Climb Every Mountain!

Today is my FRIDAY!!!!  No work for me tomorrow...We are leaving in the morning for Fredricksburg and Enchanted Rock. 

I am ready...ready to be outside and have some fun!!!  I just read the weather forecast and the chance of rain is 80% on Saturday...so we may have some weather issues to contend with while we are there.  I will say this...If it is thundering and lightening...I will NOT be on top of big mound of granite!  Ain't happenin'. 

But I am hoping to be able to get er done! 

I have been mind numbingly busy today and now am getting ready to head to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...going to see Bruno Mars...YEE HAW!!!  Now that is a real cowboy!!!!  OK...maybe not.  But I am joining two "tweens" and their parents and this was the "tweens" choice.  
So I can roll with that...for you older generation...Bruno Mars reminds of Little Richard...just sayin'.

I got in my last "prep" walk last night...a little over 2 miles in about 40 minutes...I don't think I will ever be one of those "fast walkers"...but...I got my heart going and got this fluffy body moving!  Burned over 300 calories..

I have gotten several messages of encouragement in the last couple of days from family and friends alike and I got a nice message from Kerri Walsh today...I love messages!!! 

I hope you all have a terrific Friday and weekend.  I am hoping that posting will not be difficult and that I can send you guys photos of our trip. 

I am looking forward to the next step in this Journey...another blessing, another great memory to cherish and hopefully a few calories burned and a few lbs lost!!! 

Tomorrow is another Weigh In and the last day of the "Cleanse"....I DID IT!!!  I am really quite proud of that! 

One little funny before I go...the ENTIRE day I have been singing "Climb Every Mountain" in my head!!! HILARIOUS!!! 

 But...despite that fact that I am NOT actually climbing a mountain...the lyrics do have some significance for me...so I shall leave you with this...

Life is Good and Getting Better Everyday

Hello to all... I had so much to talk about last night that I have a few more things to share with you today.

First...only 2 days of the cleanse left!  I can see the finish line...though I must admit, this 4th week has not been difficult.

Secondly, we leave Friday morning for ENCHANTED ROCK!!!  Countdown has begun! Another mini-goal is ready for conquering!!!  We are meeting my co-worker Kristen and her boyfriend Stephen there and Kristen, Stephen and I will be doing the hiking!  Tone Tone and Nettie...will be cheering us on!!! 

Please keep us all in your prayers for safe travels and safe climbing! 

So last night...after my fabulous health news...I had dinner plans with my former English teacher (from 8th grade).  We have been in contact again for a few years now...thanks to Facebook and her willingness to send me a message!!!  As we sat at dinner last night...I had the realization that EVERYONE should have the opportunity to sit down and talk to a former teacher...especially one that makes a lasting impression on us...one that leaves a mark on your life and heart!  It is a fabulous experience. When we reconnected a few years ago..I took the opportunity to share with her how much she meant to me as a kid...I had very specific memories that I shared with her.  It was a great feeling to get to say something I did not even know how to say as a 13/14 year old.  It was cathartic!  It was fun and it was important for me to say!  It was a complete gift that I got the opportunity!

Which makes the fact that we have stayed in touch and have dinner from time to time so sweet.  She is reading my blog and was nice enough to not give me a grade on the grammar (or lack thereof) that I display here.  She shared with me some really kind words about my writing and I am grateful for her feedback. I am grateful that my teacher has become my friend.

It is a gift.  Another amazing gift that I have in my life.  I have a few other former teachers following along on my Journey and one of them sent me this message last night. 

Jaime, I couldn't be more proud of you and more happy for you!! Prayers are with you as you continue on this amazing journey!

Not only was she a teacher (she was my very 1st volleyball coach) that impacted my young life as a volleyball player and student...but she also impacted my Christian life.  I did not know that then..as a 7th grader...but I know now. 

So I hope they both don't mind...but I am going to thank them both right here...


Thank you...Beverly "Mama" Jennings and Coach Carolyn Farr!  You can both know that you left a lasting impression on me as a kid and continue to impact my life as an adult.  For that I am eternally grateful and I am feeling quite blessed! 

So each day of this Journey teaches me something new.  If my heart is open and my eyes are on God...there are blessings around every corner and over every hill!!! 

A few more blessings for today:

AGAIN...my sweet co-workers are showing me great support!  Thank you Lindsey for your generosity and your sweet heart.  Thank you Kristen for your wonderful enthusiasm...it keeps this old fluffy girl inspired!!! 


Life is Good and Getting Better Everyday! 

Great Love = Big Miracles

Happy Tuesday...and I do mean Happy!!!  I have some important news to share! 

As most of you know, when I started this Journey I wanted to lose 120lbs in one year.  I wanted to change the trajectory of my life.  I no longer wanted to be ill and I became inspired to make the necessary changes that could make that happen. 

When I started I had been recently very ill, hospitalized, struggling in my professional and personal life and just feeling lousy.  I had diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic migraines, a chronic immune disease...blah, blah, blah!!!  So...my motivation really was to change my path in whatever way possible to STOP my relatively rapidly declining health.  When I started this Journey at 45 years old...I had no idea how this was going to go...I really just knew I had to do life differently and I was clear that God was telling me it was time.  

So...I started this blog...told a bunch of people...shared my story about how I was totally inspired by Misty May and Kerri Walsh during the Olympics...Yes, even 45 year old fluffy girls can be inspired by the Olympics.   I joined the YMCA and Weight Watchers...and started my Journey to De-Fluff. 

The minute I spoke the words...the minute I "put it out there" that I was taking on this challenge, the blessings began to pour in...completely amazing.  My family, friends and strangers alike began to send me messages of encouragement, show me support in ways that went way beyond my imagination. 

I started setting Mini-goals and in November...completed my 1st 5K...walking...but I finished and I was NOT last! 

Now 7 months in to this Journey...I have lost 46lbs...have completed another 5K...still walking but at a slightly faster pace...I will be climbing Enchanted Rock this coming weekend and there are more mini-goals to be set. 

I have found great love and support from so many people and have been blessed to have a number of "angels" show up out of nowhere!  I am making new friends...cherishing old friendships and loving every minute of it. 

This Journey long surpassed being about losing weight and has become about strengthening my faith, sharing my heart, trusting God's plan and again...regaining my health.  SO...this leads me to my news!

Today I went to the Dr.  As I said, I am diabetic (Type II) and out of all of my health issues...I really want to be able to completely eradicate this issue.  So...quickly (ha, ha)...let me say this...Last May my glucose levels were completely out of control....my  Hemoglobin A1C ( a primary measurement of diabetes) was 11.3 (normal for a non-diabetic is between 4.0 and 5.6)...so clearly mine was horribly high...bad!!!  Once I started eating differently and working out...my glucose levels have steadily declined and I have drastically cut back on my insulin dosage.  As of today...my A1C is 6.3!!!  I no longer take any long acting insulin and I take very minimal short acting.  NOW..I only take one medication for my diabetes...AND  I believe that with continued weight loss that I can conquer diabetes completely! 

In my opinion, this is a flat out...MIRACLE!!!  So I want to celebrate with all of you.  Thank you for your continued support, prayers and all of the love.  Great Love = Big Miracles!

It was a good day today...I have more good stuff to share..but it is late...so I will share the rest tomorrow. 

Lead Us Not Into Tempation!

Another Monday is in the books!  It was a busy day at work and stressful...not worth spending time discussing here...except to say that I battled my inner stress eater ALL DAY!  See photo below!!
AND OF ALL DAYS...There were Chocolate Donuts in the kitchen at work....Evil Doers!
But...I overcame temptation and stuck to the plan!  Not bad for a donut loving fluffy girl!!

A neat little gift today was that just as I was having my my own struggles with the donut attack...another weight loss blogger was having her own battle...we were able to commiserate via Twitter and lend each other a bit of support!

Tonight I walked a couple of miles and am hanging out with my Emily and my Tone Tone! 
I have had the pleasure of helping a cat-obsessed 12-year old with a school report about....CATS!

Simple pleasures...I love the little moments...doing things that to the naked eye may seem mundane. But if a closer look is taken...they are really quite priceless...precious to me!
So I will take this Monday....I beat temptation, conquered the evil Chocolate donut, walked a couple of miles ( in my own shoes) had a good discussion about cats and got to spend time with my two girls!

Here is what I sent to my fellow blogger today...something I needed to hear more than I needed to say!

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" Matthew 6:13

Here is a recipe my co worker Amanda sent me today...sounds good! Thought I would share!

http://mywholefoodlife.com/2012/12/15/apple-cinnamon-baked-oatmeal/

On My Way to Victory

Happy Sunday!  I hope today finds all of you happy and healthy!
I find myself struggling again today.  Not  horribly...more like growing pains.  I feel as if I am learning how to eat healthier, live healthier and at the same time, I am trying to figure out how to just BE heathier....or I should say that I continue trying to learn how to just BE!  I know I have spent considerable time on this topic already...but *SPOILER ALERT*
I am not done yet!
You see...here's the thing, I am a stress eater, right?  I eat when I am emotional (often)!  I eat when I am not satisfied, or nervous, anxious, etc...Well now it appears that having energy makes me hungry or nervous...or both!  Crap!
So...I really did not want to be near the fridge today...I did not want to be in the house...too beautiful for being indoors...I wanted to be out...to drink in some sunshine and to practice being still, listening for God's plan and adjusting to this new version of me that is not sick, exhausted and overwhelmed.
The truth is for me...that change...even for the better...takes time, it takes strength, it takes patience and it takes unprecedented will power....6 months ago...it would have also taken a cheeseburger, large coke and french fries!!
Things they are a  changin'!
I am reading Lysa Terkeuerst's book "Made to Crave" and in it she says the following:
"We were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth."
My hope is that I am on my way to to that truth...on my way to Victory!
Here are some pics of my day in the Sonshine!

The Need to Decompress!

HI to all...it is going to be a short post tonight. 

I have had a fairly productive day.  Started the 4th week of the cleanse and got to add in some carbs and my favorite...almond butter!!! 

I am feeling the need to "decompress" today.  Having a small battle with a little anxiety.  I think I am starting to have so much energy that I do not really know what to do with myself!!!  A good problem to have...but an awkward adjustment it seems. 

Feeling a little disappointed in my planning efforts for the charity event and really feeling called to make this happen.  So...I will start again tomorrow and am hopeful that it will come together. 

For tonight...gonna turn my brain off...and prayerfully prepare to start again tomorrow! 

Goodnight.

Weigh In #28-Losing Weight in a Healthy, Happy Way

Happy Friday...Happy almost weekend!  Happy Weigh In Day!!!  Yes...it is actually a happy weigh in day!  I lost another 3 lbs and have now lost a total of 46 lbs!! 

That means that I am 74 lbs away from my goal.  Now, when I busted out my best math brain, I realized that would have to lose 3 lbs per week over the next 24 weeks to meet my original goal.  So though I do not think that is a realistic goal, I will keep Forging On!!!  I will work my hardest to make the most of my next 24 weeks and I WILL be playing volleyball again...with a new body (or at least a trimmed down old one), a rejuvenated spirit and the same ole sense of humor!!  All will be needed. 

I am starting to swing into a higher gear on organizing the charity event.  I have to make some decisions pretty quickly about venue...etc!  I am hoping that will become a focal point of the next few weeks in addition to losing as much weight as I can in a healthy, happy way!!

Losing weight in a healthy, happy way...makes me think about the 1st time I lost a lot of weight and why....

I have lost quite a few pounds before (70lbs) when I was much younger.  Though the outcome was ultimately beneficial for me, back then, I did it for the wrong reasons. I did it to become more physically appealing. I did it so I could be accepted as a legitimate professional singer.  I did it under pressure, I did it to prove to people that they were wrong about me and strangely, I did to please those very same people.  People who told me point blank that my talents were good but not good enough because I was fat!  OUCH!  No sugar coating that one!  It was a difficult time in my life and a great season of learning.  I would not trade it for anything now.  I got to work in the music business just long enough to learn that I loved the singing and the crowds...but not the "business"...and you gotta love all of it to make it your life! 
But I did it..and I had some great experiences and I have wonderful stories to tell (which you know I love) AND in regards to my Journey now...I have had the experience of changing who I am for the wrong reasons..or maybe better put...trying to be something I was not in order to please others.

This weight loss...this Journey... is so much more special to me than the 1st time around. This time around I am not angry or bitter, not completely overwhelmed and not struggling to meet impossible expectations!

Now I know this...I am a Fluffy Girl...who wants to be healthier...not beautiful, , who loves to sing, not for fame, but for Joy and who wants to be a better person....not to please others but to please God.

So I will take on the next 24 weeks with that knowledge and it will give me the confidence I need to do this and most importantly...It does NOT have to perfect...It just has to BE!


OK...So WHO IS WITH ME!!!!!  I need all of you and need all of the prayers you can muster!!!!