The responsibility of being someone's inspiration

I've heard it in the most unlikely places from some of the most unexpected people.
Everything from:
"Wow you look great, what are you doing?"
"Watching you change over the years has helped me realize I can do it to."
"Your dedication to exercise has helped me start up again."
"Really a marathon, I don't think I could do one but since you are going to I'll try to train."
"You have really changed your life, how can I?"
"You are my inspiration."
To:
"You are so stupid to run so much."
"Why are you losing weight?"
"You know you will never will a race."

When you chose to change and are around other people who also could use change in their lives, by default you could inspire someone. And even if the compliments aren't all good they are being said because you have caused a stirring within someone. You many have stirred them to recognize their own need for change, or made them feel guilty for decisions they are making.
So you are responsible for that stirring. Now you might say, "What does that mean?". I think that the responsibility means whatever you want it to mean. You could take it personal and feel an obligation to share your journey with others (my blog). You could chalk it up to another compliment to prove you're on the right path and not help anyone. Or you could be an inspiration from afar maybe never talking to the person you inspire due to that fact that you don't even know them.
I will tell you that the most encouraging thing for me is to have a conversation with someone that tells me I have somehow sparked a change in them. Because I know that they will soon inspire someone else. They will have the chance to hear the same words they have spoken to me.
Now to take it one step further. That responsibility also goes to show that every decision you make (to run or not, to drink or not, to eat like crazy or not) is public. What you choose to do can have a negative effect on the people you have inspired! Your actions now not only hurt you but can hurt others too.
So I guess I have to say to all of you out there, take what you have been given in life seriously. God made you who you are so that you can change the world for his good. If he has give you the responsibility of being someone's inspiration don't take it lightly. You could have a huge impact on a future world changer.

Will my mindset EVER change?

Living most of my life overweight has burned an image into my brain that is hard to release.
Things Like:
 -Over indulging because the food is in front of me
 -Always going straight to the plus sizes (I will tell you that shopping is harder when you are thinner b/c the options are endless!)
 -Being LAZY (Having to remind myself daily why I would want to get out of bed at 5am and go workout)
 -Assuming the overweight me is what I'll see in the mirror. And then being surprised by what I truly see.

I know things change with time and I have changed over time, but will I ever have a healthy perspective of myself? Will I ever actually see what I look like or will I always see the flaws?

How do you process the change?
How do you see the truth?
How do you truly love who you are, no matter size?

I guess it comes down to that, I struggle with loving myself. With feeling I'm worth all that Jesus has done for me. With realizing that I truly am worth all this hard work I have been doing. Sometimes the battle is every second and other times it can go months.
I know I'm not the only person in the world that struggles with this, and sometimes it is hard to admit that you do. But if we take it to God and ask for his help then he can help us focus on his perspective and not ours.

Have you ever thought by not loving yourself you are pretty much are telling God that his creation is not good enough for you? That the fact that he formed you, created you and is continuing to change you is really worth nothing if we can't love ourselves. If we can't love ourselves then how can we truly love God's people? How can we truly love God?

Be honest with yourself right here and now, do you love yourself?

I pray that I can find love, be love and give love with all that I have and all that I am. And I too pray that for you!

The 24 day Challenge

Well I decided since I am 20lbs away from my goal that I needed to step things up a little more. So through the wisdom of some friends I have started the 24 day challenge.
You can view here what it is all about.
Mainly I started it because I feel like it is good time to clean out my system and help me finish this journey. I  strongly believe that this isn't the only thing you need to do in life for weight loss and life change but it seems that it could be a great way to reset your system. I'm on day 2 and feeling great, I will keep you posted on this and if you are at all interested in trying it let me know!

20 lbs to go!

Let's just say it is time to post again!
Wow it has been a long time, don't worry I haven't fallen off the wagon. I'm actually losing again!! This morning I saw 184 on the scale!
This last year I lost 12 lbs. it isn't much but it is still 12 lbs. I have lost 6 pant sizes though as I'm gaining muscle and losing fat. But in order to get to my goal weight I have decided to stop spinning and start running full time. So as my goal for this year (to run a race every month) comes to a close and I only have 2 more races to go, I have already set my next goal. I'm training for a marathon! Yep I said it and one thing I have learned over this journey that if I put my mind to it I can achieve it!

I would like to take some time to talk about failure, man is this a hard subject especially when you fear it.
I have proven over these past 2 years that I can change my life forever, that I can do anything I put my mind to. But I always seem to categorize what I can achieve and what I will fail at. Then I run away scared of the things I could fail at. 2 years ago I thought I would fail at changing my life forever and losing weight. But one day I took a step forward and that changed me forever.
Now I still have a lot more places in my life that I'm afraid of, dreams that I have held back on because of fear. Even with my recent success I'm still afraid to fail!
One thing I know is that I can't let failure pull me down, but I also know I need people in my life to push me. God has blessed me with many friends in my life that love me and push me to be the best me God is calling me to be.
Are you the best you that you can be? Are there things in your life that you are afraid of? What would it look like for you to move forward on just one of those things? To take one goal and try to accomplish it?
Look at it this way don't set out to lose 100lbs, set a goal to drink your water, then move onto fruit and eating right, and then start to walk down the street. You will be running and doing more than you ever thought you could before you know it. 2 years ago I was 70lbs bigger , if I had tried to lose 70lbs in a week I won't have and I would have given up. But by setting steps I could accomplish I have become a good eater, a runner and 12 sizes smaller over 2 years. And I have changed my life forever!

I did a Sprint Triathlon!

I don't know why it has taken me this long to write this post but I still feel emotional about this race. And I feel like this post will bring the emotions out, but it is time to share it with all of you.
So here are the specifics of the race of my race on 8/27/11. It was a 500 meter swim, 10 mile bike and a 3 mile run. I actually didn't train for the swim and feel like I did well on it.
My swim time was 16:09.2
Bike time was 41.11.8
Run time 35:31.6
overall time of 1:38:21.7
I feel like I did well but I know I can get a better time.
That being said, there will be a next time. I couldn't believe that the whole time I loved the experience, there was no point that I wanted to quit and all I could think is that ANYONE could do this! And I mean that, if you put your mind to it you can do it. My 1st race that I ran all the way through was on thanksgiving 2010 and it was 4.5 miles. 10 months later I did a Tri!! Anyone could do it!

Now to the emotional stuff, one of the hard parts for me was to end and not have anyone there that was cheering me on. I never thought that I would feel that way, but I really longed for someone to see me finish strong and meet this goal. I am not saying this to make anyone feel bad. It was my fault that I have not invited people in to cheer me on. I have done this journey alone and chose to do so. Besides the occasional  Bravo at weight watchers and accepting a compliment from a friend I haven't shared or asked for people to cheer me on. So I ended my race very tearful...1. for finishing and 2. for finishing alone.
Now I won't say I didn't brag or put it all over facebook, because I did! But I invite you all into this with me, ask me my goals and cheer me on. So that I can do the same for you, we weren't meant to do life alone. Here is a picture of me running, I guess I'm a thumbs up runner!!

Today on the Hwy. I saw a billboard that said Obesity is a disease not a decision. 2 years ago I would have agreed with this statement, but now I feel like the statement is just a copout. It is a decision, and I have proven that! If you change your lifestyle forever you can change your life. It is your decision!

Thanks for reading!!

Great day!

Today I ran my July 5k 33:30...not bad. But I rode 11 miles to the race and then another 19! So I'm tired but happy! Now what to do for tomorrow??

I look thin!

So this last Sunday I saw the first picture of myself that I actually think I look thin in. It was one of those stare at it for a long time pictures, the is that really me picture. So time to compare again! I've been losing again, went down to 192 this week. My goal it 164....28lbs to go!

Encouragement

It is so encouraging to hear from people that they read this thing and that they are gaining wisdom from it. I truly feel that God put me on this journey for a reason and it is not for me, but for His glory to shine through me. And when things get hard I can look back and see how much I have grown and changed. How much my Jesus has taught me through this and that He has even more to offer.
He has great plans for all of you and even though it isn't always easy you need to walk through the open door and follow the path He has marked out for you. You can stop and wait all you want but you need to start going again sometime. So why not now, why not follow the plans He has for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

More to share

This week has been an interesting week. As some of you know back in Aug of 2008 I had my gallbladder removed and for 2 1/2 years I was living in pain after the removal. So in Jan. 2011 I had another procedure done where they found 2 very large stones that had been left behind! Those were removed and I felt like a brand new person for 5 months, it was so wonderful to be pain free. You don't realize how much pain can make your attitude change and your overall outlook at life different. Well the pain came back last week! I had an MRI and it came back clear, so the Dr. said that my bile duct is spasming and I will have to live with it! Now I don't look forward to this pain, I know what it is and that is half the battle. There are many prescriptions I can take but the effects are almost as bad as the pain. That being said I have still worked really hard this week through the pain!

So here you go.
5-26-11
Weight: 194 (-2lbs!) 

Exercise This Week-
Friday: I went country line dancing!!
Saturday: Ran May 5K it was cross country and due to my pain I walked a little of it and almost tossed my cookies! But did 38min
Sun: None
Mon: 17.23 Miles Spin,  & 3.33 mile run
Tues: 16 Miles Spin & weight training
Wed: 17 miles Spin & 1.3 mile run
Thurs:3 mile walk


Food This week-
Loses: Did well this week!
Wins: I ate what I was suppose to and enjoined many new recipes

Spiritual-
Wins: I have had wonderful times of prayer this week. 
Loses: My consistency of when my quite time is has seemed to go our the window. 


"pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness." 1Tim 6:11

Complete Honesty

Ok so I decide that I need totally real, and I decide to do it here. I am at a place where the end goal is a lot closer than it was before. But I am also at a place where it is easy to just coast on my current knowledge, not learn more, not push harder and just maintain b/c I feel so much better. But let's stop and think about where I am, I have about 30 more pounds to lose and it actually seems to be the place where most people start weight watchers. Yet I seem to be ok with just coasting, if i feel good now can you imagine how good my body will feel when I get to goal?
Why stop for only partial goodness?
I think that question has some huge spiritual implications too. Why do we stop seeking Christ when we first start to see His goodness? Why do we settle for the preview and not watch the movie? Why do we endure the challenge ahead and not collect the prize? Why do we push really hard to just coast and never get over that final hill?
So here and now I'm going to attempt to get over that final hill, I'm going to continue the journey to collect the prize. You say how am I going to do it? Well I'm going to do it by publicly tracking my week, I would like to say it will happen daily but with my crazy life I don't get to a computer daily so weekly is a promise.
I'm going to track my wins, loses, ups, downs and all the in between.

So here you go.
5-19-11
Weight: 196

Exercise This Week-
Sun: None
Mon: None
Tues: 15 Miles Spin
Wed: 17 miles Spin
Thurs:18 mile spin class & 3 mile run
Friday: I will Spin
Saturday: I'm running my May 5K

Food This week-
Loses: Fudge came into my house I ate too much, I have also been craving Peanut Butter. And I ate too many tortilla chips yesterday.
Wins: I have been doing well on my H2O, and getting a good protein filled Breakfast.

Spiritual-
Wins: I have had some solid days in the word and in worship.
Loses: I have not turned to God with my cravings and I need to.

So there you go read if you want or not, but I want to challenge you to get honest too. It might not be with food and exercise. But it could be with something else, maybe goals, lifeplan, time in the word, or organization. Just find what it is and push yourself.

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4

Finish Strong

Those two words have been running through my head since my spinning class earlier this week. One of my instructors kept insisting that we push ourselves past our comfort level and then in the last few minutes continued to tell us to finish strong. And well it hit a cord with me, I know that it was only a 45min class but it got me thinking. Over a year and 1/2 I have lost almost 60lbs, before I started I never thought I could do it. I had every excuse in the book, I don't have enough money, I can't do it alone, me exercise you have to be kidding, I'm just big boned. All lies! The truth is even if I didn't have money for the gym or weight watchers I some how had money for that movie and pizza, I'm not alone I have God by my side and a whole lot of people that have cheered me on along the way (http://bcolling.wordpress.com/ , http://less2cmo2love.blogspot.com/ ,http://stevewallen.blogspot.com/), exercise starts just be walking to the mail box, and people God made all our bones and big boned isn't really an option.
So all week I have been thinking about finishing strong. I've lost 60lbs and I have 30lbs to go, I'm 2/3 the way to my goal. I only have that 1/3 to go....I must FINISH STRONG. I've pushed myself way past my comfort level......I need to FINISH STRONG. I've changed my life for the positive........I will FINISH STRONG!
So here is to finishing strong, when you see me you have all permission to ask me how things are going.

Running through 2011

So I just finished my April run in 31min!!
Jan. was 35
Feb. was 35
March was 33
April was 31
All my spinning has paid off!! My weight has not moved in months but I feel better than ever! I would like to lose about 30lbs to get to my goal, but I'm so ok if it takes another year. Why you ask? because I'm getting healthy and changing my life forever.
My challenge to you is to pick one thing in your life that isn't good for you and get rid of it. Take your time if you need to but when it is gone you will be happy!

2 long weeks

So it has been 2 weeks since I have written and well in that time I've been to Reno and back to visit with my parents who I hadn't seen in 2 1/2 years. It was a short but sweet trip, long enough to love on them but not too long to get upset with each other.

On a weight note, I haven't moved on the scale. But I have picked up on my exercise, I now run a 9 min mile and then start my 45min spinning class at 5am during the week! I really love it and besides wanting lunch at 10am it really makes my day so much better. But I do really wish I could get this last 25lbs off, I know I'm building muscle and I'm healthy. But I just can't wait to get to my goal!!!

Tonight is my 2nd small group. I'm so excited it is so wonderful to be on this journey with other people!

Best Small Group Ever!

Well last night was our 1st Made to Crave meeting and it was awesome. We have 16 ladies in the group, although we were missing 3 last night it was still a wonderful group. We took time to get to know each other and to get real about the things that get in our way, sugar, sweets, unhelpful husbands, fast food, schedules, and ultimately the way we put food before God.
I'm so excited about this study and can't wait to see how God is going to bond this group of ladies together. Because one thing I have learned is that there is strength in numbers, when one is down the rest are here to pick you up.
One of the best parts of our group is that we are all at different points in life, single, married, w/ kids, w/o kids, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, been on the weight roller coaster, never dieted before. But most importantly we are women who want to run after a closer relationship with Christ!!
So all I can say is yea God!! We were made for more!

Small Group

My great friend Cassie (her blog) and I were  chatting the other day about how we have inspired others to start to get healthy. It is a little weird, we both were the girls who once sat on the couch eating a whole gallon of ice cream not thinking anything was wrong. Now we are the girls that love the gym, enjoy cooking healthy and can't wait to get to our goals so we can go on a cruise together. Goal date!
If you have read my blog you know that this had been a huge journey for me and I have had wins and failures throughout it all along getting stronger. For sometime now I have felt like I needed to share my journey with others and I know that God has been preparing me to do so. I just wasn't sure how it would take form, I thought that when I got to my goal I would then run a meeting for weight watchers and that would be how God was going to use all of this. Although I think I may still do that, through a great book Made to Crave I have been given an avenue to start a small group here at Genesis Church. I know I am not at my goal yet, but is all seems to add value to what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I ultimately started my journey to get closer to God and that is what my small group is all about. Because let's face it even if someone doesn't have to lose weight they still have something that they put in front of God. That little g god shows up a lot and we all need to be healthy all around. The spiritual, physical and mental.
So if you are going to come to my group or not I urge you to pray and ask God what you are putting before him, somethings you might not even realize. He will show you how to get back to the basics and get all the junk out of the way.
And if you live in the area come to Genesis Church on Sunday we are going to be talking about "What God Do You Serve?" 
You can find us here too Facebook. 

Italy??

Ok so supposedly I have a blog reader from Italy. If that is you would you please e-mail me at tfisht33@hotmail.com my goal is to make a trip to Italy in 2012 and would love to chat with you about your great homeland!

I can't believe you posted those pictures!!

That is the quote this week, I was chatting with a lady from my church that reads my blog she was telling me how different I looked and what a big change I have made. Then she said, "I can't believe you posted those pictures!" She is talking about the ones a few posts back of the old me. Power of Photos
She is right, even back then I really didn't like those pictures and I would untag myself often in pictures, but now there is a sense of accomplishment that comes over me when I look at those old pics, I see how far I have come. But even looking at the new pics I see how far I need to go.
You might say T-Rock you look just fine, or aren't you happy yet? Well I do look and feel good, but just the other day I shoveled in 2 pieces of cheesecake into my month not really even tasting them and why did I do it? The answer is I still emotionally eat, instead of seeking the big G God in my moment of sadness I sought the little g god food. I still have times that I put food before things in my life and yes it is ok to have cheesecake, but it is so much better to have it and taste it!
There is still work to be done in my life it took me 31 years to get to 251lbs. and just 1 1/2 years to lose 60lbs. so far. I'm still working hard and moving down on the scale although my victories aren't always on the scale, sometimes it is the race I ran, getting out of bed at 4:45am to cycle, or stopping before I eat emotionally. Those are all still victories.
One of the greatest things that has brought me victory is setting goals and then meeting them. Last year it was to run one 5k race, and run the whole thing. And instead I ran a 4.5 mile race and ran the whole thing.
This year it is to run a 5k every month, and tomorrow is my Feb. race. Along with the races I want to improve my times and distance throughout the year.
Find your goal and don't make it unachievable, instead make it something you can reach. But make it something that will take some effort, don't make it easy, push yourself.
You will be amazed what your body can do, and your mind if you put yourself to it!
Here is an old and recent profile pic.

The Spiritual Cont.

God has over and over again put the spiritual in front of me this week. As I'm getting closer to my goal weight it seems like it is harder and harder to see big number losses. But my body looks more and more in shape and I am getting better muscle tone. As much as I want this last 25lbs to just fall off I know that I need to get my body in shape to do it. So that is where the spiritual comes in.
My worth is not a number on the scale, my worth is in my relationship with Christ. If I can line up my relationship with Him and do what He asks me to do, then I will follow Him in all I do. The number is just a number, it doesn't make me anything. But God makes me everything that I am!
So seriously seek Him and He will guide you to physical health........so pray, He will answer!

The Spiritual.

Weight loss is a life journey. One where my mind may always play the role of the "fat girl" and it has many different levels. Physical, Mental and Spiritual.
It is very easy to just focus on the physical side of weight loss but to be healthy and look at all aspects of it you need to look at the mental "fat girl" mentality and the spiritual part. Many people ignore the mental and spiritual side which ultimately leads them to a crash and burn. But to be honest the Spiritual + a pair of too small red PJ pants started me on my journey. But today we will just focus on the spiritual part.


Did you know that gluttony is a sin?
Gluttony:: 1.excess in eating or drinking; 2.greedy or excessive indulgence (Webster)
Throughout the bible you will find verses about over eating and being drunk, 2 things that physically harm your body.


Why are you here on earth? 
If you are a Christian you may find this answer very obvious, but you don't really cling to it.
It is to love and serve God with all our heart. But I ask you this, how can you do anything if your house is not in order. Now I'm not saying you need to be perfect, but you do need to being running after the Savior. Yes I said running. A life of laziness does not produce a life of abundant faith. But a life of apathy. 
For most of my life I lived a life of bondage to complacency and apathy. Even after starting a personal walk with Christ (14 years ago on 2/15) I always came back to a place of just doing the motions. Because I didn't have everything in check. I didn't realize that every part of my body needed to be going to the same place.
Did you know that your body is a temple? 
1Cor6:19-20 (The message) "Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."
Our body is a temple, a gift from God!! And we are to spend our time on this earth to fully live for Christ. 
So here is the end, can you honestly tell me that being overweight, indulging in sin and not keeping your temple in order has lead you to a close walk with God? I think some could argue this point, but I ask you to deeply seek out the right answer. Live your life right, look to God for your strength and He will give you abundant blessings. He wants to see you succeed. He wants you to live your life on earth to it's fullest potential. So I beg you to get your house in order! Please don't let distractions get in the way with your relationship with Christ and do everything you humanly can to please him! 

My race was canceled:o(

So my race tomorrow was canceled :o(
But I found one at the end of the Feb. So I will still be able to make my goal!!

Running through 2011

One of my main goals of this year is to run a race every month and in doing so improve my time.
I did my 1st 5k on 1/8/11 it was 11 degrees out and I completed it in 36 minutes.
My next one is 2/12/11 in Carmel and a 5k.
Then in March I'm running a 5k downtown Indy.
I'm not sure what the next months hold, I haven't found the races I want to do yet.
What are your goals?
How can you push yourself past what you think you can't do?

ice, ice baby!

So here are some current photos, it is so good to be able to look back and see where I was and where I am now. 

 

But the hard thing is that my mind still thinks I am where I used to be. I don't write this right now to get any pity but to just tell you what the mind of a used to be fat girl goes through. 9 times out of 10 times when I look in the mirror I still see that size 24 body, even though I'm a 12 right now and have the goal of being an 8.

 I got shocked this fall when I got whistled at and sometimes need to look at myself twice in the mirror to see the real me. Losing weight is not just a physical thing, it is also mental and extremely spiritual. Months ago I started to deal with the mental part of this and I am in no way through it yet and may never be. My confidence was no where to be found when I was fat, I was always the one behind the scenes and never ever did I think I would have a boyfriend. I always assumed the friend role and the listener, I was the one in H.S. who people would talk to about their relationship problems. And always told I would make a good wife...I gotta be a girlfriend first people! 

When I started this journey, I knew I could succeed but it would be hard. I never realized that it would be a roller coaster, that I would have to deal with things that were said in the J.H. hallways about being the fat kid in order to lose weight. I found myself at a point 20lbs in when out of fear I froze and stopped for a few weeks, the fear was that I don't know how to be just a regular weight, healthy woman. It is a foreign concept for me. Then I realized that I had actually lived a life of fear for a long time. 

I was afraid to run...now I'm running a race a month and looking to do a little triathlon in Aug.

I was afraid to be open to any potential boys.....now I met some guys and really enjoyed talking to them.

I was afraid to wear cute clothes.....this past week I was in a dress and leggings!

I was afraid to share my journey with others in case I failed.....now my blog is open for all to read. 

I let fear rule me, and that is where the spiritual comes in. You will have to wait to hear that part!

Moving

To get yourself up and move is one of the most important things to do when it comes to weight loss. And sometimes that means getting up at 5am! Ok today it was 5:45 but I most recently signed up at the YMCA because I know that I need more than just the basic 30min cardio. And what did I do my 1st morning? Spinning! Man is my body sore and did I ever sweat. I couldn't do everything, and don't really know the equipment well. But I got in there for an hour and pushed myself as hard as I could. I will continue to go, it is a great kick start to the morning. There are a lot of other classes I would like to do, so I'm excited to adventure forward in it.
I seem to be a little restless in life right now, I know that I get here often. But I'm trying to determine what is making me feel this way.
My advice to you is to just move...even just a little bit!

The Power of Photos

I remember never liking having my picture taken. But here are some that show me before I decided to change my life.

32 more lbs!

All the normal things aren't working any more, so I need to push myself more. Time to go to a more expensive gym so that I can take classes too!
One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone asks me how I'm losing weight and I tell them, which in return they respond oh I don't have money to do that. Well my friends, you do have money for it. Whether it is Weight Watchers, the gym or any other program that will help you succeed you need to figure out how you can pay for it. And here are some helpful hits.
1. Cut back on Starbucks....now I'm not saying quit buying coffee, just cut back. Don't buy the $5 Venti, get the $3 tall instead or the $1.50 tall coffee. Not only will you save about $50 a month, you will also cut back a bunch of wasted calories!
2. Do you really need to large size that meal at fast food? Same reasons as above.
3. Why don't you cook at home? Even just once a week? Or make all your lunches and take them to work, did you know you could make your lunch for as low as $2 a day! Also your able to control your portions and fat intake that way.
Just in those 3 examples I have saved you over $100 a month!
That's $40 for WW, $40 for the gym and an extra $20 for savings(or a 5k)!
Your excuse should never be that you can't afford it, because the way I look at it you really can't afford not to. I mean you do want to live right don't you?

July 20th 2011

My friend Cassie Morgan and I have been on this journey together for the last year, although I have been on it longer then her we are both losing. And we want to hit our goal weight by her B-day 7/20/11. Once we do that we will go on a cruise in Aug. to celebrate!!
It has been awesome to be able to share my journey with my sweet friend and also to hear how she is doing. Her and I have taken 2 totally different approaches at weight loss but in the end hope to reach our goals. I have been on Weight Watchers, which has worked wonderfully for me. And she has set a plan for herself to follow and I must say she is rockin at it!!
An update on my goal it is 164 and currently I'm at 196...so 32lbs. The reason my goal is 164 it that with WW you have to set a goal within your healthy weight and height range and 164 is the top of that range for me. I can't imagine being any smaller than that, I can't even being that small and well last year I couldn't imagine being the weight I am now.

Winter

Winter always seems to be more than just a season outside for me. I seem to experience it spiritually too. And even physically. I find myself alone in a room full of people. People cancel on me daily and I think it is me. But then I realize how God is trying to get my attention, that He is jealous and wants me to spend my energy telling him what is going on in my life. How he longs to have a lunch with me, or coffee in the morning. How even though I feel so alone in winter He is there pushing me forward, He is pruning all the things I need to get rid of. And my job is to let these things go, to listen to what God is calling me to do and cut off the things I need to do.