What Would You Do?

It's a question I have seen in a fabulous quote:

“What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”

Robert H. Schuller



Of course my answer to that is The only way you fail is to not make the attempt! You fail yourself if you do not try and do not work on making positive changes in your life. But as long as you are trying and you are implementing positive changes in your life then you are in my opinion succeeding at what you are attempting. What we fail to realize and I don't' know why we fail at this is we are in control of our own lives! We may not be able to control the things and people that surround us but we can very much control our actions and reactions and we can determine our own fate when it comes to our health as far as weight issues go. We can choose healthier options, we can choose exercise and we can choose to take control of that which we allowed to be an uncontrollable issue in our lives. As I said in a previous note this week it's all about being responsible and accepting the responsibility for what we do to ourselves! So I think that I will keep this note fairly short this morning I just thought I'd pose that question to my friends here to give you something to think about for today and the weekend, what would you do if you knew you could not fail? The possibilities are endless my friends....the choices are yours...will you make the attempt at what you want? Are you holding yourself accountable & responsible?



Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend! xoxoxo

The First Step is believing anything is possible...after that ...anything is possible!

This little thought popped into my mind yesterday you probably seen it as my status message yesterday. You know as a child you believe anything is possible your imagination is sharp your possibilities are endless! As we get older I think we become more and more jaded and the idea that anything is possible becomes nothing more than a dream, a wish, an illusion that evades us..only because we stop believing anything is possible. There are sometimes in life where we have to stop and grab that child like belief and run with it. On this journey I have fallen, I have stumbled but I have never given up! Sure I have felt bad I have felt defeated but you see I believe anything is possible and I think that is one of the keys to being successful is having that belief that no matter if I stumble I can get back up shake it off and keep pushing forward that means when the scale doesn't show my hard work that I just keep on going and pushing till it does! It doesn't mean that I allow the scale to defeat me or define me or my journey! I believe it is possible to win this battle, I believe in myself and that is one of the biggest things we all struggle with who have weight issues is believing in ourselves and feeling confidant enough in who we are. So my message today is believe in yourself..don't let the scale define you...and believe me anything is possible.

Taking Responsiblity

In a status message a few day's ago(on facebook) I made mention of someone though I know there are many who do this, even a few who have passed away wanting, waiting and thinking they needed to get on The Biggest Loser to lose weight. I think it's ridiculous to place all your eggs in one single basket! In the end on Biggest Loser you are left to your own devices, sure you get the training, you get the information and what all you need knowledge wise to make it on your own but honestly you sink or you swim. The information you need is out there you just have to not be lazy and do some researching, some reading, some reaching out! Support is a big thing for me I need it and yes I know you get that on "The Ranch" but however you can find that be it online, in a gym, at a group meeting with other people who are on their journey to lose weight. In fact 90% of my support comes from wonderful friends I have made online! I have been blessed with some of the best of the best in friends on here! So saying you NEED "The Ranch" to me is just another excuse of many to put off your weight loss! I just want to say quit hiding behind excuses!! Every last one of us have been guilty of hiding behind excuses none of us are innocent. I've hid behind the school work, housework, kids, and money excuses. But in the end I should be making time some how balancing my schedule it ain't easy but you know what if I had made it on I'd still have to come back home and face all my excuses and I'd still have to find away to do it! What do some people think, really do you think cause you go on the show that there is some kind of anti-fat shield you come home with that re-pails all fat from sticking back on you? Nope you have to keep doing the work and you have to find away to get rid of your excuses! You have to find a way to make time, to work a budget to afford the proper foods you need to be eating! If you don't then all that time away from home, family and friends were for NOTHING all that sweat, blood and tears all for nothing making everything meaningless and a waste of your time, the trainers time the shows time! I have put in one attempt at casting for The Biggest Loser it was a wonderful experience one that made me see a lot of different things in myself I needed to fix, and face! But would I keep on at it time after time? No no way! Not because of hurt feelings or self doubt it's just that I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket! Only foolish people do stuff like that in my opinion! You in the end of everything are the only person who can save yourself from an unhealthy lifestyle. And it's high time a few people wake up and see that! It isn't easy, it's hard, it's a struggle at times, but there is something I have to say it is well worth it! You'll thank yourself one day! My struggle has been over the last bit with money and being able to afford what I need to make healthier meals and such, but I have faced the fact I have no choice but to sit my husband down and rework our household budget and make him realize what we need to do so we can do what is right for us and the children! So next pay period all healthy items in our house and I'm weeding out the unnecessary spending that goes on. Sometimes we have to just take things by the reigns and make it happen for ourselves! There will never be some magic cure-all and even the Biggest Loser isn't the end all cure all for obesity it is a great tool to put in your toolbox you can learn a lot, you can get inspiration and motivation but you have to put the tools into play and actually do something about it! You cant' consistently just sit there and let life pass you right on by and waiting to be saved...sometimes my friends you have to save yourself and be your own hero! Take responsibility for yourself after all it's your bad choices that have put you where you are we can't blame anyone else for it in the end it's your choice what you put in your mouth and what you do or don't do physically! Yep that's right I'm 110% back in the game you'll be hearing a lot from me lol I have had a wealth of inspiration and motivation lately and I'm going to share it right here on my facebook page with my friends! Much love to you all!

My First 5K That Turned Into A 10K

Hi friends! Just sitting down and wanting to do a little writing and a little chatting tonight! First of all I have to say this OMG my legs, and sides hurt lol! Second of all I love it! Saditistc sounding yes but good yes as well! Yesterday I spent the day with some of the best friends I have in my life! I even made a new friend too! I had the time of my life with Nancy, Diana, Melissa, Derek and Joseph! Joseph's mom and dad were in attendance too yay love his parents they rock! The people who work with the show casting directors, previous contestants, Bob were all fabulous it was deffantly a big positive experience! I am so glad that I did this! I have found that the whole experience over the last few months with the casting call, applicatoin process has been nothing but something that has been positive for me and making me stronger and making me believe in myself even more so! I am getting to exactly where I need to be mentally so I can get there physically! Back to the 5k I finished it in about an hour and 3 minutes but I finished it running. I have to tell you the feeling of running acrossed that finish line was freaking awesome! The feel of completing it with NO complicatoins was fantabulous! Then Pete Thomas motivated Derek so much that Derek wanted to do the 5k again so me, Joseph, Sue and Dustin followed suite and went with Derek for a second go at it turning the 5k into a 10k! Derek by the way did amazingly! We made it through the second 5k without incident until I TRIPPED at the finish line lmao Diana has video to prove it lol hell I posted it on my page so you guys could see it as well cause if you can't laugh at yourself and the stupid crap you do then tell me who can you laugh at really? But after the trip both of my calves got these horrible cramps in them HOLY SMOKES both legs at one time come on give a girl a break lol but I got okay it's all good! Sat down for a bit drank some water then got up and figured what the hell lets go see some Biggest Losers ;-) Had to see two of my favorites Amy and Phil lol But also got to see Sherry, and Ali too how sweet! Bob was already gone by the time we got back *sigh* but hey I got a high five from him and I swore I wouldn't wash my hand lol but hey I gotta cause my hands were all sweaty too from yesterday lol! However back to the choice to go wait in line to see Ms. Sherry, Amy and Phil standing there in line it hit me like a rock that terrible I'm gonna barf my guts up feeling! I was dizzy and just felt like total and utter crap! Sue my new friend was standing next too me and well Joseph popped up as he always manages to do when he's needed lol and he found me a place to sit down and chill for a bit the people at the tent there were very nice to me gave me water and etc and cooled me off as did my friend. Every bit of color was gone from my face. I had a few more spells like that thankfully no puking occured! My worst fear was that I'd get up there to Ms.Sherry,Amy and Phil and I'd totally barf ewwwww bad impression to make hee hee I'm certain they are thankful that I managed to keep in down ha ha! But after all the day's fun we went to Maragritaville for some food, and fun I kept it good I had a salad yay Lori! Doing the 5k once made me feel amazing but doing it twice made me realise just who is in charge here....I am in charge here only I can fix me, sure I could have gotten cast for the show but unless that change comes from within the show is only a temp. fix they can hand me tools, they can work me out till I do puke, but they can't fix me 100% that kind of fix for someone like me has to come from me I have to want it so bad that I'll walk miles and miles! That I'll do whatever to get what accomplishments I want! I have to take life by the horns and I have to wrestle with it and make it what I want! I have to realise that it is perfectly OKAY to put me first sure I have five kids, a husband, a house, I'm a full time student but you know what unless this mother of five wife of one and Criminal Justice student fixes herself mentally and physically I will be worthless to myself and my family! So Yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life! I will make it next year I will run that 5k at Myrtle Beach! I am totally addicted to the 5k's now! All I can think about is which one's next I have my eye on one right now! I am going to sign up for on pay day and go get me some new shoes! Life is good! You guys all have to realise that true change comes from within you! If you want it go get it! If I can do a 5 or 10k so can you! I am so glad that Derek let Pete(thank you both actually) motivate him to do that 5k again because it was what did it for me it is the moment I have needed for a long time to complete this to do this to be done witht he life I have lived for about 31 years now trapped in a body that is going to fail me if I fail it one more time! I wont spend another 31 years this way! I can't do it and I will not do it to me any longer I deserve this! Thanks everyone for your love, and support!

Weight Loss Surgery For You Or Not For You

Hi friends this post is on weight loss surgeries! I have many friends who have done this method of weight loss and you know what I think hey if that's the path they want to or need to go down to get it done then good for them! Those who understand that it is not the end all cure all for weight loss are the ones who will be successful, those who understand that it takes eating the right things and working out to maintain their weight loss and understand in the end no matter which way you go you can't go back to your old habits. I have friends who have been very successful as using this as a tool it is NOT the easy way out trust me on that cause I've thought about going this rout myself and decided at the current time it isn't the way I want to go cause I just don't trust myself to not gulp down a big glass of water or not measure my food properly and end up doing more harm to myself than good. What brought on this blog well simply a conversation with my ex this past weekend! His current wife is going to have the lapband procedure next year, frankly I don't see her as a good candidate in my opinion while she most defiantly meets the weight requirements and the physical ailments psychologically I don't think it's going to do her any good because she hasn't ever been successful at changing her eating habits! She is going into this thinking this is the easy way out boy she is in for a rude awakening! It is people like this who don't see this as a tool but see it as an easy fix who end up in the end either hurting their selves or gaining what they lose back and put their selves through physical pain all for nothing in the end! She decided all this after my casting call and my article in the newspaper so I do believe it has driven her through insecurity's to do this. She always has thought I wanted my ex husband back and would come after him or if I looked better than her he'd want me rather than her. I have assured her more times than I have fingers and toes I sure as hell don't want him I mean come on what's to miss about a man who use to choke you, push you around, and tell you stuff like no one else would ever want you, your fat, your ugly, you have children, your stupid, your ignorant, your a bitch and your a whore! Oh yes uh huh what a prince charming! I'd just as soon chew my left arm off than ever go back to that sort of abusive relationship! I advocate people doing this weight loss journey for their selves not for fear of losing a spouse, but for fear of losing their own lives! For if you do not do it for you well it wont last you have to make yourself your main reason then others can follow for instance I am doing this for myself, and for my children and for my future grandchildren! I want to be around for a very long time and I want to spend it healthy not falling apart not being able to enjoy my life or my family! So this is the one thing that is totally okay if your "selfish"! If I get to a point where I want to try the surgery I will but for me it's about trust and I don't trust me lol so I will do it the way that I am! It's a personal choice as for which tools you choose to use on this fun filled up and down trip! Find yours and use them well! Remember it isn't easy, you didn't gain all of this in one day you wont lose it in one day! There are NO easy answers!

What I Put In My Mouth And Other Random Tips

I have been asked quite a few times what I eat and how much! So this is what this blog is all about! First and foremost I do my best to get in about 1200 calories a day on a high calorie day which I usually have once a week maybe about 1400-1500 of HEALTHY calories! First and foremost when you make this choice to eat right you have to rid yourself of the unhealthy foods that are lurking in your fridges or cabinets if you just leave them in there well they are there to tempt you so get a garbage bag and toss em out! Your next step would be to replace your unhealthy foods with healthy foods. One of my best tips is when grocery shopping don't go to the store hungry cause then you'll be buying EVERYTHING and probably stuff you shouldn't have! Stuff you'd want to get rid of would be soda's even the diet ones I don't have anything to do with them none of them are honestly good for you! Water should be the number one thing you should be drinking it is very very important, how much water? Well simple take your weight divide it by 2 so if your 300 pounds like I was when you started you divide it by 2 you get 150 and that is how many ounces of water you should take in. I also drink tea sweetened by Truvia it's 0 calories can't beat that! Crystal Lite Pure Fitness is also good! You want to stay away from a lot of fruit juices, soda's and stuff like that! I use skim milk sometimes Almond Milk. Now as for breakfast stuff I stock in my kitchen for breakfast are: Egg Whites, fat free cheese(I use this for more than just breakfast), turkey bacon, turkey sausage, multigrain cherrios, special K! Whole Wheat Bread, oatmeal steel cut is also good for breakfast! Stock up in fresh veggies you like, fresh fruits, seasoning is key to make your food interesting you want to stay away from too much salt I use sea salt when I do put salt in my foods but garlic powder, cilantro, chili powder, basil, and etc are your friends lol trust me no one likes boring food! Meats I get are lean cuts of meat mostly boneless skinless chicken breast, ground turkey. For snacks I use Almonds, yogurt Iusually get yoplate lite but I have found that lite and fit by dannon is less calories in fact only 80 calories! Of course I also use the fruits for snacks as well. Sometimes I'll indulge in a 100 calorie pack those are rare moments I do keep 100 calorie popcorn bags on hand most of the time. Preping your food and snacks at the first of the week can be a big help to keep you focused and on track! On day's I have a lot going on school work, kids, house and etc I will grab a Smart One the weight watcher frozen meal the bad thing about those is a lot of sodium are in them most of the time. So there you have it what I eat my very basics maybe that'll give you some idea what you need to stay away from! Now the best way to eat is every 3 hours or so to keep your metabolism going! Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack(sometimes I don't get this one in). Oh and a dressing I found that is really good if you are trying to cut out carbs is Ken's Steakhouse Ranch dressing most of the time I do an oil and vin dressing. Also whole wheat pasta's and brown rice! I don't use white rice or regular pasta! Keep it as natural as you can and do your best to stay away from processed foods! Make sure you eat within 30 minuets of waking up to get that metabolism going and water water water can't stress water enough it's one of my greatest downfalls to and when I do drink it I can tell the difference! So thats all I have for today! Have a good one!

Frustration

While this may not really have anything to do with weightloss I have to get it out of my system! My lord my family is driving me banannas! Okay I went away from ONE day and ONE night to NC leftmy oldest, hubby and two baby's in SC took the other two to their father's house in NC and went to hang out with a few friends and enjoy an awesome singer/songwritter show and it was fabulous Sunday was great too love my friends thanks yall! However I came home to hubby fussing bout my oldest and my oldest fussing about my hubby. THEN the mess my house was in I was NOT happy they trashed my house toy's everywhere, writing on the hallway wall just a generel mess! PLUS they brought the dog in and didn't watch him nor take him back out and guess who peed and pooped around the house? That's it I'm getting rid of the dog if no one else can be bothered to be responsible with him I'm done! It's rediculous why do I have to be the always responsible! Okay as if my night couldn't possibly get worse my oldest informed me that she wanted to marry her fiance after she turns 18 excuse me you still have SEVEN months of high school left WAIT! I was told 3-4 years if I allowed him to purpose to her! Then she wanted me to let them live here in my house while he looks for a job and she finishes school umm how about HELL NO! No no if you are grown enough to get married then you are grown enough to get out there and support yourselves sorry I had FIVE children not SIX and I will not support a grown person who I didn't birth! Then my mother this morning oh lets talk about her my oldest can do no wrong and I can say nothing right so you know what I love my mother but for today she is on ignore! I told her goodbye and hung up the phone am I bad for not answering it now while she calls back! I'm sick of it I love her but I'm tired of the constant crap I get over my child like I'm not suppose to disagree with her fine you let the two of them live with you then it ain't happening here I got married at 18 I know what kind of stress that is!LIFE IS NOT EASY even sitting here as an almost 36 year old woman life still isn't easy and I still don't have all the answers and I stress daily! Oh she isn't going to have kids for about 4 years well you know what my friends Life happens even when we don't plan it sometimes! Life is expensive and jobs are few! Then my mom says you said this and that when you were her age and frankly I think the woman is confusing me with my big brother...*sigh* seriously I'm starting to wonder about her memory! I need this vent and I need to get it out of my system before I boil over! How come I can't have just one weekend of happiness in my life? *sigh*