It works...

Bo and I began this journey about three weeks ago, and I have to update what we have encountered. I like list so I will make a top ten list because that is how I roll.


10. Remove salt from your life. Remove it. I know that it allows taste and it does make things taste better, but it is also a retainer of water and you will feel fatter and more bloated.


9. Read labels. It is vital to read what you are putting in your body. A few years ago in a Lent challenge I gave up preservatives. From that point on I have tried to make a conscience effort as to what I was feeding my body. Take a note as to what the ingredients are. If you can't read them, then don't eat them. Make sure that the sodium levels are low.


8. Having a trainer three days a week is no joke. Lucas pushes me and obviously knows that he is doing. This is what his degree is in and he is very knowledgeable. I don't always like him but I am always grateful.


7. Losing body fat doesn't always mean the scale will move. Losing body fat and building muscle are two different things. So as you build muscle and burn fat you wont always see a difference on the scale.


6. Not having salt in your life always you to feel what I call "deflated". It is a nice feeling when you don't feel bloated.


5. Work together. Support whomever your partner is. You need to keep them around for your remaining years together.


4. Take pictures of your journey.


3. Give it time. A habit doesn't become that unless you have done it for 21 days. It didn't take you overnight to get where you are, so therefore you wont reach your goal overnight.


2. Eat something that isn't on your new plan. Yes I said it! Eat it, feel how it makes you feel like crap and then you will remember that feeling next time.


1. Be proud! Bo and I have both lost a combination of 12 lbs and 5% body fat all in about 3 weeks.
Share your joys with social media. Share your joys with your friends, that is what they are there for. Find joy.

Get Going...

So I have realized that I have been away for 2 years.  A time to get back to it. A time to journal again. Journaling is good for two things. It is something that will allow others into your daily life and then it will allow you to see your life progress. I know that I need to get going, get going on changing myself internally.


 I want to see it as a metamorphosis of sorts:
Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation.






Being able to peel away the layers of what I have heard about myself and the negativity of it all is my goal in this new journey. I know that in a natural metamorphosis it takes time. A caterpillar will make metamorphosis into a butterfly in about 32 days. Now I know that this metamorphosis will take longer than 32 days. I am trying to break down feelings and misunderstandings of myself over the past 35 YEARS. But as Bo and I begin to change our habits and lives in 12 weeks I pray that it will evolve into new thoughts.




Life is about choices.

Lent in a Legalistic Society...

Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, during which Christians purify themselves by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, and making changes and sacrifices in their lives. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. So according to a definition this is a time that we are using to make sacrifices and changes in our lives. I have heard people since Wednesday say, “Oh you have to do it now? Our church doesn’t do it now. “or “ Aren’t you being legalistic about this?”, or “I’m not sure what I would sacrifice.” We live in a world where there are so many rules that we feel we have to follow. Rules that tell us what to do when, how to do it, how much to do, how less to do it, what to eat, what not to eat, where to go, what is healthy, what isn't healthy... Get my drift? This has really put me to thinking about what and why I am giving up what I gave up this year. The key word in my mind is a sacrifice. Does that always mean that we have to give up food? Not necessarily, but most do because in today’s society we see food as our addiction. Look at your life. What do you depend on that you think you can’t live without? Last year my sacrifice was Facebook. I removed myself from social media, removed the app from my phone to use my time to spend with PEOPLE, not their faces on a phone or a computer screen. This year it is processed foods and preservatives. Yes it is food. But I find myself this year trying to allow my body to become healthier. If I lose weight in the process great, but I have to start looking at what goes in my body. I only have one. In using this 40 days to sacrifice processed foods, I have to say I have had to rely on strength from prayer. You say, “That is crazy. You prayed to not eat a preservative, or something processed?” Yes I have, and I will continue to do so for the next thirty some odd days. I feel that if we become judgmental of those who are sacrificing either by what they are doing, or HOW they are doing it, then in turn we have to look at our own lives. Sacrifice what you can, do the best you can do. It isn’t about what you give up, it the preparation of your heart and reflect on what Christ has done for us. Yes He never made mistakes, so when he chose to fast with the 40 days and 40 nights in the desert he made no mistakes. That is why He is the only perfect person that was/is. Here is my challenge to you today. Don’t let the legalistic society that we live in today bog you down in your choices. Will you backslide? Of course we all do. But maybe there is something that you could do without for the next 32 days that could lead to a life change for the future years.

My Body is Connected How...

Many of you know that today was my first session with an acupuncturist. Was I nervous? Yes, indeed I was, but I have to find a resolution to this pain in my heel. So far I haven't found a doctor who could help me with the bursitis in my heel yet. I finally caved and decided that I would at least give acupuncture a shot. I am desperate my friends. So here is an account of how it all went down today. I went into the office and filled out paperwork about my lifestyle and basic information that any doctor would ask. Anything from my sleep habits to my digestive habits. Katie, owner and acupuncturist, at The Center of Bliss was who worked on me. She was wonderful to answer any questions that I had along the way. I laid on a table much like that of a massage table, with music in the background and dim lighting like that environment of a massage and she talked me through the entire thing. She showed me the needles and in each place she would tell me when she was inserting the needles. Many times she would ask me to breathe in and breathe out and then she would put the needle in. Now here is the crazy part. Each needle had a different sensation at each point. The ones that hit nerves connected to my stomach had a dull ache to them. The ones for my heel I couldn't even feel. Just a strange sensation. Once all needles were inserted, all 17 of them, she left me in the room alone to rest. Now rest my friends it was. It was the most relaxing experience I have ever had. It was almost like an out of body experience. I know you are rolling your eyes now, but truthfully was. I then began feeling my legs twitch and then pain in my heel was pretty prominent for about 30 seconds. All normal. She says it was intense blood flow to the areas that were needed. As I lay there I really couldn't sleep as she told me but I was then beginning to understand how our bodies are all connected. Nerves and muscles in your thigh are connected to your heel. So when the needle is inserted in your thigh it does make a difference in your heel. I had more in my left foot where the bursitis is, so that was understandable, but the ones in my hands, and even the one in my forehead still baffles me. I know that it is all connected together and that the majority of the time when you have injuries, if you take better oxegynated blood to the area there is a quicker healing time. Now do I believe it all yet? Not really. I can't tell a difference yet. I was told to soak my feet today, walk tomm,and then try running Saturday. She told me it was going to be an on/off fix. It was a gradual pain decrease. So I am scheduled to see her next Thursday again. I have been told to give it 3 times to see a difference, and I will. As all I want is to be able to be pain free all over my entire body. I want to have no stomach issues, less stress and anxiety, and also to be able to run enjoyably. So that is a recap of how it all went down. Was it worth it? Heck yes, if anything the rest and relaxation was amazing. I just wish now we had a community based clinic like they do in Asheville, NC. With that it is more community based and it is much much less expensive.

Woe is me... NOT!

I sit at home tonight and look around. Candle burning, glass of wine in hand, all decorations are packed up and I realize how fortunate I really am. We all complain about this and that, I wish I had this, I wish I had gotten that for Christmas, if we could just have that much money to have that remodeled. But in all reality is that the important part of what life is about. Yes a smooth life makes living much easier, but dont you think that the speed bumps make us more of who God wants us to be? He never said that he would take away the pain of the speed bumps, He never even said that there wouldn't be speed bumps. Look at who you have become because of those ups and down. We complain about the little things, and yes there are some things that are HUGE issues that we encounter. The little aches, the little pains, the disgruntled people in our lives, the more expensive bill that we have to pay, but look at it this way: Because you have those hiccups in life, you are alive. *Think of those who this Christmas didn't even have the energy or will power to put the decorations up. *Think of families in CT who this year changed their lives entirely. *Think of families tonight as the bitter cold and wind blows are trying to block the cold with coats and cardboard. *Think of those who this year who are having to explain to their children that Santa some how must have accidently missed their house. *Think of maybe your neighbors who just need a quiet smile, or a gentle hello and the joy it could bring to their heart. So I look at how fortunate I am and the life that Bo has provided for both of us. We are blessed. We are overly blessed. If you are reading this now, I ask that you make a promise to yourself this year. Try to do something for someone daily, weekly, monthly to make them smile. Just as a friend posted on Facebook: Give today, as it is better to give than to receive anything.

You did what?????

It has been a while I know since I have blogged. No excuse, just haven't done it lately, but I felt that with this weekend's bucket list check off I should blog about the experience, the emotional journey, and the physical journey. So about 15 months ago a friend mentioned that we should try and do a 5K. Key word try! I had always danced and been active, but never had a drive to run. We started the program in July with Fleet Feet and in October of 2011 I ran my first 5K. I got the bug then. I ran a few other 5K's and then began the training for 10K, with the Cooper River Bridge in mind as a goal race. That training was what I would call a little physical on your body, but it was accomplishable. I was exhilarated to reach the end saying that I had run my first 10K. Then I got this crazy idea, as all runners do, that I would train for a half marathon. I thought at least I can try and then if I am not able, then I will stay with 10K's. So 16 weeks ago training began. We met every Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday for our scheduled runs. I did fine and was very excited with each mile that I ran. Towards the end of training though I had what we thought in the beginning to be plantar fascitiis, a runner's nightmare, so I began phsyical therapy and it wasn't getting any better. I had to back off running and began to think that a half wasn't feasible. After more therapy we discovered that it wasn't PF that it was bursitis in my heel. I kept running because I had a goal in mind and I wasn't a quitter. This continued and a few weeks ago I was running a basic 4 miler and at mile 1 my knee just quit. I couldn't run anymore. I couldn't go, I couldn't bend it, I could barely walk... It felt like the walk of shame back down Augusta Rd and back to Fleet Feet! Phsycial therapist said that it didn't look torn or terribly swollen, so I doped up on Advil for weeks and kept icing my knee and foot. We fast forward a few weeks to Saturday 10/27, I had not been having trouble with knee terribly and was excited and scared both. Getting to the start line and being ready to run is the most awful waiting time in the world. I was fortunate to have a pacer named Pete who was the most wonderful man. God sent him to run with me without us even knowing each other's last names. We had a goal of running a 2:30 race. I wasn't sure that I could make that as I had never run that pace before, but I was willing to give it a try to see. I did ok for about the first 5 miles with that pace, and then my body starting acting up. My hands were beginning to swell severely and my steam was dwindling. Pete mentioned that my body wasn't processing electrolytes as they should. He offered me a sodium pill, but I was so queezy that I couldn't at that time. So the emotions kicked in and I had a breakdown. A breakdown that I couldn't do this, that my body wouldn't let me. So I gave into the pill and took it hoping it would help me. Honestly I don't remember looking back at my hands but I do think that it helped my stomach... So onto mile 8, which I hit another wall. I had to walk, which I didn't want to do, but was required to get through. Around mile 10, my blessed Pete had convinced me that I could do this, that I wasn't a quitter and I needed this! He was truly my saving grace. So I round the corner and come up River St and I see Wayne. Wayne has been my coach and cheerleader through this entire journey. As I ran up Main St. to see his BRIGHT yellow shirt and clapping his hands and screaming out for me was amazing. He came to my side placed his hand on my back and said, " we got this girl!". I was tearing up and telling him I was tired. He encouraged me and said, " you got it! ". As I came to the top of the hill and rounded at the ticket booth I saw my husband, dad, and step mom. To see them was enough to help me get through the last 1/2 mile. By this point I think that I was delerious and just wanted to be done. So I came into the stadium and hear my name called and Pete says, "we are almost there girl." So I look ahead and see the clock, which is always my inspiration to blast it. I did and finished in 2:41:48. We didn't want it to hit 2:42. I get to the end and we hugged and cried, and hug and cry... Was it in the time that I had hoped for?, no, but hey I finished, and I finished with a smile on my face. So I sit and write and still am in awe of what not only I accomplished this weekend, but what every runner who ran a race accomplished. Whether you ran a 5K, or the Marine Corps Marathon, we all did something that we didn't think we could! If you have said to me through this journey, "Congrats!," "Proud of you", " I know you can do this", or anything encouraging, then you helped me cross that finish line on Saturday and I am forever grateful!

Some TLC for Your Marriage...

All week I've been following Proverbs 31 Ministries and they have been posting 7 days of marriage tips! I have loved them and couldn't wait to share them. I hope it blesses your marriage. Day 7: keep in mind that time affects all of us and no one remains the same as we were as we were dating. Life's circumstances can make us lose our sense of humor, change us physically, act less romantic ect...Take time to find these two people who fell in love and reconnect. (Trust! They are in there) Day 6: love bears all things, believes in all things, endures all things ( 1 cor. 13) Choose to believe the best in your spouse, even when they aren't communicating well. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to express yourself. Some folks find it hard to communicate with words at all. Grace, Grace. Day 5: be intentional. Every day, look for a way to bless your spouse either secretly or openly. A thankful heart, a giving heart, will repulse the weeds of blame and discontent. Day 4: greet your spouse with a kiss. It's a mood enhancer. Science says touch releases endorphins, so you begin to associate seeing your spouse with a pleasant feeling. And you can't say anything you'll regret when your lips are otherwise occupied. Voila! Mood enhanced! Day 3: make it a point to give your spouse the best of you:the bet of your smiles, best of your touch, best f your words... Don't always bring them what's left of you after the world as drained you! Day 2: nobody is perfect. Don't let the world at large find out about your spouse's imperfections via your mouth. "the heart of her husband trusts her..." ( proverbs 31:11) Day 1: be the person you'd like to be married to. If you'd like a little more grace for your faults, give a little more grace for theirs.... If you need more love and understanding, give more love and understanding to your spouse. I'm amazed at how reading these can change your marriage... 7 little tips:)