Are You Ready?

WE NOW INTERRUPT YOUR DAY WITH MY PERSONAL SOAP BOX MOMENT:

A minimum of 22 years I've spent at war with obesity, depression, and low self esteem and what do I have to show for it? A barrage of unflattering pictures, a fear of rejection, and a closet full of clothes that I can't fit. I've spent my life searching for my purpose; that one thing that God sent me here to accomplish. I want my life to mean something. I want to leave the world better than I found it.

So I pick up my trash and try really hard not to litter. I'm conscious of the footprint I'm leaving on the earth; so I try to run water sparingly, recycle and reuse recycled materials, try not to leave lights on, and try to consciously be aware of how my choices are going to affect my daughter and the generations to come.   I've been blessed with a creative spirit; one in which I can apply words to music, poetry, or paper (well in this case a webpage) and create something that is enticing, encouraging, and at times brilliant (If I should say so myself). I'm also crafty (my second husband is pinterest and my first husband isn't fond of him). I'm a dreamer, I'm loyal, I love hard, I'm witty, I'm honest (I try never to lie...not even the "I was just joking" lies), I'm a risk taker (within reason), I'm a fighter, I'm a leader, I'm a motivator, I'm inspirational, I'm passionate, I'm human.

With all of that I could not understand, for the life of me, why I was not able to achieve the level of excellence that I desire in my endeavors. In the past I've started several projects; never seeing one to completion. At times I feel like I'm my own worst enemy, sabotaging my own life (haters step aside). I'm taken back to the day I graduated from college, one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Mostly because I was a first generationer, but also because there were many days that I thought I wouldn't make it. I've cleared so many hurdles on this path, but not before toppling over some.

As I sat trying to understand; I was brought to a scripture, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and it hit me. God has never given up on anything; He finished the world and He has an expected end for each of us. For so long I've failed to exhibit this attribute of God's character because I constantly fall victim to the curse that so many have succumb to; complacency and mediocrity. I defeated depression in 2008 and haven't looked back. My self esteem is the highest it has ever been and it has no where else to go but up. I married an amazing man, I have an amazing daughter, and I serve an awesome God; yet something is blocking my elevation.

The verse in Corinthians and reflection showed me that of all of my life's accomplishments there's still one failure that haunts me; obesity. In conquering that I truly believe that I will receive the push, drive, and motivation that I need to propel me to the next level of excellence in every area of my life. This verse calls me to be diligent, run with purpose in every step, discipline my life, and never give up. It calls me to exude God's Spirit of completion. I've learned that actions speak louder than words so I'd rather show you than tell you; but for those who are audible learners and you prefer to hear it: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Are you ready to fulfill the call and purpose that God's placed on your life? Let's start right now with this.

Let's go! (You may now return to your regularly scheduled life events)

If you're enjoying the reading, don't forget to follow the blog.

Lastly, If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out. 

The Biggest Loser Revealed

24 days into this wonderful year and if I may boast a little bit; I have worked my BUTT off! (Well not actually, I mean there's still tons of butt to be worked off, but you get my drift). To stay motivated on my quest for a healthy lifestyle I need to be surrounded by encouragement: I read books, watch DVD's, and television shows all geared towards health. One of my favorite shows is the biggest loser. I enjoy it mostly because I'm able to see the person transform week to week right before my eyes. This show gives me hope and makes me feel like I too can be the biggest loser, right at home.

In past seasons, I listened to Bob, Dolvett, and Jillian as if they were screaming right in my face telling me to suck it up and get to it. So I got to it...and failed horribly. Not only didn't I lose weight, every season I GAINED weight! I was later informed that they have a team of doctors and specialist who help them learn to survive on less than 2000 calories a day and approximately six hours of exercise A DAY! (FYI I read this info in an article from a local biggest loser contestant; scouts honor).  

I don't know about you, but with the hubby, the kid(s), the job, the laundry, the housework, the cooking, the writing, the reading, and basically living; I do not have the time, energy, desire, or resources to be able to "do it" like a biggest loser contestant. That doesn't necessarily mean I can't still lose, it just won't be at the same rate as the contestants and I'm ok with that.

I did, however, learn a lot from watching the show and doing things on my own. I learned that motivation and visualization are two major tools to health's success. You have to know why you want it and be able to see you with it. Motivation is not an emotion and it shouldn't be tied to one either. Motivation is a reason, ask yourself WHY? Why do I want to or need to be healthy. Your motivation needs to be something that compels you to do and be better no matter what you feel like on any particular day. 

Visualization was new for me. I've never been able to see myself thinner than I am now and that's why I've struggled losing the weight. To help with this I created a motivation board that is tacked on the wall next to my side of the bed. It has quotes, scriptures, overall encouragement, and pictures of the body I desire and I look at this several times a day. I am retraining my brain and body to become the woman I am purposed by God to be.

(This is my motivation board)

The burpee challenge I mentioned in the last post is going GREAT! I did have a minor set back of a couple days and I just started over (which means now burpee's and abs will overlap for a few days, yuck!) I've started going to Zumba classes and other group fitness classes at my local YMCA. I make sure when our family eats a meal 50-75% of the food on the plate comes from fruits and veggies.

I'm determined this time not to let go of this dream, because I've come to learn that the biggest loser is really the person who gives up on themselves. In years past I had little to no support from those around me to be healthy, but I learned that I really didn't support myself. I didn't believe I could achieve the dream and therefore, even though my mouth said I wanted it, everything else said I didn't deserve it and I should let it go. Well I've officially rescinded my membership to the losers club and I vow from this point on to always be a winner. I approach this situation and every other in my life from the standpoint of Victory and I hope you will now join me on the victorious side. 

If you're enjoying the reading, don't forget to follow the blog.

Lastly, If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out.

Holiday Hangover

Well another year has come and gone, which means another holiday season has blown in like a thief in the night stealing most of my weight loss progress. And now...Now I'm waking up from the fog and wondering... how did I get here. I'm doing the walk of shame back to my computer and feeling horrible about all of this. The last thing I remember is detoxing two weeks prior to Thanksgiving and feeling great. I told myself that Thanksgiving day would be my only "cheat" day and I'd be right back on track; once again faithful to weight loss after this one day.

Not having actually mounted a scale I'd guess I lost close to 10 pounds prior to Thanksgiving and I'd guess by December 22 I'd gained about 15 pounds (so much for counting that loss). But I had a plan... On December 22 we started a juice/smoothie detox only drinking fresh fruits and vegetables. This was one of the hardest, but greatest things I'd ever done for my health. After getting over the initial three days of headaches, hunger pains, and desire to chew; I felt great.

I noticed my skin began to clear up, I felt lighter (After one week I'd actually lost ten pounds! Mostly water weight of course), I had tons of energy, and my clothes were fitting differently. I loved all of the juices and veggies and I never wanted it to end. Of course it all came to a screeching halt once my pocket book caught up with my new lifestyle. Eating 100% fresh organic fruit & veggie juice/smoothies is EXPENSIVE! So regrettably we stopped and began adding in healthy meats & grains and now...Now I'm still 4 pounds down, not feeling as great, but I've not completely jumped off the health wagon. I just had to stop and regroup.

What's the plan now you ask? I'm going to workout 4-5 days a week, making sure to do cardio at least 3 days. I also set up a personal challenge to complete one health challenge a month. We've all seen the challenges on Facebook and Pinterest. For the month of January I'm completing a 30 day burpee challenge. I'd love it if you'd join the challenge with me, post a comment and I'll send you the link.

I'm still eating healthy, we've actually switched over to mostly organic foods. We don't eat fast food, fried foods,or too many desserts. We eat fresh fruit or vegetables with each meal. I also plan to do a 7 day cleanse/detox every month. I enjoyed the benefits so much that I feel obligated to do it again just so that I can feel that way again; 7 days is doable on my budget.

Last, but not least I plan to take some time out for me. I plan to de-stress, relax, and work on being ok in my own skin. Stress in addition to many other factors can lead to weight gain. So there you have it, nothing too drastic, everything doable and realistic. At this time of new years resolutions I hope you can resolve to join me on this mission to be fun, fit, and fabulous. Know that this year all things are possible and together we will accomplish greater health and life achievements.

If you're enjoying the reading, don't forget to FOLLOW the blog, SHARE the blog, and SHOUT from the roof tops about how much you love the blog!

Lastly, If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out.

Lukewarm...Yuck!

Have you ever noticed how a lot of foods, when eaten at room temperature, don't taste as great as they do when eaten hot or cold? For example, in my opinion, fried chicken taste great hot, great cold, and not as great when sitting at room temp. Or take pizza for example, it's good hot, but even better cold, and just alright at room temp.  Now if I were a scientist, and don't worry I'm not, I'd also mention the obvious health concerns associated with foods sitting at room temperature. Most importantly bacteria multiplies at ridiculous rates when foods are left sitting in a lukewarm state which can lead to sickness.

I say all of this to say things just taste better and are better for you when you make a clear decision as to how you want to eat them, whether hot or cold. This same concept applies when setting out to attain any goal in life, whether weight loss or something else. You need to either be all in or all out because halfway may actually do more damage than good.

Yo Yo dieting is actually a detriment to your metabolism, motivation, and self esteem. For me, every failed attempt at some "lose weight quick" scheme or established program actually made it harder for me to commit and give 100% to the next attempt. Which explains why I've been doing this blog off and on over the last 3 years with very little weight loss.

So what's different this time?  

This time, unlike the other times, I'm working on changing my mindset. I'm changing my thought processes and how I approach life. This is no easy task, but I'm choosing to live life with no gray area when it comes to most things. Now of course there may be a need for a gray area someplace in my life, I can't think of where right now, but I want to make it clear that I'm not turning into a militant "all or nothing" type of person.

I'm saying I'm committing today and the rest of my life to invest 100% of my efforts into total body health. Of course I may have a few set backs, but I commit to never giving up.

The Bible even identifies that to be lukewarm is distasteful to God. In Revelations 3:15-16 God says His desire is for us to be hot or cold and for those who are neither one He will spit them out of His mouth! 

Think about other areas of your life, would you like a "lukewarm" friend? Someone who treats you as a friend sometimes and sometimes acts as though they barely know you. Or what about a "lukewarm" mate? Someone who treats you as if you're their everything one minute and they could care less about you the next minute.

To be lukewarm is just a waste of time and energy. Thus far (for 2 weeks) I've stuck to my 3 days a week 60 minute cardio sessions. I will increase this weeks workout schedule by one day. On the 4th day I will do 30 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of strength training. My eating habits over this past two weeks have been AMAZING! I've even surprised myself. I'll include a link to a blog that has supplied me with my most recent recipes (http://jennycollier.com/?p=7999).

If you're enjoying the reading, don't forget to follow the blog, share the blog, and shout from the roof tops about how much you love the blog!

Lastly, If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out. 

Cold Turkey

So, as I sat watching T.V. a commercial for a brand of nicotine gum aired and lead me to my most recent epiphany.  In the commercial there's an animated person explaining how people don't expect you to work out one day and drop 25 pounds the next day so they shouldn't expect you to quit smoking cold turkey. They explained that the process should be taken one day at a time with small changes in habits being made daily.

Now if you're reading this and you're anything like me you're thinking, "Duh, everybody knows that change takes time." 

Question: if this is something that "everyone" knows why is this mistake one that trips up most people involved in making major life changes (especially for those of us involved in the battle of the bulge)? 

What mistake you ask? 

The one in which you make the declaration to change your life for the healthy (or insert your new year’s resolution here) and as a result you swear off (insert your vices here) all pop, all alcohol, all juice, all candy, all desserts, all bread, all pasta, and all potatoes. Instead you make a vow to only eat lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, and drink only water. You're going to work out 5-7 days a week and you'll get 8 hours of sleep every night and this will all happen first thing tomorrow morning.

Sound familiar? (Don’t act like I'm the only one)

That type of thinking is actually the very tool that sabotages our good intentions before we're even able to put them into actions. In my opinion, anything that is built entirely around restrictions (can't have this, don't do that, only do this) is bound to fail. This is because the very thing that you aren't supposed to do is the very thing that's constantly on your mind. 

I'm reminded of my early years as a Christian. I didn't immediately stop partying, cursing, and living life as I had prior to accepting Christ. No, if I were able to do that I wouldn't need Christ; I would just go ahead and cure world hunger and bring world peace while I'm at it. 

What I understood then was that doing my will a.k.a. doing things my way is what got me into my situation and I was not strong enough to change that on my own. I understood that all I wanted and needed was in Christ and as I further immersed myself in Him I would eventually lose the desire for the things that were outside of His will for me.  

Small changes can make BIG differences.

In the case of my Christian lifestyle I made the small, but big choice to build a relationship with God and He worked everything else out. The key was committing myself firmly to God and allowing him to guide me through this process of reconstruction. It baffles me that it's taken me 31 years to figure out that I need to approach my weight loss with this same philosophy.  

We make hundreds of choices daily that have lasting impacts on our quality of life. Most of these choices are made without ever considering the overall impact it will have on our mind, body, and spirit. 

Today and every day going forward I am making the small, but big choice to choose life. I am choosing to commit to working out three days a week for 60 minutes (to begin) and I will gradually increase to six days a week for 60 minutes over the course of the next eight weeks.  

Choosing to focus on just one thing in your life to work on can make a huge impact in your overall health. 

If you're enjoying the reading, don't forget to follow the blog.

Lastly, If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out!

Life's too short to...

It's been 1 year since my last blog entry, but 2013, for me is a year of total body health...blah, blah, blah, blah, yea, uh huh, blah, blah, blah, blah, oh ok, blah, blah, huh, hmmmm...

If you've read past blog entries, personally spoken to me over the past 31 years, or have a speech of your own that's similar to the one above welcome. Or if this is your first exposure to the fat chick, hello, nice to meet you, hope that you check back in next week to see what else we'll be up to.

Now that we've gotten the pleasantries out of the way lets talk about the real deal.

Being fat stinks! It's another year and another health plan has been set in motion. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster for fat people and I really, really, REALLY wanna get off. Life's too short to be unhappy, which is the foundation of obesity (unhappiness).

Well this is the year of reconstruction; total body health. When a structure is needing to be reconstructed there are aspects that are in "good" or even "great" shape, but there are parts that need to be fixed. There maybe foundational issues, cosmetic issues, or any issue that takes the value of the structure below what it truly could be worth (or was intended to be worth).

I've been created, purposed, and destined for greatness and its time for me to whole heartedly chase after that greatness. How, you ask?

Reconstruction has to start in the mind. I have "fat people" thoughts... "I'm too tired to workout" , "Vegetables are gross" , "I need a quick fix because exercising and eating right isn't fast enough". These thoughts and the thousands of "healthy life defeating" others I have are what keeps me from being successful at Weightloss.

Romans 12:2 says Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... My tactic is to use positive affirmations and to counteract every negative thought with an equally positive one about the same topic. I have to make a conscious effort to speak life into myself.

Over this past year my health issues have only worsened. I look at my husband and my daughter and think about how selfish I'm being choosing to not take my health seriously. It's not about me, I need to be healthy for the one's I love. Life's too short to be obese and not be able to truly live.

If you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out.

Skinny Chic Motivation

If I had three words to describe gall bladder surgery they would be: painful, draining, and successful. The surgery was a success and despite the pain recovery is going great! My health did unfortunately put a wrench in my exercise plans, but I will be back up and moving real soon. In the meantime, my new sedentary state has given me plenty of time to think about what motivates me and what can help me be the most successful with weight loss.

Well I'd love to improve my wardrobe (wearing a smaller size of course), get my hair done, update my make-up regimen, get a mani and pedi, buy some much needed new music, buy a great book to read or even some jewelry. So many choices and they all have one common theme...money, money, money, money, MONEY!!!! It has been sooooo long since I've spent time doing something nice for me.

 Armed with the ultimate weight loss motivator I brainstormed ways to make this work for me without sending my husband into cardiac arrest when he looks at the checking account balance. I read an idea on pinterest that (with a little tweaking) is perfect for me.

This is how it works: I have two jars, jar number one labeled "Pounds To Go" and jar number two labeled "Pounds Lost". Initially I will fill jar number one with ten marbles and each time I lose a pound I will take a marble out of jar number one and place it into jar number two (I'll continue this process until jar number two holds all of the marbles). For every ten pounds lost I will reward myself with $50!!!!! I'll then fill jar number one with ten marbles again and start all over. You can set any number of pounds that you'd like to take off, but start with small goals and be realistic; you're not going to lose 100 lbs in 30 days. My husband is doing another variation of this, he will use the jars as well, but for every pound he loses he will receive $2. This is a competition to see who will be more motivated by their reward and continue on the weight loss journey. Competition is my middle name so I'm certainly not going to lose.

This week set up a friendly weight loss challenge with someone that can help motivate you to lose weight (even if the only real motivation is the refusal to lose the challenge). And remember if you're a fat chic like me stay motivated, be encouraged, and know that inside of every fat chic is a skinny chic waiting to come out.