Post Graduation

Here's my brother David & my sister-in-law, Cheri. He was so relieved that school was finally over. For now He doesn't for see grad school in the picture...we'll see.

Some of David's close friends. Aren't they just so grown up? (L to R - Eddie, Davin & James)

Aww, my sweet Pops! My baby cousins all call him, Uncle Charlie. I just call him Dad.

Here's a picture taken closer toward the end of the night. My 2nd cousin, Dezmin (die hard Red Socks Fan) & Eddie's little baby boy, Ethan (soon to be die hard Yankee's fan). Under that blankie you'll find that Ethan's wearing a Go Yankee's onesie. My brother just about died when he saw it...(David seriously doesn't like the Yankee's and that's an under statement of a lifetime). It made for some great laughs the entire night.

Beth Marie's with Family

My brother graduated this weekend. Before heading out to the post graduation party my extended family needed to stop by the local ice cream stop, so we hit up Beth Marie's.

This is what my Aunt ordered! She can afford to eat stuff like this. I on the other hand would've had to spend 2 hours on the treadmill if I consumed this...

More pictures to come.

34 from 100

I lost another .2 this weekend. I'm at an even 66 lbs down. That means that I'm 34 lbs away from losing 100lbs. I still can't wrap my head around that information. Weight loss has been incredibly slow these last 3 months but I'm still in the game!


I'm also 5 lbs away from a 20% weight loss. I'll be at 301 when I reach that goal. Then I'll be 1 lb away from forever being out the 300's!


Still motivated. Still moving. Still alive!

How is it possible...

that my legs hurt more NOW than they did 5 hours ago?!?!?!

Note to self: MARCY DO A BETTER JOB STRETCHING AFTER WORKING OUT!!!!

Sick Sweetness

I haven't felt this sore in such a long time. I missed it (I can't believe I just said that). Somewhere between Wednesday night's step class, my 3 miles yesterday morning and last night's all night rush gardening and hauling 25 lbs of mulch and soil my legs were worked. Oh, were they ever worked.... I can literally feel all muscles from calfs to gluts. Nice!

I've missed my achy body. I love that it's been 6 weeks that I've been working out alone and I'm loving it! 6 weeks ago I cried and moaned about God leading me in this direction. Now I can see just an itty bitty glimpse of what he was trying to push me toward. I look forward to hitting the gym alone. It's "me" time. I get to unwind, de-stress, and sweat it out.

Boys are Gross

Here's a totally non weight loss related post. It made me laugh so I wanted to share.

PS It's a well known fact that most boys, guys, men whatever you wanna call them have this strange fascination with farting. I don't get it, yet I still laugh when someone passes gas by accident. I think it's funny and totally awkward - i love awkward! Anyhow, I'm positive that a man had something to do with this video you're about to watch.

FYI Boys are gross and so am I (sometimes). I can't help myself, I think potty humor is not only disgusting but delightfully entertaining all at the same time! I don't know why....

Something's not right...

I can feel it. Something is seriously not right these days. I've been a funk. A spiritual funk. I feel edgy. I considered making a stupid decision, even picked up the phone twice (maybe 3 times) in order to go through with making the "stupid decision". I eventually opted to text my mentor and share my struggle with her. She coincidentally (I don't really believe in coincidence by the way) called me within 5 seconds - she wasn't working that day. Strange! Not really...it's to be expected God is funny that way, right!?

Also, I have 3 friends, count them, THREE friends who are seriously considering jumping ship. They feel as if they can't continue this race. They want to throw in the towel. They feel abandoned and forgotten so they're considering walking away from Jesus and our family.

Close girlfriends who have walked in freedom from old sin are currently found in the middle of old bondage. I tip toed on edge of that similar sin and so badly wanted to dive head first.

I came across this yesterday and felt alittle pricked.

1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:1-3

In all honesty I wasn't comfortable reading this text. "Your passions are at war within you" - yes they are! The entire chapter is pretty much in your face. Everything written past v. 3 ISN'T "feel good reading". I suggest reading it, just do it! Better yet go to BibleGateway and read it in all the versions.
We expect the broken and lost to hurt but when the sheep who are "found" hurt, it hurts the rest of us too. For those of you who are on the brink of quitting - please don't....it's not worth it. Been there. Done that.

75 Things Men Should Master

While in the process of checking my email. I noticed that Yahoo was featuring an article written in Esquire Magazine titled, 75 Things Men Should Master. Click HERE for the link.

The list is interesting and maybe useful to some men. So, I'm petitioning my female readers. I want to hear from you. What are a few things you'd like for our Godly men to master? What matters most to you in the realm of Male Skill Mastery.

I can't wait to hear your insight.

More pictures to compare

This was taken in October 2007. Here's my boy and adopted white brother, Jeff. Don't let the smile deceive you...he's not right in the head.

 

And, this photo was taken last night. The line up: Scott, myself and "Grindle".

 

I know where I stand

My weigh in went well this week. I lost a few pounds! woohoo!! Actualy, I lost alittle over 3 lbs!!

What a difference 65.8 lbs makes! Here's one of the first pictures I took with Sir Chadwick & the second was taken last night at a going away party.

 

I think it's most noticeable in my face and shoulders. What do you think?

 

Because of my issues last week I had to take off time from the gym. I'm ready to start hitting it again. Please, continue to pray for me...I'm sooooooooooooooo sick of food. Sick of counting. Sick of measuring. Sick! Sick! Sick! I wonder if intravenous nutrition might be something worth looking into. :)

That's more like it!

Just got back from Eureka Park. My sister and I put in a little under an hour of cardio tonight. Thank God we only ran across one frog. Minor freakout on my part.

Jogged for a short time too. I have to give God all glory that tonight's jog was nice. I noticed that my body is adjusting to jogging. I can go much longer now before my body starts to freak out and my lungs start to hurt. I'm really proud of myself!

During our walk we were spooked by something in the bushes and our natural reaction caused us to take off running. A few feet into running I start laughing uncontrollably and have a hard time keeping up with my sister. I still can't believe she left me behind. Who knew her little legs could carry her so far and so fast! Anyhow, I laughed the entire time I lagged behind her. I coudln't help it! :)

Currently watching 300 - AGAIN! Gotta go, The Spartans are on the move. Will someone please get me a poster of Gerard Butler as King Leonidas?! I need it, it's great motivation!!

Another Blah Post!

I haven't been able to workout since our 5K on Saturday. I'm having "issues" with my body right now. Lack of exercise, not knowing where I am in relation to weight loss, and trying to make better food choices are leaving me a bit irritable, moody and emotional!

I should also venture to say that not spending quality time in the in Word and in prayer are also taking their toll on my over all well being. Yesterday I had moment of verbal vomit. I texted a friend and asked for forgiveness only to open my Bible to James 3 and get hit right between the eyes. Check it out and laugh.

These are odd days. So many of the people that I love and respect are hurting. Please, pray.

While on the Village Podcast today I heard a great msg by Ben Stuart called On the Shore. Check it out.

Flying Blind

I wasn't able to weigh in on Saturday and the not knowing it killing me!!!

Try this Healthy Weight Calculator.

I should be anywhere between 118-159lbs. Seriously, can't even invision myself anywhere under the 200's at this point. We'll see how I feel a year from now.

And it starts...

There was such a buzz this morning! Lots of people. Lots of PINK. Lots of fun family activities and lots of energy.

What a fun way to start!

 

Check out the sea of white hats in the background... it's endless!!!

 

I love this picture! It's perfect!

 

Pre Event Pictures

We we up at the butt crack of dawn to head off to Ft. Worth for the Susan G. Koman - Race for the Cure 5K.

Here's Jordyn and Myself

 

Our Race Team

 

My lovely sister!

 

I'm excited that...

tomorrow we tackle the Susan G. Koman - Race for the Cure 5K in Ft. Worth!!!!

It'll be my first walking event. It's also the first event I get to scratch off of my 2008 resolutions.

Cheers!!



Be on the look out for pictures!!!!!

Just 5 More Seconds...

When I met her at her house she asked how much time I had & how far I planned on walking. After I gave her that information she said “ok, I have a good idea of how this is going to work.” Little did I know… she meant business! It was like looking at a little female version of Sir Chadwick. It was incredible to see such drive in such a young person.

The plan was pretty simple. We’d warm up, jog for 30 seconds, rest 1-2 minutes, jog for 40 seconds, rest, jog another 45, rest, and continue to increase in 5 second increments. Nice, huh?! She’s a stickler for rules so she jogged with her iPod timer held a ½ arm’s length away from her body the entire time we jogged. She was really good at letting me know we were almost done. I LOVED when I’d hear “Ok, you’re half way there. Keep going. 10 more seconds!”

Jogging went well. I don’t think I did too badly. Around 50 seconds my legs began to feel like steel. Almost as if I had 50 lb bags tied to my ankles. During the last 5 seconds of the 50 second jog, Caitlyn completely surprised me!!! She was jogging next to me the entire time but suddenly must’ve noticed that I was struggling because she immediately perked up and almost started to yell (haha!) “COME ON, MARCY! YOU GOT THIS! 5 MORE SECONDS! COME ON! YOU’VE GOT IT!” I never knew she had it in her! :)

We finished and finished well.

KettleBell Swings

I'm supposed to tackle these tonight.



Don't know how I feel about it. In all honesty I'm kinda pissy that I'm doing this alone.

Skinny Day

Every once in a looooong while we're blessed to wake up to one those RARE mornings when we feel like we’ve lost weight. Today was one of those mornings! Thank you, Jesus!

NOTE: to my sensitive and visual readers …… you might want to stop reading here. Spare yourselves! You've been warned.
5
4
3
2
1
Ok, so now I should be left with my hardcore/guts of steel readers.
Hello to y’all!
So, back to this morning! I was standing in front of the mirror staring at every square inch of my glorious naked body.......ROFL just teasing!! I’ve been dying to write that for sometime now!!! For your/my peace of mind just know that I WASN’T NAKED! A top and bottom were in full effect – ok you can breathe now! Ok, back to my glorious changing body. As I was checking myself out I noticed that I AM CHANGING!. My back is looking different – less lovely ladies humps are visible, my hips, my arms, my sides, my legs, my neck it’s all slowly but surely changing and melting. There was certainly less of me there! Most of the time I can’t hardly see any change but today God allowed me little glimpse to the difference and I was thankful for it.

So, after a few seconds of checking myself out I point at the mirror with two pointed finger pistols & an award winning super chica wink and say “Check you out, Foxy Lady!!” As my farewell exit to myself I put a finger to my tongue then back down to my back side for a mock sizzzzzzzzzzzzzzle sound effect!

I left my reflection with a smile!

Thanks for reading!

Training Update

Wanted to give you a quick update on how my working out is going.

I met up with my trainer friend, Kimbo, last week and she gave me a written routine to follow. Overall the routine freaked me out because it included LOTS of cardio. As many of you know cardio is NOT my forte. However, after discussing it with her I realized it wasn’t going to be as bad as I expected.

I tried her program for the first time last Thursday, which encompassed 60 minutes of cardio in upper Zone 2. Zone 2 pretty much means that I’d be walking for a longer period of time at a lower intensity. I handled it very well. Friday, I tackled 45 minutes of cardio in intervals between Zone 3 & Zone 2. It was interesting but totally feasible. (Actually, I kicked butt!!! I set the treadmill to a 6.0 incline and my walking pace ranged between 3.0 & 3.6!!) Now, because I did less cardio she gave me circuit training example to follow. The circuit was pretty much all core exercises that were to be done in 4 continuous rounds. It too was manageable but certainly by round 4 I was pooped.

So, this brings me to today. 45 minutes of cardio in zone 3 followed by more circuit training.
Here’s the circuit training schedule that was emailed to me:
500 meter row
40 squats
60 crunches
20 push ups
10 pull ups

The row machine was occupied I had to skip that portion. I usually do the squats with a stability ball behind my back as I lean into a wall but because of last night’s frog attack my knees were sore so I hopped on the leg press. I racked the weight at about 200lbs and maxed out at around 30 reps. After that I got on the floor and got started on the crunches somewhere around 30-40 crunches my entire core was on fire!!! I kept going until I couldn’t go any longer and honestly…. I lost count. The push-ups (modified – on my knees) were easy. I could bust out about 16-18 without hurting to badly. I got on this pull up machine that I’d never been on before, adjusted the weight to assist me with 200lbs which meant I was left with having to pull up about 109 pounds on my own. I got through about 6 before I had to put my foot on the foot plate to help myself get back up in position. Those were pretty cool and fun.

So, because I did 4 rounds on Friday I assumed I was supposed to do another 4 rounds today. By the end of the 3rd round I was hurting. Hurting badly…. I felt defeated because I couldn’t muster the energy to finish the 4th round. As I headed out the gym I see Kimbo! She was having a meeting with one of the managers regarding a possible training position at North Lakes.

Kimbo asks “How did it go?”
I answered “It was ok. I don’t think I ate well because I couldn’t get through it all.”
She then asks “How many did you get done?”
I replied “I did 3 rounds of everything.”
Her eyes widen a little and she replies “You know you only had to do one round, right?”

To my UTTER dismay I had no idea!!!!! I’m sure I’ll be hurting tomorrow.

Lesson learned: read directions carefully & if directions aren’t clear ASK!!!

I HATE FROGS!

last night my sister and I went for a walk out at NorthLakes. All was well until we began to reach our turn around point. I knew! I just knew that that little bump in the sidewalk was a frog. I can't tell you how I knew from afar because I coudln't really see it but my instincts were correct! As we approached "the bump" I could see it's little bitty eyes staring at me! EWWW! it gives me the heebie geebies just thinking about it!!

Well, as I danced past it I was surprised by another frog on my right. I walked faster past that one only to find another one hopping past me just a few feet in front! They were EVERYWHERE!!! I was hysterical by this point screaming and jumping around like a dumb little girl! I don't even know how many were out there but one is more than enough for my sanity. I even accidental scratched my sister in the process. (Sorry, Mita!!)

I don't process well in a panic. Instead of retreating and heading back to the safety of my parked car I continued walking!! Only to later realize once we reached our turn around point that I had to RE-WALK through the butt load of FROGS!!! I was NOT OK! My sister was trying to talk some sense into me but I could hardly hear her rational ideas because she was laughig so hard! We decided the best way to get through the death trap would be just to jog through them because this girl wasn't going to be just walking! I didn't even give her a heads up before I started down the path. I picked up pace and started RUNNING!! Midway through the ordeal I'd started screaming as they (the damn frogs) started jumping toward me. I'm still traumatized!

If you want a good laugh just ask my sister to reenact this scene for you. I'm positive she'll be more than willing. She's a jerk-face.

FYI I survived and made it back to my car. I'm still not OK. And, I'm thinking I'll be sticking to the treadmill for the next few months.

WW Update

Hello to everyone on this beautiful Saturday afternoon! It's finally starting to feel like a normal Texas Spring. The last few days have reminded me so much of the Pacific Northwest, minus the pine trees, mountains and tree huggers. *Disclaimer - I love my tree huggin' friend both in Texas & Washington. :)

Sooooooooooooooo, based on all the crap I ate this week I readied myself for this morning's weigh in. I was fully prepared, YET AGAIN, to gain. Why am I not ever confident before heading in for a weigh in? Oh yeah! I remember! It's because each time I've thought or have even been excited about getting my weekly weight update, I've been disappointed with a weight gain!! Crazy how that works, huh?

Cutting the chase. I lost a pound! An entire stinkin' pound!! Not, a 0.2 or 0.4 or a 0.8 but and entire whopping 1 lb! I really don't get it. I deserved to gain. Not only did I eat candy out the wazoo, but I way more food than my body needed. Overeating is no longer an act but a sin for me. When I begin to overeat I slowly get warning signs from the Holy Spirit to simmer down. And, because my heart wasn't well this week toward the Lord I plowed through most of those warnings only to repent and plow through more warnings during the next meal.

Current Stats:
Starting Weight: 372 lbs
Current Weight: 309.4 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 62.6 lbs

Thanks for the comment Mays Family! It was so nice to offically meet you today, Caroline! If you want, I know some people that might be interested in joining a Chick-fil-a Annonymus group with you. :) CFAA for short.

Random Post II

Did you know that I love the color Pink? I'm wearing the cutest pink shirt ever today! Someone even told me that I looked pretty, which is always a nice compliment.

I cheated. I told my sister that I wouldn't get a new pedicure until I dropped these last 10 lbs but today I broke down and got my toes "did". I couldn't stand having jacked up feet any longer.

My feet have shrunk! I went to check out some shoes today and it was so nice to be able try on a non wide width shoe. These were the cutest casual high heels! I love the way heels look in jeans but I had to be practical and remember that I'm clumsy. I'd most likely take a few steps and fall straight on my face. Now, that's super hot!

Started my new workout program yesterday. Longer stints on the treadmill with an incline but a slower pace. I didn't begin to sweat until I was 45 minutes into the routine!

I tried Pilate's a few nights ago. That was a blast. I'll have to get my sister to take a video of it for y'all. I'm sure it'll be one of the best laughs of your life! She'll actually stop what she's doing in the house and plop herself on the couch just for the sheer entertainment of watching me struggle. Shameless!!

Walking the Susan G. Komen on the 26th with some of my small group girls. This'll be my first offical 5K. If you're interested in joining our team let me know!

Candy Issues

Morning! I have a quick confessional post.

This is going to be so embarrassing, but here goes!
Calorie Consumption Breakdown
Breakfast: 268
Banana, Strawberries & Blackberries

Lunch: 459
2 Carb. Balance tortillas, 1 marinated chicken breast, 3 cups of romaine & red leaf lettuce, snow peas & a drizzle of naturally fresh jalapeno ranch

Dinner: 866
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, 2 Fresco Style-Crunchy taco’s from Taco Bell

Snack: 831
CANDY! CRAP and more CANDY!!!! I really don’t want to write this but I’m going to anyway……..
These are all snack size: 1 Almond Joy bar, 1 Reese’s PB Cup, 2 Kit Kat’s, 1 whooper (do 3 little whopper balls really count? Really?!), 1 Chex Mix snack bag,
At the movie theater: I had a little bit of all of the following………. Hot Tamales, Skittles & Butter drenched Movie Theater POPCORN!!!

Ok, this has got to be one of the worst eating days.
I wasn’t in a bad mood. I wasn’t crabby. I wasn’t cramping. I wasn’t hungry. I just wanted candy. And, as you all know by now CRAP & CANDY are what I ate!

In order to redeem myself I did workout for an hour after I got home. FYI this isn’t the beginning of a vicious cycle.

I haven’t fallen off the wagon. I’m not going to quit. It’s OK! I really mean it too! Yesterday was just one day on the road to the many days ahead of me. Well, I’m not guaranteed to live past the next second or the next breath but if God’s willing then I’ll do my best to continue to glorify Him even when…… (you fill in the blank)

What I'm reading

13These all died in faith,not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16

I'm currently chewing on this portion of Hebrews 11 this morning. Actually, it started last night after I left the gym.

The first thing that jumped off the page for me last night was "these all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but haveing seen them and greeted them from afar". Really?! Again, the question was posed to my heart - "will you be ok, will you still glorify Me even if you never get to see your promises?"

God has never promised me that I'll be a size 6. God has never promised me that I'll lose 220 lbs. God has never promised me that I'll live a long and healthy life. However! He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. He is my refuge and strength & He's promised to always be my ever present Help in trouble.

Just a few more:
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be moved, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed." Isaiah 54:10

" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9

There is so much more about Hebrews 11 that I wish I had time to write about. For now v. 15 & 16 are hitting home over and over and over and over again.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing I was elsewhere

I so badly want to be outside!

Mid morning I took a brief break and decided to step outside for a bit, it was also a great time to take Dirk (the new office puppy) out for post nap potty. While waiting for Dirk I decided to sit on the beautiful and lush grass. It’s so nice working out in the country. The sun seemed to be shining just perfectly. After sitting, I stretched my legs straight out in front of me and leaned back on my hands. The wind was cool without being chilly and the sunshine was absolutely perfect! Relaxing a bit, I leaned my head back I drank in the sunshine. It was so nice to just be. At the very moment I wasn’t anyone in particular. I wasn’t Marcy on a mission to lose weight, I wasn’t a friend, or a sister, or a daughter, or a home group leader, or a “professional”. I was just a girl sitting before her creator. Words were nonexistent in that moment. Prayers ceased and worship began.

New Guy in the Office

Monday started out well. One of the guys in the office brought in our new office mate.

Meet Dirk

 

Stressed out...

Last week was HARD. My schedule has been out of control. I'm over committed, under read, under prayed, under rested, over worked, and sssssttttrrreeessssssseeeeedddd!

I finally broke down and called my massage therapist, Jen Windle. Thirty minutes under her hands feels like an eternity! I can almost swear that she has a gift for healing. On most areas of my body I'm crazy ticklish yet she's managed to be able to calm my nerve endings from erupting into a tickle frenzy. Which gave Jen room to work on muscles that normally go untouched. ***FYI please don't tickle me! I'll be forced to hurt you and it won't even be my fault! You've been warned!!! PS I love you! ;)***

I can't say enough wonderful things about Jen! Again, God orchestrated such a perfect union in friendship. She's amazing, sweet, honest and caring. She's also so knowledgeable! The first time she laid hands on me she said "Oh, you're such a mess! :) And, she was sooooo right!!! Apparently, I've had a lot of lactic acid built up in my muscles from all the hard training. I'm not exactly sure what lactic acid does to muscles but it sure felt painfully good to have most if released from my upper back.

After leaving her office on Friday I got back to my desk and logged into Spark People to track my food. Of all the articles to be on my Spark Page it was interesting that it would be about massage. Check this article out. It's about the benefits of massage. Informative and Interesting.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend Jen to anyone and everyone I love and know.
Here's her information:
Jen Windle
940.206.8936

Weight Watchers went well on Saturday. I know I should've gained! I totally should've gained weight because my eating habits were a total mess last week. However, I've lost another 0.2 lbs.

Somethings gotta give this week.... I'm thinking about starting the Core program on Weight Watchers. Unlike the Flex Program (point tracking), Core allows you to not track points but rather eat until your satisfied, NOT FULL. BUT, here's the kicker - core foods are all natural and totally non processed! So, that means lots and lots of veggies and fruits! I'll let you know how that goes.

I leave you with a picture. Here's Sara & Myself at a bbq last thursday.


*** more pictures to follow

Arc Trainer + Me = GROSS

Just a few quick snap shots of myself at the gym. If I work up enough guts I'll post a frontal view. ;) icky to the max!


This is me getting after it....



Still at it.



I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stick a fork in me! I'M DONE!



Thanks to my ever loving sister (M-Rita, Marge!, Mita - she'll answer to all) for recommending that we document this part of the journey.

Ok Go! Here it goes again

I can't ever seem to take my eyes away from the screen when these guys get to doing their thing. Mindless entertainment. :)



It would be funny to join someone on their treadmill while they were working out, wouldn't it? I bet their reaction would be utterly priceless! I'd never dare do such a thing but a bored girl on a treadmill can only hope for such entertainment!