Denton to Twin Falls

 
 
 

Driving to Seattle with my friend, Peggy. Things are going well. The landscape is beautiful. Wyoming sucked! It felt like it NEVER ENDED!!! However, once we got into Utah it was pie. We rolled on through - easy breezy. You'll be happy to know that I've made a strict effort to make better food choices AND i've worked out from both hotels since we've started traveling. It takes all the energy I can muster just to get down to the fitness center. Once I'm on the treadmill I hit it hard for about 30 minutes. Today was the first day that I felt like this journey felt hopeless. I know it's a lie. Keep praying. Working out alone isnt any fun and it's hard but I can't rely on my trainer forever..... it's all good. It's sleepy time.

Another 5 lbs!

Good news....I've lost another 5 pounds! I expected at least a 1 or 2lbs weight loss but as to be imagined 5lbs was an added bonus. So far it's been relatively easy in the area of making better food choices and exercise. I'm starting week four and this is when I usually quit. I'll need extra pray support past this point.

This is a recent picture of some of the girls in my small group after a night of Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Busters.

Current Weight: 360.4
Total Weight Loss: 11.6

Say No to PiYO!

During my workout with Mike on Thursday morning I told him I was going to join a friend for the 6:45pm PiYo class at Northlaks. His initial reaction - raised eyebrows.

Lemme tell you.....Say No to PiYo! As I mentioned yesterday I knew that inappropriate laughter was going to be an issue and it certainly was for the first 5 minutes. I conquered that battle once I couldn't breath. Breathing is quite important to me. The class started out well, we sat on some old dirty mats, removed our shoes, and started stretching. I could do all that with no problem. Score!

Our instructor then pushed play on her little pink cd player and I swear it sounded like screeching tires, tortured crickets with a hint of a flat bagpipe as a subtle, yet not so subtle, undertone. Moving forward - the we roll onto all fours. I'm so glad that no one was behind me...that would've been sooooo awkward. I'm able to keep up with most of the exercises until she says "downward dog". I was like, what's a downward dog? It should've been called upward rear! It looked easy enough....and i'm sure it would've been had I not been wearing socks!! I couldn't keep my feet from sliding off the mat or my hands from getting sweaty. Needless to say I was in the middle of a losing battled headed straight for a face full of floormat.

Overall, I had an ok time. I'm not exactly sure where Yoga fits with our Christian beliefs but I meditated on the things of the Lord. I doubt I'll be returning. The last image I have in my head are the gymnasium lights. There are 15 lights total on half of the gym, 5 rows of yellow columns, and 1 basketball hoop, and I think they should consider a fresh coat of paint. I was able to take inventory in while we "letting our bodies heal" followed by "loving ourselves into great balance" what does that mean?!?! All is well. I had a great ab workout and some good laughs.

Signs of Improvement

I'm wrapping up week 3 and I'm starting to see changes in my body. Muscles!! I have muscles in my arms, chest and legs! My heart is so much stronger. I'm losing weight and the best part is learning to trust, more completely, the Lord and his servants. There are mornings that I would love to lay in bed and sleep. There are mornings that I feel disgusting. Yet, through it all He helps me out of bed and to the gym. I'm so thankful afterward the feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable and so new to this little life of mine.

I've agreed to take a PiYo class with a good friend, Dane, this evening. I don't know what I was thinking when I said "Sure, that sounds like fun!"
Really?! I just worked out this morning! I just hope to God that she and I don't disrupt the entire class. I think I'm gonna make her sit across the room from me otherwise we'll be a pair of laughing hyenas. Why is inappropriate laughter so much fun?! I don't get it!

I met Shawn McDonald

Here I Am by Shawn McDonald

I lay myself at your feet asking you.. wont you meet me -
Can not do it on my own -
Can not do it all alone-
Here I am Lord tonight with my arms opened wide -
Wont you come inside.

I love this song. It's one of those songs that helps me get into "the zone". My zone is where/when I feel like I have direct communication with the Lord. When my prayers cease to feel as if they're bouncing off the walls or when my mind finally rests and settles into concentration - the zone.

I worked out alone on Saturday. I had to push myself to stay on the treadmill. I was striving for 45 minutes and somewhere about 19 minutes I started to have a minor freak out. Around 23 minutes I thought - If I can only get to 30 minutes I'll be fine. Before I knew it I was at 35 minutes...it was then that I realized I had it in the bag. I pushed myself for 5 more minutes then cooled down for the other 5. Walking out of the gym on Saturday was priceless. I did it! Proud?! You best bet your buns I was proud. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness! Truly, I learned that when I'm weak He is strong.

Current Weight: 365.4 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 6.6 lbs

Parents are in town...

Howdy! I've recently heard that I need to post new posts. So, I'm posting! As many of you know my parents are in town this week. I do have to admit that I was a bit concerned about food. I know it sounds simple enough but I'm MEXICAN AMERICAN and our love languages are based on serving our family, friends and food. We love mucho, talk mucho, and eat MUCHO!! I've had to be really creative with my food this week. Balancing between eating healthy and not hurting my mom's feelings by refusing to eat what she's served me has been a bit of a challenge. But, despite the challenge I do think I've done pretty well. At best I'll maintain my weight this week. God's really just taken this time to show me limitations. I've always lead a life that screamed past Go and now I have to read all the warning signs and actually slow down when I see a yellow light.

Oddly enough I don't feel bad about how I've lived this week. I'm proud of myself. Over eating is sin in my life and I've come to realize that it's become such a habitual sin that I've become totally numb and blind to it. I wonder how it's affected my relationship with the Lord. I wonder what he'll continue to show me through this process.

Mike and I are still working out. I can feel myself getting so much stronger and my clothes is starting to fit a little differently. Exciting, huh?!?!

I love each you! I love each comment that is posted and each email that is sent. Please, know that this is not only my victory but ours. You are my cloud of witnesses so hold me accountable in a loving and tender way.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

My buns are burnin'

Yesterday’s work out was hard!!! We did our regular 30 minute cardio then Mike (trainer) usually takes me to one of the extra rooms and we’ll do this routine that includes LOTS of side steps, med balls and as of Thursday stretchy bands. When we were told that the rooms were occupied I instantly thought “ok, great we’ll cut it short today!” Not so much… Mike immediately turned and opened the door to the weight room. I then thought he’ll probably go in and grab a ball or stretchy band and we’ll use one of the long hallways. Wrong again! He held the door open and I slowly realized that he was waiting for me. Duh! I should’ve known the boy had a plan B. I do have to admit that I was a bit hesitant about going in there. I can’t exactly explain why but, believe it or not I was a little shy. I know shy doesn’t exactly describe my personality and it does happen on occasion and yesterday was one of those rare occasions.

So, I followed closely behind him. He stopped and reached for one of those stepping block deals. I thought surely he’s just moving it out of the way to grab whatever was behind it…yet again, I WAS WRONG. I also noticed that he grabbed the building blocks that make the step deal higher – take note that I don’t exactly know the proper terms for these particular pieces of equipment. So, follow along as best as you can. He then precedes to leads me to one corner of the gym. I stand back and let him step up his torture devices. When he’s done he turns around and I notice that he’s rather pleased with himself. I could almost swear that he looks forward to seeing me squirm. He energetically claps his hands and says “ok, we we’re going to do some circuit training today.” I was like “what?”

So, long long long long story short it starts off like this:

20 step ups on left leg, leaning forward slightly, squeezing abs and gluts
20 step ups on right leg – same info as above
5 bonus steps per legs…yeah, these were deliciously painful!
Followed by wall push ups
Then the dreaded med ball
Lastly, the stretchy band with little squats

That was just round one. I think we did 3 sets of the entire routine I can’t remember because it’s become a mental block and I’m trying to bury it way deep. On the very very very last set he ended with the med ball. Standing with my feet hip length apart, leaning forward, holding the 4,000 lbs med ball over my head, squatting slightly, hold in my abs, and trying to breath he says to me “ok, Marce you’re doing great! Now don’t forget to squeeze your gluts”. I laugh as I write this because at the time it wasn’t so funny but now it’s almost hysterical. He’s asking me to squeeze my gluts!! Is he serious?!?! I had NO CONTROL of my gluts. My entire body was shaking. When I say I couldn’t, I really really mean that I couldn’t!! I didn’t know what was going on. It’s so funny. I’m trying. I’m really trying but it was taking all I had within me just to keep the ball over my head, to keep my legs from buckling and to breath. It was the longest 30 seconds I’ve ever felt. I don’t even know if my brain even knew where to locate my buns. He counts down and says, “ok, great job!! We’re done” I was still in the same stance. I couldn’t get up. I felt like a sack of bones. It wasn’t until he came over and took the med ball that I was able to push up and drop my arms down to my waist. Good stuff.

As we were walking out I felt so good! I’m not sure if it was the endorphins kicking in but I could almost breathe deeper and walk faster. However, I still couldn’t feel my buns.  I hope y’all enjoyed reading this. If you ever want a reenactment…….. don’t ask!

Current Weight: 366.6lbs :)
Lost: 5.4lbs

It's what you do on the tough days that matters most...

6AM: I had a hard time waking up this morning and an even harder time getting to the gym. I secretly wished Mike would call and say he couldn't make it. *Evil grin* However, that didn't happen....

6:15AM: Praying in the car "Father, today, yup today I really need you to help me. Help me to not do this by my will nor by my might but by Your power. Teach me about that today, Lord."

6:30AM: On the treadmill.
Mike asks "On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most energetic, how do you feel this morning?" My answer: 4. I feel like a 4 maybe a 5. No, it's more like a 3. Yeah, a 3 sounds good." He just laughs at me. Didn't take any pity on me whatsoever! He then proceeds to say "it's what you do on the tough days that matters most" I took that to heart. He was right.

7:20AM: Sweating like a slick pig in a smoke house and feeling great!!! Our session is over and done with!! Woohoo! What a difference an hour makes, right? I feel so good. Stronger. Empowered. Thankful that yet again we made it through one more day.

5:20PM: I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm praying today for those days in the near future when I won't look forward to working out; when I don't want to glorify the Lord; when I can't muster the strength to live and breath and laugh for him. I'm praying and remembering for those days when I can't remember why this started...it's not about me it's about His will, His glory, His purpose, His name.

"I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word." Psalm 138:2

Thank you for all your support and prayers.

I sat at the humble pie buffet today

Mike and I finished our second session today and for some reason I start crying! I don't even know what I was crying about.A huge mix of emotions surged all at once and it brought an onslaught of tears. I was scared of letting everyone down. I was proud of myself for getting through this set. I was humbled that he was so supportive. At one time, when things were getting rough for me, I looked over at him and said "I need you to pray for me right now" and he nodded his head and was on it! I was even more humbled by the fact that I'm not in this alone. I really not! This is as much your victory as it is mine. Thank you for all your emails. I know it's just the beginning...help me get through the next 4 weeks

After working out I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting. You won't be surprised to hear that my meeting leader is a BELIEVER! Her name is Judy. Yet again our Father has provided!

Here is my statement of FAITH!
God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's word is alive and active in me.

Current Weight: 372

Joined Weight Watchers

So, I took the plunge. I joined Weight Watchers today. I've used this system before and it really worked for the entire two weeks I was on it. Actually, it was more like 5 weeks and I did lose about 16 lbs. I don't have much of a track record for longevity so my goal is to get through today.

Since my post yesterday I can not believe the all the support I've received. Emails have flooded my inbox with the most encouraging and inspirational note. With your permission I'd love to post your emailed comments. It's humbling to see how many of you really love me and have also offered your help. So, help me by praying and praising our Lord what He's doing.

It's only day two and I continue to lean on the Lord. I can't think to far into the future because I become overwhelmed. Day by day. I'll take it one day at a time.

I have my first meeting tomorrow....

August 2007 - The Beginning

 
"I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me." Hudson Taylor Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secrets

Today's August 2, 2007 and it marks the beginning of a new journey. It appears that the Lord has started raising up people from all walks of my life to help me become healthy. Donna Burke my new mentor challenged me to find someone at church that might be able to offer me assistance in the area of diet and exercise. Oddly enough I found two people! Kimberly Hughes and Mike Chadwick. Both Kim and Mike have offered their spiritual support, experience, knowledge and time. I'm humbled by their willingness to help.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9) This statement can not be more true to me at this very moment. I've lived years and years in defeat and it's time to seriously begin trusting in the Lord. Remind me daily that this is not about me!!

So, here's a recent picture of me taken at Rikki Tai's Birthday this past Saturday, July 28, 2007.
My current weight 374lbs and current dress/pant/everything else....size 28-30. OK, my stats are out there!