Getting Rid Of My "Big, Baggy & Busy" Clothes

During the past four to six weeks I have begun to shop for clothes for myself.  I held off purchasing new pants for as long as I could, but by the time I had dropped 40 pounds none of my pants would stay up.  The belts helped to hold them up but there was so much extra fabric that they really looked bad.

The picture shown here from 5-6  weeks ago was an outfit that I had worn on a Sunday morning to church service where I sang up on the stage on the praise team.  As you can tell, the pants are so baggy that I have no "shape".

I began to wonder what should I do with all of these clothes?  There is nothing wrong with them, other than they no longer fit me.  They still have a lot of life in them, but not on me!  I purchased six pairs of new pants and after wearing three of them, and realizing that they were becoming baggier on my frame by the day,  I ended up taking three pairs back to the store and replaced them with three pair of capris in the next smaller size!

During Easter weekend my girlfriend and I walked into a consignment shop and I purchased a super cute brown top.  This may not sound like a big deal, but this was the first time that I can remember ever being able to purchase something for myself at a consignment store.  Why?  Because the consignment stores do not have clothes to fit me, except now they do!  I am excited because I can actually buy normal clothes at normal stores. 

Me Christmas '2009

So again I asked myself, what do I do with all these Big, Baggy and Busy clothes?  When we were leaving the consignment store I asked if they ever take plus size women's clothes, and the owner said "Yes"!   She gave me all the details and a copy of the consignment agreement to review.  On Thursday I gave forty clothing items to the consignment shop.  I hope every piece finds a new home! 

Besides making a little money off the sell of my clothes, I can think of two other benefits to cleaning out my closet.  I now have a little extra space in my closest and with the good Lord's help,  I will never be that size again!  So here's to smaller sizes in my immediate future!  Watch out shopping malls, shopping centers,and outlet stores,  I am coming your way!!!



Me in my new clothes & testing my
new Mary Kay make-over



Small Groups Are Special

Kevin demonstrates his Primary
 Love Language, Physical Touch with me!

My husband and I have been leading Small Groups in the different churches  that we have attended over the past ten years and we recently lead a small group that did the study on The Five Love Languages. If you have never read this book I highly recommend it. Whether you are married, single, want to get married, never been married, or never want to get married, there is a version of this book that is applicable to you!

Dr. Gary Chapman wrote this book many years ago and it has helped tens of thousands of couples and singles alike to discover what there "primary" emotional love language is.  It is one of those books that reads like a story instead of a "how to fix a problem" book.   While reading his stories of counseling with different individuals and couples you will probably see a little bit of yourself, yor spouse, your family members and friends. We all have a primary love language, but discovering what yours is would be the begining of a better understanding of how God created you.

The Five Love Languages are: Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmatiom, Receiving Gifts, and Physical Touch.   Just reading those five types probably has got your mind thinking, "I wonder which one I am"?  Or "I bet my husband is _________.".   I suggest that if you read the book that you do so and make  a commitment to yourself that you will not complete the self assessment profile untill after you have read all the chapters that discuss the individual love languages. I believe you will be greatly encouraged by this book and all that you can discover about yourself and the ones you love.

Now back to my story, we completed our class and had a end of the small group dinner at one of the participants home. Mary and Steve Cain opened their home to us and we enjoyed many hours of food, fun, fellowship and Laughter! We had a great time and it was a decided that we would try to meet every few months to follow up with each other and to see how full each others Love Tank was.  Steve loves to take pictures and here are just a few that I would like to share.

(pictured left to right) Steve, Mary, Kevin, Candace, Will, Amber,
Tom, Michelle, Kevin, Kathy, Nancy, Randy Tammy & Dennis

We had so much food!! But I stayed within my 1400 calories
for the day!!  I was so proud of myself!!!

We have already planned our next get together for July 9th at Lake Hartwell.  And if all goes as planned I will have hit my 75 pounds lost mark by then.  I still have July 4th set as my target date for the 75 pounds and at the rate that I am going, I will be there before I know it!

Taking The "DIE" Out Of "DIET"

My journey to a new me has been a very enjoyable journey thus far and I believe the closer that I get to my destination the more enjoyable it will be. I have never experienced the success that I am experiencing now when trying to become healthier and more fit. As I have stated in previous post, if it feels like a "Diet" then I kmow me better than anyone and I simply will not stick with it. Not because I don't want to lose the weight but because it becomes too hard, too discouraging to try to eat "diet" type foods. You know cabbage soup, tuna fish, lettuce, raw veggies with no ranch dressing for dipping. That "plan" just doesn't work for me.

So I want to talk about taking the "D-I-E" out of Diet. I've heard it said many times that to lose weight you have to "diet". One person told me recently that to diet is to "die" to self. Well I had no comment when I first heard that but after pondering on it I would like to address this statement.

I do not believe that when I started on my journey to a new me that I ever thought about the word "die". I am doing this to Live a Longer, Healthier and more fulfilling life. If I think of diet and die in the same breath then I am defeating my whole purpose for doing this in the first place.

The reason I call this experience my "Journey" is because that is what it is. I am not in a super hurry to get to my destination of 100 pounds of weight loss in One Year, but I believe I have set out on a very obtainable goal. I have a little thought that may help myself and some of you reading this blog post with the words "Diet" and "Die".

This is interesting to me and could help you to if you would re-train your brain to think this way. Now there's a little catch phrase if I ever heard one, "learn to re-train your brain". So how do you do this? We will start with a four letter word, DIET. Look at the four letter word this way, "D.I.E.T.". What if each letter stood for a word to help motivate you and keep you accountable? This is my personal thoughts on this:

"D". Decide Daily
"I". Informed food choices
"E". Eat only when truly hungry
"T". Take it one day at a time

These four steps sound so easy so why don't we do it? I have an answer for this but you will have to wait until my next post to find out....

Celebrating My Mother On Mother's Day

I don't know about you, but I enjoy holidays. All holidays, both big and small. The ones that everyone celebrates and some that are a little less celebrated. But my favorites are Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, Birthdays, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Father's Day and Mother's Day.

My Dad & Mom Easter 2011

My Mom is a very special person in my life.  She not only brought me into the world, but she has been there for me every step of the way.  She has been a great example for me to follow.  Her love for the Lord and others is one of her greatest attributes.  I always said when I grow up I wanted to be just like her.  Well it is funny but the older I get the more that I see more and more of my mother in me. 

I do not always tell her how important she is to me, but today I wanted to express my deepest love and appreciation  that I have for her.  It is so nice to live only three miles away from her and have such easy access to her any time I need to talk to her or see her.  We often get together for dinner out, or one of us will cook and have the other over to share a meal.  We never run out of things to say and we both enjoy scrapbooking together.

Mom, just in case I haven't told you lately how much you mean to me, please allow me this opportunity to say "I love you so much and I thank God every day to have you as my mother and friend!"


L-R  My sister ( Becky)  My Mom (Dorris) and Me taken Easter '2011





What Was My "A-HA" Moment

I have been asked numerous times in many different ways what exactly was  "THE" Thing that got me started on My Journey To A New Me?  Friends and family alike are wondering what happened that has caused me to begin on this journey.  What was my "A-HA" moment?  How did I go from not caring what I looked like and how unhealthy I was to this journey to becoming a healthier and happier me?  Well for all of the "enquiring minds" out there, here are all the answers

On December 11, 2010 on a trip to the doctor to receive a breathing treatment and medication for an upper respiratory infection and bronchitis I met a doctor in the practice that I had never seen before.  The things that this doctor said to me during this visit got me thinking.  "What if I could make changes in my life and lose 100 pounds in one year?"  What would that feel like?  What would I look like?  Is it even possible?  What would I have to do to accomplish this?  How hard would it be?  Am I kidding myself? 

The doctor said things to me that triggered my mind into thinking that I can  do this.  He explained that my body does not know the difference between a carrot stick and a piece of carrot cake.  What is important is that I count the calories that I eat every day.  He originally wanted me to go on 1200 calories per day but I told him that this was just not enough!  Then he gave me an additional 200 calories which gave me a 1400 calorie per day "allowance":    It is funny to think of it now, but I was sort of brain-washed into thinking that I had drove a hard bargain with the doctor by getting those extra 200 calories per day. 

So on my drive home I opened up to my husband and shared with him all that the doctor had said to me in the office that day.  He was quiet at first and then when he spoke his reply was so simple, he said:  "I think you can do it!"  His response caught me off guard at first.  My mind was having a hard time grasping the 1400 calories and how hard it would be to stick with it, and my husband it telling me that he "thinks" I can do it!

That afternoon I took some time to figure it out.  Where to start?  This was not going to be the easiest thing that I had ever done.  But I have always loved a challenge.  So I needed to find an easy and convenient way to keep up with the food that I would be eating to reach my 1400 calories per day. 

My search lead me to my lap top and that is where I discovered http://www.myfitnesspal.com/.  This easy to use website has so many tools to help everyone set weight loss goals, stay on track with their food intake, and exercise and it give you charts of your progress!!  This little tool was going to make my journey a little smoother, but now that I was equipped for the journey to lose 100 pounds, I had to set my mind on the right things.

I believe that 95% of losing weight is in your mind.  Why?  Because if you can't visualize yourself doing it and reaching your goal, you probably will not be able to do it.  How did I come up with the goal of losing 100 pounds in one year?  Is this all that I want to lose?  Well the answers to those questions are easy.  I came up with the 100 pounds in one year by simply making a goal of 2 pounds of weight loss per week and multiplying it out over 52 weeks in a year.  Oh, I know the math is not 100% accurate, in 52 weeks of losing 2 pounds per week I should be at 104 pounds, but I wanted to use a nice "round" number (no pun intended on the ":round" part.) As for the answer to the other question, do I just want to lose 100 lbs. the answer is yes, and yes!  Yes I want to lose 100 lbs. in one year and then Yes! I will set my next goal once I have acheived that one.

The hardest part was actually doing it.  I know me better than anyone else and I knew that if My Journey To A New Me felt like a diet then I would not do it.  So, with this thought in mind I decided to eat the foods that I would normally eat but count every calorie that went into my mouth!  If I wanted pizza, I counted it.  If I wanted Mexican food, I counted it.  If I wanted a McDonald's kids meal, hamburger and apple slices with caramel dip, I counted it.  For friends and family who have sat down and enjoyed a meal with me they can testify that I do not eat like I am deprived, or on a diet!  Why?  Because I am not on a diet.  I am on a journey to a new and healthier me and it just involves eating less calories than I used to, not cutting out all the foods that I enjoy.  How enjoyable would it be to go on a journey any where and eat foods that you did not enjoy.  Foods that were foreign to you, and foods that were not satisfying to you?  When I get to the place that my body says "I am done.  I am at my goal weight.  I am not going to drop one more pound."  I want to be able to enjoy this place for the rest of my life, not start gaining weight back the moment I start to eat something that was not on my "DIET".

The blog was the next part of the equation that did not come until 5 or 6 weeks into my journey.  My daughter-in-law was encouraged by my weekly and sometimes daily praise reports of the weight just seeming to melt off, and she began to tell me that I should blog my experience.  She said that it may encourage or inspire others who struggle with the same issues. 

So first I had to figure out what a blog was, and what you did with one.  That was an easy search on google for free blogs  to discover the eblogger that my blog is posted on.  Yes, I could have added advertisers to my blog and made money off of the posts but that has never been my focus.  I just want others to be encouraged to do it for themselves.  I pray that my journey to a new me will encourage, inspire and motivate anyone who needs to be encouraged, inspired or motivated.

Motivation is an interesting aspect of why I am doing this.  There is so much motivating me to get healthier.  I have lived the first 47 years of my life overweight.  During childhood I was the chunky girl, the heavyset girl, and the girl who needed to lose some weight.  I would receive compliments about my clothes or jewelry but not about me.  Older family friends would say things like, "You have such a pretty face."  That is okay but what about the rest of me?  Am I chopped liver?  I decided that I got myself this way and only I can do something about it.  No one is forcing food down my throat.  No one is holding a gun to my head telling me to eat.  I have the power, the sheer will power, to do this.  There is a scripture in God's word that tells me
"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me !" Phillipians 4:13  I believe that this is a promise from God to ME!

That is a verse that I meditate on and I think about when things are hectic and food temptations arise.  It  is weird but the longer that I have been on this journey the more I want to be going down this path.  I can't imagine turning back now.  As of today I am down 56.8 pounds and I believe 60 is right around the bend.

I have advice for anyone who is making the decison to do this for themself.  First you may want to speak to your physican.  Although my doctor instructed me to eat 1400 calories per day, your situation may be different and you may need more or less in your daily intake.  Next, set a one year goal, a six month goal and a three month goal.  By breaking it down into smaller numbers  you can reach milestones and have more opportunities to celebrate your success.  Also, keep a journal of some type.   I just so happened to enjoy posting in my blog.  At first I posted in my blog but did not share it with anyone but my husband, my parents and my son and daughter-in-law.  Now I want to share it with the entire world! 

And finally, give yourself a break.  Once you begin down this road you will hit potholes, ruts, bumpy parts, and detours, but stay the course.  If you veer off get back on.  If your car should leave the road and get on the shoulder you don't continue on the shoulder, you make the correction and you get back on the road.  That is the same with this journey.  I am in it for the long haul.  How about you?



Kathy & Kevin
Easter '2011
(Kathy is down 55 lbs.!!!)

A Booth or Table?

For some of you this blog post will not make too much sense, but to others you will understand completely and maybe admit, even if it is to yourself, that you have been there yourself!

I like everyone else enjoy a nice breakfast, lunch or dinner with my husband, family, or friends. When we arrive at the restaurant the hostess promptly ask "Would you like a booth or a table?" Well to me the most romantic or intimate choice would be a booth of course, but when you are obese this is easier said than done.

I can't tell you how many times I have responded "booth please" only to be walked over to the booth and realized that I would be the reason that we couldn't sit there because I simply did not fit. Unfortunately the hostess doesn't carry a "wedge tool" in her pocket to assist me in my seating choice.  So when this would happen the hostess has to walk back up to the hostess stand and "un-mark" the booth so that someone else can be seated in our first choice and she walks us over to the table for big people.

What an embarrassing situation! Not just for me, but for my loved ones who are on the ring-around-the-table ride that I have taken us on. I know it would have been better to just say "Table please" when the original question came up but I like to think that by some miracle the booth would expand like my pants with the secret elastic in the sides of the waistband. (the good news is I no longer have to wear those types of pants, Yeah!)

Well this weekend something happened to change all of this. My husband and I went to Waffle House for breakfast and waited for a seat because they were super busy on a Saturday morning. There were no booths available ot the seats at the low counter and a slew of seats at the high counter. I don't know why, but I found myself looking at the booths that are usually way way too small for me to even think about sitting in. And I thought to myself, "Why not wait for a booth to become available and try?" What did I have to lose but my pride and that has happened before.

So as the elderly couple rose up out of their booth I approached and checked out the seating choice.  Was it really that narrow?  Was I just kidding myself?  This could be another embaressing moment like so many others.   When they had finished clearing the dishes and wiping off the table surface, I sat my purse on the inside of the booth and slid in.  WOW!!! I fit !!! It was a day for a miracle!!! I fit into the worlds smalled booth!!!  Oh Happy Day !!! This is amazing!!! It wasn't even tight, there was even some room to spare.
I was smiling ear to ear and proudly told my husband that this was going to be a Great Day!  But on Sunday afternoon it got even better.  After church service we stopped to get a quick bite to eat at our favorite Mexican resturant and we sat in a booth, and my side of the booth was actually too far away from the table!
In days gone past I would have loved this much room but today it felt awkward.  So, I stood up and moved the seat of the booth closer to the table.  (This was only possible because it was the end booth)




Me sittng in a small booth at
the Waffle House

 I keep thinking about this great accomplishment.  It probably sounds silly to many of you, but for anyone who has the "Oh No, Not A Booth" issue when they go to a resturant, let me tell you it finally feels Great to be able to sit and dine where I want to.  My Journey To A New Me is full of surprises and some times miracles too!  I am so happy to report that my table days are over.  "I'll take a booth please!"

Spending Quality Time With My Daughter (Amber)

This past Thursday evening I had an opportunity to spend some much needed quality time with my daughter-in-law Amber. We have a mutual friend who offered to do facials and glamour make-overs and you can bet we did not pass up a chance to get gorgeous!

Our friend is a Mary Kay consultant and she invited us to her home to try out everything from cleansers,moisturizers, anti-aging cream (I needed that!) and a multitude of make-up, foundation, concealer, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, lip-liner, lipstick, and lip gloss.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the cleaning products and the make-up but I can proudly say that I was pleasantly surprised! I can remember using Mary Kay in the 80's and having to use water to get the eyeshadow to go on. (if you remember this application technique then you might be as old as I am!)
But this was not the case with the make-up on the table on this night.

Before we began the beautification process we were told that we needed  a "before" and "after" photo of ourself so that we could be entered into a contest with Mary Kay.  I don't remember the prizes but I believe it was money and free make-up?  I am not really sure, but we were there so why not enjoy the full experience. I promised my daughter-in-law that I would not post her picture
but at the end of the blog you will see my "before" and "after" picture.

You may be wondering what does a make-over have to do with My Journey To A New Me?  Well in my humble opinion EVERYTHING!!!  Why?  Because not only have I shed 55 lbs. I am becoming the person on the outside that I believe that I have always been on the inside.  No longer do I want to hide or cover myself up with too much make-up and oversized clothes!  I want to look like the person I am becoming and that is a healthier and happier me! 

The evening was a blast!  And I am so impressed with where Mary Kay has taken their products.  The make-up (foundation) went on lighter than the original foundation that I had used many years ago, and I stepped out of my comfort zone and used a shimmery light green eyeshadow on my lid, and chocolate brown lip liner with a true red lipstick.  We then topped the lips with a glossy shimmer and Waalaa we were finished.

Here are the before and after pictures.  Please don't make fun of me for having great time with my daughter-in-law and my friend.  It feels good to mix it up a little bit and try new things once in a while. Who knows next time you see me I may just be the proud winner of the "Before & After" Make-Over Contest with Mary Kay!   If you are in need of a good make-over I have a great friend who can help you out & she is a Mary Kay consultant too!   (Candace there is no fee for this little advertisement!)



Me "Before" My
 Mary Kay Make-Over



Me "After" My
 Mary Kay Make-Over!