L.I.F.E.

Life - the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence:

Busy - Sustaining much activity

These two words and definitions define what has been going on.  Because of life and business, I have not the time to blog.  Let me catch you up to date...

I have finished the "official" biggest loser program.  Over all I have lost 32 pounds since January.  I continue to workout and eat right, as well as stay in contact with the people in the program.  I am also going to continue with the program by helping out in different capacities.

My father, father-in-law and best friend were and are very ill.  Both dads had surgery, one with a blocked bowel and the other for a gangrenous gallbladder.  My friend was diagnosed with severe IBS and thyroid cancer.  I have been taking the time to help them out/care for them/talk with doctors, nurses, specialists, etc...

I finished with the census four weeks ago only to be called back to start a new project.  I am happy for the additional income/unhappy for the time it takes away from my home and family and friends, as well as my exercise routines. 

We pulled out our micro sized lawn to put in a cottage garden.  It is beautiful, but boy did it take some time and energy to do. 

My daughter is expecting our first grandchild in December.  I am going to fly out the beginning of August to visit her.  I can't wait!!!  I am also planning a shower for her (she really doesn't want one, but what new mom could not use the blessings of needed baby things).

What a difference one year makes.  What a difference a busy life makes.

And Now For Something Completely Different (sort of)

Hey check out the new blog that I am sharing with Brig (my daughter).  It is about food and other healthy-type stuff!  It's called Real Food Rots.

Challenge

Another weigh in last night.  I worked really hard this past week.  Zumba, kickboxing, surging and strengthening exercises.  Salads, protein and good fat.  Increased my daily calorie count and made lots of good choices. 

The result...Da ta da.......nothing.  No change, nada...

I could have been really discouraged, but surprisingly I wasn't.  Okay, another change...in the past, I would have given up and started eating what I wanted and lay around because what does it matter anyway, I am not losing weight. 

But now I have to say that yesterday I gave myself a new challenge.  I am training for a 5k.  The Hubs, who use to run, but doesn't anymore because of knee surgery, agreed to train with me and run it as well.  Two old gimps doing this together.

We have several friends who are or have fought the good fight of breast cancer.  My mother passed away from breast cancer.  So we are going to do the Race for a Cure 5k in exactly one month.  May 23rd.  That means a lot of training between now and then.  But I am looking forward to it.  Really and truly looking forward to it.

Having a goal, a purpose is something I need to keep me going on this road to health.  I am constantly reminded about Paul's letter to the Philippians, verse 3:14  "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heaven prize for which God, through Jesus Christ is calling us".  Yes, at this point I am taking this quite literally, but this is also the verse I am striving to accomplish each day spiritually as well.

I am changing and pressing on, will you join me?

The Long Haul

My goal last week was to lose 3 lbs.  Well, sad to say, not only didn't I lose three pounds, I gained 1.  That's right, I gained a pound.  

After talking with the leaders of the BLC, I was told that it will take much longer for me to lose weight than the average person because of my thyroid issues. (I had part of it removed several years ago)  I felt very sad and discouraged to say the least.  But Dr. J assured me that by staying on the program I will lose the weight.  Right now I am getting in shape and that is proven by the inches lost. (27")  He told me his s-i-l had her thyroid removed and he worked with her for over a year and then all of a sudden she lost 30 lbs. in one month.  Her body finally kicked in and started working the way it was created to work. 

We only have seven weeks to go, but I am in this for the long haul. I may not win, but I will continue to eat clean and healthy, workout six days a week and make good choices for me and my family.  As for tonight, I am going to do my boot camp workout with the gang and be encouraged...

Kicking And Screaming

Well I did it.  I took my first kickboxing class.  It was Fun with a capital F!!!  When I first arrived, I realized I was the biggest person there.  The others were thin and fit and already warming up on the spin bikes (another class I may join one day).  I nervously looked around and thought, oh boy, am I in trouble.  Within a few minutes of standing there the personal trainer came in wanted to start right in.  At that point a familiar looking person came up to me and low and behold it was a friend from years back.  We went to church together and our children were in the Children's ministry together.  She said not to worry and to take it slow and easy. 

At that point we started.  I want all of you to know that not only did I not take it slow and easy, I kept up with everyone!!  My old friend even committed about how well I did, I surprised her.  See, that just means you can't judge a book by the cover.  It was truly fun and challenging and I am looking forward to doing it again next week. 

Thoughts

As a part of the BLP(Biggest Loser program), there are devotions we do every week.  I wanted to post some of the highlights. 

Lose the unrealistic Expectations...gain real hope.  From the book, "What have you got to lose?" by Stephen Arterburn.

1. I must be perfect for God to work in me.  Holding on to this kind of thinking, we tend to cover up our problems and be dishonest about our struggles because we think God is looking for perfection.
2. I've screwed up so many times it's just too late.  It's never too late with God.  Never!!!
3. I can do this alone.  If you can do it alone you would have done it by now.

I have to admit that I have said all of the above at one time another.  I just really need to realize that with God all things are possible.  They truly are!  Also, I need to be honest about why I let myself get to be the way I was.   Just some thoughts to ponder.

Kicking It Up

I changed my blog title because of the many changes taking place in my life right now.  I want to tell you that change is an understatement.  If you read my post yesterday, you will remember me talking about the running I am doing now, that is totally not me.  I NEVER RAN, NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER....   My daughter and husband did.  My brother and sister-in-law on my side did and does.  The Hubs family, almost all of them, did and do, but NEVER EVER ME!!!!  NEVER!!!  So now I am running a bit, not a huge amount, usually with surging and boot camp style training, but it is running none the less. 

Today I went to the gym to workout.  Well, I took my new shoes, which I will not wear outside yet, with me. (Yea, the nerd in me can stand the idea of getting them dirty.)  Because of this I needed to get a locker.  I brought a lock in which to lock up my horrible shoes (the salesman's term not mine) and my pocketbook.  The lock was too big and didn't work on the locker and I couldn't bring all my junk into the workout room with me, so I had to leave.  On the way out, I picked up the new class schedule and stopped at the counter.  Guess what I did???  I signed up for two classes, Total Body Sculpt and Kickboxing!!!  Yes, that's right, I enrolled in two classes along with my regular workouts.  Another change, something else I have NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER done before.  So now, along with surging and boot camp, which I have to do six days a week, I will be sculpting (my body not clay) and kickboxing.  This will be very interesting. 

Stay tuned.