A NEW BEGINNING

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Well the hurrah is over and now it is time to get to work. Don't get me wrong--I DID NOT go out and eat a big celebration meal!! NO Sir, my husband has planned to take me shopping when I am ready to celebrate my 71 pounds lost in 2008. I would love to sit here and set a year long goal but I know that I have done that before and small goals work best for me. Our weigh ins are every two weeks at the gym (you will understand why later). So, as last year, my first goal is at my birthday in April. My birthday is April 14th and our weigh in will be on April 10th. So for my first goal I want to lost 20 pounds (or more) by April 10th. I know that the pounds going forward will not come off as easily (HA! HA! believe me it was not easy!!) as the pounds I have lost. However, I know I can do this!!! Gloria, my trainer, has added a little incentive to this journey I am on and there is a Grand Prize at the finish line!!

We will be having a Biggest Loser Contest throughout the year at Body Dimensions for all the members. This will be based on percentage of weight loss as some of my fellow gymsters have less or more weight to lose. We are not required to participate but are encouraged to do so. We will weigh in every two weeks. Who ever the winner is for that two weeks will get a certificate and other prizes. We will all pay a one time entry fee of $25 which will go towards the Grand Prize. At the end of the year the person who has received the most certificates through out the year will receive a trophy and the Grand Prize which is all the entry fee money for the year.

Now the "Two-Week" prizes are a great incentive to try my best to keep my diet and exercise on the right path!!! My first two week weigh in is on January 31st. I will be keeping you informed on how I and my fellow gymsters are doing in this little competition. I think it will be interesting and alot of fun!! So join me as I continue my journey to a healthier lifestyle and compete against my fellow gymsters for that Grand Prize Jackpot to be awarded at the end of 2009!!!

You can email me at healthierfaith@yahoo.com. Thanks for coming along on my journey!!!!
Love, Faith

BEFORE AND AFTER

I forgot to add these to the previous blog!!!! January 16, 2008--January 16, 2009

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

TODAY is my FIRST ANNIVERSARY at Body Dimension Fitness and with Living Lean Meals!!! I cannot believe that it has been a year since January 16, 2008 when I started out on this journey to a healthier lifestyle. It has been an incredible journey. I have so many to thank!! Next to my salvation in Christ and my marriage to my sweet husband this has been one of the greatest things to happen to me. I would have never imagined that 366 days ago I would, at the age of 55 and 351 pounds, even considered going to a gym!! I have been blessed in so many ways throughout this journey.

I have to thank the Lord first and foremost for making it possible for me to go to the gym and being with me each step of the way. I do thank HIM for the strength to get up every morning to get to the gym at 6:30 to begin my day. Jesus Christ is the center of my life and I know that all things are only possible through HIM. Then there is my husband. No one could have a more supportive and loving husband than I have. He has watched me lose the weight and gain it back for 36 years and loved me anyway. He is the most supportive man I know. Whatever it requires for me to do what I need to he is along side me every step of the way. I love him dearly and could not have done this without his love and support!!!!! My family has been a wonderful source of support throughout my journey. I am grateful that some of my family members have been so supportive of me throughout this past year.

I know that my church family has prayed for me every day. I teach the Women's Sunday School class at my church and I know without a doubt that prayers are lifted up to heaven for me daily. They witnessed first hand how sick I was and how the weight hindered me before I started my journey. I am so thankful for each and every member of my church. I have welcomed so many new and great people into my life. Gloria Trull, my trainer at Body Dimensions, is at the top of my list. Gloria is the best trainer ever!! Linda, my "cardio partner", makes me laugh and makes cardio fun!! The support I get from my fellow gymsters is amazing. I could never name them all but want to thank each of them. Lorin Gryder at Living Lean Meals is fabulous. Her meals have taught me portion size and the correct balance between protein and carbs. She and the workers at L and L Catering have been great and I appreciate their work and support.

My co-workers at the office have been unbelievable. They have so many supportive words for me and have shared in my achievements and my backsets. Each and every one at some time or another have asked about my progress and are interested in the goals I have set. They cheer me on and have been a never ending source of encouragement. I want to thank each and every one of them.

I want to thank each and every one of you for all your support. I would have never dreamed that so many would be interested and supportive of my journey to a healthier me. THANK YOU ALL!!!!

I have had an amazing journey. I could barely walk down the hall at the office a year ago. I had a hard time breathing. I am diabetic and my blood sugars were awful. I had to deal with asthma attacks, my cholesterol was high and my blood pressure was too high. My feet hurt and my back hurt constantly, I was exhausted all the time and my legs swelled every day. I wore a size 30-32 dress and 5x shirt and had to wear compression hosiery. I did not exercise because I couldn't. Just getting out of bed in the morning was exhausting. Few people knew of all this because I was too ashamed to let anyone know. My doctor constantly encouraged me to get some exercise--but I did not listen. I had tried every diet you can imagine and gained every pound lost right back!!.. THEN...

A wonderful friend suggested I go to the gym. Of course at first I thought she was out of her mind. But I did and am so happy I DID. Well it has been a year and I have lost ...are you ready....71 pounds. I now wear at 24-26 dress. I do not take any medication for diabetes or cholesterol. I have not had any problems with my asthma in months. My feet do not hurt and my back does not hurt nor do my legs swell. No more compression hose. My blood pressure is much better. I do cardio everyday and weight training twice a week. I FEEL FABULOUS!!!!!!!

I am continuing my journey. I still have quite alot of weight to lose. I take it one day at a time and look forward to each goal met. I really appreciate those of you who have followed my progress. Thank you for joining me on my journey to a healthier me!! Email me and let me know that you are traveling with me at healthierfaith@yahoo.com. Thank you and love to you all!!!

A NEW YEAR

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Well the New Year has started. I hope that instead of resolution you are setting "fitness goals". My first goal is to lose 6 pounds by January 16th. I would really like to lose a total of 75 pounds my first year at Body Dimensions. I started after my weight in on January 1, 2009. I gained about 2 pounds over Christmas. Another goal is to make time to blog at least once a week. Boy, life can get busy in a hurry.

I would like to hear what your "fitness goals" are for the coming days. These can be anything from weight lose to controlling health issues as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Maybe your fitness goal is to spend some time on yourself or eliminate some medication through getting fit. Maybe your goal this year is to run or walk in one of the may runs that are held in the area. I would love to be able to walk in the Susan B. Komen in October. Whatever your goal is share it with me at healthierfaith@yahoo.com.

Now, I am not a "expert" on anything. But if you have a topic that has to do with weight loss or the journey, bumps, hills, or mountains that have to be overcome during the journey to healthy living I would love to address them in one of my blogs. Email me any suggestions you have.

I want to thank Gloria , my trainer at Body Dimensions; Lorin at Living Lean Meals; my fellow gymsters at Body Dimensions and all of you who take the time out of your busy lives to read my blogs for all your support and encouragements I have received on this journey of nearly 12 months.

Email me at healthierfaith@yahoo.com and thanks for following along on my journey to a healthier me!!!

Love, Faith