I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt

Boy of BOY!  I'm surely loving the time change and longer days!  I love that the sun goes down later in the evenings giving us plenty of time of daylight to enjoy!  For some reason, the spring and summer reminds me of my childhood days.  Playing in the pool with friends, cut off shorts, bare feet, walking the neighborhood roads popping the tar balls with our toes, picking honeysuckle off the vine, laying out in the grass basking in the sunshine with not a single worry in the world.   Aaahhh.. the good ol' days.  My children are around the same age as I was when I  was enjoying all of these times.  I want my kids to experience the same things.. not always video games and tv.  More importantly.. I want to experience it all over again with them!  Three years ago I never would've had the energy to go out and do these things with the kids.  Now I'm bouncing with energy and can't WAIT to take little mini vacations to the camp and the beach!  Last month I ran an AWESOME 5K obstacle course called the Warrior Dash with a friend of mine.  It was something neither one of us had done before, but what a GREAT feeling it was!!  No we didn't lead the pack, but it was a great sense of accomplishment and a LOT of fun!  I'm not QUITE were I want to be as far as my weight goes, but I keep getting a little closer to the mark!  Before I wasn't comfortable in my own skin to get out and run around with the kids, but now I'm like a whole different person.. one who is surely enjoying life.  I just had to take control of myself and stop letting other things control me.

"Willpower is not some mythical force that we either have or don't have. Willpower is our decision to use higher-mind thinking instead of lazing around in the clutches of our primal mind."~A.B. CURTISS

This is a Battle of Wills

I knew I had a challenge on my hands when I started spending more time at home.  My office is currently in my kitchen.  It's the only place that is open enough for me to work and have my computer set up.  Long ago I broke the habit of buying junk food and keeping it in the house.  I've said it time and time again.. if someone in my household wants junk food, then they can go to the store and buy the single serving of cookies or candy or whatever suits  their fancy.  I plan the meals, I do the grocery shopping, I am fighting a life long battle of bad eating, therefore, I get a say so of what foods come in my home.  So.. what is my problem you ask?  LOL!  Well.. lemme tell YOU.  I can find a 'loop hole' in everything.  You can't possibly overeat fruits and vegetables.. nah.. that's not my problem.  My problem is grabbing a handful of almonds, popping a bag of popcorn or just mindless munching even on the good stuff when it's not 'time' to eat.  If I know I'm going to be working out of the house I'll grab my snack needed for snack time and head out.. but what about those times where I'm spending a few hours working at the house on my advertising, planning workouts, or researching something?  When I'm deep in thought or contemplating something I feel the need to 'crunch'!  Does anyone else have that urge?  I sometimes find myself getting up from my desk to stretch my legs or get my creative juices flowing and I wander over to the cabinet!  Old habits die hard I guess! GAH!  It really seems silly when I think about it.  There will always be new obstacles to overcome.  This is a life long journey.  To overcome this mindless eating that I so easily fall into, I've decided to be a little dramatic.  Imagine that. -_-  I tend to go all out on things if you haven't noticed. For instance, this very blog.  I began blogging because I needed to be accountable to someone other than myself or my family.  I needed to be accountable to people who wouldn't just let me sweep it under the rug.  So my solution to this problem is to pack my lunch.  Yep.. simple as that.  Just as before when I'd get ready for my work day, I'd pack my lunch bag full of snacks and lunch for the entire day.  I went to work and only had what I packed.  So this morning, I started that routine all over again.  I packed my lunch with my snacks and headed out to my first appointment this morning.  Sure, I had lunch at home, but I already knew EXACTLY what I was having because all I had to do was pull it out of my lunch kit. :D  My home office is still in my kitchen, and yeah.. I felt a tiny bit silly pulling out my lunch from my lunch kit in my own kitchen.. but who cares.  It's for the greater good. lol!  Soon my office won't be in my kitchen tho!  So it all really makes sense you see. ;)

Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher

Time FLIES When You're Having Fun!
Where does the time go?  It seems like just yesterday we were talking about New Year's Resolutions and new beginnings.  Now we're in the middle of spring!  Little League Baseball and Softball is in full swing, fairs and festivals are in town and the days are getting longer.  Let's do some calculations.. If beginning January 1st someone started their lifestyle change by making better choices and being more active 2-3 times a week.. it's possible to lose 2 pounds per week.  By now more than 25 pounds would be lost! Wow!  It really puts things into perspective doesn't it!  With 25 pounds gone, you fit a little better in the rides at the fair, sit a little more comfortably in the seats at the movies, and have the energy to frolic in the glorious sunshine!  So.. now here's the question.. When does your new beginning start? ;)

Let the Sun Shine Down on Me

Spring is in the air and the days are starting to look brighter and brighter!  Sunshine just gives me such energy!  On beautiful days, such a this, I want to be running around the park, roller skating in the school parking lot, jumping on the trampoline.. SOMETHING!  I wasn't always this way, but it seems like with every passing season since I first began this journey, I find more and more exciting things in life!  The more comfortable I become in my own skin the more things I want to do.  Things I've never tried before.  Now it's time to put those things into action.. no more cheap talk.. it's time to conquer the world!!!  Or at least just my bucket list. =)  One thing that I inherited from my dad was tenacity.. that and the inability to carry a tune in a 10 gallon bucket.. but moving on.  When I feel strongly about something as I do with my workouts and lifestyle change.. I grab the bull by the horns.  A good friend once told me that there are two things that motivate people.. fear and desire.  I have no fear. ;) 

All Eyes on Me
Since I changed my career, I have told the story of my journey over and over.  I've used it in advertising my services.. which could be the very way you found my blog!  There is a method to the madness here.. not only does it do a good job at advertising where I've been and how I might be able to help people.. but more importantly.. it KEEPS me accountable.  There are more people who know my story now more than ever!  My before pictures are out there..  They've seen where I've come from.. I know where I came from.  I can't ever forget that.  I'd love to tell you that once you lose weight and eat healthy that all those cravings and temptations just vanish.. but unfortunately they don't!  It is much like a drug addict.. it's always there.  Sure.. I feel WAY better when I eat healthy versus eating junk.. but sometimes my cravings and temptations get the better of me!  I can't stand to walk past the cookie place in the mall because I smell all of that sugary goodness!  Now.. I KNOW that if I eat one of those cookies I'll feel so funky.. but it's the smell that draws me in.  So.. if you see me in the mall and it looks like I'm holding my breath.. it's because I am!  I just keep my head down, hold my breath, and walk right on past! It's my tactic! LoL!
With my life getting off of a regular 'work' schedule, there is more of a risk than ever before!  I was used to bringing just what I needed to work and eating only that.  There were no temptations because I packed only the healthy things.  Now that I am out and about most of the day, or doing work in my home.. it is easier to fall back into old habits if I'm not careful.  How do I overcome that??  Well.. I'll tell you how.. I continue to plan.  I take my snacks with me in my gym bag, I keep healthy things on hand, I plan for everything that goes into my mouth so that I'm not eating on the fly or starving before the end of the day!  It has been years since I gave up something for lent.. so this year I decided to give up my beloved sweets.  No chocolate, no candy, no cake, no pastries, no cookies, no ice cream, etc.. etc.. etc..  If I'm craving something sweet it will have to be something more natural, like fruit or yogurt.  I did this because it is a vice.. it's my weak spot.. it's the guilty pleasure that starts small and gets out of control.  I'm letting all of that go and the outcome will be GREAT!  We don't have to have a season to start something, but I found the perfect opportunity to take care of another facet of my journey.

READY!  SET!  GO!!
Just about this time last year I was running everyday and training for the Gusher 5K.  This was a challenge for me.  I had never run ANYWHERE before!  Not even to the mailbox! This was something a friend had challenged me to do and I'm so glad she did!  Not only is it something I can cross off of my list, but it really opened the door for me.  I never thought I had the confidence to do something like that.  I mean.. to RUN a 5k?  I never in my wildest dreams believed that I'd be running in a race.  Now don't get me wrong.. I wasn't there to cross the finish line first. I wasn't competing against other people.. You see, I was competing against myself.  I was competing against the mindset that "I could never do that".. against the "I'm just the fat girl who can't run".. against the "You'll look like a fool if you get out there with all those 'athletic' people".  Guess what?!  I WON!  I won the battle in my mind!  I finished that race.. I ran start to finish.. in my own personal best time. It was a wonderful feeling.. a true 'High'.  There is nothing like it.  Since then I have only run one more 5k and yes, it was AWESOME!  Pretty great feeling, I'll tell you!  This year I signed up for a Warrior Dash and will be running that next weekend.  A Warrior Dash is a fun 5k run/obstacle course.  I know it seems a little crazy, but again.. stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something I've never done before.  This is a great thrill for me!  Wanna know what else excites me??  My kids will be there watching!  Yes.. I am leading by example, be healthy, be active, follow your dreams.  It may sound so cliche, but I am living proof.  Sometimes, you just have to walk on Faith.. step out onto what you feel deep down in your soul.  Wish me luck!  This Warrior Dash won't be easy.. and I may look a little silly at the end, but I'm betting you won't be able to capture the feeling of accomplishment! ;)

I hope you all enjoyed this blog.. I've enjoyed writing it.  New and exciting things seem to be happening EVERYDAY!  Don't let life pass you by.. get out there and dance in the sunshine!

Planning for Success

What a wonderful year this has been so far!  There have been a lot of quick changes in my life and I find myself on the go way more than before!  This month has come and gone already and I've barely stopped to take a breath!  Let's see a show of hands of people who feel the same way.  I have been working hard on my new career path which luckily includes working out, but without any real plan things get crazy!  I teach Zumba several days throughout the week so I'm definitely getting good workouts in; but as of late, my meal planning and eating habits leave something to be desired.  Nutrition is the backbone of my lifestyle change.  It fuels my workouts and my active lifestyle.  Without the fuel I am worthless.  I have been very fortunate that my weight has not increased, however.. my weight has not decrease either.  While I have a lot going on in life, I still must focus on the goal.  Thank God I'm not where I used to be, but I'm still not quite where I want to be.  I've not gone buck wild and gone back to my old habits, but when you're on the go and trying to grab healthy on the fly it doesn't always workout so good.  I have to make a plan for success.  The plan that I had a year ago won't work for me now.  My lifestyle is more active and my body requires more of the good stuff!  So.. time to invest some very important tools.  Pencil and paper.

"T" is for TRACKING Boys and Girls
Research shows that people who track their food intake or keep a food diary will lose more weight in the same amount of time than a person who does not track their food intake.  WHY??  Because we are accountable for EVERYTHING we put in our mouths.  Why are we so afraid to write it down?  Does it say keep a food diary and share it with the entire world? Nope.  Is it because we think we can lie to ourselves?  That one cookie or one bite of your child's peanut butter and jelly sandwich isn't all that bad?  That if no one saw me eat it, then I really didn't eat it?  Yeeeeeaaaahhhh.. that's probably more like it. LoL!  I learned early on through Weight Watchers that tracking equals success.  I tracked everything I put in my mouth for a solid year and a half.  Then I got into a routine where I was eating the same menu of foods week after week.  It was easy for me to see my intake.. it didn't vary much.  But like life.. things changed.  Sometime between then and now, my daily activities changed, my workouts changed.  But I never went back to tracking and make the adjustments.  I know that I had the GREATEST success when I tracked not only my intake, but my activity as well.  Tracking helps with so much!  I am accountable to myself for everything that I eat and do.  There is no reason to lie.. I am the only one seeing it.  I can remember when I was tracking and I'd have a night out or just let loose and drink myself silly I'd write notes to myself saying things like "LAWD what WERE you thinking???  BAD NITE"  or "This was an awful stressful day.. HALP!".  This would show me my own eating patterns.. stress eating, happy eating, I don't give a crap eating.  It's all there!  I was able to learn from my mistakes and make progress.  It was also a GREAT tool to help me plan meals when I was tired of the routine I was in.  I could go back a few months and see a meal that I had made that I'd really liked that I'd forgotten about!  It is a great thing all the way around.  It coaches you through your ups and downs.  As of this very day, I began tracking again.  The good, the bad, and the terribly ugly.

SCREAM it From the Roof Tops!
In 2008, I made a commitment to myself to become healthier and lose weight.  I had to make myself accountable to someone.. EVERYONE.  If I just told my best friend, husband, or mother that I wanted to lose weight they would just smile and nod and when I failed they'd never mention it again.  They would never come back and really hold me accountable.  I had to have a greater accountability.. thus.. my blog. :)  I really use this as another tool.. a journal.  I talk about my ups and downs.. occasionally I go back and read them.  I knew that by posting the first blog that someone would read it and hold me accountable.  Now.. was I expecting someone to haul me to the town square if I failed? Of course not!  But what has happened is that people occasionally follow my blog because they are interested in the progress I've made.  Turns out.. I've got some pretty awesome cheerleaders out there!  I've never been one to put my business out there but this was different.  It turned out to be one the best tools and motivators I'd ever had.  I get excited about my progress and OTHERS get excited about my progress!  Who knew?!  People really DO want you to succeed!  ..and for those who don't.. to hell with them. ;)  I've never EVER had anyone come up to me and say "Tina.. you don't look like you've lost weight.  Have  you given up?"  But every time I see someone who knows my story or hasn't seen me in a while, they compliment me.  Yes.. even on my worst, fat, unsexy feeling days.. someone will compliment me and that will turn my whole day around.  It makes me refocus.  It is a wonderful tool to have.  While blogging may not be for everyone, if you are interested in losing weight, I encourage you to tell people! Tell LOTS of people!  They are more supportive than you think!

I am AWESOMELY excited with the direction my life is heading.  I wouldn't change a thing!  So.. I'm NOT.. I'm getting back to the tried and true, tracking and accountability.  I've come a long way and there's NO going back.  It's time to progress further through this journey I call my lifestyle revolution.   So.. WHO'S WITH ME?!?!?!

A Fresh Start

Happy New Year!  Here's to a New Year of New Beginnings!  As much as I enjoy the holiday season, I am so glad the festivities are over.  It is so challenging to keep on track with everything with all the Christmas parties, special lunches, goodies and what not.  Not to mention getting in your regular workouts!  Now that all of that is over it's time to refocus on my goal.  I have lots of things lined up for the new year to help me and hopefully others do just that!

The Kinda Good, Not So Bad, and the Down Right Ugly
Christmas 2009 was a huge lesson learned.  I got a little confident about my weight loss and decided to make all KINDS of goodies for everyone.. mainly meaning me. That year I gained 10 pounds in a two week period.  I felt AWFUL!  Not only did I feel sluggish and bloated for days because of all of the junk, but I couldn't stop eating it!  It was like being on a bad ride!  This year I came into it with that lesson learned and vowed to not do anything like that again!  I did pretty good with keeping on track as long as working lunches, Christmas parties or emotional eating wasn't involved. L O L!  One good side of my former job was that we didn't have a whole lot of person to person interaction.. most of my relationships with work were by phone or email.  I didn't have to worry about goodies passing through my office.. THANK YOU BABY JESUS.. nor did I have to attend company Christmas parties.  So.. it wasn't a COMPLETE disaster.  Many times when I was out I would try for the better choices.. but then there were times when I'd have dinner and think that I'd just go ahead and enjoy the food.. which is fine, but I saw this pattern where it was starting to happen more and more.  That's me and my constant battle.  If I'm not careful it can sooo easily get out of hand.  Yes, my life has changed tremendously.. Yes, I make better choices.. and Yes, it's still something I'll have to deal with forever and ever, Amen.  There's no switch.  The temptations I had before are still tempting to me now.  I've learned tricks and tips on how to control my temptations and how to not give in.  I have also learned a hard lesson of how much it takes to get it all off.  There's no magic pill.. I'm still me. 

I Have This Cake and I Will Eat It, Too
While holiday festivities can be fun, it can also bring on an array of emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.. "Hi.. I'm Tina and I'm an emotional eater".  When I'm happy, I want something fun and festive.. margarita's even!  When I'm sad, I want comfort food.. and chocolate. ;)  If I'm stressed, I'll grab anything I can find.  When I'm pissed, I want something crunchy.  See how I even analyze my food cravings!? LOL! Well.. long, emotional story short.. I was left with a whole German chocolate cake.  This just SCREAMS danger!  I wish I were like my kids.. I'll cut them a piece of cake.. they'll take like 2 bites and then they're done.  Isn't that just special.  Me.. I'm like licking the plate to make sure I got every bit of chocolate icing there is to get.  Oh.. and then there's the whole "I don't need a plate because I'm just gonna take a bite or 12" thing. Does any of this sound familiar?  I finally had to dump half the damn cake in the trash.  Isn't it awful that my kids don't get to enjoy these things because I just can't deal with it?  Well.. tough. :)  I know what works for me and what doesn't.  If I'm truly having a craving.. different from temptation.. that is one thing.  But the temptation of just seeing it out on the counter or smelling the sweet, sugary, chocolaty, goodness is a whole different story.  If I could just muster up the 'courage' to walk away from it and leave it there.. then all would be well.  But it is difficult for me.  It's best to just not have it in the house. PERIOD.  So.. in the trash it went.. upside down.. smashed.. get it. :)  Aaaaaaanywho.. moving right along..


On Your Mark.. Get Set.. GOOOOOO!!!!
Well, I'm off and running on my new career.  Yay!  I'll spare you on how flippin excited I am because I know you all haven't heard it near enough. ;) This new year not only brings on a new career for me, but new challenges, as well!  I'm going to be participating in a Warrior Dash and a relay marathon.  What is a Warrior Dash you ask?  It's kind of like a 5k, but it's more than running.. it's an awesomely muddy and uncomfortable obstacle course! It's gonna be GREAT!  I'll admit I was a little intimidated at first.. I mean, these people just look so athletic!  But after a little encouraging I decided to just go for it.  It doesn't matter if I finish last as long as I finish. I will also be apart of a running group who will be running the relay in The Gusher this year.  This is also a new challenge.  I can do a 5k.. I've met that goal and feel so accomplished!  But by being apart of this team, it means that I have to run 5.25 miles.  That's a couple miles longer than a 5K (3.1 miles).  I'm a little nervous about it.. but it will be great to be apart of a team!  I'm telling you.. never in my WILDEST dreams did I ever think I'd be doing any of this with my life!  It is a very, very awesome feeling.

The End of Chapter YR 2010 - Most Frustrating Year EVAR
I've gone back and read my ups and downs over the last year.  It's not been easy.. in fact, it was pretty freakin frustrating at times.  My weight on the scales doesn't seem to be moving in either direction significantly, but my body is still ever changing.  I've ditched the "weight" goal and have gone for more of a fit goal.  Meaning..   that HALLELUJAH.. I am FINALLY comfortable in my own skin!  Sure.. we can all find things we'd like to fix and work on.  And you won't be catching me in a bikini ANYTIME soon.. but I am happy with me.  I think for the first time ever, I'm truly ok with what I see in the mirror.  Not just ok.. but excited!  I love the woman I see before me, no matter what anyone else thinks.  Besides.. it was never about them anyway.  So.. here's to a happy, healthy, fit new year!  I hope you, too can be happy in your own skin.  If you're not.. what are ya gonna do about it? ;)

A Year of New Beginnings

Don't ya just love the New Year?  No matter what you're going through, no matter where you are.. it's a New Year.  It's a time to clean out your closet and start fresh.  Hell.. we could do just that with every new day, but there just seems to be something about a New Year.  It's a target far enough away to prepare ourselves for what's about to happen.  Many of you will resolve to be healthier this year, some will resolve to be organized, start and plan to follow a budget; but for some it will be major changes.  Well, you can put me in all of those categories!  I know it's been a LOOOOONG time since you all have heard from me and I'm positive you're just chompin at the bits wondering what it is that I've been up to.  If you know me, you should know by now that I don't give up that easily.  ;)  Since the last time I blogged, so much has happened and I am soooooo ready and excited to share it with you all! Now.. let's see.. where shall I start......

"The More You Prepare, The Luckier You Appear" ~ Terry Josephson

Dream a Little Dream
In September, I spoke of  "A Bright New Tommorow", but I had NO idea just how bright it was gonna be!  I had aspirations, once upon a time, to become a nutritionist or something in the health and fitness field, but that quickly dissipated after gaining weight, getting married, gaining more weight, having children, gaining more weight, working a full time job, and oh.. yeah.. I gained more weight.  BUT, after two solid years of eating right and working hard to lose everything I had gained over the years and THEN SOME, I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up!  Since I graduated from high school, I worked toward a career as a nine to five pencil pushing momma because I thought that that is what I was supposed to do; little did I know that my lifestyle revolution would take me on a journey that I had only ever dreamed about! 

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." ~James Dean

 WHEN I GROW UP..
I'm 32 years old and FINALLY know what I want to do with my life!  In November, I turned in my notice at my job to embark on a new career as a dance teacher, fitness instructor, and personal trainer.  I set out to become a certified Zumba instructor; and because of a very generous, kind woman who barely knows me, but has faith in me and what I am doing, I am able to attend a course at Cooper's Clinic in January to become a Certified Personal Trainer!  EXCITED does not even BEGIN to describe how I am feeling these days!  I feel like I'm walking in the clouds!  There have been a couple of personal trials that I've gone through.. I could sit here and tell you how nervous I am about quitting my job and how I hope that I can do this.. but I'm not. ;)  I know that this is what I was made to do.  I am so unbelievably at peace with quitting my stable job to start a new career.  I don't know all the details, I can't tell you exactly what the future holds, and I can't tell you my 5 year plan.. but what I can tell you is that I know deep down in my SOUL that I will be successful.  I may not make millions and become Madonna's personal trainer, but I will be HAPPY!  Doors have been opening all over the place for me!  There is alot of opportunity and I have lots of things in the works for and in my community.  I am so excited to see what the New Year will bring in for me.  I. Can't. WAIT!!

"Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”~ Unknown

When One Door Closes..
It is SO true that when one door closes another one opens.  I chose to close the door on my career, but all KINDS of doors are flying open!!  I am currently teaching Zumba at a couple of locations and still teaching dance, as well.  In the New Year, I will be teaching more Zumba classes and will be apart of a gym in my area!  I am very excited about the possibilities out there!  If the good Lord is willing and the creeks don't rise, after I pass my Personal Trainer Exam I will be training at a gym in Fannett!  This just thrills me to NO END!  I want a career that I very much enjoy and will allow me to be available for my children whenever I need to be.  This has always been very important to me, but I've always been in a job where if I left then I'd be leaving someone hanging or feel guilty for not getting all the work done before I left or blah blah blah.  My dream is to one day become a strength training and conditioning coach.  Ideally I would LOVE to work at a University training athletes! How AWESOME would THAT be?????  But.. baby steps.. baby steps.  Who knows what the future holds, but I am UNBELIEVABLY excited to find out! ;)

What will the New Year bring to you?

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe" ~Gail Devers

MISS ME???

I'm still here and have LOTS in the works!  I'll update later this week so STAY TUNED!!! EEEEeeeekkk!!

A Whole New World

As they say in Weight Watchers, "This isn't a race it's a marathon"!  I have learned a new meaning to that over the last several months. The first time I heard that statement was close to two years ago.  At that time I was losing on average about two pounds a week and I thought, "Hey.. this marathon thing is really working for me! ;) "  I carried on with that kind of weight loss for a good year and then I hit a few bumps in my road and it seemed to get harder and harder.  Then as you all know I hit this brick wall.  I haven't had any real significant weight loss in a few months.  My "marathon" wasn't so much fun as it was frustrating!  For a long time this motto, to me,  meant that a slow weight loss is good and long lasting.  No one needs to lose a huge amount of weight fast because it will cause a SLEW of problems.  As of late, I have come to realize that this motto isn't just about the speed at which one should lose weight. There is so much more behind this meaning.  When I think of a race, I think of something quick.. fast.. in the moment.. and then it's all over with.  It's a sprint from the 50 yard line to the goal line.  It's the rabbit trying to catch the carrot.  Aaaahhh.. but a marathon.  A marathon is slow.. paced.. long lasting.. something that you'll remember forever.  It's winning the Superbowl.  It's a lesson that will make you grow and will forever stick with you.  My marathon has changed from my pushing so hard to make the numbers on the scale go down.  My marathon will last me a lifetime.  Just like a marathon runner, I have trained and trained.  I have met new friends on my route.  I have become weary and lost focus at times.  I have had my cheerleaders cheering me on.  I have learned new things about my life, about myself, about my strength, my endurance, my determination, my confidence and on and on.  Being in a marathon gives you time to think and reflect on yourself and your life and I gotta say.. it's getting more and more exciting!!  Don't get me wrong.. the numbers on the scale still matter and I still look forward to seeing them drop more and  more, but I refuse to let it get me down.  Instead I look at the big picture and the wonderful road ahead!

Breaking Boundaries

The numbers on the scale have bounced back and forth over a couple of pounds, but my body is ever changing.  I have continued to have some pretty exciting breakthroughs! A few weeks ago I was able to fit into a size 6 jeans.  I can't even explain to you how weird that is to even type that.  It is an unbelievable feeling.  Coming from the size 24 jeans that I started in.. just makes it unimaginable.  Just this past week by a total accident I discovered that I fit into a SMALL t-shirt!  I have such mixed emotions!  Every time I step on that scale I am so frustrated that it just hoovers over the same mark week after week after week.  But then great things are happening and progress is still being made.. just in a different way.  How can I argue with that?  Don't answer that.. I'm sure I'll find a way.  I will continue to keep pushing forward in my everlasting marathon.  Just because I reach my goal doesn't mean I've crossed the finish line. ;)

A Bright New Tomorrow
A couple of months ago, I was approached with an opportunity to teach a dance class.  For those of you who don't know me.. I have always loved dance.  It's my thing!  I've danced since I was a young girl all the way up through high school.  I had looked into being on the Lamar University dance team after I graduated, but unfortunately I didn't meet the requirements.. meaning I was too fat.  At that point I gave up pursuing anything that had to do with dance.  I was too fat and didn't want to hear anymore rejection so I just stopped.  I didn't try to lose weight.  I just went on with life.  Well here I am 15 years later and a few pounds lighter teaching 6 dance classes a week and looking to teach more!  But I'm not stopping there!  This has opened up something inside of me that I've had buried for a while.  I was too scared of rejection to go for it before, but now I am working toward getting a few fitness certifications and a personal trainer certification so that I can do what I love doing.  I still want to go back to school, but baby steps.. baby steps.  I believe there is a great opportunity for me out there, not only to support my family, but to have a gratifying life!  I am very VERY excited about what my future holds.  I'm looking forward to what lies ahead for me!

Wish me luck on my marathon!  Are you sprinting? Or are you taking it nice and slow? ;)