Page Title

Introduction Text *Update Nov. 13, 2016 100lbs down! I'm now 148lbs! Its been an incredible journey the past 43 months. I'm wrapping my mind around this 100pound thing, but I definitely am celebrating ALL the incredibly joys, successes, breakthroughs, and overcomings, and COMEBACKS! :) It started with just a single commitment to a 10minute walk a day, and a lifelong commitment to take ownership for my health...no matter what. It hasn't been perfect. My journey is beautifully flawed and I wouldn't trade it. I'm beyond grateful for this site, for all SP/friends and for taking courage to surrender myself to brave into the unknown! Its been more than worth it :) Never underestimate the power of healthy choices, who YOU are, and that the impossible can become possible! *Update June 14, 2015 So my weight has been inching up...162lbs. Right now I'm trying not to freak out about that and focus on the things that I know are good & will "calm" me down both weight wise & emotionally bring me to an even keel. The key: taking honest to goodness lovable care of myself! I've had a flare up in my knee which left me a work off week and 2 weeks out of the gym...and ate more than I usually do! Not a good choice! I felt myself slipping into the "not caring mode" until I realized one day I felt and looked bloated & fat & unhealthy....and that made me slump and heart break. That is not living life. in the past couple weeks I gained 5 lbs! It made me think about the natural healing powers in good eats and postive verbal message to stay well emotionally. Ive looked at my healthy living reminder board often these past weeks, and know this is a journey of learning, relearning, discovering, uncovering and its meant to be enjoyed. Life isn't always pretty. We all know that. But the right perspective, attitude, and healthy outlets go a LONG ways. That said, I'm simply redirecting my focus to align with my long term goal: to live a healthy life, loving me, loving life, loving others, loving God and in that realm of love, I know that there's no way I can't possibly do anything but sparkle...shine...glow. Love does that. It nurtures, cares, protects, wills whats wilted to live. I still travel a journey that takes courage. Fear has been my enemy from ever since I can remember...but it will not define me! AND the other thing is complacency. That is a subtle but slow death. And I will not choose to life that life, of settling for less. Shining the sparkle of who I am & who I desire/press on to be EVEN...and ESPECIALLY... in the times life gets dark and throw hard knocks is choosing the to live LIFE alive. So...the sparkle in me is still aglow...and WILL shine brighter because that is the only way to live life. I choose to live life, over and over in this way: shining the fullness of each moment of who I am made to me as fully wonderfully me. #dontbeafraditosparklealittlebrighter, #morethanpeptalks, #zeroinginonwhatmatters, #shine, #alive, #lovefully *Update February 9th, 2015 SO...August 2014 I hit 156 lbs where I decided to settle as maintenance weight!! woot woot! This is WAY beyond what I had aimed for. (175) I'd say a miracle. :) Since then I've yo-yo up and down but within 4 pounds. I've had a lot of life changes the past 6 months & have started to let the priceless value of myself slide. That is a warning sign to me. Never let that happen! But honestly speaking, it does, or it has to me. So now I'm going back to the things that helped me start in the first place. Courage & simplicity. I'm renewing my thinking with truths. I AM worth something priceless. I AM precious and deserve to treat myself with true respect. Always. I will not forget or mistreat who I really am. I will be true to me & honor the beautiful person God made me as. So right now, as I started back in 2013, I'm working on simple, small & achievable goals that will continue to help me improve in a healthy ways holistically. (Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.) I'm so thankful each day & each moment is another chance presented with a gift to enjoy, embrace & make wonderfully beautiful. Refusing to give up on the truth of who I really am & my purpose here on earth! #sparkbeingkindledagain ---------------------------------------------------------- *Update March 17th, 2014 I have reached the original GOAL weight I set for myself last April 28th!!! (Starting weight: 248lbs & Goal weight: 175lbs) I'm am so thankful---beyond words-for all the SP family here--your support & love is incredible! & I thank God for this achievement & for giving me that verse about courage--to get up and going & keep pushing on through--through sooo much! So here I am 74lbs down now!!! WOO HOO!!! That said, I'm gonna revamp my goals to get the final touches before I hit maintenace--more to come on that soon (look for it in an upcoming blog!) I *love* Spark People--you guys are one heck of a great bunch of cheerleaders!!! #feelingblessed --------------------------------------------------- *Update February 3, 2014* I am now 15 lbs from my goal weight! Even though I'm dealing with an injury right now that leaves me unable to do cardio, I'm sticking to my motto....I'm sticking to this journey of choosing a healthier life. Giving up is not a choice. Although it is *VERY* testing on my patience to keep on pushing SO slowly, when knowing how much faster I could be going when exercising....it is strengthening my roots of endurance and determination. I once heard this: "Be strong. Be brave. Be beautiful. Be you." ---------------------------------------------------------- *September 15, 2013 I started this journey late April 2013 here on SP, since then I've lost almost 25 lbs! Sometimes its felt like slow going, but persistence is paying off! :) I'm still pushing forward, with courage--refusing to let fear hold me back from achieving my goals or changing into the better me I know God wants me to be...and that I want to be! Psalm 27:14 "...Be strong & let your heart take courage..."

New Goals as of November 2016: Think bigger. Don't stop dreaming and pursuing my dreams, never see myself as limited by my circumstance!:) 1. Work out a Strength Training Program for 2016-2017 year : be able to do 100 consecutive push ups. first modified and then full! Learn how to do proper squats! and then shoot for 25 consecutive squats. 2. Try bench pressing. Just try it once! 3. Buy a bikini. Buy one I really like! 4. Wear a bikini to the beach, or pool & just be me! (Tip: Embrace your body and wear it with pride of your journey & self!) 5. Complete a 5 mile run. 6. Complete a 10 mile run. 7. Complete half a marathon. (been a inner persistent desire) 8. Start my own personal website blog re: health. 9. Take a cooking class.

1. Current Exercise: Every other day: 33 push ups. ( Currently its modified, (knees) but wanting to build my way up) Every day: Outdoor workout. Always a walk, and alternate days with jogging. Once a week go to the hills to get in more leg work. Every few weeks: Spontaneous classes. (Yoga with a friend, zumba etc) Something to mix it up. 2. Current Nutrition: Green drink in the mornings (I do greens, a fruit & yogurt in the blender, sometimes with a spice, like cinnamon or/ and drop of digestible essential oil like doTERRA orange) and granola or oatmeal. Water bottle *always* with me! Lunches are usually quick & easy: Ie: greens salad, love using eggs as easy protein & seeds etc. Yogurt & spices for a dressing :) Avocado & coconut oil my staple fats I tend to snack through out day too as it is easier on my digestive system (smaller amounts at a time) small meals too, helps my blood sugars when I eat more regularly. 3. Overall Loving on myself: Taking care of ALL of me.



Relaxation hobbies: card making/scrapbooking, baking, nature/working out (obviously :) ), keyboard/guitar, composing my own songs.Music is like the air my heart needs to breath! I'm an RECE. Children are a huge passion in my life! I enjoy cleaning for other people, something super rewarding about it :D I also like to write/poetry. Having a network of great friends & family mean SO much to me! Finally, I'm thankful for my faith in God & for the courage to get my butt in gear, step up to the plate & take ownership for my health!

Add a Link *Monica*
Save Changes