I got me one of THESE...

Not this one...

OR this one...

...and boy do I wish it was this next one...

But, the point is, I loosened up on the pocket and invested in ME, by getting a personal trainer!!!

 For now, I've only paid for 2 months (8 sessions), but here's to ACCOUNTABILITY and STRUCTURE!!!!

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain

REFLECTION:

James 2:14-17

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

We're in this together...

Smiling faces BEFORE Sunday morning workout

@ Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO

Sweaty, yet still smiling AFTER morning workout!

(How could you not working out at a place with a view like THAT!)

If you are anything like me, exercising with a group pushes you harder and makes it FUN too!

For an article on why group exercise is effective, CLICK HERE.

REFLECTION:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Looking ahead...

Philippians 3:13-14

13...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal forthe prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Stepping up to the plate!

BATTER UP!!!

We can love the game, watch the game and critique the game all day long, but there comes a time when the talking must stop and YOU must step up to the plate for yourself!

What kind of life is lived on the sidelines?

It's time to gear up, leave the dug out, approach the plate, get in your ready position: ALERT, ACTIVE, CONFIDENT, EXPECTING.

Take the greatest swing EVER at YOUR life and knock it out of the park!!!

**In this game though, we don't believe in "strike-outs," just because what you took a shot out didn't get the results you wanted doesn't mean it's over and all is lost...In this game it's not you against the opposing team, it's you against yourself!

#WIN!!!

...dusting things off!

I'm BACK (I hope!)

There are a few things that have fallen by the wayside the past two years:

• Eating SMART
• Staying ACTIVE
• Taking care of me, FIRST!
• BLOGGING!!!

Today I'm so excited and I FEEL a sense of refreshment and renewed vigor to do what once gave me such JOY, peace and love for ME!!!

Ya know, a few years back it felt like my entire life fell apart all at once! A relationship. Church. Faith. Family. Work. Living situation. Finances. Health. Friendships.

Nothing was left unshaken.

As if all at once, the pot of my life tipped over and everything went pouring out leaving me feeling empty, lost, alone and hurting. Deeply, deeply hurting!

At that same time, I happened to be at the BEST physical shape of my life. I had successfully lost 163 lbs and led a very active lifestyle. When my slap of reality hit and the earth around me seemed to shake, damaging nearly everything that meant anything to me, my attention and care for physical health and wellness was the first thing to go to the wayside. Quickly following was my self esteem, positive attitude towards healthy living and encouraging others and confidence that I could continue on with this...

...this state has continued on with a gradual, yet steady decline for 22 months now and TODAY I set it in my mind to stop it dead in its tracks, just shy of 2 years from the darkest point in my life to date!

Here it is, out in the open, I've managed (without much difficulty) to pack #96 pounds# back onto this body that I at one time "almost" felt comfortable living in and I can't do it anymore! I cannot avoid friends who have continued on with great success anymore. I cannot erase that portion of my life (one of the best), in attempts to act as though it never existed. I cannot deny that "me" that I grew to once love and respect any longer!

I WANT HER BACK!!!

To those of you who have met me AFTER these significant life events, I love you for loving this "me" that you've met who has had trouble even loving herself, but I'm excited and hopeful to introduce you to the "me" I was beginning to find just a short while ago. To those who have been FAITHFUL friends and stuck by me before, during and after - THANK YOU! And to those who have left, chances are life wasn't meant to continue on at this point with you in it, I thank you for the season God gave us!

It's time to get my life back in order, ALL of me!

Emotionally.

Mentally.

Physically.

Spiritually.

I invite you, whoever you are, yes YOU, the one reading this at your computer, on your laptop, smart phone or random tablet device, to strap on your seat belt and go with me on a journey.

I ASK YOU, to help me. I acknowledge, for me it's harder to walk this road alone. Yes, at the end of the day it's just me facing the mirror and I fully recognize that I have to be the one to do this, but I'm not to proud too admit that I need your help too!

Let's get together for workouts. Healthy meal preparations. Random Challenges. Fitness Events.

Feel free to go all Jillian Michael's on me and KICK MY BUTT (Jillian, I know you TOTALLY follow my blog and facebook, so a personal butt kickin' from you is most certainly invited.....What! One can dream)! :-p

Life truly wasn't meant to walk alone, and I'm thankful for those of you walking in stride WITH me!

So there you have it...I'm dusting things off and pulling out the running shoes, fitness bands and RE-utilizing this PUBLIC blog. No more crying in secret!

I'll end this by quoting MYSELF, (I know, right...I'm choosing to remind myself of what I once held so firmly to)

"Love and support has made a world's worth of difference in my weight loss, but  at the end of the day YOU are the only one who can make it happen."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 Corinthians 7:1

7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Decision Making Questionnaire

I read this "Decision Making Questionnaire" the other day that isn't really written for "food addiction," but when I saw it I thought of how relative it is for anyone with an addictive personality, including food addiction. I've not actually written out answers to this questionnaire (yet), but over the past couple days I've found myself mentally going through the questions before making food choices and/or going to particular restaurants. It's been INCREDIBLY helpful because lately it has seemed near impossible for me to not stop at a drive-thru when driving anywhere. CRAP food has become my 'main squeeze' and it's most definity made it impossible to SQUEEZE into any of my jeans. :( I've gone so far backwards on my journey that it's sickening and I'm thankful that I'm conscious and choosing to look at the reality now to get back on track, but it's hard!

I encourage you, check out the questionnaire below and see if you could apply it to your own life (with ANY addiction), I highlighted the question that challenged me MOST in light of my food addiction, WOW!....

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When deciding if you should engage in a particular activity, below are some questions to answer. Be brutally honest as you answer them. Use another sheet of paper to write down your answers. This questionnaire is especially helpful as you develop your boundaries and your definition of sobriety. You may want to provide this checklist to your sponsor so she can ask you these questions as needed.


1. Look at that behavior in light of all your other addictive/destructive behaviors. Is this particular activity similar to those behaviors? How is it similar? How is it different?

2. List all the reasons you think this particular activity is a healthy choice.

3. Will doing this particular activity propel you forward in your sobriety or take you backwards?

4. Will doing this particular activity propel you forward in your relationship with God or take you backwards?

5. If you did this particular activity every day for the next month what would be the result?

a. On your sobriety?
b. On your relationship with God?
c. On your relationship with others?
d. On how you feel about yourself?
e. On your weight loss journey (health, weight, physical ability)? (I added this question)

6. Are you creating a list in your mind of all the reasons it is okay for you to engage in this particular activity? Why do you think you are doing that?

7. Are you feeling any anxiety/guilt/shame as you think about doing this particular activity? Why do you think that is?

8. Would those who know you and your struggles consider this particular activity a healthy or unhealthy choice? Why do you think that is?

9. Are you willing to pray sincerely about this particular activity in order to listen to what God is saying and to obey what you hear?


10. Are you willing to present the situation honestly to your sponsor [or someone who knows your struggle] in order to gain their feedback?

11. Once you have made your decision, elaborate on why you choose to do or not do this particular activity.

I hope someone finds this questionnaire useful as I have, it's challenged me.

A letter to myself, from myself...