest everyday, exercise, eat healthy and enjoy happiness! I thank my family and friends for the support they gave me to get me to where I am today!

everyday I meet, read or see a story about someone or something that inspires me to live my best life. although I don't always make the right choice or live up to my own expectations I still have the desire to fulfill all my dreams. I hope to one day inspire someone to live their best life as I continue to live mine.

My 3 children and 4 grandchildren, inspire me. I want to show them, you are never to old to make things better. I'm watching my mother die of cancer, from the things she did wrong, eating wrong, no exercise, stress. I want to be different and live a quality life!

My 12 shelter animals are what inspire me. Our 6 dogs and 6 cats came from all over, different shelters at different times in our lives. They welcomed each other, with some small tough times, but now we are all one big happy family!

My beautiful 3 year old Golden Retriever inspires me because he is so full of life. When he looks at me with those big brown eyes I find myself getting his leash to walk him whether I'm tired or not. He deserves for me to consider his health/exercise needs.

I'm inspiring me-finally! It's taken many years and a lot of emotional baggage to realize I REALLY AM WORTH IT. I've been a good daughter, a great wife and mother, an awesome nurse, and now it's time to be my own best friend!

Oprah inspires me to live my best life!

I was inspired by a friend's weight loss. When I asked her how she did it, she said, "I finally realized I'm an adult and it's time to take responsibility for my decisions!". SO profound, eh?? :)

I've researched a lot of life style books out and have found Bob Green's is the most healthy and doable one out there...comments from health professional websites confirms this. Can't wait to be able to purchase his he Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes. I have had type-2 for 21 years and hope to improve it with his help. Thanks Bob....we have been waiting or this

Love inspires me to live my best life. Love for my family and friends inspires me to be healthy, happy and balanced. The more energy and vitality I have the more I can give to them. I try to be a good example and give guidance. Sharing what I learn from Bob and Oprah makes a positive impact in their lives. I am inspired to learn more and live better for the people I love.

My children! I watch them as they hardly contain their joy and enthusiasm, and I want to be like that again! I have little energy and extra baby poundage, but when I watch my kids and their excitement and oomph, I want to jump right in there with them.

We have a fitness club in Southern Maine and the success of our older members inspire me. People who have never exercised before are finding the benefits of being active...no more oxygen tanks, less creaky bones, ability to walk the Mall, decreased reliance on drugs, and an increased ability to laugh with new friends. They are truly inspirations!!

I am 55 and still alive even if I have not taken very good care of myself. I am inspired by youngest sister (I have 4 sisters) who is always giving it her all to be healthy. All of us tend to be overweight and she succeeds. I want to be like her.

What inspires me?  
 
I am so inspired by those who have faced great challenges in their lives and yet have had the courage to move past their circumstances and live their most powerful and best lives. I am so fortunate to have good health and a really great life, and even then I struggle at times to change and sustain some of the lifestyle changes I want to improve on. I so admire and honor those who completely change their behaviors and sustain through time. They are absolutely inspiring! The Biggest Loser top contestants are truely remarkable!

Anything that keeps the spark alive to stay healthy is a good thing. I may look like a klutz, but laughing at my periodic lack of grace make it more fun.

My Grandmother who just passed away at 91 years old inspires me to live my best life. I adored her and miss her terribly, but she was teaching psychology well into her 80's and on a constant search for learning. She never went to the doctors, always exercised and lived every day the way she wanted to live it, not the way anyone else wanted her to. She is a constant reminder to me that the way you treat your body is the way your body will treat you. And that goes for every aspect of your life. I'm a very happy girl, due a large extent to my Grandma Lee!

I've had type 2 diabetes for 5 years now. I went from taking one pill a day to insulin shots. My 2 sons worry that one day I won't be here for them. I watch what I eat and exercise, but I still have retained the weight. I need help and I think this is just what I need.

I AM 53 YEARS OLD AND I WAS DIAGONISED 3YEARS AGO AND GOT A SCARE RECENTLY MY TEST CAME BACK WITH HIGH GLUCOSE READINGS. I NEED HELP NO INSURANCE, NO JOB, AND I FEEL THIS BOOST WILL BE THE ENCOURGMENT THAT I NEED TO FOCUS AND BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS ILLINESSI WANT TO BEAT THIS AND LOSE ALL THE WEIGHT THAT I NEED TO.

Both of my parents who unfortunately no longer with me. My mother died in 1999 of pancreatic ca. A short lived, but devastating illness. My father who struggled with heart disease for over 30 years, losing his battle in 2007.  
 
Lastly, but most certainly not least, my 3 dogs, Winston, Satchel and Gracie May. I am a single pet parent and I want to be healthy for them and I want them to be healthy too. I don't want something to happen to me and leave them without a mom. No one would take care of them like I do.

My inspiration to live my best life looks me in the mirror each day. I'm worth it, and it's about time I started acting like it!  
 
If I need another one, my grand daughter is 9 months old and I don't want to miss a moment of her life...I'm in for the long haul!

my inspiration is ANYONE, who is able to lose weigt in a healthy way.ive tried so many times to end up frustrated, and turning to fad diets. which sets me back even further. 
 
i really would like to lose weight and maintain good health overall.

I'm inspired *everyday* to live the BEST LIFE I can and take good care of myself because I am a registered nurse in a busy operating room and I am constantly seeing very sick people who are often that way because of their poor diets and lifestyles. They are often younger than me and are having to get major surgeries because their bodies are worn out. This inspires me to remember that I am solely responsible for my health and for taking good care of my body....pretty good motivation. I eat healthy and go to the gym several times a week....even before I go to work in the mornings. Such is my motivation for having the BEST LIFE I can so I can continue to care for my family and my patients.

Well, at first I just wanted a way to win the bag full of goodies;however, after reading everyone's inspiration in the blog I'm speechless. If all of the other people can change their lives around with the hardships they face, I know I can. These people inspire me.

I have inherited a family disease which predisposes me to heart disease, strokes, and kidney disease. Even though I am only 35 years old, I have become completely proactive about exercise and nutrition. I plan to go back to school this fall to get my Masters of Public Health, Nutrition.

I look for resources everywhere, every day to motivate and enthuse myself to keep implementing a healthy lifestyle. From getting a red "x" on my calendar every time I work out, to trying new healthy recipes. It is very important to me that my family engages in healthy choices. We are in our fifties and not without health issues. My husband has type II diabetes and controls it with diet and exercise. He has also survived colon cancer. That being said, I want to keep up the good fight for a good life!

My family and special ed. students inspire me. Their unconditional love motivates me to want to be the best that I can be, to be thankful for life as well as small things.

2 weeks ago I said to myself what has worked in the past for me in getting healthy and to motivate me? Well the answer is BOB GREENE! So I have been surfing around the website and reading your books again! Am looking forward to reading your new one!

My grandchildren and my daughter inspire me. I want to to be around a long time to share all lifes happenings. I'm 55 and have struggled with wieght scence in my teens. I try to eat right and work out. I do slack off time to time but get back to it . I have diabetes in my family, my father [ pased away ], and a brother. I want to keep from getting it. So- i keep moving. A new workout is always a nice change.

I would LOVE to be GREEN with BOB GREENE..Bob is truly inspiring. As a 61 year old with 2 replaced knees, I could use all the help I can get...For me, I want the Best Life possible.

My brother is my inspiration. We have both struggled with weight and this fall after being diagnosed with diabetes he decided to conquer it. He was doing very well. Unfortunately this week he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. In December I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes... I am now on board to change my life so that I can take of him for as long as he needs me.

I get my inspiration from wonderful supportive girlfriends of mine. We are all turning 50 this year and find it increasingly hard to take the weight off. We have all gotten the Wii Fit and challenge each other to walk our 10K steps a day. Our spirit and strength keeps us going.

I am inspired by women who are honest about their shortcomings with weightloss. I find it easier to be motivated by someone who has had success and failure with trying to balance exercise and career and can share what has worked for them and what causes steps backwards

My parents inspire me to live the best life,they both have had by pass surgery and have changed their lifestyles to live more healthfully and to be more active.

I have enjoyed listening to both Oprah and Bob discuss weight loss and exercise. Some of their words have stuck.....I would be very thankful to win this goodie bag....I definitely need to lose weight...

I found myself digging around the house for Oprahs first DVD Make the Connection and your first book. It would be wonderful to have the updates . I need to start over, don't know if it will work at the age I am now. But I really want to do it.

I have got one of bob's book it has help. I want to get heathier not just to lose weight. I want to feel good about me. I cannot aford to join a gym so I try and workout at home.It seem I am alone so I dont do enough. I would love to win the bag if it would help me.

Well, I do have to say the biggest thing that inspired me was my son. I wanted to do things with him, and make him happy to have me around not embarrassed. My health was so poor and I could barely walk never mind do fun things. I was inspired by Oprah so many years ago when she did Optifast. I did it back then because of her and lost over 100 lbs. Then I kept it off for 8yrs. I got pregnant and gained all the weigh back again. So, now that my son is 10 I did Optifast again ,I knew it was the one diet that will work for me. I have recently lost 111 lbs. I only have 47 to go and watching Oprah, Dr.Oz and The Biggest Loser really helps me to stay motivated. So, THANK YOU..Oprah, Dr.OZ and Biggest Looser!!!! I do so much with my son and I can run up stairs even!!

Everyone wants to be their best, but not many of us know how to achieve this goal. At 55 I still don't know how to lose and maintain my weight, I fear that I may not be here at aage 65 if I don't find a way to be healthy. Please help.

My inspiration is to sit in a restaurant booth comfortably! What more can I say. With the right tools everyone can lead a healthy life! It is like playing an instrument. If you don't practice, how are you going to be good at it! We should practice eating healthy.

I retired from education and became a grandmother a year ago. I decided that to enjoy my retirement and my grandchild, I needed to become healthy. Beginning by walking, then progressing to a gym with a personal trainer has created progress. My friends, family and trainer have been the ultimate in encouragment. It has motivated to continue to the ultimate goal of good health not just weight loss.

When I look in the mirror, past the 65 years of wrinkles and gray hair, I still can see the REAL ME, the little girl ME, and I want my granddaughter to know the real ME, right now. So, with intention, I want to live the BEST LIFE I can, so that I can continue to be ME, for myself and for my family, for as long as possible.

Even though my grandfather had both legs amputated as a result of diabetes and my grandmother went blind from diabetes. Even though I feel the shame of not setting a good example for my children. Even though my husband no longer seems to see me as a desirable woman. Even though I know that my weight is preventing me from being the best person I know I can be...I'm sorry to say that I am still not inspired. What will it take?

Watching my mom die from crippling arthritis inspires me to work out daily. The pain she had to endure was unbearable to watch, and I do not want to end up like that knowing there was something that I could do to help prevent it.

My grandchildren inspire me! I have been overweight my entire life. Last spring I decided that I wanted to live a long life for them. I just started to walk and eat healthy. To date, I have lost 40 pounds and 18 inches. I am happy to have been inspired.

My inspiration is my horse, who was badly injured twice. During his long rehab program, he has been willing to let his humans work him through the pain. We have taken many long walks together -- rain or shine. If he can do it, so can I!

My sister who takes great care of herself she inspires me and takes care of our whole family.

As a teacher I have to teach children about all sorts of important things, but the most imporant thing I can teach them is to love themselves and take care of their own bodies the best way they can. I need to keep taking care of myself and I need to show children that it is ok to accept change. Thank you for this opportunity!

My inspiration to live life the best I can is to have my health. When I'm healthy I look, feel, and present myself better. I know it's not just what people see on the outside but how I feel on the inside. Besides, I'M NOT DONE LIVING LIFE!

Much of my inspiration comes from those who have amazingly improved their well-being from my assistance in helping them to live a healthier lifestyle. As a long-term YMCA member, I am constantly fed health/nutrition/fitness information. 
Although I am not a certified personal trainer,I've gained enough knowledge to provide free workout classes to help those who are too embarrassed to ask. 
Not only is it rewarding to make a positive difference in someone's life, its very inspiring to witness an individual who once had no drive to improve themselves to a someone who has made a remarkable change in their well-being and continues to thrive. That is inspiring!

My 89 1/2 year old father is my inspiration to live life the best I can. He has always taken care of himself, eaten in moderation, and exercised. I'm 58 with diabetes and will never live to see 90 like he will unless I make changes. The Best-Life-Goodie-Bag could jump-start my goals to get my life back before my 59th birthday in April, just six days after he turns 90!

I could really use it. I am recovering from back surgery last summer and a fall that injured my shoulder on Christmas Eve. I am 61 and need to get in shape but can't seem to find a routine that works for me (due to limitations).

I have to stay well for my daughter who had a permanent brain injury from an allergic reaction to nuts. She has two young children who need me too since they don't have their mother involved in their lives as they should. They all need me so I have to stay in good health to give them my love and ubderstanding thir mother can't give!

Friends and family inspire me. As a nation, we have become our own worst enemy. Now we have to turn to one another for support to bring us back in control of our weight and our lives. Thank you to each of you for being my inspiration.

I want to be around for my family, to be the best that I can be, for my family past, present and future. I am motivated to be healthier by the love of my family and friends. Also it feels better. I am following Bob Green's advice, went to Bob's shopping tour at Safeway in San Francisco and am doing Zumba dance aerobics to be healthier. I would really love to have a gift bag and DVD. Thanks for your help and all you do for so many people. 
 
Eric Hall, Soquel, CA

My inspiration is FAMILY! My children, Sally-5 and William-2, who I wish to see grow up and have kids of their own. My husband, who has spent so much time fighting in the National Guard. He has given up everything to fight for his country, and I would love to have that type of desire about anything. My older brother, who has struggled with his weight his whole life too. My sister who just had her third daughter and wants to get back in shape. My beautiful nieces who I want to see grow up. My younger brother who lost all the weight unhealthly, and now has a million health problems. My mother, who has given herself to everyone, especially me, has asked for nothing in return, and now can barely walk do to medical problems that nobody knows what is wrong. Finally, MY SELF, who has struggled with weight gain since 8, loses little, gains lots; who puts everyone before her and never saves time for the things she needs. Please help!!

My 84 year old Mother shows me if you take care of yourself, mind, body & spirit age is just a number. She really is quite amazing. I have the genes but they need to be exercised & taken care of.

My biggest inspiration is my son who tells me all the time I am doing a great job and keep up the good work. He lost 110lbs and now I am going to follow in his footsteps by eating and exercising wisely. If Jared can do it so can his mom. Way to go Jared!

My inspiration is my Mom, she is no longer with us on this Earth and when she lived she battled several illness's. As her daughter I have struggled with a few illness's too and one day when I was sitting outside in my back yard, my haven, I felt her presents and guidance. To strive to be healthier and that is what I do everyday. Work to be a healthier me...somedays it feels like several steps backwards, but I approach each day with a renewed attitude.

I need to loose weight! I have watch Ohrah everyday and when Bob Green is on I make sure I record it.

My inspiration is all around me in different people who overcome obstacles every day. How can I say I can't work on a healthy lifestyle when some people do so much more? People are strong and resilient; I'm learning that as I go.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE... 
 
 
 
Live 
 
In 
 
Victory 
 
Everyday 
 
 
 
Yell 
 
Out 
 
Utter 
 
Rejoice 
 
 
 
Believe 
 
Exclaim 
 
Shout 
 
Try 
 
 
 
Laugh 
 
Invigorate 
 
Fell 
 
Excel

I've found it within myself. I think that each of us needs to feel that moment when we're ready to commit to health and fitness, and I've had that moment and embrace it. 
 
 
 
Cheers!

I like to give Bob Green's books as an extra added surprise gift for birthdays and holidays. It gives them a little boost that they don't even realize they're getting.

My family is my inspiration. From my husband to my parents and my two golden retrievers. If I don't take care of my self, who would care for my husband? Who would play with my dogs? Who would be there for my parents? I need to live my best life and teach them to live theirs!

My inspiration to live my best life comes from my inner strength-which to me is God. I feel that I am very blessed in my life and I try to show my gratitude by living each day to the fullest and by helping others who are not as fortunate.

As I began my determined journey this was a question I had to ask myself - the answer, me. My dreams, goals, my life - I am what drive myself to live my best life everyday. We have to love ourselves before we can ever give life, family, friends the love that they deserve and before we can truly find our dreams.

I will be 70 Feb 7th. I am inspired every day when I do what my grandson Bobby named ( the Oprah Run ) No matter what, I stop & run to the TV to get inspiration from Oprah's show. Took care of Bobby for all his school yrs. So  
 
he knows Oprah well to. God Bless, 
 
Dolores in Castro Valley Ca

What inspires my best life is to look around me and count my blessings. I have made it to 53 life experience years, I'm healthy, I live in the U.S. Nature abound with beauty each and every day - provided for free! I am loved and want to be here to love back.

I think the best news for me was when my father was diagnosed as being pre-dieabetic. He actually had a scare that he took seriously and started re-vamping his life. His diagnosis affected me by making it easier for me to stick to my healthy eating more consistently since I live with my parents due to tough economic times... it is much easier when their are no donuts in the house or other sweet pastries in which my dad would always bring home after work. Since he began cutting out sweets and checking his sugar he has lost 20 lbs in only 10 weeks which is very inspiring to me since my weight loss trickles very slowly due to my over indulgence in food. I hope to have the same self-control my dad has demonstrated.

My inspiration comes from my 84 year old mother, who goes crazy from the snow on the east coast becuase it stop her from being able to get to the gym. She makes sures that she has someone to remove her snow or does it herself. Getting to the gym at least 3 times a week is a major priority in her life. I need to do the same and my give is only a block away.

Being a grandmother for the first time inspires me to get healthy. I need to see all my children have their babies and be an active part in their lives. I want to finally become healthy and fit for the first time in my life.

What inspires me is looking at the beautiful faces of my children and wanting to do everything in my power to be here as long as I can so that I can see them grow up and participate in their lives. I am currently overweight but I am working on losing weight and have lost 30 lbs. since Oct.2009. I still have a long way to go but its a start! I often check out the Best Life website to find inspiration and recipies to keep me going. Thanks Bob Greene!

I am inspired to live My Best Life from having lived through My Worst Life. I was once 56 lbs heavier and extremely out of shape and very unhappy. So-o-o very sad. I can not go back there so I keep the memory of how I used to feel in the front of my mind so I can live My Best Life everday!Hoo-ray!

Several people inspire me to live my best life. First theres Dr. OZ. His show gives lots of tips on food and exercise. Then theres OPRAH who is the biggest inspiration of all. She is the epitimy of health and wellness.

I LOST 18 LBS THIS LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF MY CO WORKER AND THE EXAMPLE SHE SETS BY WORKING OUT AND WATCHING WHAT SHE EATS. I KNEW I HAD TO LOOSE BECAUSE I HAVE FOUGHT HIGH LIPIDS AND CHOLESTEROL FOR A LONG TIME AND THE MEDICATION PLAYS WAR WITH MY STOMACH. I STARTED WALKING 4 TO 5 MILES MOST DAYS AND STARTED WRITING DOWN WHAT I ATE. I NO LONGER TAKE MEDS FOR MY CHOLESTEROL. IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE BUT I CONTINUE ON BECAUSE I AM PREDIABETIC. THIS YEARS GOAL IS GET RID OF THE XMAS 5 LBS AND WORK ON GETTING OFF THE LAST FIFTEEN POUNDS. HOPEFULLY, THEN MY GLUCOSE LEVEL WE BE DOWN AND I CAN MAINTAIN.

My mom's an 85 year old beauty queen w/a touch of dementia. To myself I say, "Mother, you are not going to drive me crazy, or give me wrinkles, gray or pounds--only Mother Nature." THE BEST OF THE BEST LIFE IS YET TO COME. GOTTA BE HERE FOR IT!!

My inspiration is my daughter Chrissy who always cheers me on and accepts me no matter what.She makes me want to live a healthy life. And together we keep on going. Chrissy has Down Syndrome and a hearing loss and neither keep her from doing anything.What an example!

My one and only life here on earth is what inspires me to reach my goals. You only live once and I have a beautiful family, three kids and a husband, great friends to keep on going in winning the battle with my weight and food emotions.

A child, whether normal, ill or seemingly "challenged". A mentally, spiritually and emotionally untarnished child can teach us more than any experts of the aforementioned characteristics. Their views exemplify life's truly important things: people vs material items, unconditional love vs hate [from insecurity] and acceptance vs judgement.

I have lost 70 lbs. during the past 2 years, having trouble right now getting back on track, hope this helps, as I do not want to go back to where I was.

I was inspired to lose weight by a hurtful comment made by my brother-in-law about my weight. I saw Bob Greene on Oprah and was convinced I could lose weight. I had lost 62 pounds when I saw him the next year. After two years I have maintained my weight. I know I can live my best life thanks to the book by Bob Greene.

I have 4 grown children and 8 grandchildren. I've been surpressing my loneliness with food. I have always been a sneaker of sweets but now I don't sneak & just eat. I'm 60+ pounds overweight. I need help to achieve a good healthy life style, Please Bob, help this weak person. Sincerely, Teri Biddle

diagnosed type II nine years ago, had High blood pressure, high cholesterol. Took 11 different medications. I was so miserable. I couldn't do so many things. Had Gastric Bypass surgery. After losing the first 85lbs have been struggling to get off the last of it. Have made a lot of changes. Walk twice a day. Switched from white rice to brown rice. Switched from Ground beef to ground turkey. Gave up soda. Still feel the addiction with food. Guess I will all my life. Good luck to all. Lets fight this together peeps.

I am inspired by my daughter, Lauren, who at 8years old,found out (June 09) that she has Type 1 diabetes. I just wish I could take this way from her but I cant, so everyday is a challange and everyday we get through it, learning along the way.

I am a Nurse practitioner that works with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis. 90% of them have diabetes and hypertension they inspire me to be a living example of diet and exercise. I cannot ask a patient to do something I would not do myself. I also have all the risk factors in my family diabetes and Hypertension and heart disease. I firmly believe my body is my temple a gift from God and I should honor it everyday.

I read an article about fitness near the New Year, and the author wrote: "I wish I could give everyone the gift of a 30 minute workout everyday." Something about the word "gift" got to me. I thought to myself: "Hey! I have that gift. I just haven't unwrapped it yet!" All the excuses I had made to myself about being to busy to exercise just sort of fell away. Now I actually look forward to that 30 minute walk on the treadmill, or that 30 minute exercise video, each and every day. It's become my special "my time," where I take a break from everything else I have to do (including running a day care center for 100 kids a day!). And I feel much better than I have in years. A few pounds have already disappeared, too, which is a great feeling! Can't wait till tomorrow when it's EXERCISE TIME again!!

My health and well being inspires me. I have battled poor health for many years(by choice). Over the last few years I have changed that. My young kids have helped me change my path. 
 
 
 
P.s. I just purchased E.A. Sports. LOVE IT!!!!!

Recently I was diagnosed with a heart condition.I have had time to reflect on the importance of living each day for my best life.I love surprises!The bag inspires me to continue to fill it with not only what is inside but to add to my best life everyday.

My mother is an 85 year old beauty queen with a touch of dementia. I say to myself, "Mother, you are not going to give me gray, wrinkles (only Mother nature)or pounds, or stress. The BEST OF THE BEST LIFE IS YET TO COME! GOTTA BE HERE TO ENJOY!!!

My Best Life is only what I can make it. Waking up in the morning and being grateful that I survived another day. Being able to be alive. I am on my journey of finding me. Being lost in your self and trying to pull through it.

My friends and family inspire me to live my best life everyday. The friends who died from liver cancer, and lung cancer, who have osteoperosis, and diabetes ,dads heart attacks, moms stroke, 4 cousins with bypass surgery etc. I want to enjoy my life and be healthy at every age.

I am my own inspiration. I have overcome so many obsticles as a child and I now realized I am strong. I am a survivor and I am claiming my life back!

In my father's later years he had dementia and Parkinson. I helped to take care of him with my mom.He was once a strong and energized man. Seeing him more confused and frail, I realized life and health is a gift. He inspired me to live my best life.

My inspiration comes from my son and my grandchildren. If there is one complete good thing I have ever done, it is my son. And the proof of that is in his goodness and in his children. They inspire me to keep trying to live my Best Life - healthy, happy and here to watch them grow, laugh, love and keep me pushing for more. And Bob and the whole team keeps plugging along so I can keep being inspired. Thanks is not enough.

This contest is great. I submitted a blog, but made the mistake of allowing reply emails sent to me. How do I stop it? I received tons of these blogs in my mailbox. It's silly, when I can just come to this site. How do I change it?

Hey, I think I found it! There was this neat little message at the bottom of one of the posts that I could click to 'unsubscribe from this thread', and I think that's the solution. I have been reading the blogs here. Many of you have had great experiences and inspirations. Good luck in the contest, everyone!

I HAVE survived Leukemia. 
 
I HAVE become a NASM-certified Personal Trainer. 
 
I HAVE a blog dedicated to Bob Greene's recipes. (http://seejanecookbob.blogspot.com) 
 
But I HAVE NEVER seen a cooler contest!! If I win, I’ll share the knowledge I gain from your amazing gift basket with my clients at the gym. Please pick us! 

Right now it seems that no one is inspiring me to do better. So, I guess I am looking for that boost in the right direction. After years of struggling with health issues, raising two kids on my own, working full-time, earning my master's degree, (now working two jobs to pay for my master's degree . . .), getting my first child through college and into her first job, having my son finish high school and getting ready to start college, yes life has just been a little overwhelming and things have gotten out of control. (As has this run-on sentence.) So, the inspiration and motivation is what I am seeking. I know I can do it!

Who inspires me?...... ME!! It is ultimately ME who needs to movtivate ME. ME who needs to get her butt off the couch. ME who needs to choose healthy food selections. ME who has to know when to say yes but also when to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! It is ME who needs to grow the desire in her mind, her soul that I AM TRULY WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT!! IT IS ME!

My astounding dream is to be the best wife and mother to my blessing of family. To leave the most monumental footprint possible "for me". My infectious inspiration is in the power of individuals' to make changes directly and indirectly. Let's all believe in getting our best life back.

Feeling better inspires me to live my best life. I retired from teaching last year (35 years)and have acquired more time to exercise. I love to walk and dance to my favorite music. I no longer huff & puff when going up stairs. "Nothing taste better than being thinner feels".

Inspiration comes to me through all avenues in life. May be a stranger who you just meet or a lasting friendship. Surely a family member,community figure that dies from a long term ailment. My parents: at 80 my Mom still gets up in the morning and exercises! My Father with Heart Disease and Diabetes survived countless of operations, but he always monitored his sugar intake which helped him survive almost to 82. The last year was a tough one. But the combination of different types of people that inspire me every day is encouraging. I pray that I also help people in my community, by the weight I had lost and how I would do my walks in town. But we all know the maintenance of weight loss is the hardest, and knowing I could follow in my Fathers footsteps makes me more motivated. We always need a push to keep going though, or a new outlook to follow the path towards. Inspiration comes from all these things, including books, videos, emails. Try not to let opportunities pass you by.

What inspires me is my love for life and strong desire to live a long healthy life with purpose; healthy in mind, body and spirit. And in doing such, inspire others to do the same. I quit smoking and gained 90 pounds – lost 50 but still have 40 to go.

I turned 50. I am self inspired. I am the only one who can get me off the couch. I can only live my dream. I visualize what I want and the inspiration manifests from within. It's not easy but it's my not easy.

Turning 60 on Sunday. I decided to live.

Instead of looking to others for inspiration, I am starting to look to myself. I am a teacher, mother, daughter and friend. I can inspire myself and others. If I live my best life, then I can be a role model for the students I teach, my daughter, and friends. I am starting today !!!!

I am really taking on this challenge becuase I got a strong message in my heart from God soon to be two years ago, to change my lifestyle by making exercise part of my lifestyle. It is hard to find someone to motivate me or me them. It would be a pleasure to win prize to motivate me more, to continue on the challenge.

Staying fit and healthy is not always fun. After many surgeries and health issues I know this is what is necessary. 
 
My parents, both 85, are going through mobility and cancer issues. My daughter will someday be helping me as I age. I want to make her future easier.

Inspiration comes from our human connections,so varied but also poignantly similar. Who will we touch today? Who will touch us?

The blessings of life itself makes me live my best each and every day. The world has so many wonderful things to offer, and I want to live to my fullest to enjoy each moment.

Hi, I have to say that Dr.Oz has inspired me. He is so great and such a good person. I want to lose 20lbs. and for 10 years I have wanted to lose 20lbs. and I have such a hard time of it. So I have started with the gym doing 30min on the treadmill during my lunch hour and then 3x a week water aerobics. I have a 40min. commute to and from work and I have to admit I have conversations with myself outloud on how for this day I am going to do a good job,because when you have a good day and your lying in bed that night you just feel so good about yourself. Thank you and have a great day. 
 
Deb

I must say, those who inspire me to live my best life are the wonderful people I am surrounded by each day. First and foremost, my family & friends but I must say, strangers seem to impact my life much more than anyone can ever imagine. I love meeting people.

It may not be very original but for me my daughter Kristin inspires me to live my Best Life.The look in her eyes when we are together I can see how she admires me and that gives me the strength and courage to go through each and every day.

I inspire me. I have to be. No one else can do this for me. My ultimate goal is to help those around me, by setting a better example, being able to do more, and by making myself happier making my world happier.

My 10 year old daughter who takes good health seriously. She's able to take all of the wonderful things that I've taught her about taking care of yourself and apply them to her life - withOUT all of the negative things that I've absorbed through my life that hold me back.

I am inspired to live my best life by life itself. I am a mother, wife and a nurse. I see what happens to people when they do not live their best life. Not only are they affected in activities of daily living but it also negatively impacts their families. 

This November I will be 60 years old. I am a diabetic, have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I am tired of living this way! So I bought Bob’s new book and started January 4th. My goal is to loose 60 lbs by my 60th birthday … I am on my way -- down 8 lbs. Winning the Goodie bag would be the BEST help for me to reach my goal.

What inspires me to live my best life is that I am 39 and I have seen most of my friends get married and now having kids. I want to have that too and want to be healthy for my family and myself.I have a big family there are 13 of us and I want to be healthy and live my best life for them.

My sister Rosemary inspires me. She’s had three open heart surgeries, three children, and still manages to stay healthy even when doctors said she wouldn’t. She is an amazing mother and friend who I attempt to emulate every day, with going back to school for my Bachelors in Healthcare Administration.

I choose to live my best life. My mother, who is deceased, didn't have the choices I have. She died from congestive heart failure and complications of osteoporosis. I choose to drink my skim milk and eat my yogurt. I don't want to die like my mother did. She was a wonderful person. She loved long and hard but quietly. She was a great mom who did the best she could with what she had. I want to make her proud of the job she did as my mother and live on for her. Kisses to you Mom! I miss you! 
 
Sharon

My husband and my son are my daily inspiration. I put them first in everything I do, but in doing so I realized that I was actually failing them. I was always stressed and tired. When I started making diet and exercise #1 I was able to do more for them than ever before.

I choose to live my best life now! I have given & given to my husband and children and now that my children are grown i feel it's time to give back to me!! I am eating better and excersing 2 times daily and i feel wonderful!! I plan on being around to watch all 4 of my grandchildren graduate & get married.

I am insprired by my parents to stay healthy. Both have had health issues but visit the gym nearly every single day in addition to their other activities. My father can outdo a lot of the 20 somethings that come into the the gym and think that they can just jump on the treadmill and go. My parents both have the health of 30 year olds and will hopefully have many more wonderful years left.

My sister Norma, divorced mother of 2 pre-teens and 1 teenage,has taken action towards a better health style. It was after my mother's diagnoses of: Coronary Heart failure, Reinal disease, Liver disease that instilled realization that she does not want to follow in my mother's footsteps.

I'm a nurse in an acute rehabilitation hospital. Too many of my patients, both men and women, are younger than I am, in their 40's and 50's. They are having heart attacks and strokes at an alarming rate. What are the culprits? Lack of excercise, overweight, high cholesterol, smoking, faiure to take prescibed medications and the list goes on. I see the effects first hand and it scares me. I do not want to become like one of my patients. I have a wonderful life, a great job, a loving family and I want to live to enjoy all of it.

I'm 44 years old, I've had high blood pressure for over 10 years. I'm not seriously over weight, but as I enter the peri-menopause years, keeping my weight in check is becoming more of a challenge. Trying to stay healthy in this stage of my life is what inspires me. And I would like to meet my grandchildren someday.

I am the Mom of 3 of my own children and 1 Step-daughter. I have a big task to be a healthy example to all of them. I achieve this by subscribing to awesome sites such as Best Life in order to cook healthy meals and keep all of our bodies working to their optimum performance. There are too many negative influences today that we cannot control. At least what we put into our bodies and how we treat them, we can control. With your help. Thanks for your support!

I am a cancer survivor...one year and with the help of my two daughters,Dad,Granddaughter, son in laws and best friend who are absolutely amazing and i am working very hard to make my life heathier and better........I want to enjoy every minute and second of my life with my family.

I am 54 years old and would like to play with my grandchildren more than I can at this time. I get tired when running outside with them. Getting pounds off will be great.

My doctor told me that at age 42 with about 150 pounds to lose I should consider have "the surgery". I really don't want to do that. The tools you offer in your awesome give-away would help me reach to my goal at the only price I can afford!

MYSELF....Inspires me live my best life. As a wife and mother, I've put myself last for years (over 15) now I'm in control. I want the life for myself, therefore my best life is good for others around me.

Life inspires me, there's so little time, we just don't realize it. So many unexperienced joys, my motto is We would never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.

I am a 68 year young American Indian with diabetes, high blood pressure and gout. I am inspired by my community. I sobered up and quit smoking and try to lead by example. People say I look 20 years younger. I share this site with anyone that asks for help.

For once in my life, I have inspired myself to live a good and better life. I had the opportunity to retire younger than planned last year. After working full time for approximately 35 years I have received the gift of time. Time to give healthful thought to what we eat and time to prepare food well, time to exercise, time to handle responsibilities without resentment and undue stress. This gift of time, well used, may well give me the gift of a longer, healthier life. You never know what's in the cards for you but I'm giving this opportunity my best shot of making healthy choices and giving grateful praise.

What inspires me? FEAR!! Fear of diabetes, fear of heart disease, fear of cancer, fear I may miss the important things in life because I'm not able to enjoy them. God gave me one body, one life, it's up to me to keep it going!

I have learned that I first have to be inspired and motivated by my own desire to live my BEST LIFE. Then, the support of others helps secondarily. This is because others are not always around to make my individual, moment-by-moment choices to either create a BEST LIFE, or a less fulfilling life.

It isn't what but who inspires me and the who are my 5 kids. They are 18,17,10,9, and 6. I want to be an example to them.I am only 35 and stopped taking care of myself a few years ago but have decided that if I want them to live their BEST LIFE I need to live mine.

I was married for 19 years and divorced at 41. Starting over isn't easy. I raised my four children and opended my home to other children who needed me. I always put everyone needs before my own. What inspired me is that I have a new lease on life... Because for once in my life, I get the chance to think about me. I've had heart surgery and many other set-backs along the way. Now it's my time. It's time to LIVE MY BEST LIFE!

I have had scoliosis since I was a child, so I have always stayed active in order to strengthen my back. Now that I am older, I am finding it really difficult to stay fit and lose excess UGLY FAT. I have tried to be a role model for my four children so they would also stay fit. I need help to keep this body in check.

My life was going through some major changes and I felt like this book was dropped into my hands for a reason. Bob Greene you coming into my life has been a blessing in disguise and I can’t thank my boss enough for passing you onto me.

Unfortunately, both of my grandmothers and an uncle have died from complications of diabetes. My mother has been injecting herself with insulin everyday for about 5 years. So far I have not been diagnosed with diabetes and hope never to hear those words. I try to stay away from sugar but it has not been easy. When I saw the commercial for the upcoming show on Thursday, I knew that I have to watch it without fail. I need to stop this cycle of diabetes in my family. So I try to live by example to show my 5 children that they do not need to live with this fear that I have had for years.

My husband is my inspiration. In a way that makes it harder. He loves me unconditionally. I feel bad about no or little weight lose when I really work at it, but he will say that ok I love you all the same. I would love to get back to my dating weight.

My mother died of a heartattack in 1996 as I and my 2 children was moving to Tennessee with her as a result of a pending divorce. I don't always express my feelings, I eat them, all the way up to 360 lbs. and I'm a diabetic. My inspiration comes from within...you could say, THE SLEEPER HAS AWAKEN!!! I had my "Light Bulb" moment and asked WHAT ARE YOU DOING?..your life is just passing you by, What have you accomplished? Do you want to die and never know your Grandkids? What are saying to your Daughters? So I am in a Life Style Changing mode and I know that this would help tremendously. Thanks for listing, and please keep me in your prayers. I'm REALLY enjoying life now.

My inspiration has come from my 15 yr old daughter who is overweight and I see her inner beauty/struggles and God's desire for both of us to be healthy and live life to the fullest is where I am gaining my strength to proceed with helping us both live our best lives daily.

I lost my husband jim a year ago tomorrow 02-05-2009 he was only 53 he found out 2 years ago he had cancer, he was my inspiration, my best friend ,hero he was my everything and now i am lost without him!!!! I need someone to help me to get off the couch and start moving again and I think Bob's book and video might just be exactly what might do it for me. thank you,Kim

My biggest inspiration is my mom. We lost her a year ago. She wasn't feeling well, and I convinced her to go to the doctor on a Friday, and that afternoon we found out she had liver cancer. A week later, we found out it was the size of a basketball, and a week after that she passed away. She was only 64. I miss her in the deepest parts of my heart. 
 
 
 
I want to be here for as long as I can for my other inspirations: my 5 kids, ranging in age from 3 to 20, and I want to set a better example for my 15 year old daughter so that she can see that she can be in control of her health and her life for herself and doesn't have to rely on anyone else.

I'm 48 years old, and I feel good about my life and my future. In the past year and a half I've had major life changes. We moved back home to Los Angeles after 6 years in Wyoming. My youngest (of 3 sons) graduated from high school last June, I lost 32 pounds last year, I don't feel like I'm nearly 50, I feel energetic and healthy and ready to take on the world. I'd like to lose another 30 or 40 pounds. Watch my boys build their own future's and families, being here to see it all inspires me to live my best life....oh, and I have some things I'd like to accomplish for myself now that I have a little more freedom!!

My inspiration is the honesty of the camera...I look at pictures, recent and past, and see the pounds slowly creeping upward. Yet I love being active: kayak, bike, ski. I am motivated to eat better so I can be an athletic Nana. Bob's materials would provide the knowledge to help me continue moving forward to a more fit me.

This Friday I turn 60. I am in the morbid obesity category. But yesterday my sister, who is one year younger inspired me to eat healthier. You see, my sister was diagnosed a few months ago with kidney cancer. I suspect triggered from the stress of a very painful divorce & loss of a very lucrative job. I would have eaten myself to oblivion, but she immediately went to a nutritionist and began eating healthier, taking supplements, and exercising. Almost instantly she dropped 4 dress sizes, looks great and has a beautiful outlook on life. So when she came over with fresh fruit, flax seeds & almond milk, not for herself but for me, I knew she is an exceptional person! So here I am drinking one of her delicious shake recipes, determined to turn over a new leaf!

Whole child within, inspires me most, 
 
Not the powerful, fameous, or stars, we toast. 
 
Snot nosed brat, yells "Your Fat." 
 
Others opinions stink, but I can't  
 
shrink from that. 
 
Supposed to Love yourself first, an I do, with cookies hid on the shelf. 
 
And Sunshine, lets me be a Big Cheez -It, 
 
Comfort going quakers and failing biz-ness! 
 
I used to exercise, smoke & cuss, 
 
Excuse me, if pride chokes atttempts to discuss. 
 
When I look in my grandchildrens eyes, 
 
My example inspires or backfires  
 
kids see through lies.

My insipration cam e from my daughter a couple of years ago when she did want to give me kiss goodnight because I stunk...from smoking. I kicked the habit and we now go to our local YMCA to stay fit. Now I get goodnight kiss every night!

What motivates me to stay on top of my health is watching my mother struggle against an out of control diabetes, thyroid, high blood pressure, cholesterol and an excess of 125lbs. Together, we are working hard to achieve healthier lifestyles. One day, she too will be healthy. 
 
Thank you Bob Greene!

Who doesn't inpire me?!? Everywhere I look I find inpiration...in the 92 year old who walks to our office 3 miles one way to her appointment by choice. The single mom finally taking time to care for herself. To my kids who teach me something new each day.

The handwriting is on the wall so to speak. My age and the fact that I am obese are two markers that point in the direction of my getting diabetes within the near future. You could say I have awakened from a dream this year as all my health tests were within normal limits and I am fully aware that this isn't going to be the case too much longer. So while I still have a chance and a choice I am making a full effort and am losing the weight by eating more fruits,vegetables and higher fiber foods cutting back on white flour and sugar. I started the last week in December and have lost 12 pounds almost effortlessly, that is it hasn't been unpleasant at all! I actually feel much better in alertness, less aches and pains, more energy and my skin has improved a lot of extra benefits.

I am an 18 year breast cancer survivor. Although I am already an avid exercise enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to change up my workout schedule. 
 
Plus, I need Bob Greene's expert advice on important things like portion control and how to make wiser food choices. 
 
I guess I'm just one of those exercise junkies. For me, working out at the gym has been addictive. 
 
But, it has been a good addiction. 
 
I attribute my breast cancer survivorship to my passion for physical exercise. There is really something to be said for those endorphins being released.  
 
I always make it a point to think of all those women undergoing treatment for my disease, who can't get up and go out to a gym. I'm working up a sweat for each and every one of them! That's where I get my motivation! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What inspires me is the prospect of growing "old and feeble". I have watched relatives of mine have physical problems, and now can barely walk across the floor. I don't want that to happen to me. I am currently 50 years old and been divorced 5 years from a 28 year marriage to a pastor. After that heart-wrenching experience, I am finally feeling whole and well. I want the next 30 years of my life to be lived to the fullest! So exercise and eating properly are part of my new lifestyle...Notice I did not say diet. I want to live "healthy". I have been walking for 5 weeks and have worked up to 45 min. 6 times a week. Next week I will begin strength training. Aerobic exercise makes you live longer, strength training makes your life worth living....I am excited!!!!

Dear Best Life Team, 
 
Before I had my children I was in amazing shape. After having my children I stopped taking time for myself and got off track.  
 
That was a huge mistake, but so many of us stay at home moms do this to ourselves.  
 
Now I am reprogramming myself to take care of me too. I want to be around for a long time to watch my children grow up and the only way that is going to happen is if I start living my best life again. Winning this goody bag would be a great help. 
 
Thanks, 
 
Tricia B.

My college dorm friends who are very different from each other in world views, politics, spiritual practices, and gender views and who still get together to support, treasure, share,laugh, cry and enjoy each other 35 years later.

Last February I was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and diabetes at the same time. At the age of 37 and being generally healthy,it was a shock to me. I've had a year full of adventures and changes but after a miracle of being diagnosed "cancer free" for now...I want to focus on becoming as healthy and fit as possible. I am slowly regaining my normal energy levels after a year of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. I have a new zest for and perspective on life and hope to live a long time! I plan on living my own best life...and inspiring and helping others to live theirs.

I am inspired by life and my daughter-I have been given a second chance and want to deserve it. My daughter is a perfect teen, crazy and beautiful, who is fitness crazy and full of potential-making me want to be her best role model the way she is to me!

In May, 2009, I heard about the Wii Active. At the time I weigh 282 pounds. I purchased the Wii Active and started receiving the Bob Greene newsletter. I found an old Weight Watchers book while cleaning the basement, I now weigh 212 pounds. Portion control and exercise is what I found to lose weigh and change my health. No more backaches.

Bob Greene is my hero. After a health scare over two years ago I began making changes to live my "Best Life". With my physician's supervision and support from my family I've lost nearly 70 lbs. and participated in my first half marathon at age 50. I'm healthy and happy.

 
 
 
 
Begin Eating Smartly To 
 
Live It, Fit Enthusiasts . Concentrate On Moving! 
 
 
 
Being overweight, low self esteem and a heart disease risk assessment test with high risk results, ITS TIME!! I need to begin to remake myself. 
 

Becoming a grandmother has taught me the impact I have on the family. I haven’t put my “best” forward, I want to be an “example” for living my best life and not the “excuses” I have lived because it was easier. My family and Granddaughter Jazlyn deserves better from me. 
 

My 20s,30s,and 40s were filled with depression, pain, struggles, and things that I don't even want to mention. Reading SparkPeople and being encouraged by others as I struggle with my weight, arthritis and chronic pain, that I can do it, if I just hang in there and don't give up. Others made it and so can I.

The Lord inspires me. The Word tells me that MY body is MY Temple. It is my obligation to take care of it. Spiritually, emotionally and physically.

I am thankful for Bob, Oprah, Dr Oz and Dr Roizen who promote a healthy, realistic approach to losing weight and getting active. They have inspired me to become more realistic in my approach to my life managing food, fitness, children and job. Yes I want to lose weight, but now it is more about just being active and eating healthy regardless of where my weight journey takes me. Changing your lifestyle is an ongoing process that I work at everyday.

My inspiration will always be my grandfather who lived to be 100. His motto in life was: "Think POSITIVE and always take time to laugh!" His support to my grandmother while she had cancer was amazing. She just turned 90! Whenever you are down, just change the channel"!

My greatest inspiration is my friend Paulette. She has lost over 80 lbs in the last 2 yrs and kept it off. She is my coach, cheerleader, mentor and friend. I weigh over 300 lbs and I am to the point where I want to lose the weight, not because I need to lose it.

I want to live long enough to see both my grandsons get married. Most of my relatives have a weight issue, and I have been on a diets since the age of 11. Still trying to diet, and never winning. Maybe I will one day win the war, not just the battles.

My grandaughter inspired and continues too. She needs me to be around and I want to be around because my grandmother wasn't for me because of health problems and I truly missed it. Plus I love life!

Because I am obese and suffer from several illnesses that cause pain, fatigue, and severely limit activity, I know my life is shortened. Fearing that I may not be around to see my grandchildren grow up devastates me. Watching Dr. Oz show me what my organs and abundant fat cells look like because of what I am doing to my body is terrifying. I pray to God for help, and I pray that my idol, Dr. Oz, does pro bono counselling, because I need extensive assistence in both exercise for the disabled and meals requiring little to no preparation. I'll be happy to take whatever is freely offered. Thanks!

When life has me down, all I have to do is look at my two-year-old daughter for inspiration. Her excitement to get outside and do something active or make a new dinner together is all the encouragement I need in order to motivate me to live my best life!

My motto in life is (LIVE IN THE PRESENT, FOR LIFE IS A GIFT). I've over come verbal abuse from my childhood, sexually abused by my uncle, pushed through grades & my life was on the line along with my daughter at birth in 1995. Now the only thing I need to conquer is my weight. Mr B. Green would you please consider helping me out with my weight. 
 
OXO

Life is a gift and I celebrate it everyday. Thanks to all the encouraging messages just right here, on this very blog, what a joy to read about something positive!! Kepp up all the positivity "BL-ers"...if we are going to be junkies it might as well be something good for us right? :-)

I am 47 and I am not living my best life. I am motivated to attempt to possess my best life by the fact that I don't want to continue slugging along. I want to attain to BE a motivation instead of typing the name of someone else. Therefore, I realize it is up to me to rise above the BEFORE and become an AFTER.

Inspiration - to inspire - to encourage - to motivate. What inspires me? The mother who I run with who is going thru Chemo. The person who is beside me in the gym struggling just like I am. The person running ahead of me in a race... the person running behind me in a race... the person running with me. My mother who at 83 still plays volleyball with our family. My boys who encourage me. The other mothers in my group who comment that they could never be as active as me... especially when they are half my size. The women and men who are out there giving it their all to make life better for themselves and to set better examples for their families. If you open your eyes and your hearts there is inspiration everywhere... the mist on the leaves as I go trail running. The quiet on the roads as I ride my bike. It does not matter what you do as long as you do something... anything. Dance with your kids, play soccer, play tag. Just move and appreciate the fact that you can... I watched a man with no legs from the knee down race in the Iron Man.. I watched a father push, pulled and carried his quadraplegic son to complete a race. Take the "T" out of can't and put an "I" in front of it. Believe and you can achieve.  
 
Thanks, Joanne

I wonder if there is a work out for seniors that you could recomend ? I work with 32 seniors in adult day care, we could really use a good work out c.d. meantime I would really apprecaite any exercises I could share with the THANK YOU

In 50 words or less....ALL of the comments I have read on this post inspire me to live my best! I don't feel so alone. My 90 year old father inspires me because he has always lead a healthy lifestyle (and still has ALL his own teeth).

You ask, "what inspires you?" Reading all the postings, I have to say, "all the above". Some brought a tear, others I have shared the pain of low self esteem, lonliness and fear of failure with but, what has pushed me on is my youngest sister who's husband died in November, age 44. He looked the picture of health but he was diabetic and died of a massive heart attack due to blocked artries. At his service my sister asked all of us to please pay attention to our health, go to the dr when we should, don't put it off. She wanted her husband to be our example. My brother-in-law did go and he thought he was taking care of himself for his family but he started to late. He had the heart of an 80yr old. So, in his memory I WILL make changes in my life so I can live my best life. I am 61, same age as my mother when she died....I have to much I still want to do. Thank you Bob Greene and Oprah

What a motivating gift.

My body pain inspires me. I've been obese for most of my life and it's worn out my body. Doctor said yesterday that I need to lose weight to make my knees feel better. I don't want the balance of my life to be like the first 55 years.

I am approaching 50 Very soon and am having a wake up call. My mother passed away at age 51 in her sleep of heart failure and we didn't even know she had heart trouble. I have 4 children and now 2 Beautiful grandchildren and I find myself wondering if I am going to be around to enjoy them and see them grow up and become the wonderful people I know they are destined to be. This year I am going to try to eat better, get some more exercise and take time to enjoy my family and life in general. Life is too short to waste on the unimportnt. 
 

Well the actual truth is the inspiration did not come from me but from God. I've tried many times just to try to get motivated, but my strength came from up above. Now I read oxygen magazine and have used their 14 day meal plan just for starter and their workouts. I've also listened to Dr. Oz advice about the belly area is very important. So I eat well, i work on my abs 3x a week, and do cardio 4-5x a week. It's exciting to lose 1lb a week. Praise be to God.

Watching seniors who live longer, but not healthy lives versus those elders who live long lives and quietly pass away. Being sick and tired of being sick and tired, and not wanting this condition for my children.

My mom inspires me. At 80 with Alzheimers for 10 years, the doctors are in awe of her physical strength, health and wonderful spirit, even in her limited cognitive world. At 52, while praying Alzheimers passes me by, I am striving to be like her when I grow up.

My trainer Virginia inspires me. 
 
She has lost 60 lbs. and maintains despite adversity in her life. Her husband has cancer and Parkinsons. She is raising her 2 grandsons and manages to remain positive. She makes me feel like nothing is impossible.

My sister-in-law is being treated for breast cancer. During the course of her treatment she developed diabetes. She has remained so positive through chemo, even in pain & being tired. Sticking to a diet to the tee. Her strenght & attitude have been so amazing, that it makes me look at my lifestyle to treat myself better & apply following health rules I have been lacking.

My inspiration to live my best life is the Olympic athletes. They are so focused on eating healthy and training that they are inspiring role models!

My almost 11 yr old daughter inspires me! She reminds me of the age when nothing seemed impossible! At age 10, my self esteem was so intact, just like she is now. She advises me on what choices to make that will make me feel good and feel good about myself. I see my best self in her and I am so grateful for her love and inspiration.

My sister-in-law was hospitalized with her sugar at 500. She is obese & does no exercise. She sits in a chair & has developed bed sores & says she cannot do anything because of pain. How can a person get to this point of bad health with so much information at hand. Seeing this has motivated me to eat right, excercise & take care of my body. Thank you Oprah for informing us of valuable information about our health.

I have been trying to stay on task with my eating and everytime I do something new come up. What I would truly like is for some one to come up with something and grow on it not change it every other year to catch a new eye. You see I'll problem with over eating and not have enough time to excersie is still the same just need to dod it and stay focus, but every time it's a new book or a new plan work the plan give us something to hold onto so that we can do better on a daily bases. I know there are some quick fits but I all so know that we need a goal and to see that goal is just more than we can see all the time. The biggest fit is make ourselves important and love our selves and we say we do but we do not show it. We need help with loving ourselves and making ourselves important enough with going over board on ourselves. I went to the Dr. about my breast reduction and there was a lady there that was in her 40's or older and she was trying to look like barbie doll and she just is going a little to far. That's not what I'm talking about but to do what you need within reason. So help us that have rad sthe books and don't have the time to keep starting over, and over again but just walk into what we need to do. 
 
 
 
Thank you I hope you can understand were I'm coming from and were I need to go. Just not from a new begin but just begin without reading the same old stuff again!

I watched my friend Laura loose about 90 pounds and change her life! She explained to me how she took a good hard look at her current situation and went slowely making healthy changes that changed her body and her life as a whole. She is a beauliful glowing inspiring woman and I thought if she can do this...so can I. I want to live my best life! I want to and will be a healthy active vital human being! I have so much to share with the world! I might as well do it with a healthy body and mind! Thank you again for all that you do!

Everyone inspires me - they all have a little something to be in ahh of, a little something to say wow to. I may not use that "something" right away or not at all but we all have it we just need to grab it before it escapes us and it is gone forever.....

I draw my inspiration from my family and surroundings. I am going on my 28th year of having type 1 diabetes, but it has never slowed me down or stopped me from living my life. My husband and kids are wonderful. They make me want to keep on living.

Diagnosis:Type 2 diabetes. Blindsided! 42,not overweight, active,healthy, FT job I love,+ coach girls tennis,raising 2 truly good sons,5'6" and 160 at diagnosis. Life inspired me. Refused meds. Change life to keep it. Search and Research. Knowledge truly power. Thank you Bob for great information!!!!

At 54, I know who I am, what I want and how I want to look. My motivation comes from within and I try not to dissapoint myself. I eat healthy and exercise every day. If I get off track, remind myself of my goals and get on the right path again.

In my life up to now, I have focused totally on being supportive to others. I missed the point somewhere along the way. Now at this moment in time, I realize that I owe it to my Divine Creator who blessed me with Being to use ALL the gifts endowed to me. If I truly believe in my personal mantra of service to others, I need to start with myself. I hereby pledge to be in the best shape physically and metally. I will then best appreciate the gifts I have. I will continue to be inspired by empowering others as well as myself.

My awesome grandparents inspire me. At 84 they both are active, bowling every week, and recent fans of our Wii system. I too want to grow old with my wonderful husband, provide my son a great life, and play with my great-grandkids one day like they do.

My husband had AAA surgery in June which lasted 10 hours.During the surgery, blood flow was stopped to his left leg and he developed compound syndrome. I stopped watching my diet at that time and have not gotten back to taking care of myself and I know his diet should be better also. I need motivation for us both.

As a family who has always tried to live healthy for our children, in July '09 our 14 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She now inspires me more than ever to eat, exercise and live healthy. She never complains and is living life to it's fullest - she truly motivates and inspires!

My inspiration is my grandchildren. I want to be around to see them grow up.

After my sons' father walked out on us,i was left to raise a child on my own.The stress to a toll on me and my weight went up to over 260 pounds.I recently stared working out because i am inspired by lifes' possibilities and not wanting to leave my 3yrs old an orphan. This goodie bag will really help to keep me on track.

Inspiration comes in the form of a great public leader, or so I thought. My sister, Araceli, has shattered this previously held belief. She is courageously fighting cancer and every moment I spend with her, I am inspired to change my life, to improve my health, to live well.

As a mother and nurse my children and patients inspire me. I want to a role model for my teenage daughters – not easy with today’s societal pressures. I see the effects of lifestyle choices all the time – we are killing ourselves with the choices we make, very sad indeed.

I have been a Type II Diabetic for 3 years. I have been on several different medicines. Some of the medicines cause weight gain. I am now on one that is to help with weight loss. I just can't seem to get it off. I have been trying to do Weight Watchers for several years with not any great result. I can't wait to see your book I need new ideas I can try. Thanks for your inspiration.

I'm not very creative, but here goes. My so has COPD, asthma, and emphysema, and he refuses to let it curtail his lifestyle. He defies the odds and lives his life to the fullest.

I work with kids with disabilities 
every day. They never give up. they  
are an inspiration to me every day. 
They make me want to be a better 
teacher and to try harder to conquer 
my disability, which is and has always been, my weight. Don't ever give up.

My 7 year old daughter inspires me. After eight years of trying, there I was expecting my precious little one! I want run, play and dance with her and see her grow up. I want to enjoy each day and teach her how to be her healthy best also!

I am prediabetic, and have a 13 yr old grandson with type 1 diabetes, I am wanting food that is good and good for us.

i would love to have one

My inspiration to live my best life and be healthy is my family. Inspired to live as long as my 94 year old grandmother. I want to LIVE a healthy life, despite being a diabetic and having hypothyroidism. I want to feel like I think, that is young and healthy.

Relatives of mine have died from effects of diabetes, and some relative (close) have diabetes, poor vision, and kidney failure. I cannot afford such a breakdown in my lifestyle and health. I need to eat better and I need to exercise daily. I do exercise now, but only a few days a week. My real problem is knowing what to eat and what portions to eat. I am always hungry. I need to loose weight in order to stay fit.

I am determined to live my best life because I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart trouble. Watching the show today really compelled me to push myself forward. Life is too precious to squander it on not living your best life. I know this as I am going through the process of becoming a Kidney donor for one of my church members.He is currently on dialysis 3 times per week which breaks my heart. They are testing me for high blood pressure, kidney disease,etc to ensure that I am a good match. I am so emotionally attached to this process as I have to be healthly to give life and to preserve my own. I have no idea how this process will turn out. No matter what I am determined to live my best life . This includes eating right, exercising,etc. Thank you for your encouragement and your helpful tips to get this right. I am hopeful that I do not have to be a statistic as so many of my family members are, but I can be an example of someone who beat the odds and helped someone else live their best life.

Decision, to live. Hope, from education on correct principles. Results, from applying knowledge. Vitality, from positive body and mind changes. Choices, from healthful products available. Increased clarity, from self-discovery. And so it cycles. Sometimes, "life" happens; momentum is interrupted. Recovery, from remembering how, and love from others.

Posted @ Thursday, February 04, 2010 4:16 PM by Susan

I have a 12year old son with autism,it takes a lot of time and energy to take care of him,so I would like to live a "Better Life",so that I can see him acheive his life time goals and so that my husband and I can live a long and healthy life together.

I am inspired to live my best life because I want to give life. I am going thorough the process of giving a Kidney to a church member who is in desperate need of a Kidney.I must life my best life to give to someone who needs life.

God Bless Bob Greene, Dr. Oz. and Oprah. They all have inspried me to change my lifestyle. The information I receive from all three of them is eye opening! My lifestyle has changed dramatically. Lost 27 bls. this past year, exercise daily, and utilize Best Life partner products daily. Thank you for a new life!

My 48 year old son was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 several years ago.This year. at the age of 75, I was told that I was borderline. Diabetes does not run in our family but I want to show my son that I also can eat better and help us both get back in shape.

My inspiration is from my mother and my four children. My mother was a health nut taking vitiams and doing all the right things but she had bad health. She didn't eat right was one of her problems. She didn't drink achcolo but she did smoke for 20 years before she stopped. She had a stroke at the age 47 and died at 67 years of age. 
 
I knew I didn't won't to have bad health like her, so I live right haven't never smoked nor have taken any drugs. 
 
Now that I'm a mother of 4 children I wanted to cook the right foods for them when they where young but as they grew older they ate the wrong foods and drinking sodas. I may have cooked the wrong foods along with the good foods,not knowing it at the time like potatoes or rice and sugar in my tea. I'm learning now so I help help myself as well as my grown children. I hope to help my future generation to be healthier.

I saw you on Oprah. I have read your previous book. I am just like everyone else it is a shame to say. Just like Dr. Smith said, "it is a culture thing, no matter how educated we are." A doctor once said to me that you did good, you only gained two pounds since the last visit, which was a yearly visit. And then he said that you know you don't want to come back every year gaining two pounds. And I thought why not, that's not bad. But the years have taught me that he was right. I am now over 200 hundred pounds. And you know I didn't think of myself as obese until I had to have knee surgery and now I am currently going through back therapy. Culture makes it hard to change your ways. And we live in denial. The show today has made me realize I must do something to help myself, as a diabetic, a person with high blood pressure and with high cholesterol. Both of my pregnancies were babies at 8 and 9 pounds. My mother was diabetic and I can remember a grand cousin who had her leg amputatd from having "sugar". Habits are hard to change and then add in family culture and it is really hard. Help me to help myself, send me your book on diabetes. I am ready to save my life and my daughter's life. I told her to start now to help herself and she has been trying to break the chain. She is exercising and trying new foods, getting away from the family cultural eating. And I am trying but only at the baby steps level. I need to get moving and eating right. Thanks for today's show.

My grand children keep me wanting to improve myself so that I will always have the energy to enjoy the things that they haven't experienced yet and as long as I can keep my health good I have the honor to experience all these things over with the wonder of seeing them again through my grandbabies!!

I have been inspired by all, Oprah, Dr. Oz & Bob Greene to finally make the choice to get my life under control and only I can do it. I would love to win the free products so I can utilize them to finally get my Health and weight under control. I was going to donate my kidney to my good friends brother, but instead had it removed because of a mass on 1/2 the size of my kidney. Now I have blessed to get this great job at a dialysis clinic and have seen what NOT taking care of your health and keeping your weight under control can do to someones life. I DO NOT want to be in their shoes, but I am afraid if I don't get really educated and figure out this whole weight issue I have, I will be one of them.I want to learn to take care of the ONE kidney I do have before I lose it. Thank you to all who have the gift of helping people live their best life ever!!!! I pray that I will get healthy soon.

This was a great show today,,caught my eye as a diabetic. 
 
Amazed at the best life sight, would not have viewed but oprah's show opened my eye to listen and do more for myself. Starting right now to a better life style. 
 
Thanks for the show and great information. Hooked

My biggest inspiration are my grandchildren. My oldest grandchild is only 6 years old. I get such immense pleasure from my grandchildren I do not want to not be around and miss a minute. I also am inspired by the financial ramifications from ill health. My mother was in self-induced ill health and spent a significant some of money every month on drugs just to stay alive. I am inspired because I'm worth it!!!

I had an a-ha moment recently when my son brought this note home in his backpack... "I must always remember how important I am. If I believe in myself I can do many great things."

I really had a wake-up call last month when my doctor told me that I had Type 2 Diabetes, let me tell you that it really was a shock. I have exercised since 1976 but never really followed a diet. I really would like to know how many grams of carbs we are allowed each day. I am slightly overweight but I want to keep healthy for my daughters and their families. I have 7 handsome grandsons and I want to see them all healthy and active. I really would love to  
 
have your book to explain what I should do to keep on track. 
 
love to have 
 

i want to live

At age 7, my father suffered a major coronary. In saying goodbye to him, he passed on his "tools" to me. Those "tools", hammers, saws, pliers, etc., inadvertantly were in the words of his doctor, Dr. Donaldy, who frequently greeted my dad with, 'Walter, you poor boy, too soon old, too late smart'. My father passed away five grueling years later with a legacy greater than a simple working man's tools. He had always advised me to work hard, always try your best and go to school to become a teacher. I now have surpassed my father's lifespan by eleven years after taking his advice explicitly but find myself "too soon old and too late smart". Dr. Oz now motivates me to make the very best of whatever time I have left to be a good example to my family and friends in seeking good health as the very best way of life.

I am at home all day without being able to do many exercises,see I have had two surgerys on my left ankel in the past five years it made have nerve damage when the last one was done,so I,m not able to stand or sit with my knee bent for no more than 15 mins. without hurting real level 10 pain .I gained up to a 187 pds. doing this time,my regular weight had stayed at 150 , that was hard to manage even while I was still working.so I am on workercomp.and disability soc. sec.no appette most of the time now ,I make myself eat something and still the weight is coming faster in the last 6 months. I eat heathy most of the time fruits and vegtables everyday I,m tired of doing it,now that it not working .I need a motivater or trainer both.I,m really depresssd with this.No one in my life want to eat right so I be alone a lot and my main concern is my walk with the lord is being obedience to GOD when it come to my temple .can you help me please? GOD BLESS YOU MS HEARD P.S. I am 53 yrs. old with a 36and 33 yr old everyone think i,m older when they know my kids age i devorce ther father while they were young that didn,t age me or make me gain weight so what,s up ?Help me please.THANKYOU

I was diagnosed with colon cancer a little over a year ago. While on chemo I developed diabetes. I beat the cancer and now I am determined to beat this diabetes. I am inspired to beat it because of my new Grandaughter, Mia. She was born just a month before I was diagnosed with the cancer and I fought to live longer for her! I would treasure any help I could get like the videos and books!

I joined Best Life to lose weight for me 
 
I joined so in my body I feel free 
 
 
 
I joined Best Life to shine 
 
Because I wanted my life to be mine 
 
 
 
I joined Best Life to be fit 
 
I want my body to be a hit! 
 

What inspires me to live my best life is my daughter. Her example, her drive and positive attitude inspire me to feel more hopeful and empowered to make necessary changes in my life.

I'AM A NEW WIFE WITH MY HUSBAND A DIABETE,HES 64 AND I'AM 57. AND WANT A LIFETIME WITH HIM HEALTHY.

My sister is a diabetic and My dad is extremly overweight,I see them struggle.I don't want that life. My inspiration is My own self Health and My Children. First I have to be healthy for me so I can live a long and strong life for them.

My family inspires me to live my very best life. I do this for my children, to see them grow, and become successful, and have families of their own.

What inspires me to live my best life : At only 32, I wake up every morning acking and dragging myself out of bed to take care of my 2 beautiful kids - ages 2 years / 4 months. I realised that I don't want to drag myself out of bed anymore, I want to jump out of bed and smile my biggest smile because I'm now living my best life !

My biggest inspiration is my family especially my 11 year old granddaughter who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes less than a month ago. Having to watch her testing her blood and being given shots several times a day has truly changed my life. It seems as though I've spent most of my adult life on one diet or another to no avail. My weight has gone up and down through the years. But now I'm ready to take my health seriously and start a life change instead of a diet. My future depends on it.

Save my life Bob! my sister (67) had breast cancer,masectomy,17 lymph nodes.my brother (73 has had 2 heart attacks,a stroke, and is a nursing home, my brother (70years)recently died with lung,bone, and liver cancer. please help me learn how to live!!!

Who is my inspiration to live the best life, it has to be me. I have to be my the one who makes the choice to live a better life!

My inspiration is my youngest daughter Stacy who had surgery for a brain tumor and radiation when it returned.She has so much faith. She works but still makes time stay in shape. She says God gave us our bodies and its up to us to care for them.

I did it for myself, to live long and enjoy life. I wanted to take care of loved ones. My parents have learned healthy eating and exercise. My nieces look up to me and have taken an interest in healthy lifestyle. I enjoy sharing with others and watching them suceed.

I have seen my Mother live with Diabetes for over thirty five years and I thought that maybe it would not reach me the third child May 2009 it did.Now my only child has inspired me to live a better life for the both of us.

I have had diabetes for several years, I had rotator cuff surgery and couldn't do any exercise for almost a year, happened about ten years ago, I am taking a pill twice a day to help keep the sugar under control. But what I don't understand is when I do all housework, cleaning, mopping,vacumning my sugar goes up, even when I walk for about twenty minutes, And when I get up in the a.m. it is usually high. But I try to watch what I eat pretty carefully as my father had diabetes and lost his leg below his knee and I don't want that to happen to me. Plus I am a borderline for heart trouble which runs in my mother's side of the family so I take aspirin every nite and my cholestral pill. And I go to the doctors to have my blood work done regularly. But I just can't seem to lose the weight I want. I lost 28 lbs. when I lived in Wi. for year after I lost my husband, but now I am back in Texas and living with my son and wife. I enjoy listening to all the health related talks on Oprah and have seen you several times and Dr  
 
Oz also. So if there is any way you can advise me to lose that belly fat, I don't have alot but it makes me sick to look at it, I sure would appreciate it. Forgot to tell you I have a back problem and the surgeon said no surgery at this time as I am handling it pretty well with all the other things going on. So some times I can't walk to far. Any advice would surely be appreciated. By the way I am 77 years young, but really don't look it, I try to take care of myself. And to top it off now my son has a heart and lung problem and are doing a third biopsy again tomorrow so we have alot going on,he is only 57. Thank you for your time and good work, you have inspired me as well as my father who had been deceased along time as well as my mom. God bless you for all your doing.

I was diagnosed with diabetes 4 yrs 
 
ago. I tried very hard to follow the rules and exercise. 2 yrs ago, my 27 yr old son died and I just didn't give a damn anymore. I ate what I wanted, quit exercising. 
 
Thank God I didn't do any serious 
 
damage. My H1c is 5.6. I realized that this is not what my son would have wanted for me and even though I'm stll grieving, I need to respect that he nagged me constantly as he wanted me to be around to see his grandchildren. My daughter is getting married in June and I want to get back in shape and lose 40 lbs by then. She has been nagging me to take care of myself and lose weight for my health. Both of them are my greatest inspiration and incentive to stay healthy.

My inspiration, my beautiful family especially my granddchildren. They bring so much joy to my heart. They are at an age where they can participate in running races with me, and teaching them to live a healthy lifestyle is truly awesome.

My twins inspire me. My father died when I was 10; now I'm 45 and obese. I now have Diabetes and other health problems related to obesity. I want to be around for my family. With my kids inspiration, I've joined a gym and pledged to live my best life.

My inspiration is my 8-year old daughter who has type-1 diabetes and eats healthy since her diagnose. She looks up to me. Sadly, I'm 80lbs overweight, I hardly exercise, I have high risk for diabetes, and I do not eat healthy like my daughter. My other inspiration is my father who is dealing with diabetic complications due to poor control.  
 
 
 
I can not live like this anymore. I do not want to end up like my father specially when my daughter depends on me.

I am a type 2 diabetic and what inspired me to live my best life is simply...me. I managed to change my life enough to prevent Diabetes for 6 years when I first diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and I now have it under control with minimum meds.

I am currently inspired by my co-worker who was recently diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes. Christine's persistence to learn everything about diabetes is amazing. I believe Christine knows more than most general practitioners. Christine's struggle to get her blood sugar under control has been SO hard but she will conquer it.

I've been overweight after I had three children. As I get older, I'm being diagnosed with high blood presser, osteopenia and borderline cholesterol and sugar. I use The Best Life website for recipes and tips. I can also track my food intake. I want a good life for my family.

Love yourself 
 
Indulge in your passion 
 
Victory, overcoming any struggle 
 
Exercise daily 
 
 
 
Make a difference 
 
Yes I can! 
 
 
 
Be kind 
 
Everyday is a gift 
 
Smile, it looks good on you 
 
Tell yourself, I'm worth it 
 
 
 
Laugh much 
 
I'm hungry for challenge 
 
Fill my bucket 
 
Eat smart

I have been inspired by many Oprah, Bob Greene, Dr. Oz have all been a great team to get the word out to "live your best life"!!! I believe God through them - He wants all to live their best life! We all need to take their advice to heart and apply it to our lives to achieve healthy goals! This is not the first year they have succeeded in getting the word out to the people. I thank them for their efforts to inspire others..because of that I have achieved my goal to be 150# before 50! I thank God and this team who has truly been a inspiration to me! Healthy Fit and Strong is now my mantra, it is not a "Diet" it is a healthy way to "live your best life"! 
 
Sharon Bailey

My inspiration to live the best life stems from my love of my children and realization that medicine and doctor appointments aren't going to improve my life without new action on my part. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2008 my doctor said she can only do 10% of the work with prescriptions and that 90% of it was up to me. Those words are very true. Especially now that I have lost health insurance, I want to lose enough weight to get off most of my 9 current prescriptions.

My motivation lies in my family history of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Now my husband has been diagnosed with diabetes and he looks to me for direction. (He is actually starting to listen now.) Both of us must start living The Best Life permanently.

Have all your books and now the workout cd from wii and love the encouragement and the doability of the workout. My husband has type 2 diabetus and would love to learn more of what I can do for himThanks

I think what you are doing is great. There is lots to learn everyday. My mother who is a mother of 4, a grandmother to 12, and a great grandmother to 1;has type 2 Diabetes and is a polio survivor. She has had 1 of her hips replaced in the last few years and had her legs leveled as she always had one leg longer than the other which was difficult to walk. She has had several sergeries on her feet as a child due to polio..Being disabled is difficult enough but she is very much over weight and is an emotional eater. She loves to bake and needs to change her eating style. She loves Paula Dean shall I say more. Exercise is and can be a challange for her and having the Nintendo wii fit board and games would be very benificial to her or anyone.I bought her Bob Greens book for christmas and try and keep her on track which is difficult her diabetes is high and she also has signs of heart disease. She is very happy go lucky and I want to see her stay that way for a very long time. Watching Oprah and Dr.Oz yesterday was very overwhelming a definate eye opener. 
 
Nancy

My mum has always been my role model and at 93, continues to be my inspiration. She is crippled with arthritis and 2 knee replacements, but never gives up. She asked for a recumbent bike for Christmas this year and hasn't missed a day of doing at least 15 minutes.

Living and loving you, me and family 
 
Make me want to be healthier 
 
Encourages me to try new recipes… 
 
Fresh fruits and vegetables... 
 
Shifts my bottom into gear 
 
Walking, dancing 
 
Exercising 
 
Grabbing the horns of inaction 
 
Spinning into healthier living 
 
For me, so I can be there for you. 
 

I chose to be a spectator of my life for years now I am a participant.  
 
I eat right, exercise and have lost from 211-138. I realized life is too short to not embrace everything it has to offer.  
 
Now, I choose me and, finally, I love me!  
 

My husband inspires me. He has been battling cancer for 8 years & is on his third round of chemo. Just watching what he has to go through is enough to make me thankful. I've lost 100 lbs, need the help to keep it off.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!! My daughter cried as she told me she was afraid I would die, "Please start eating right & try to excercize". My husband said please try harder, I want to grow old with you! I suffer from chronic pain. PLEASE, I NEED A BODY MAKEOVER!!!

Bob Greene, Oprah and Dr. Oz 
YOU inspire us all.  
And our First Lady, Michelle Obama 
has chosen the most important cause to 
stand up against - childhood obesity. 
My 12 year old son Tiger Greene, 
my husband and I 
will be on the Dr Oz show Feb 19th. 
Tiger and Brian are beginning what  
I am sure will be a long road but an 
amazing journey into getting healthy. 
We would love to share this journey with others, especially other kids who are fighting the fight that Tiger is. 
Yes we can - do this together ! 

I was just 15 when my oldest brother was fatally injured in a car accident. Life is so short! Now, I am married to my high school sweetheart and we are blessed with two beautiful healthy boys. I don't want to miss a minute with them! They inspire me to do whatever I can to be the best mom I can be.

I JUST HAD SURGERY, WILL BE DISABLED FOR A WHILE, LOST MY JOB BECAUSE OF MY LIMITATIONS, BUT BECAUSE OF YOU AND FOOD SITE CALLED THE TREASURE BOX, I AM VERY SLOWLY STILL LOSING WEIGHT, EVEN THOUGH I CANNOT EXERCISE YET.

This is a great giveaway would love to win it...I am over 400lbs and am a diabetic I really need to start doing something about my weight

I~Invest in myself 
 
N~Nuturing my body/mind and spirit 
 
S~Self Esteem 
 
P~Perseverance 
 
I~Inspire others 
 
R~Resilience 
 
E~Exercise 
 
 
 

One doesn't have to look very far to find motivation, the thing is to keep moving forward and never let that feeling go. It's easy to start a new health program, but then day 2 rolls around. By not forgetting the motivating factors..family, having the energy to travel, doing things i never thought i could...what motivates me? Its visualizing the life that I've always wanted to live. Keeping that feeling alive, I will make it to day 3. Time to walk the dog!

WHat inspires me is my Yoga practice. I am 47 Cancer Survivor and I have found great teachings in yoga My teacher Sheryl and of course Seane Corne. They always make realize that we are all worthy of this life and to shine the light inside of us. Ecerything we need we already have we just have to access it. Cancer changed me. We have to all take care of ourselves and we all have a beautiful light that needs to shine from inside.

I have always been inspired by the fear of diabetes. It does run in my family. However, I became even more inspired on Tuesday, February 2nd. My daughter's fiance's mother died very unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. She was just beginning a diet to get ready for their September wedding. My kids were so traumatized. They cried and cried and said to me over and over, "Please keep going to the gym so that we don't ever have to go through this." Watching the raw grief of the family over the past three days has inspired me to continue working out and renew my goals of staying healthy and losing about 50 pounds.  
 
Trish

Only one that inspires me to take care of what I have been given, the Almighty One. Why would I want to treat my body poorly when it is such a gift from Him? Praise Him for what he has given me daily!!!!

My inspirations are many. My true inspirations come from God. He not only made me, he made all the people who I have come across in my current lifetime of 50 years. My motivation has to come from me. I have to say "Yes, I can!" and I am the one who has to act on my thoughts. I have many that have encouraged me, but it has to be me who decides what actions to take. I choose now because I want to look and feel better for my next 50 years of life!

My inspiration comes from within, I want to be the best I can be for myself. Many years of diets and failed attempts I am successful for the first time. I realized that I am worth it and deserve to be the best I can be. 80lbs and still going!

Who won the giveaway? Thanks!

It is 6:15 in the morning and officially I am the BIG 50. Today is my birthday, but the harder to handle news came in April. A checkup showed a cholesterol level of 254. I refused to go on medicine. Fiber has become my best friend. Cereal, toast, you name it I put oat bran on it. I will beat this with exercise and healthy eating.Turning 50 and high cholesterol, I can tackle them both!

I Really Like This I Am Ten Years Old And I Am 75 Pounds. And I Would Really Like To Lose 30 Pounds . And I Have A Cousin And She Is 80 Pounds .And She Would Really Like To Lose 20 Pounds . So We Whant To Do That Very Much. And This Inspired Us To Lose Weight (: I Love This Website . Very much ..

I can't believe how big this conversation is getting!