BACK to BASICS....again!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

This morning before stepping on the scale, I petitioned and begged God to please not let me weigh 260 lbs. I am pleased and simultaneously ashamed to report that the scale registered 259.9 lbs. (HE is indeed merciful)!

How in the world did I get to 259.9 lbs.?

"Well, what had happened was...." I've been planning our company's annual party AND I've had a couple of big projects at work AND I broke my favorite water bottle AND it's been really cold outside AND there's a wait list for my favorite machines at Gym #1 AND I haven't had time to go to the grocery since the ice storm AND...things have been hectic/stressful...AND...AND...AND....ah heck the reality is...I got away from the basics.

You know the basics, like batch cooking, meal planning, drinking water, using the SP trackers, Sparking, planning my workouts and staying away from MY Kryptonite a/k/a desserts, cookies, cakes, donuts (that doggone HOT LIGHT)....in general SWEETS! Yes, I've been wasting away in Sugarville, too ashamed to Spark (what an oxymoron) and have not done any real exercise in about two weeks. Ah NAW! Not the Queen of Cardio with memberships to two gyms, every single one of the Core Rhythms DVDs, plus an elliptical machine, stability ball and free weights at home...WHAT???!!!

So, I've got a decision to make either I can fast-track back to 400+ lbs. or I can get BACK to BASICS. Of course, I'm going with Option #2.

BACK to BASICS is first realizing that as smart as I think I am when it comes to nutrition and fitness, I cannot have any success without God's help.

Secondly, I absolutely must consistently use the tools that are available to help monitor my caloric intake (my digital scale, measuring glass, the Core Rhythms 7-Day diet plan and of course SP's Nutrition Tracker). It's like a sick person who has the medicine they need to get well, YET they don't consistently take it and just just leave it in the medicine cabinet...how in the world can they expect to get better?

Thankfully, I am surrounded by an AWESOME support group who continue to encourage and motivate me (thank God!), so last but not least, I must lean on these folks just a little bit more.

Deep down I know that reaching my final weight loss goals will one day become a reality. With that being said, I must continue to remind myself that this is indeed a lifestyle change that's way bigger than the RED DRESS (yes, I still want it) and all of the other "rewards" that are hanging in my closet...this is about becoming the HEALTHIEST ME THAT I CAN BE AND IT WILL BE DONE!

Amen

"Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Phil. 4:6 NKJV

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The BIG FIGHT...

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

So I've been in this whole weight loss/ life-style change for almost eleven years now and am super thankful for my accomplishments (to date I've lost 157 pounds).


(This is a picture of me at 407 lbs.)

With that being said, this last stretch of hitting my final weight loss goal has been EXTREMELY difficult. At one point in time I was in the 220's, now I'm fighting and struggling like I don't know what to get under 250. I must admit that sometimes I get discouraged and frustrated. And even when I want to give up I REFUSE!!!

What helps to keep me going are the folks who are ALWAYS in my corner. Like my family, friends on SPARK (especially my niece NEWBEIN who resurrected our little Fitlinxx Challenge), my church members and co-workers. PLUS the cute Spring and Summer clothes that are hanging in my closet are a SUPER DUPER source of motivation....LOL!

I know what it takes to get this weight off...I just need to consistently do it...that's where the BIG FIGHT comes in, because to tell the truth sometimes I just don't feel like doing what's good or doing the right thing!!!

Nevertheless, I will continue to FIGHT to...

...drink 64-80 oz. of WATER a day
...drink 16 oz. of GREEN TEA a day
...do 90 mins. of CARDIO at least 5 days a week
...lift WEIGHTS at least 4 days a week
...do 50-100 PUSH UPS a day
...do 100 CRUNCHES on the stability ball a day
...do a CORE RHYTHMS workout everyday
...and the biggest fight of all will be to stay within my CALORIE LIMITS

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9 NIV

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YAY...My Sister Joined SPARK PEOPLE!!!

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

I am so excited, my sister finally joined Spark. She has already done a tremendous job of losing either close to or over 100 lbs. And she's one of my favorite students (because she tries to follow whatever fitness recommendations that I give her).

When you get a chance, please stop by her page and give her a warm SPARK welcome, her Username is: LALA696147, and here's a link to her page: www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=LA
LA696147


(7/26/08: My sister and I at a Luau)

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The Pursuit of Happiness

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Tonight while writing in my brand new Hot Pink prayer journal, I reflected on 2008 and was praying about my resolutions for 2009...so I decided to share a few of the excerpts from my journal entry on this blog.

Last year was such a roller coaster for me, and my closest SP friends were right there to support and/or cheer me on at every turn.

I had a few LOW moments like...

...the passing of my very best friend in the whole wide world

...having to lay off almost 1/3 of our workforce and

...the "electric slide" that my weight did up and down the scale

Then I had so many HIGH moments, like...

...me being used as a testimonial in the Core Rhythms infomercial

...my opportunity to be in the audience at the Oprah Winfrey Show as well as the communications that I had with two of her senior producers about my quest for the RED DRESS

...still being gainfully employed with a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food on the table

...all is well with my family

...witnessing my Mom (DDROSE) as she successfully achieved one of her major weight loss goals

...teaching Sunday School again

...having my vote to count towards the election of the first African-American President of the United States--President-Elect Barack Obama

BUT the number one highlight for me took place on the night of New Year's Eve.

I could've brought the New Year in at one of the big parties that was taking place in the city or stayed home and threw a party for one...but instead I felt the need to go to Watch Night Service at the church that my Godchildren attend.

Before midnight, my five-year old Goddaughter who rarely lets me hug, kiss or even look at her crawled up into my lap and fell fast asleep in my arms. As I held her, I felt such a sense of joy, peace and comfort that is difficult to describe. She had the sweetest smile on her face and watching her sleep helped me to:

* See the purpose and the lessons in 2008's ups and downs;

* Put the events of life into perspective and reminded me of what's truly important...the pursuit of happiness.

In 2009, YES I want to be fabulous, fit, fine and at my final goal weight, YES I want either the original or a replica of Oprah's RED DRESS, YES I want to be at my financial goal, YES I want to spend more quality time with my loved ones (i.e. family, friends and SPARK friends) but more importantly I want to focus on pursuing happiness and the only way I can do that is to focus more on God and His purpose for me.

Good and not so good things will happen as long as we continue to live, but God is faithful and He never forgets a promise.

So I am anxious to see what 2009 holds not only for me, but for all of us...I have a feeling that if we concentrate on the pursuit of happiness...we're all going to be fully satisfied!!!

"Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!"

Matthew 5: 4,6 Today's English Version

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SP Kentucky-The Official Team/Logo Recommendations

Friday, December 26, 2008

This blog is in response to a discussion that my KY team mates and I have been having as a result of the thread that I posted on 12/24 entitled "Team Logo".

Browse over the 21 pictures below and feel free to leave comments, input or recommendations on the thread so that our teamleader, BURGETT can organize how we will design and finalize a logo change for our Kentucky Team. Please reference the KY Logo number when you leave your comments. Thanks.

Link to the Team Logo Posting:
www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_mes
sageboard_thread.asp?board=0x506x21164502



KY Logo 1


KY Logo 2


KY Logo 3


KY Logo 4


KY Logo 5


KY Logo 6


KY Logo 7


KY Logo 8 (with this one as well as #'s 1-4, 14-17, 19-21, perhaps we could do some type of word or graphic overlay)


KY Logo 9


KY Logo 10


KY Logo 11


KY Logo 12


KY Logo 13


KY Logo 14


KY Logo 15


KY Logo 16


KY Logo 17


KY Logo 18


KY Logo 19


KY Logo 20


KY Logo 21

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