The Warrior Suz

Unstoppable

2012-02-26T23:21:00.001-05:00

I had a breakthrough today. These are my thoughts. How I am seeing things. This is very personal.

About two years ago in some soul searching I unsurfaced a sense of feeling unheard. It was a pain I couldn't quite put into words or even describe what that meant to me at the time.
In a conversation today I was exploring what "true love" meant to me and how I have experienced it in my life. I have learned that fear, doubt, bitterness and resentment(amongst other negatives) block the connection that "true love" is to share between two people(in any context of any relationship, not just marriage) Those negative things build up walls so that "true love" can not connect in the way it is intended. I felt unheard in the sense that my "heart," the being of who I am, was not being heard by those closest to me and quite possibly because those walls had been built up. The times I have felt heard have been the times when there were no walls, and consequently believe "true love" could show itself wholly, but is also the time we can be most vulnerable and yet is also when we can truly touch another life.

So what does this have to do with my weight loss journey?
I believe when walls are built up in any part of our lives it blocks us from achieving and being all we are meant to be,even to be able to love ourselves enough to want to move forward in any area of our lives. I think when we can have unconditional love("true love") for ourselves we can be content with where we are so that we can move forward, instead of always looking back or putting up walls to our own forward growth. When we can learn to tear down the walls and be open to who we really are can we then be willing to turn and move in a forward direction instead of always looking back or stay in a holding pattern.
In a country song by Rascal Flatts, "Unstoppable", the words in the song say that love is unstoppable. How true is it that when you can truly love oneself that you can then be truly unstoppable.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ..

If you love yourself the way God intended you would be patient in your endeavors, you would be kind to yourself, you would not boast or be proud...etc. You will not quit. You will persevere (verb (used without object)

to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

You will not fail!

the walls are coming down.

I can be heard.

I can love myself.

I can be unstoppable.

Chapter 2 begins

2012-02-24T03:06:00.000-05:00

Wow! yes, indeed it has been a long time! An update on the mission. fail. I did not finish.
However, the past few months have been both good and bad.
Bad, in that I haven't been working out the past few weeks and have not kept up with "clean" eating. The results will show themselves. The reasons for this backward trend are indeed a result of a poor internal climate. What happens on the inside almost always shows up on the outside.
Here is something I read today that really resonated with me.

"Circumstances - it's what happens to us; it's life. There are basically two types of people. There's the kind of person that basically accepts their life; they just accept what's happening to them, they're up, they're down. Basically their circumstances control them, their feelings, their attitudes, their moods, etc. We've all been there. Then there's another type of person that gets up every day and they don't accept their life, they lead their life. They determine their priorities, they determine their choices. They still have negative circumstances like everyone, but they lead their lives. The difference isn't in how life treats you, it's in how you respond to life. We can't control the positives and negatives of life, many of the circumstances sure. But we can control our reaction to them, our attitudes, how we live. They're the settings of life’s chessboard, or the kind and amount of the challenges on life’s game. It’s the way the scenario is presented to us. However, WE are the players; WE decide how we are going to face and tackle each obstacle towards OUR goals. We may fall, we may get hurt, we may lose some plays … But WE have to make every effort we can and make each play worth having being played! Circumstances don't make you. You make yourself."

The circumstances of my life the past few months have not been ideal and have mostly been out of my control. Divorce and loss of my job, both within 2 weeks of each other, and also losing contact with one of my best friends. I was doing ok for a while, but then started focusing on the "sting" of rejection. When I read this quote above, I realized I was letting my circumstances control me, my feelings, my attitude, my moods. I was letting my feelings of rejection control my life. I was basically letting myself go through the motions. I was letting my Powerful Reasons Why fade. I was starting to focus on what was "missing" in my life.

The Good. I have met an amazing man who is helping me to regain my focus. He is helping me to see what is good and great in my life again. He has helped me to reclaim my smile.
We shared a trip to Panama City Beach, Florida earlier this month.

We are planning a return trip in May. As of today, it is 84 days away.

I have been dragging my feet to move forward with my life. I basically feel like I have been coasting in my life the past few months. The dreams and goals I set out for myself in early November had been pushed back. The quote above reminds me I need to get back into the game and start Making my own plays. I need to dig deep to find that drive and determination I had back in September 2006 when I started this weight loss journey, to take control of my inner climate. I can continue to let the waves carry me wherever they may or I can set out my sails and direct my ship.

I can say I will start another mission with an external motivator as a return trip to Panama City Beach, but in reality for me external motivators have proven to not be a motivating factor. I need an internal motivation. They say "the pain of staying where you are has to become greater than the pain to change" in order to make changes in your life. It was true for me in 2006 and it is true for me in 2012. The internal motivator is how I feel about myself. I want to feel confident in myself again. I want to believe in my dreams again. I can not do this for anyone else or for a trip back to the beach. I must do this for me. It is not a selfish thing. Making myself better for me will only result in making myself better for others.

Mission: PCB2/Return to me
How am I going to do this?
Mindset is key!! It is the key to any transformation. What I am thinking and saying and believing about myself are the determining factors in a successful "mission" and transformation. Affirmations are a great way to change what I am thinking, saying and believing about myself. Affirmations are what helped me to lose 90 lbs. And it is what will help me to regain my confidence...as well as a "beach ready" body.
Metabolic Masterpiece. Scott Tousignant has designed an amazing program. This has to top off any other program he has put together for the length I have been following him.(since 2006) The two phases I have done I thoroughly enjoyed.
Part of my internal motivations is to regain my self-confidence. A great confidence boosting feat would be to become a "Metabolic Masterpiece" success story.
Accountability/Support. First and foremost, I must be accountable to myself. But it helps to enlist others to assist you in this area. Without accountability and support it would be all too easy to just quit when the going gets tough. One form of accountability I will use will be to follow through with posting on this blog. A couple of years ago I was a part of an online fitness forum and daily postings was a key factor in accountability and even the support of fellow members. Daily pics was also a part of that accountability.
Part of this accountability/support is a "challenge" shared with this amazing man in my life. I have "challenged" him to lose 40 lbs by my birthday in August. The "challenge" for me is to drop my bodyfat % to 21% (from my starting scale bf% of 30%) by May 19 and to 15% by my birthday in August.
Powerful Reason Why. I want to regain my self-confidence. I want to feel good about myself again. I don't want to feel the pain of disappointment. The numbers don't really mean anything to me. It is the way I will feel when I reach those numbers. I want to feel Unstoppable!
How I felt at the end of this video...this is my PRW...my internal motivator.

Starting Stats:
As of 2/12/12
weight: 157.2 lbs
waist: 34"
hips: 41"
scale bf%: 30%

Goal: by May 19, 2012
weight: 150 lbs.
waist: 32"
hips: 39"
scale bf%: 21%

Chapter 2 begins.

Mission 5: Genesis T-63 making progress

2011-12-12T23:08:00.000-05:00

The days already seem like they are just going by so quickly. And I continue to ask myself, "Am I giving 100%?" Some daysare yes, some are more like 98%.
The "off" parts are mainly timing of eating and quantity offood. One night I had a couple of cookies, but besides that Iam doing great. I am loving my workouts and am stillprogressing in weights and reps. Tonight was lower body,consisting mainly of squats. Heavy lifts of 3-5 reps. Barbell squats I am up to 135# (which is good for me). (upfrom 115# three weeks ago) Progress!
I do believe I am seeing changes in my comparison from day 1 onNovember 21. I feel "tighter".

My December Promise:
I keep eating right.
I remember this is my dream.
I work through the pain.
I keep smiling
I wake up every morning Determined to go to bed withsatisfaction.
I remind myself, I am not alone.
I drink more water.
I push harder.
I do not give up. Ever.
I am unstoppable.

I am seeing changes for sure. for sure the tummy and hips. Ihave not taken any measurements since day 1. I will do thatnext week. But I am confident I am making progress andpositive changes.

Mission 5 Genesis T-71 My December Promise

2011-12-04T21:21:00.001-05:00

I found this awesome pic on facebook today. I have printed it upand put it up right in front of me just above my computer so I cansee it every day.

It has been a good two days since my last post.
Thebiggest thing has been keeping the question, "Are you giving 100%?"forefront in my mind. Also the thought that if I am notgiving this program my 100% commitment, then my word meansnothing. I want to be a person of character andintegrity. And I do that by living my core values andbeliefs.
I have decided to allow myself a few "off plan" treats (popcorn anda few pizza breadsticks). And to me, these food items I am notconsidering as taking me off that 100% commitment. I havebeen sticking pretty close to eating every 3-4 hours. And thepast few days my tummy just feels like it is "tighter".

I think I need to change the wording to this poster.
"I keep eating right.
I remember this is my Dream.
I continue to work through the pain.
I keep smiling.
I wake up every morning DETERMINED to go to bed satisfied.
I am not alone.
I drink more water.
I push harder.
I press on!"

As I did my HIIT cardio tonight a lot of self talk was goingon.
"Give it 100%!"
"think about how awesome you going to look and feel come Feb.14."
I have my PRW taped to my elliptical so I can see it as Iexercise. It was "speaking" to me. "If you really wantthis, you're gonna have to work for it. It's just not goingto come to you. I'm not going to just sit by and molly coddleyou, I'm going to push you. If you really want this, you haveto believe. You've done this before and you can do itagain!
Don't put your head down! Look up! Keep your eyes on"me". Focus on the why. Focus on the dream. theharder you push the closer you get. If I am really your PRWyou will keep me in your heart and you will know I am with you inevery moment. Keep going, you're almost there. "
These were the things I was saying in my mind.
And it worked!

Here are side by side comparison from day 1 to today.

Mission 5 T-73 Openness

2011-12-03T00:59:00.001-05:00

Openness. willingness or readiness to receive (especiallyimpressions or ideas).(free Online dictionary)

I have found myself saying that "I am Open ..." a lot lately. I do believe it started shortly after my divorce was final the endof October. I remember saying I was open for what was to comethe week I was in Jersey with Elaine.
I wanted to soak in every moment I was there, which to me, is to beopen to the experience. Elaine shared some things with methat, if I wasn't open to receive those ideas it could have had anegative effect. But I remember saying I was open to whatevershe had to say.
I believe that "openness" is what allowed me to not reactnegatively to losing my job only one day upon my return backhome. I remember praying, "Ok, God, I am open to whatever itis you have for me. I am not afraid. I trust inYou."
The very next day, I got a call from a friend who had no idea I hadjust lost my job, offering me a possible part time job. Thatsame day I also had two people contact me "out of the blue" abouthelping with weight loss/training.
I believe because I was open to what was to come, that things wereopened to me. I do believe "things" don't just come to youunless Someone believes you are ready to receive.
Elaine shared with me some "hard" questions and also a blog postthat said "HELLO!!" to me. When the student is ready(open tolearn) the teacher appears. I am open to what is beforeme. I am open to the "hard" questions. I am open tofinding my own answers.
Some of those answers has prompted me to take action. To becommitted to my dream, to be committed to the outcome, to be committedto the process.

My sister has "volunteered" me to be her hair color model onMonday. She said the only "requirement" is to be open towhatever the instructor wants to do. I told her I was openfor whatever. I believe the outcome will be awesome, becauseI am open to it!

I believe if we lived "closed" lives we will not reach ourpotential, nor will we dream dreams and go after our dreams andgoals. When we open ourselves up to the possibilities, thepossibilities come to us. Mind you, there is action involvedonce we are presented with the opportunity, idea,dream.
The most important action to take is the first step. I wasreminded of this tonight in an instant message from a gal onfacebook I hardly even know.
How does this happen? I am Open.

As Carlos has reminded us today:

"Because it is commitment not words that keep us on task.

Obviously this is not for everyone.

Discipline feels no obligation to offer an apology for the process that forges bone into steel- so we shouldn’t be looking for it. Nor does it have ears to hear complaints- no one has to do this, anyone can bail out leave at any time.

But if we embrace the process then we will be transformed into something that we never were but always wanted to be."

To me this says, Be open to the process and put action to it bybeing committed. Words mean nothing unless we put into actionthe commitment. I believe this is what Elaine was thinking when sheasks the question, "Are you giving it 100%? If not, whynot?" If I am not giving 100% to the commitment ofworking this program with all I've got, then my words meannothing! Then this mission does not hold it's truemeaning.
I am "embracing the process" and am transforming into something Inever have been, but always wanted to be. I am not thesame person I was, because I have been OPEN to change andgrowth.
I am OPEN!

The past few days since I answered those questions I have beencommitted 100% to the process. I am having some awesomeworkouts. I am eating the way I need to. I am makingright choices that will take me closer to reaching my goal. Today I feel thinner. My muscles are feeling good and worked.

Mission 5: T-76 Are you giving it 100%?

2011-11-30T01:25:00.001-05:00

"Why aren't you following your plan? OK, two questions. Whatdoes this mission mean to you? Are you giving it 100%? If not, whynot? I guess that's four questions. You don't have to respond tome. These are some questions I would ask myself."
Thank you, Elaine, for that! I was thinking aboutthese questions all day...and into my workout thisevening.
I know you said I don't have to respond, but I'd like to. Iffor anything to explore for myself and think "out loud", if youwill.
"Why aren't you following yourplan?" to be honest, I just gotlazy. I had my kids and chose not to workout. I allowedthe day to go on without sticking to my plan. It wasn'tbecause I didn't have time. It was a choice. 'It's OK,I'll work out tomorrow.'(but it didn't happen the next dayeither.)
Affirmation: I follow my plan because I amcommitted to the results following my plan will achieve forme.

"What does this mission mean toyou?" the warrior mind code comes tomind.
"I no longer accept the mediocre in my life, but accept thechallenge of doing my best each moment before me.
I lead and live as an example for others to follow.
I train hard.
I set challenging goals for myself, and hold myself accountable totheir achievement.
I accept nothing less of myself for I am worthy of theirachievement.
Every day that I breathe I remain committed.
Consistently without fail, I will never quit.
I will never quit."
It means feeling that feeling I had when I did those 5 chinups backin Feb.2010. Feeling strong. Feeling powerful beyondmeasure. Mind, body and soul.
"Are you giving it 100%?" Well, no,actually, as evidenced by my not following my own plan. butthat changed today.
I DO have control whether or not I give 100% !
Affirmation: I give each day 100% . I give 100% to mynutrition and weight training, because when I do reaching my goalis only a matter of time. I give 100% to my mind and spiritas that will give me the drive and determination to press ontowards my goal.

I will ask myself these questions. I will answer them withPowerful Affirmations.
Is what I am thinking, saying, doing, eating helping me get closerto my goal?
My goal isn't just about my physical body, but about becoming who Iam meant to be. Every choice I make is a reflection of me andmy character and commitment.

Mission 5: Genesis: Enjoy the Journey

2011-11-28T20:59:00.001-05:00

As first weeks go, it wasn't what I had planned. I am still working on my meal plan. Thursday and Friday workouts were not done. But I did make some minor changes in stats.
With it being Thanksgiving many thoughts were centered around what I am thankful for. A recent conversation also introduced what is it that makes us happy. Those things, in turn, are also things to be thankful for. Simple things that put a smile on our faces.

Music. Music is a powerful thing. Music reminds us of memories from our past. Music brings meaning to the moments were are in right now...which will be future memories. Music can affect your emotions. I listen to music when I workout.

Laughing with friends. What a treasure this is! I love it when you laugh so hard your sides start hurting and you can't breathe. Your face hurts from smiling so much.

There really are so many more simple things that can make you happy and by sharing them with someone else, you can then make someone else happy.

These are the things we need to think about, especially in those times where you are down.

This is also the way we need to think when it comes to our physique goals. Those things mentioned above promote good feelings within us. Think of your dream, your goal. What good feelings will you feel when you reach your goal. Will you feel like smiling? Will you be happy? Will you be thankful? Don't wait until you reach your goal to feel those feelings. Feel them now, as if! Make each day full of "happy" and "thankful" thoughts and feelings.

Enjoy the Journey!

How will you feel when you reach your goal? Live it Now!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:08:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!
If you've read any of my posts you'll know that I have had a rough year. The past year has brought about many changes and trials in my life. Some very recent. How easy would it be to be mad at the world, mad at God, just plain mad! How easy would it be for me to say, "Why me?"
But instead, I give thanks! I am thankful for all I have gone through the past year, the past five years.
Do I wish my life were different and things didn't have to be this way? yes. but thank God I am here today and I AM thankful for all that I have gone through. I am better and stronger having gone through this. I am so thankful for the people that have come into my life in the past year and even the past five years. I am so thankful for the life-long friendships I have that have stood by me. I am thankful for an amazing and supportive family who has each been there for me each in their own special way.
I am thankful for a healthy body and am able to lift weights and feed and fuel my body.

I am thankful for what is to come! Only great things!

What are you thankful for?

Mission 5: Genesis T- 84

2011-11-22T00:38:00.001-05:00

My journey to today has taken many turns and ups and downs.
The past 18 months has seen some tough times in my life. While I was not consistent with my training and there were inconsistencies in my nutritional intake, I have for the most part stayed healthy. During the gall bladder issues I had last year my weight went up 25 lbs from 148 up to 175. This, after reaching, what I felt at the time, the best shape of my life. Over the course of the past 18 months I have gotten my weight back down, but also at the cost of some lean muscle.
So here I am at a major turn in my life. What is before me is practically an open road. I have been challenged to "step out on the water."
One of the steps I have decided to take is to reclaim my physique goals and get back to the shape I was back on Feb. 14, 2010.

This is my vis pic for this mission!

I have taken some measurements and weighed myself. (my scale also has a BIA device to measure bodyfat %. I am not counting on it to be an accurate source of bodyfat % measurement, but as a guide showing progress.)
My stats as of this morning(November 21, 2011):
scale weight: 152.8 lbs
bodyfat %: 29.2%
waist: 33"
hips: 40 3/4"
right thigh: 24"
calf: 15.5"
chest: 34"(with sports top on)

My goal is to cut down the bodyfat by quite a bit. (in the pic above, my bodyfat% was at 15% and that is my first mid-term goal) And to gain back the lean muscle I have lost.
I will be using Scott Tousignant's "Metabolic Masterpiece" program the next 12 weeks.

This is one part of my "Genesis", the physical part.
I have already begun on the mental and spiritual part, but am far from where I want to be. Also in the works are the financial and life goals. I have taken small steps towards those ideas.

Here are today's Day 1 "before" pics:

(Not of super importance, but a New Suit Must be a reward for this mission!)

T-3 days to Mission 5: Genesis

2011-11-18T22:03:00.001-05:00

I have decided to start up my 5 year Anniversary shred mission on Monday, November 21, 2011, instead of Tuesday. Still to finish up on February 14, 2012.
I am nervously excited about this Mission. After nearly two years of health and personal issues, I am a little bit nervous about this Shred Mission. I am feeling the pressure of putting myself out there (even though there are not many here).
While I've had overall success at losing weight and keeping it off(even after gall bladder surgery), I have felt like I have not yet come close to my own potential. In February 2009 I did feel like I was in the best shape of my life, but I know there is more in me.
I have grown much over the past 20 months(I can't believe it's been that long already, let alone five years!) spiritually, mentally and emotionally. At 42 years old, I feel like I've finally grown up in ways.
But here I find myself at major turning points in my life. I feel like I have endured some of the hardest times in my life the past year, the greatest growth phase of my short life. I find myself not just at the end of a phase in my life(the end of a 21 year marriage and the end of an 8 year job, within 2 weeks of each other) but at the Beginning of something New and Exciting. For most of my life I feel like I have lived in fear. But, with such big changes happening in my life so close to each other, I am finding myself Unafraid. I feel like I am finally walking in the faith I have so many times shared with you all here. A faith I questioned of myself so many times.
What was the turning point for me in not living in fear?
It happened to be a week in New Jersey. There are so many words to describe what that trip meant to me.
Letting go of the past.
Letting go of guilt.
Completely forgiving...of myself and those I felt wronged me.
Changing my perspective.
Refocus.
Renewal.
Setting new goals.
Dreaming again.
Living the moments.
Loving the moments.
Knowing I am OK.
Being Thankful for each and every moment.
Through all of that, receiving Peace.

Elaine, from NotJustaDaydream.com, happened to be the vessel through which all of that came.

So my heart races once again at the onset of yet another "mission". Stay tuned for Day 1 of Mission 5: "Genesis"

A New Beginning: A Genesis Week

2011-11-10T03:31:00.001-05:00

A New Beginning: a Genesis Week

I have shared this blog title before. Yet it seems to havetaken on a new meaning.
The past five years I have been on a journey. One would thinkit was a journey of weight loss, but it was so much more thanthat! It was the journey of Suzette.
My "Genesis Week" started five years ago on July 30, 2006. That was the day I set a goal to lose 30 lbs byChristmas of that same year. But the decision to commitdidn't happen until September 19, 2006 when I took that first"before" picture with at least a 40 inch waist and 50 inchhips.
That day was the beginning of what you now see today. My bodyis not where I'd like it to be and neither is my inner man. But that IS the journey!
What you see today is not the person you may have seen on July 30,2006. And such is the journey we all should be taking. The one of transformation of mind, body, soul. We should notbe stagnant beings. And we are NOT! We are eithergrowing or we are dying. And quite possibly both! If weare growing, then essentially a part of us is dying. We haveto let the old parts of us that held us back to die. The Oldparts of us have to die off so the New can come in andgrow.
Just look at the eagle. As an eagle goes through a molting ofhis wings he has to practically die for that to happen. Buthe doesn't do this alone! He has other eagles who havealready gone through this molting process to feed him and help keephim alive as he doesn't have strength of his own to get his ownfood. (http://eaglez4worth.tripod.com/id89.html)readthis link as it really tells the story of how I have beenfeeling)
My journey feels quite like the eagle's molting process. Itfeels like my whole life has "died". The me of yesterday hasdied. I have been in a depression and the Eagles in my lifehave been feeding me, keeping me alive so my new wings can come inand grow so I can begin to fly once again, maybe even for the firsttime. To Soar! To soar high above the circumstances oflife. To Rise Above!
I am stepping out! I am jumping! more like beingpushed, really! just like the adult eagles do with theiryoung. I'm either going to fall crashing to the ground or Iwill spread my wings and fly!
but I WILL fly!
I have been preparing for this day for five years, unbeknownst tome. but God knew! He already had it planned out. People have been speaking into my life and I have beenlistening.
This past week with Elaine, has been so pivotal for me. Itwas all in preparation of what was to come today. I was ableto really get my mind in a right place of peace and genuinely beingOK. To be able to put behind me and allow to die the pain ofrejection and other negative beliefs and thoughts. I've gonefrom just surviving the moments to being able to Live in theMoments and Love the Moments given to me.

Jersey Shore

2011-11-03T16:26:00.000-04:00

I have been in Wall, New Jersey since Monday, October 31, 2011 visiting with my friend Elaine Morales from NotJustaDaydream.com. She has been training for her third figure competition. So this week has been "peak week" for her. Elaine has not only transformed her body but has transformed her whole way of thinking. A once shy, introverted person is now confident and full of positivity.

Here are some pics from my trip to Jersey so far. Others can be found in my facebook albums.

T-6 Jersey

2011-10-26T00:16:00.000-04:00

In six days, I'll be heading to New Jersey to visit with my friend in fitness, Elaine, author of "Why Delay Amazing" a complete guide to transformation, who will be on stage on Saturday, November 5, entering her third figure competition.
I will be spending "peak week" with her. She is already a champion in her own right. She has transformed her life, inside out! She is a great inspiration to me. I can't wait to meet her. I'll post pics upon my return.

T-14 Jersey

2011-10-18T07:18:00.001-04:00

In two weeks I will be on my way to New Jersey! I will be staying with Elaine for a week leading up to her 3rd Figure Competition. I am so excited!

A friend of mine shared this on her website and it really resonated with me,
" I am letting go of my old identity and discovering the new."

In legal terms, I will be doing just that next Monday as my divorce will be final in the courts. It will be the beginning of the next chapter in my life. It will be the starting of "discovering the new". A new beginning. What could truly be my "Genesis Week".

But sad to say, this past week has not been one of my best. No one said divorce would be easy, but damn, why do we have to treat each other so crappy. It has been a mentally tough week for me to replace those negative words with positives..not just replacing them, but to believe them.

I want all this crap to be done and over with and all the drama that comes with it to be done. I know life will still show up, but I am hoping such dramatic things will be diverted in the future and that I have hopefully learned some lessons for future reference. I really want this 5 year Anniversary Shred Mission to be a focused, unstoppable effort.
If you don't join me in the shred, at least come support me along the way. I (we all do, really) need all the encouragement and support I can get.
It is my hope to be able to reflect over the past 5 years of this journey as I go through this next Shred Mission. and to also Dream and look forward to what is to come. So shred or not, you don't want to miss reflections and lessons and dreams to come as I share with you all.

I don't think I've shared with you all yet. Starting on November 22, 2011 I will be starting a 12 week "Shred Mission" to commemorate my 5 year weight loss journey. An 'anniversary' mission of sorts. It was during this time frame that I started making changes in my life, mind, body, spirit. I had found a fellow by the name of Adam Waters. It was by his encouragement that I started blogging my weight loss journey. So in a way, it is to celebrate with him the journey we have shared these past five years. I will share my reflections from this time with you all. I have also chosen this 12 week time frame as it was two years ago that I shared with my good friend, Sharon Harris from Australia, one of my best physique and internal transformations. Since that time her and I have gone through some difficult times(individually of each other) so I'd like to do this shred mission as a way of a New Beginning. Sharon had a huge impact on my life during our shred mission 2 years ago and I'd like to thank her by doing this "Anniversary" shred mission. The past two years has seen me start and "quit" many times due to life situations, but it is my intention to complete this next 12 week "mission".

So stay tuned within the next month as I journey through 12 weeks from November 22, 2011 to February 14, 2012.

T-28 Jersey

2011-10-03T13:20:00.001-04:00

Did my cardio early (for me!) this morning. Instead of"traditional" cardio I did another HIIT round of "kickboxing" for10 minutes, then did some "HIIT" jump roping. I don'tremember my calves feeling sore from jump roping back when I was akid! (but I did do calves yesterday and were kind of sore) But, boy, was that a heart rate pump!! once I got to not steppingon the rope! I had so much energy I scrubbed by kitchenfloor, on my hands and knees, just like Cinderella! LOL!
I am focused on looking towards the vision I see for myself. I see it. I live it. I breathe it. I believe it.My daily thoughts and actions reflect that vision.
Previous successes have shown me that I have only scratched thesurface of my potential, mind, body and spirit.
What an amazing journey we are on...for us all to "Eclipse" ourformer selves.

Day 1/Day 3 Pic:

I am still seeing that my hip stature is off balance. I'venoticed this before. I have a tight hip flexor, I wonder ifthat has anything to do with my imbalance on my right side?
Besides that, I am already seeing some minor changes, especially intummy.

Vision

2011-10-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

"Perhaps the most powerful aspect of vision is that it changes your way of thinking, which in turn changes the way you live.
An Olympic swimmer endures the long hours of staring at the bottom of a pool, day after day, because he is motivated by the vision of the gold to come.
A mother endures the painful labor of childbirth because the vision of her newborn baby sustains her.
And a four-year-old endures the struggle to be a very, very good boy for another two weeks because he is motivated by a vision of gifts under a Christmas tree.
Vision is a power that motivates us to do great things, give great things, and love at all times. Vision keeps us going when there doesn’t appear to be any other reason to keep pushing forward toward the goal."
(Jon

Five years has passed since I started this "weight loss" journey.
this pic was taken September 19, 2006.

The Vision I had for myself at that time was... to not be where I was. I wasn't looking forward in the sense of an "ideal physique" because I just didn't know or believe it was possible for me. The vision I had was to not be 90 lbs overweight...to not be what I saw in the mirror. 30 lbs was all I could believe...and even that I wasn't quite sure I could do. All I knew was that I didn't want to be where I was...mind, body, soul. It really wasn't about the weight but how I felt in the body I had "created"...or rather, allowed to happen. And my body was a pure reflection of how I thought about myself. I didn't like me. I didn't like the choices I felt "pressured" to make. Those choices were made out of fear.
But I finally made some choices for me and what was right for me. I made a decision after much "talking"(months, maybe even years) about it to lose some weight. Once I had it set in my mind that I WAS Doing it, I just did it! The food, the workouts, the changing of my thoughts...It was all deliberate and determined. I was committed. I wasn't going to let anything stop me. Not the processed food that was in my house. Not even my own negative thinking...about myself, about my life. It was conscious effort and conscious thinking and self-talk. Something just "clicked" in me that said, "enough is enough. I'm doing this! no more talking, no more hoping. Just Do It!"
I read and read all I needed to do...while eating bowls of ice cream..and yes, that is plural... I would literally sit and eat 2-3 bowls of ice cream while reading how to train, eat right, think right!
Then it was time to put what I was reading into action! I set goals.(30lbs by Christmas of that year- 2006) I printed up visualization pics. I said some affirmations. One of them being, "I am 155! I am 155!" That is what I would say outloud...with emotion and with all my heart...while I would workout upstairs in my house with only a set of 6 lb dumbells and an exercise bike..and 90 lbs of extra bodyweight!
But it really wasn't about being 155 lbs! I didn't quite know it at the time, but it was about who I wanted to be inside at 155 lbs. It wasn't for the "glory" from my peers or being a certain bodyfat percent(as I really didn't know what could be possible for me at that time). It was for me to be able to like myself. To have confidence in me. To have a good self-esteem. To believe I had value. To be able to look in the mirror and like what and who I saw.

And so with the inspiration of my OWN story, I am going to do this!
My post from the other day about being sick...In all truth I was not physically sick. My head hurt from thinking! From thinking about all that I didn't have or felt I was "losing." My chest hurt because my "heart" was hurting. My stomach hurt from letting all these thoughts and negative emotions churn me up in my body. Some days I do great and others I allowed to let my emotions rule me. I will not discount the pain nor push it down..but I must not also let it overwhelm me. I must manage it. I must take every thought captive. Just as I did 5 years ago, I must affirm what and who I want to be(not just the weight I want to be). I must do this outloud...with passion, with determination, with committment to the outcome..the vision of who I am.
An inadvertant comment on a facebook post I made from an old high school acqaintance reminded me of my purpose. Someone I haven't talked to since high school!(nearly 25 years ago!)

"Sorry Suzette. But hello to you andyes you were created for a purpose to inspireothers!!"

So I have reset my mind! I will not live in that "sick" placeI was a few days ago. The vision of who I want to be willchange the way I think and in effect change the way I live. And I will Become that which I envision!

What is my vision for myself?
A Healthy Soul, a Healthy Mind, a Healthy Body. Someone whoinspires others to be and do the same. I live in peace evenwhen my circumstances say otherwise.

Being Transparent

2011-09-23T22:23:00.000-04:00

I chatted with a good friend of mine yesterday. In our conversation she saysI sound like I am doing well, by the sounds of my blog posts. Well, that's really only the half of it. I am doingwell. But at the same time I am experiencing some extremefeelings of rejection and in my blog posts I don't mentionthis. I do want to only say what is good and positive...butat the same time I don't want to be a "fraud". The more wethink on things, the more of that thing we bring into ourlives. I have experienced this on both accounts (good andbad). I want so much to stay focused on those good andpositive things. Yet at the same time I am going through somelife changes that are challenging.
I don't want to focus on the overwhelming feelings of rejectionthis past year has been challenging me with. The past fewdays have been tough.
But what I have been challenged with (in a good way) Spiritually isto "Be Still".
We can get so busy with our lives or, for me, to always bethinking( I tend to overthink. doh!). In whatever form we are"busy" if we don't take the time to "Be Still" life can seem tobecome overwhelming with the stresses and hard challenges...and forme right now, the overwhelming feelings of rejection in severalareas of my life. My divorce will be final October 24. My 7 year old wants to live with his dad. I haven't been ableto talk to one of my best friends in months.

This is the stuff transformation is all about. This is thestuff that holds people back from reaching their dreams andgoals. This is the stuff that stops people from movingforward in life. This is the stuff that keeps people fromreaching physique goals.
It is in learning how to think in these times and situations thatseem so overwhelming. It is in learning and findingTruth. Feelings of rejection are really selfishthoughts. Gaining a different perspective is essentialhere. Counting Blessings are one way to do that. I havecounted my blessings... This is the stuff I need to focuson. The things in my life I have little to no control over, Ineed to "be still" with. I need to see from a newperspective. I need to focus on "what's good aboutthis?" The truth is even in the darkest of circumstancesthere IS something good! We just have to be still long enoughto see it, to hear it, to feel it, to Be it.

I know this is the internet and a very "public" place...but Ireally want my journey to be transparent. I want people tosee that it is so much more than just eating right, or workingout. As we get our hearts and minds right...that is when theeating and working out will become a non-issue. But untilthen, we press on despite not always feeling like it.

With all that said, I have been eating good the past fewdays.
I have been working my butt off in the gym, really pushinghard. I have sweat! I have pushed. I havepulled. I have punched. I have kicked. I havegrunted! I feel like things are moving forward. I canfeel the body burning and working through out the days. As Iget my food more in line with my core beliefs and dreams and goals,I know I will be a burning warrior machine. I can alreadyfeel it.

Remain Steadfast

2011-09-19T23:45:00.001-04:00

Some days I feel like the Dream Stealer is working overtime to knock me off my path. My Inner Peace has been challenged many times since returning from my vacation. But I remain steadfast(: firm in belief, determination, or adherence) in keeping my Inner Peace.
With each challenge I am learning more and more to take each situation and try to learn from it and become better. The time of allowing circumstances or negative interactions to bother me are getting less and less. I am choosing to reflect on those situations and learn from them and to not let my emotions rule me.
I have finally learned about myself that when I let my negative emotions rule that everything stops in my life. I am not able to move forward with my dreams and goals. The choices I make reflect those negative emotions.
I made some poor choices this weekend. My first reaction is to "kick myself".
I made better choices today.
For about four hours today, I helped my cousin put in new insulation in her attic. We crawled on our belly's on pieces of plywood and the 2x6 beams. We sweat. We were huffing and puffing. It was quite the workout! Kind of like doing planks and elbow crawls. We both ended up with bruises on our knees, hips, elbows and some on the ribs. We bumped our heads on the attic ceiling beams too many times to count. Our whole bodies are sore. Then I went to a late lunch with a friend and had a grilled chicken sandwich(but I did have some ice cream for dessert) Within 3 hours I was starving! So after showering the insulation dust I had a big protein shake and then went out to the garage and did my workout for the day. I had to get out there before my body "said" no. I am so glad I did, even after working so hard in the attic. I felt great! (even with the poor choices from the weekend) I did more reps with heavier weights and more sets(compared to the last time I did this workout). My body feels completely worked, from head to toe.

I am blessed! During lunch today with my friend, I was sharing with her how blessed I am to have such a blessing in some very special friendships that have grown over the past year. I remember as a young person feeling like I never had any friends or only a very few. Now I am finding I am blessed by some truly wonderful people in my life. I want to always be very thankful and grateful for these gifts in my life. These gifts are what have helped to carry me through some very tough trials over this past year. It is my hope to give back to those who have lovingly given to me.

Balance: Spirit, Mind, Body

2011-09-15T00:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's post was really empowering for me. To be able to come to that place of just being. I have grown so much over the past few years and quite a bit in just the past year. But now is the time to Be that which I have grown into.
I feel I am still learning daily about myself and how I can be a better me. I am learning to take situations that have occurred recently and am working on ways I could respond better..or to even just pause even before responding. This will take some practice and mindful thinking in the moment.
This journey we are on has really very little to do with our physical bodies, but is very much mental and spiritual. What is needed is a balance of spiritual strength, mental strength and bodily strength. I see the spiritual as something that is within the core of our being...it is really what drives us.
The spiritual part of us seeks Peace. When we are at peace in the core of our being..that is when we will just BE. Be who we are created to be. Be what our destiny is calling us to be.
I am at a place of peace today. I am learning that despite some of the circumstances that are out of my control, I can still be at peace and know I am being the best me I can be in this moment and yet can still learn from those experiences.
When the peace is at that core spiritual level, that is when everything else will fall into place..the mental strength, and even the physical strength. I think balance can only be achieved when we are at a place of spiritual peace because everything else falls into place from there.

Workout done!
eats are doing better. making better choices.

Just Be!

2011-09-14T01:15:00.002-04:00

My older sister cut and colored my hair today. She always makes me look beautiful!

We were talking about how much I have changed over the years since I was young. I was very shy and didn't like to be in front of people. I was always a "follower". But I have also been grooming over the years to be a leader. I was thinking about this the past few days. Some of my first experiences as a leader was being a team captain on my high school basketball team. Then again when I worked at a summer church camp the summer after I graduated from high school I was "appointed" as being "in charge" of the snack shop. I was thinking about all this after I had read something someone close to me had shared with me this past year or so. This is what was shared with me: You are a natural born teacher and leader – you’ve just got to grow into that skin now.
As I shared that with my sister, she says this, "stop thinking about it and being concerned about what that means and just be. Just BE what you are. Just BE who you are. You are a leader so just Be. Don't think about what you used to be, just BE who you ARE now! Do what you love and you just BE that."
I have an amazing sister! She is the one who truly inspired me to just go after my goal of losing weight. She believed in me and wanted me to succeed. But not only that, she is an amazing woman. She has gone through so much over the years as a single mother at a young age and did what she needed to support her son and herself. She is a strong woman. She is going through her own personal struggles but has remained strong through it all and is Being who she needs to be to make it through.

Yesterday did not go as planned for my workout. I work late on Sunday nights and don't get to bed until near 2 am most weekends...and then having to get up early to get kids off to school. I had a morning appointment with my friend who is a massage therapist. Painfully wonderful! Lunch time then time to pick up kids from school. supper with the kids. Then I laid down for a nap after dinner...well the "nap" lasted through midnight. So the workout did not get done!
Needless to say, after my haircut tonight, I was not going to miss my workout! But I still need to zero in on my diet. I am not out of control but I am still choosing foods that are not supporting my goals. I need to make some changes. I have less than two months to make some major changes in my physique before I go to Jersey to visit Elaine. I have to bring up my game! She is going to put me to work and I have to be ready.
You all are pushing me to bring my best to the table.

Here is a side by side 14 day comparison from September 1 to today.

I see some minor changes. But I am not looking for minor!
Certain foods give me bloating issues and I have to be more mindful of those foods and how my body reacts...I see obvious bloating in comparison.

It's time to BE!
BE Unstoppable!
BE a Champion!
BE a Leader!

Decide

2011-09-04T00:54:00.000-04:00

Decide

Every day stronger!

I needed this message:

"When something knocks you off track, get up quickly and point yourself back in the right direction. Decide that you will not tolerate any excuses, not from yourself or from anyone else. Do what it takes to deal with life as it comes, and firmly take control of your own destiny"
Ralph Marston

Read more: http://greatday.com/#ixzz1WuSVJHyE

It matters not how many times you get knocked down but how many times you get back up! I will never give up! Every Day Stronger! The more I learn, the more quickly I get back up! I take control of my attitude. I take control of my thoughts. I take every thought captive.
I will make no excuses..but I will get back up again and again and again..until I stay up and STAND Strong!
Once a decision is made...a truly, gut honest, whole-hearted Decision...nothing will be able to stop you. I have done this before and I am doing it again!

A "Genesis week"

2011-08-30T00:54:00.000-04:00

I feel like I have so much to say. The past few days since I've been home I've really had a chance to reflect on my vacation and what it has meant to me. A recent blog post I read really summed it up for me. In it the blogger said this,

"Have you ever thought to yourself, you are exactly where you need to be at this very moment. Sort of like...if that didn't happen, this wouldn't have happened, and if that wouldn't have happened, this couldn't have happened. Even our failures play into this scenario and work towards the good."

This isn't really much related to fitness and nutrition in the physical sense...but it has everything to do with the fitness of your soul and feeding yourself the good food your soul needs.
As you could probably imagine, I was greatly disappointed in the fact that I wasn't going to Australia this month. It was something I had set my heart on since May of last year. I didn't know how it was to happen, but I was going on faith that it just would be. I kept that faith until the end of July when it was decided I wasn't to go. But in a matter of days, my sister had called me and had asked me to then come to Albuquerque to help her move to Texas. If I had gone to Oz, this wouldn't have happened.
The first two days I was in Albuquerque I essentially packed most all of Rachel's stuff. This was great for me, believe it or not. It allowed me to focus on something other than myself and the issues I had been dealing with at work and even the life issues from the past year. For me, this was not a "pain covering solution" to do this. It was all about a change of focus.
A few financial changes in recent months has allowed me to save some money, which was intended to be used during my trip to Oz. So with this "extra" money saved I was able to buy my sister two new tires that she desperately needed...especially if I was to be driving her vehicle 600+ miles to Texas! This wouldn't have happened if I had gone to Oz. Scott drove with me in Rachel's vehicle to Texas. There's a good chance this wouldn't have happened if I had not been there.
My time spent with Rachel in Texas was a special time of sisterly bonding. I will treasure this time with her...and I know she treasures this time as well.
This trip accomplished what I had set out to do...to be renewed, rejuvenated and restore peace in my spirit. It was all that and more. We laughed. We played. We cried. We talked. We were sisters!
Friday at work it was pay day, so I was able to catch up with some of my staff. I was greeted by hugs and "we are so glad you are back!" and on Saturday one of them left me flowers saying they missed me and was glad I was back. Also, Saturday at work I had a friend of mine tell me how happy I looked...and that she had not seen me this happy in a long time. Today, in my counseling session the counselor said she could sense as I was talking that I seemed more at peace and relaxed.
Yesterday after church, my kids and I got KFC and went to a local park and played on the playground...ALL of us! More laughter and smiles from my kids! and today, it was yet another beautiful day in Southeast Michigan.
This morning I went out in the garden and took some pics. Taking pics like this, for me, is a perfect way to destress and relax. Today was all about enjoying the beauty that is all around in this moment...in the garden and even the weeds!(make sure you check out my pics on facebook!) Today, after I made dinner, which all the kids ate!!!( stovetop grilled chicken and broccoli and carrots) we all went outside and either walked or rode bikes.
All of this, Strength and Healthy "Food" for my spirit.

Something I've learned over this past month. If I were to sit and fret over what I was "missing" then I would miss enjoying what was right in front of me. I am exactly where I need to be in this very moment.

On to things physical. I have taken up a 10 week "challenge" with one of my friends on another forum. I got in my first workout today after laying off for nearly a month. It felt good! (but I will let you know how the muscles feel in a day or two!) Eats were good!
Here are today's pics:

Getting Unstuck....part 2: Genesis

2011-08-09T09:14:00.000-04:00

"Getting Unstuck" ...part 2.

"So often, people allow the opinions of others to hold them back and water down their dreams. We have to realize, there will always be critics and naysayers in life. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. It’s not what others say about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself" Joel Osteen

I have to honestly say I have done this, allow the opinions of others to hold me back and water down my dreams. So how do I get "unstuck" from that?
A few weeks ago I got "slammed" on a personal level. But it was a wake up call to me. For someone being so concerned about what other people think about me I didn't show myself in a good light. I was angry with myself thinking I should know better because of the way I've been taught. Here I am claiming to be one thing and showing myself to be the opposite.
Our human nature is that of being selfish and thinking of our own desires and how things will affect "me". But we can also be selfless, in that we would also help others beyond our own needs and wants.
So as I am processing all of this in my heart and mind these past weeks I've been reminded from several sources that I don't have to believe what others think about me. I can also turn this negative around to a positive by bettering myself. So how do I do that?
Every day is an opportunity to Renew my mind. Everyday we Should Renew our minds! Everyday is an opportunity to forgive and seek forgiveness....of oneself and others. I am human. I will make bad choices. but it is my response to those choices and how I learn from those choices to make myself a better person because of it.
Mind Renewal is a Daily process. It is instant, yet it is ongoing!
We are going to get "Stuck". I think that is a given, but what is not a given is how long you stay stuck. This quote kind of sums it up.
"Be careful about what you think and what you say during your times of trial and tribulation. The attitude you have while in the wilderness determines how long you stay there."
Getting stuck can be a momentary thing or it can be a long drawn out thing. It all depends on what you think and say to yourself in those stuck situations. This is really where our affirmations come into play. We will always encounter situations or others people's opinions of us that are not "favorable". Affirmations are our way of Renewing our minds and thoughts to the Truth of who we are and not being stuck in what other's think or say about us...that is why we can have so many affirmations as each day brings new encounters. Every day I can create a new me. Every day can be a Genesis encounter.

genesis - a coming into being. a beginning, creation, starting point..

"God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. "
(Psalm 51:10 The Message)

Tomorrow morning I leave for Albuquerque, New Mexico. I will be celebrating my birthday with my brother and sister on Thursday. I will be gone for two weeks. I do not think I will have internet access. If and when I do I will update you all as I can on the trip. Sunday we will be driving from Albuquerque to a town northeast of Dallas(about a 12 hour drive) as my sister will be moving there.
I will be using this time as a "Genesis week". I plan on using my downtime as a time of renewal and rejuvenation.

U.S.of A. Day 25: Getting "Unstuck"

2011-07-26T00:15:00.000-04:00

"Whether we realize it or not, we are speaking into each others' lives. what a powerful thought" ~Me
And maybe by "chance" I may just be sharing a very similar experience with someone else. What if what I am going through or have gone through in my life is very similar to what you may have or are going through? What if I never shared these very personal experiences and thoughts with you? I think people need to see not just that I am a changed person or now have a positive attitude, but see "HOW" I did it! We all go through different processes to resolve our unfinished business or even how long it takes. We travel our journeys at the speed of "you". I've felt like I was a slow learner, but when we look at those that have the resources made available to them and they don't even take that step...those are the "slow" ones! So if you are here and are taking even baby steps, you are doing more than many many other people!
I see "stuck" people all around me in my daily life. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I see a "stuck" person. But what I am learning from Carlos is that I DON'T have to be a "stuck" person. And so I share my very personal life experiences in hopes that maybe one person will identify with my story and it will help them to get "unstuck" as I share how I am getting "unstuck" myself!

I've had some "stuck" moments this past week. I haven't worked out all week last week. But, you know what? That's ok!!! I do have a massive goal of gaining 8 lbs of LBM, and I WILL get there!!! That goal doesn't change! What does change is ME!!! I AM changing! I am growing! I do not have to get down on myself because I have not moved forward wholly with this goal, YET!
Am I still living an Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness? YES!! 8 lbs of LBM is nothing compared to how I am growing personally, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

"Why Delay Amazing?" isn't just about fat loss (muscle gain, or whatever your physical goal)..It's about BEing Amazing...from the Inside out! The physical is just an outward result of Inner Amazing-ness!

I AM Unstoppable! no matter what "life" says!
As Carlos tells me, "We can make our own reality!"

U.S.of A. Day 23: What is the Truth?

2011-07-23T13:46:00.001-04:00

"Be careful about what you think and what you say during your times of trial and tribulation. The attitude you have while in the wilderness determines how long you stay there."~ Joyce Meyers

I read this quote this morning, And I think about my own times of trial and tribulation and reflect on my thoughts during these times. For years my thoughts were negative. I focused on those things I could not control and I "allowed" them to control me and my attitude about myself, my marriage, my life. By doing that I felt like I wasn't good enough. I couldn't do anything right. Success was only something other people achieved in finances, in marriage, in relationships, in life. Somehow I didn't "deserve" success.

As I type this, I am having a light bulb moment of one time in my life where this "lie" had a small root. Let me insert the story, in hopes maybe someone can relate.
I was a sophomore in high school on the Junior Varsity volleyball team. The Varsity coaches felt I had enough skill and talent to be "pulled up" onto the Varsity squad. As a result, some of my classmates were (in my perception) jealous of this move by the coaches. A couple of those girls quit. I believed that to be them thinking I wasn't good enough to be on the Varsity squad and they should have been. This left me feeling/believing that maybe I didn't deserve to be on that Varsity squad.
Another story of when the "lie" that I wasn't good enough had it's root was on my 13th birthday. I had planned a birthday party and invited many girls from class at school. It turned out only 2 girls showed up for my party. I was devastated! I remember crying, thinking, "What's wrong with me? Why don't they like me?" I can still "see" that day clearly sitting in my living room, crying as I opened the few gifts that were given me.

The result of this thinking was adding 90 lbs of extra weight on my body over the course of nearly 19 years. My husband would say to me many times, "do you even hear yourself?" And so I wandered in this "wilderness" of mine for years! I was living under the "lie" that what others thought of me determined my worth. And somehow I "proved" this by believing that when people entered my life and "left" (either by way of moving away or losing contact, etc.) that it just "proved" to me that I wasn't good enough.
So in watching the movie Carlos posted(The Final Cut"), I could "see" myself in that movie. My beliefs about those early memories determined the course of my life up to this point in my life.
And so I am challenged again with something similar.
I am in the middle of a divorce. My seven year old wants to live with his dad. I am unable to communicate with one of my best friends. Some issues rise up at work.
Those 'old' feelings of not feeling good enough well up. This has been my challenge this week. I have not worked out all week. I have eaten pretty good. Not where I want to be, but not bad either. (probably not enough) So where has MY focus been? I can "hear" Carlos' words, "here we are going along merrily and then opps, something shows up and gets us off track." So what do we do about that? We have to get to the truth! We have to dispel the lies.
The Truth is...those girls not coming to my party more than likely had nothing to do with me!
The Truth is...those girls quitting probably had nothing to do with me being on the Varsity squad, but was about THEM not being pulled up. I DID deserve to be on that Varsity squad!
The Truth is...I do deserve success in all areas of my life.
The Truth is...I am the best at my job.
The Truth is...I am the best mom I can be.
The Truth is...divorce does not define me.
The Truth is...just because I can't communicate with my friend does not mean I have "lost" them.
So what is an affirmation all about? It's about taking charge of what you are thinking and saying in your times of trial and tribulation. An affirmation is giving your attitude direction and focus on the truth. It is saying to those lies we tell ourselves or hear from other people, "No, I will not accept you! I accept and believe the truth. the Truth is.."
In 2006, I started my journey of Affirmations. I have lost 90 lbs along the way. But it's not about fat loss or losing 90 lbs or even 9 lbs.! It is about what you believe! Are you believing the lies or are you believing the Truth? If you believe the lies you do all you can to cover up the pain of those lies you are believing. If you believe the Truth, you are set free from the pain of those lies and you live Success in every moment.
As Carlos shares with us, something will always show up!! But, it's what you think and believe about those things and learning HOW to think in those times that will determine your success and your future outcomes. This journey will never end. The day you stop affirming those Truths is the day you revert back to those old ways of thinking.

U.S.of A. Day 5: Affirmations

2011-07-06T00:34:00.000-04:00

I want to share with you my affirmations I have come up with for My Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness. Maybe it will help some of you. I know it helps me to see what other people come up with.

Suzette's Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness Affirmations
1. I am gaining 8 lbs or more Lean Muscle as I drop the same in body fat.
2. I will do this in 8 weeks by August 31
3. My diet is perfect for building muscle.
4. Every day I eat good quality protein and veggies.
5. I eat just enough to feed my muscles for growth and strength.
6. I choose peace within my personal relationships and recognize those things I have no control over.
7. I workout with intensity and push myself to work harder with each day.
8. I am better in mind, body and soul now than I was at the end of my first muscle mission.
9. I am stronger with more lean muscle and less body fat.
10. I am tighter. I am leaner.
11. I think like a Champion.
12. I do daily what ordinary people only do once in a while.
13. I maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life.
14. I only focus on those thoughts and actions that will propel me towards my goal of adding 8 lbs. lean muscle and losing 8 lbs. body fat.
15. I am in the best shape of my life; mind, body, soul.
16. I love the way I feel inside and out as I reach my goal.
17. I feel empowered to help others because I have done it.

I have printed this out and check each one off every day. several times a day.
I will these outloud to myself with conviction and emotion.
these affirmations are not just about my physique goals but also personal and life goals of having "healthy" relationships and "healthy" mindset overall.

Today was another day at my brother's pool with my kids! such fun..and more sun! Another perfect day! Loving life!! playing with my kids and even my mom played with us! (if you'd like, stop by my facebook page for some pics from yesterday and today with my kids poolside! some fun pics in there of yours truly! LOL don't want to miss those! LOL)

Got in a great Muscle workout! Did the whole thing through as yesterday I only made it through the first movement!
Eats must get better. not terrible but I need to get my food plan together for muscle growth to take place! I really don't know where I ended up today with calories but I am sure I am under...
It will happen! Muscle growth will not take place if I don't take in what I need.

today's pic, again poolside! I NEED a tan!!! lol.

LOL!!! My mom and I "posing" and my 12 year old doing his thing! lol..love it! I think my mom is having fun!! but she needs to work on those biceps! I told her they are going the wrong way! LOL.

I AM Unstoppable!!

"U.S. of A." Day 1

2011-07-02T01:11:00.000-04:00

U.S.of A. = Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness!!

This day is a New Beginning for me. I believe I have come to a great place in my mindset, despite all that is going on around me. True transformation starts in the mind! It has taken me literally years to come to where I am today. It hasn't been an easy road, but it has been worth it. I am worth it! It has finally sunk in that my worth is not dependent on what others think of me, or whether certain people are in my life. Nor does what I have been taught as a young person by way of example from others around me define who I am or my worth. Nor do my circumstances define my worth. My worth is found within.
I truly feel I am able to "Let Go" of those thoughts that have been contributing to holding me back, to truly believing in myself and achieving my dreams.

Today I feel relaxed and ready in mind and spirit.

My goals for the next 8 weeks. (Participating in Elaine's Transformation Extravaganza)
I have really been thinking a lot about this. I don't want to focus on scale weight. But, I do want to work on reducing both my hips and waist measurements by at least 1 inch. I also want to reduce bodyfat.(at this time I do not know what my BF% is. ) I did weigh myself tonight and found that I have lost some scale weight in just the past few days. But my work load is different at work now, so I am walking a lot more throughout the day!
I weighed in at 158 lbs. today (I am 5'8" for those that don't know) I would like to weigh in at 150 lbs but with increased lean body mass that will be visibly evidenced by my before/after pictures.
I am "tempted" to attempt what I nearly accomplished last year in a previous Muscle mission of gaining 8 lbs LBM and losing 8 lbs fat. and if i can do that in 8 weeks, that would be awesome!
I believe I can do it!
and so that is my goal: Gain 8, Lose 8 in 8 weeks. (Triple 8's)
How am I going to do this?
I decided today that I will do the Muscle program.
I have yet to determine my calorie requirements but will do that over the weekend.
Obstacle #1: of course the obvious one will be July 4th festivities.
Strategy: take chicken to grill instead of eating hot dogs. I will drink my green smoothie before I go, to make sure I get my greens in.
Obstacle #2: my birthday on August 11.
Strategy: choose healthy options to 'celebrate'. I don't need cake! or ice cream to celebrate.

Why am I doing this?
Because I can! why not?
I want to regain the physique from Feb. 2010.
I want the inner results that it will take to achieve this goal...the Mind of a Champion! I want to think like a Champion. I want to act like a Champion. I want to be a Champion.

Some bit of "history" from me.
As I was cleaning up my bedroom today, I found a copy of a "scale print out" from when I weighed myself back in 2006. I don't know the exact date on it as that part has faded..but the rest shows clearly!
Here's what the print out says:
"Your weight 238.8 lbs
(allow 5.5 lbs for clothing)
Ideal weight: 143.6 lbs.
You are overweight 95.2 lbs"

Here's to an Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness!!

and the story continues!

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

2011-06-29T00:37:00.001-04:00

I continue on with this theme!

Elaine has inspired me to "Love Life"!
Even with challenges that life presents us, we can still Love Life! Live in those special moments and cherish them.
Today I "forced" my four kids to come outside and take a walk with me down our long driveway! It was too beautiful today not to! They resisted at first, but I could tell they still enjoyed the time. I am sure they were smiling! I know I was!

Let Go! Today, I truly feel I have finally come to a place of letting go of the "crap" I've been holding onto these past months(even years). I've finally let go of the negative "weight" I've been carrying. I feel lighter.

Breathe Deeply! Now it's time to take a deep breath and step into a New Beginning! I am ready! I am excited! It's time to set and reach some new goals. Reach for Big Dreams!

Me and my baby! He turns 7 on the 30th!

The Adventures of...

2011-06-24T22:20:00.000-04:00

The Adventures of....

Aren't all of our lives full of adventure? There is no straight line in life, is there? We have ideas of what our life "should" look like, a nice, flat, smooth road. But we know that is not realistic.
What IS real is that there are forks in the road that we have to choose between.
There are sometimes speed bumps we must cross.
There are little 'bunny hills' we must traverse.
And then, there are some mountains we must climb. And what more adventure is there than in mountain climbing?
Those speed bumps and bunny hills really are just preparation for the mountain.
My life has been one adventure after another. Each it's own different kind of speed bump, bunny hill and mountain. (I've often joked my life could be a real life soap opera!) But each adventure has built up to bigger and 'better' mountains to climb. Gaining Strength and confidence in each one.
Thank God for the "safety ropes" in family and dear friends who are there to help pull you up when you lose your step and help you guide your way by guiding your next step because they have already traversed the way or can see from a different perspective. And it's those same people who will celebrate with you when you reach the summit!

the Story isn't in the "goal", the story is in the climb!

Strength is not at the summit, but is in the climbing!

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

2011-06-24T08:01:00.000-04:00

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

I think this will be my theme for the remainder of this month of June.
It needs to be. A huge transition will be taking place in my situation the first of July.
I will have to consciously look and be aware of what's good in my life and not focus on what is not good.
I will have to face the true reality of letting go of something that has been in my life for the past 23 years.
And I will have to Breathe Deeply to get through these days.

This transition could pose an opportunity to fall back into negative emotional patterns of poor food choices and not doing my workouts..as I have let myself do this in the past.
So, The Summer Extravaganza couldn't come at a better time to help me with that focus. The power of accountability. The power of positive support and encouragement. But Ultimately I will choose! I will make the choice!

Got the workout done tonight! With some help from some powerful visualization from the Awesome Elaine!
"I want to work my body tomorrow. I want to push beyond. I want to gasp for breath, see stars behind my eyelids, feel the burn, be wiping snot and sweat onto my t-shirt. I want to turn red in the face. I want my hair to look like a rat's nest. I want people to think I peed my pants from the sweat circles around my crotch. I want to feel dizzy, woozy and wobble-legged when I walk out of the gym tomorrow. I want to get into my car, rest my head on the steering wheel and cry tears of relief and joy. I want all those natural chemicals to rush from my head through my body. I want to feel like I've worked. Like I gave my all and have nothing left to give. Like I'm alive.

I want it...I'm going after it. " ~Elaine Morales

Tomorrow(Friday) I will be having the Novasure procedure done at 10:30 am...so be thinking of me. I will be under anesthesia, but the procedure will only take about 15 minutes. This procedure will cut back drastically my monthly cycle! This is my "Love Life" moment for the next day. I can't wait to experience the results of this procedure!

Be Thankful in All things

2011-06-24T07:54:00.000-04:00

Something I wrote on June 23, 2011.

Every day is a step forward!
Today was HIIT Cardio. was sweating it up!
Lots of thinking and processing going on.
Practicing "Loving Life, Letting Go and Breathing Deeply"
Being Thankful is my "loving life" action today.
Being Thankful is also a way of "letting go". by being thankful it allows us to see the good even in the midst of the bad and our focus is then taken off the bad and onto the good. Being thankful for what is to come is also an expression of faith.
As I breathe deeply I can envision breathing in the good and letting go of the bad.
Some things I am thankful for:
Dad! My dad has been a lifeline for me in so many ways! and never expecting anything in return.
We had a special one on one dinner on Father's Day. What a blessing to be able to do that together.
Mom! My mother has been one of my best friends. I can tell her most anything. She doesn't always know what to say in response, but always is there to listen. I treasure our friendship.
My Kids! I am thankful that so far, my kids have adjusted well with the upcoming changes in our household.
My current Challenge! Yes, I am thankful for this challenge. I am learning a lot about myself. I am becoming stronger as a person. My faith is growing; my Faith in God, Faith in myself, faith in my destiny.
I am thankful that my challenge is not as difficult as it could be. We are choosing to make it as "peaceable" as possible.
Elaine! Loving Elaine's blogs! Elaine, I am so thankful for you! I am thankful for your Champion spirit, drive, commitment and determination. I am thankful for your enthusiasm and positive outlook. I am thankful you had a dream and made the decision to go for it and give it all you got! I am thankful for your constant encouragement! I am thankful for your friendship.
Carlos! I am so thankful for you! Your continued patience and willingness to teach. Teaching in mind, body, and spirit. I am honored to be one of your students.

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply: Putting it into practice

2011-06-24T07:47:00.001-04:00

I'm a little behind in my blogging. Here is something I wrote last week"

So today I was able to put into practice what I was sharing in my last post.
Loving Life = sat down at the kitchen table for lunch with my four kids today. To some this might seem normal...but has not been in our house. It is usually everyone fending for themselves and eating in front of the computer or TV.
It was good! The kids didn't seem to mind! We had "homemade" pizza.
I am so thankful for this moment with my kids. We will incorporate this more in our routine.
Letting Go = a "minor" confrontation ...which usually leaves me very upset and mad for hours. I turned that around and was very conscious of my attitude and am deciding to forgive in this moment. I do not want to hold on to any resentments or angry feelings that will only serve to hurt me; mind, body, soul.
Breathe Deeply = In that moment of deciding to forgive, I also consciously took some time to do some deep breathing...because we know that stressful situations cause us to hold our breath. I needed those deep cleansing breathes to rid myself of those angry feelings.

Loving Life, Letting Go, Breathing Deeply!

I am unstoppable.

to me, this is the essence of Transformation...and I'm doing some heavy "lifting" right now.

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

2011-06-17T23:37:00.000-04:00

I was tired today, but got the workout done!! I felt good.
Mindset strategies are improving. I am really focusing on "loving my life" and not living in the helplessness I feel with certain situations that only cause me depression. I have also been working on forgiveness of others and of self...because it is not until I can truly forgive that I can live at peace within myself. And when I am at peace, things just flow...even though it might not be how I would like it..and I can "love life" when I am at peace. It is in the "letting go" and being thankful for not just where I am at but also for what is to come!!

Something I want to start doing is practicing some deep breathing! I was reading today how many heart patients are shallow breathers and that when we are stressed our bodies go into a "flight or fight" mode. basically we stop our breathing in order to prepare our bodies to run or fight. By breathing deeply we get more oxygen into our lungs and therefore into our bodies and organs. We need that oxygen for our organs to function at full capacity. And when I am stressed, I DO catch myself holding my breath! I actually have noticed this for a while now. I liken it to a feeling of "drowning" in a stressful situation. No wonder my gall bladder stopped functioning! (you think?) Stress...holding my breath...lack of oxygen in my body....body breaking down. Research I had done last year said that a low functioning gall bladder is most likely caused from long term stress. hmmm.
So don't hold your breath!!
Keep breathing!
Deep Cleansing Breaths!

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

"Learning How to Think" "What do you Believe about this?"...in action

2011-06-12T01:41:00.000-04:00

So this week I have been experiencing more lessons in thinking.
The lesson from this blog post, Turning Overwhelming into Overcoming I got to put into practice yesterday. A friend had posted in a blog saying, "I love my life." My initial reaction was to question that in my own life. "How can I say, 'I love my life' when I am going through a very tough challenge in my life right now that is not pleasant?
My mentor, Carlos DeJesus, asks me, "What do you believe about this?"
I've been asked this question many times over the past year (plus). It always seemed to take me "forever" to come up with what I believe. But this time, I think I am finally getting it!
The lesson of overcoming overwhelm was to think about one thing at a time...to think about each thing individually. to not combine thoughts together that don't need to be combined.
So this is what I did with this conversation. I realized that I was adding the two together ('loving life' and going through unpleasant challenge).
I guess I was "combining" the two ideas together..that of loving life and the challenge. Of course this challenge is not something to love..but I can still love my life despite going through this.
so I guess my belief was that I could not love life going through this challenge because this challenge is not pleasant...so how could I "love" it? But, by separating the two...even though this challenge is not pleasant...I can still love my life...
Because I AM growing.
because I AM getting stronger(in mind and spirit)...because I can still become who God wants me to be. and do what He wants me to do.

So the next time you are facing a difficult challenge, ask yourself, "What do I believe about this?" It could be the key to "unlocking" the truth. Once you can identify your beliefs you can then go about finding the truth of who you are,

In summary, I believed I could not love my life and go through this tough challenge.
but the truth is...I CAN love my life in spite of this difficult challenge!

“What does this experience make possible?

2011-06-07T15:25:00.000-04:00

Someone on facebook shared this article asking this question.

“What does this experience make possible?

The author, Michael Hyatt says this: "The bottom line is this: you can’t always choose what happens to you. Accidents and tragedies happen. But you can choose how you respond to those situations. One of the best ways to begin is to ask yourself the right question."

So of course this makes me think of my own life situation and I ponder this question. I will journal my thoughts and see what I can come up with. I do know that all things work out together for good and good will come from all situations. We just have to see the good in it. I feel like I have been focusing so much on the bad stuff in recent months that it did get me to the point of overwhelm. It's time to turn my thinking around. It's time to think about how good the future is and even the present!

Turning Overwhelming into Overcoming

2011-06-06T01:53:00.000-04:00

Indeed I was feeling quite overwhelmed by different situations in my life recently and by compounding them together made it overwhelming hence the way I was feeling.
But I was reminded by my mentor yesterday that I need to not compound these different things as it only leads to feelings of overwhelm..and that it was.
Look at the things that are happening in your life one at a time.
And deal with them separately- and one at a time
If not they will seem to multiply.
When I said this,
"Right now all I want to do is crawl into bed and just sleep the rest of the day away so I don't have to think about anything..I want to withdraw. I want to retreat. "
This is what happens when we get overwhelmed with issues that we either add or multiply together- this compromises our problem solving skills.
Deal with one thing at a time- do not allow them to build up- that is when we get overwhelmed.

Today I am focusing on the good that can and will come from each of these different circumstances, individually..one at a time. By doing that I can eliminate the negative feelings associated with these "events". By thinking of them separately and one at a time it will eliminate the feeling of overwhelm and I can actually become an Overcomer!
I will get back into my training program and will get the food issues under control. Besides my mindset, those are the two things I can control.

Gut Honest

2011-06-03T18:33:00.000-04:00

Gut honest here! I am really having a hard time today.
I had to let one of my long term employees go yesterday. She had been working with me for nearly 7 years. When you work with someone this long it is kind of hard not to become friends. This on top of what is already going on in my personal life. Right now all I want to do is crawl into bed and just sleep the rest of the day away so I don't have to think about anything. I want to withdraw. I want to retreat.
My world is turned upside down and I am being rocked.

I've only trained one day this week. My eating hasn't been too horrible, but not great either.
All choices I am making.

I did unearth a limiting belief about myself recently. And I am working through it. The personal issues I am going through right now only enhance the limiting belief.
The past 18 months I have been going through a transformation of a different kind. I feel like I am learning who Suzette is...who she is meant to be. I am learning I am not who I grew up believing I was. I don't have to hold onto limiting beliefs about myself. I can identify them and I can dispel them with the truth of who I am meant to be, who I already am on the inside.
I am good enough.
I am capable of success.
I am strong.

Storms

2011-05-25T00:35:00.000-04:00

A beautiful southeast Michigan evening sky!

It seems we go through the storms of life so to appreciate the beautiful, calm days of life.
I have been going through my own forms of life storms it seems these past couple of years. And guess what, it will never stop. Just like the weather, we will always have storms in life and assuredly, there will always be calm after the storm. but just like those devastating storms we hear about on the news and maybe some of you are experiencing first hand, those that survive those storms become so much stronger. As you go through such tough stuff you often wonder if and how you will ever make it through the storm and even more so, the aftermath of that storm...which often seems worse than the storm itself as you now have to clean up and rebuild and repair what was lost.
I see how we all have been touched by some form of a storm in life. Storms that come unexpected and storms that we can see coming on the horizon. These storms come in many sizes and shapes...loss of a family member, loss of a marriage, loss of a job, loss of health, even loss of a dream or vision.
But there is a common thread in all of these storms.
We all have Choices!
You can choose to be depressed and let it get you down and stop you from fulfilling your destiny.
Or you can Choose to be an overcomer and to rise above your circumstances and become Stronger in the process.
You can Choose to eat healthy foods. You can Choose to workout.
You can Choose to revive, rebuild, restore your dreams and visions of what your future can be.
You can Choose to keep the faith in your dreams and your destiny, despite what the circumstances say around you right now.
I Choose to believe!
I Choose to have faith!
I Choose to be Unstoppable!

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-69

2011-05-24T01:04:00.000-04:00

Woman on a Mission!

The chicks have been moved!! (Dad hatched some baby chicks that he was "storing" in the garage in my workout space!)
I've got my game face back on!!
It's time for this Warrior Woman to get her mission on!
NOthing can stop me! I'm stronger than ever!
I never give up!

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-81

2011-05-12T06:51:00.000-04:00

After some recent personal issues arising, today I am feeling like I am finally in a good place mentally. I am getting stronger every day...mind, body, spirit.

The other day Elaine asked me "What worked the best for you when you had your best mission ever?"
What a great question! I have two such times that I would call my best missions. My very first "mission"(Sept. 2006-Dec. 2006 and my muscle mission with Sharon Harris back in Nov. 2009-Feb. 2010. These two missions had many differences. Believe it or not, blogging, "group" accountability or sense of community, pictures or point keeping were not the strong points for either mission. I didn't blog, didn't have a community support system or accountability system, or even take daily pictures in my very first "mission" in Sept. 2006-Dec. 2006(the first 30 lbs.).
In thinking over the similarities, the only factor I could come up with was my mindset! I experienced the greatest personal growth during these two times.
And, so I will do just that with this mission! I will grow even more in my personal growth in my mindset and my inner man. I have put out there a massive statement of faith about my dream. I do not know with certainty that it will be realized, but I can believe with all my heart that it will. Words of affirmation and gratitude it will be.

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-83

2011-05-10T11:07:00.000-04:00

I feel I have started over and over again. and that's OK! Because I never give up! I will keep starting over and over again...every day! I can only believe for today. However, the choices I make today will impact my tomorrow and my next week and my next month...and so on and so on.
Day 1 is done.
I had my meals.
I did my workout.
I have worked on my mind and spirit.
I have taken my pics.

on to day 2...

Happy Mother's Day! Prelude to a Massive Mission

2011-05-08T17:14:00.001-04:00

Today, May 8, 2011 is Mother's Day. Thank God it was today and not tomorrow (or any other day past today).
My kids treated me to homemade pizza!! It was so good. And I had too much! But what a special treat to have my kids make me dinner..with their own hands(with a little help from daddy, of course)!

It is the prelude to a massive shred mission!
And my heart is racing!

Life has not been the easiest of travels in recent months, and I know this to be true for many of you, but we do have one thing under our control...and that is what we put in and do to our bodies! Even with the emotional eating that we do(myself included), even that is within our control! We choose!
We also control our thoughts and the words we speak! Our thoughts and words have power!! More than we realize! and it is with that, I put out here these words here!

I was reminded by my Warrior Woman in arms, "Now, if you're in, don't go getting all mushy on me ... you're a Warrior Woman ... get your game face on and suck it up! I don't want to hear about what's going on, I wanna SEE what you can do! Please join me, ... if you dare!"

Which reminds me of the theme I had set for this year back in January, "Dare...Boldly"

It also reminds me of a post I made on another site:
"I was thinking today about my post from yesterday.
If I truly believed I was to go on this trip to Oz in August, why would I let one statement or current circumstance change that? Do I believe it or not? I have had lots of reasons to believe it may not happen over the past year, but I refused to stop believing. I refused to let current circumstances affect my belief.
So, why stop now?!
Why should I let the current circumstances affect my belief? Do I still have faith or don't I?
Faith: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
I will keep the faith : to continue to believe in, trust, or support someone or something when it is difficult to do so!
There are still 12 weeks until my planned trip time in August.
I started the year with a theme of "Dare...Boldly"
Dare to Think Boldly
Dare to Dream Boldly
Dare to Believe Boldly
Dare to Pray Boldly
Dare to Live Boldly
Dare to Speak Boldly

So Shall I not continue with this "Dare....Boldly?"
Shall I not continue to Believe?
Shall I not continue to have faith that it will be as I have been believing for nearly a year?

How about my posts on Audacity? Do I believe this Audacious Faith?
Learning to believe that God does things that I think are impossible.

Can I dare to believe for this boldly, with Audacious Faith?
A lot can happen in 3 months...a lot of awesomely good stuff can happen to turn things around. Will you dare to think, dream, believe, pray, live boldly with me? Believe that things will change for the better, that doors will be opened, that favor would be ours.
So what I will do to walk out this faith is to move forward with a Transformation...to live it out boldly, as if! to believe boldly, as if. to think boldly, as if. to pray boldly as if. to Speak boldly, as if!

I WILL BELIEVE BOLDLY!!

Monday will be 84 days till take off day. I plan on kicking some butt the next 84 days.

I am going to train as if!
It's a done deal!! I can already see it! I can already feel it! I am already there!

"Please join me, ... if you dare!"
HELL YEAH ... here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dare to Believe Boldly!

sick

2011-05-02T19:21:00.003-04:00

The past few days I have had a sore throat. Today I woke up with a cough and head ache and not feeling well. I have stayed in bed all day. I have upped my vitamins. I hope it will clear in a few days so I can get back to my program. time is running.
I am sure stress is a factor in my being sick. I am just tired...tired of the stress...tired of thinking about life.

on my way Moving Forward

2011-05-02T03:30:00.000-04:00

I have been mostly absent this past week. I am not getting any closer to my physique goals this week, but I am getting closer to being the me I am meant to be.I would like to think that we are all striving for that "Eclipse" Carlos talks about in his blog.. to overshadow or surpass. “to look or be better”. I can say that in all ways, physical, mental, spiritual I strive to "overshadow or surpass...to look or be better" than I have before.

We can not look to other people to say whether or not we are getting closer to that goal. We do not need other people's opinion. All we have to do is look in the mirror. And that mirror will reflect only what it sees.

Inner work on order

2011-04-28T00:39:00.000-04:00

Well, this week has proven to be heavy on the emotional side and has me sidelined for a few days. I know from past experience that with high stress levels I am prone to injury, so I choose not to train. I know there will be more of these days in the near future for me as life presents issues to be dealt with.
But, I am with Elaine, I Need the accountability, that is why I have never felt I could stop blogging...plus I just feel this is something I "have" to do...like it's a "calling" of sorts. We all have a story to share and this is how I choose to share mine right now.
My last post says, "If you stop, it won’t be because of what happens around you. It will be because of what happens in you." And this is so true.
Right now in my life, I feel a lot is happening inside me. Sometimes it doesn't seem so good nor is it pleasant, but I know I am growing stronger through it all. Transformation is not just about fat loss, as we know here. And I know it is through the greatest inner transformation that the greatest outer transformation can also happen...and sometimes in unison. I experienced this last year in my first muscle mission with Sharon.
Even with the speed bumps along the way, I know I can do this again. It will take a daily refocus on the process and review of the end goal. It will take daily affirmations like the ones in my previous post. It will take discipline. it will take determination. it will take accountability. It will take belief.

It will take removing the negative and replacing with the positive...in all ares of my life.

Quitting is more about who you are than where you are.

2011-04-26T16:16:00.000-04:00

"But the reality is that the external things do not stop people. Those
who achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey."

The following is taken from John Maxwell's website. It was too good to not post the whole thing. How many times do people start a weight loss journey only to quit at the first sign of difficulty. I know I have at times...and it wasn't because of what was happening in life but because of who I was on the inside...likewise...my best "missions" were those where the internal attitude was on spot. We need to really be a guard of our inner attitude.

Back in December, I wrote about the importance of starting well. In the comments, many people agreed with me, but they also pointed out the critical nature of continuing after you start. They were right. Like I said at the time, starting and finishing are the two covers of the book. The main part – the pages – represents the day-to-day labor needed to achieve your goal.
Unfortunately, in many ways starting is the easy part. Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, “The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.”
What about you? Are you merely a starter? When the enthusiasm for a new idea fades, when the passion cools, when the odds against you increase and the results diminish, when it looks as if success is impossible, will you maintain your intensity and keep going? Are you tenacious?
Consider the fact that Admiral Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole seven times before he succeeded. Oscar Hammerstein produced five shows that were flops on Broadway before staging Oklahoma, which had a record-breaking run of 2,212 performances. Thomas Edison failed in his attempt to create a workable lightbulb 10,000 times before creating one that finally worked. To achieve your dream, you need to be able to keep going when others quit.
To develop tenacity, keep in mind that…
Quitting is more about who you are than where you are.
Everyone faces difficulty when working toward a dream. And if someone fails, he can make excuses for what went wrong, how the unexpected happened, how someone let him down, how circumstances worked against him.
But the reality is that the external things do not stop people. Those who achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey. The great artist Leonardo da Vinci once declared, “Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed on a star does not change his mind.”
The one who achieves the dream sees the journey differently.
Instead of thinking, “Not enough people believe in me. I’ll never make it,” he says,

“My belief in myself is enough; I can make it.”

Instead of, “It’s taking too long to realize my dream,” she reminds herself,

“Dreams are realized one day at a time.”

Rather than, “Enough is enough! I’ve taken enough hits!” she declares,

“I’ve come too far to give up now.”

Instead of, “I don’t have the strength to hold onto my dream,” he tells himself,

“Hold on a little longer. The darkest hour comes just before the dawn.”

Novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe said, “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
And I love how H.E. Jensen expressed an achiever’s way of thinking: “The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn’t hear the referee.” The only real guarantee for failure is to stop trying.
So when things go wrong, when the obstacles seem too great, when the difficulties get to be too much, when your dream seems to be impossibly far away, your job is to simply keep going. If you stop, it won’t be because of what happens around you. It will be because of what happens in you. Choose to see things differently. Success is probably closer than you think. Just keep moving forward."

Dare...Boldly 2011: Dare to Believe Boldly

2011-04-24T06:56:00.000-04:00

Can you Dare to Believe Boldly that there is a Savior and was sent to this earth to live among us?
Can you Dare to Believe Boldly that this Savior, who was sinless, yet died a sinners death?
Can you Dare to Believe Boldly that this Savior died so that we may live? for all eternity. He loves us that much!
Can you Dare to Believe Boldly that this Savior not only died, but rose again on the third day, conquering death for all time. Death could not hold Him.
He is Risen!

He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Matthew 28:6 NLT
It is this Risen Savior that gives me strength...a warriors strength.

Dare...Boldly: Dare to Believe

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-102 Determined

2011-04-22T21:52:00.000-04:00

a lesson in learning how to think today: In my conversations with Carlos DeJesus today.

I am Determined!

It is set in the mind to go forward unwavering without fear, doubt, or discouragement.

I won’t Surrender! I can’t Surrender! Surrender is not part of my vocabulary.

Surrender: to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.:

to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).

Determined:

de-ter (de tur) , to frighten: see TERROR to keep or discourage (a person, group, or nation) from doing something by instilling fear, anxiety, doubt, etc.

mind --set one's mind on to be determined on or determinedly desirous of

de-ter-mined (-mnd) adj. 1 having one's mind made up; decided; resolved 2 resolute; unwavering --de-termined-ly adv. --de-termined-ness n.

of unwavering mind; resolute; firm

Is to be determined to be the opposite of being deterred?

Yes, but look at the word deter

de-ter (de tur) , to frighten: see TERROR to keep or discourage (a person, group, or nation) from doing something by instilling fear, anxiety, doubt, etc.

It means,(to me) to go forward without fear, terror, doubt or discouragement- which can distract ( and rob) from the set goal- very important.

To NOT be deterred! is to be full of belief and faith.

Yes, and look at where we are to make that choice- in the mind. Having a mind that will not be deterred!

"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

I realize this is the day, because I no longer feel afraid!

Pretty powerful stuff.

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-103 Commitment

2011-04-22T08:05:00.000-04:00

Commitment - DOING the thing you said you would do long after the MOOD to do it has passed

That is transformation.
yesterday was cardio and abs.
Today, muscle C.
I press on daily.
I remain focused.
I remain determined.

Seems like I should run away
‘Cause life has hitten me in the face
Hey, hey, but I’m here
And I’ll never surrender to fear
Retreating, be defeated no way
‘Cause I can’t, I can’t.
I’m stronger, I’m a fighter!
But I’m so focused and I’m so driven
I gotta make the best out of this life for living
Can't be the winner if I surrender,
I won’t surrender, I can’t surrender.
I realize this is the day
‘Cause I no longer feel afraid
I can fight through the pain
‘Cause I know something's gonna change
I see the haters standing around
So I know I gotta make a count
Get ready for war, I’m standing my ground
No matter the score, I’ll never back down

Seems like I should run away
‘Cause life has hitten me in the face

Not today, not today.

No Surrender!

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-106

2011-04-19T00:17:00.000-04:00

Dare…Boldly 2011: “No Surrender!” T- 106

In 106 days I will be flying out to Australia to meet my good friend, Sharon. It is my goal to be in the best shape of my life on that day.

But this mission will not come by way of only a physique transformation. It will entail all of me: mind, soul, body.

Any true transformation does not come by way of just the physical. It all starts in the mind.

What we think, we speak. What we speak, we believe. What we believe, we become.

And this works both ways, positively and negatively. I can testify on both sides. I have done both. Believe me, the positive results are much better and worth the effort and so much more rewarding!

So this mission is all about doing just that – thinking, speaking, believing and being. I will not Surrender to the negative way of thinking that I have been so accustomed to most of my life. The past year I have been thinking, speaking, believing for this trip to Australia to be a reality. And it is. Tickets are purchased, Passport is in hand.

Now I will use the same thinking, speaking, believing to achieve my physique goals and Be that person I see in my mind.

It’s time to rev up the Engine!

Workout done. meals eaten.

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-110

2011-04-14T17:51:00.001-04:00

Dream your dream and live it in your mind and you can watch it become your reality.

At the beginning of the year I posted up about “Daring…Boldly.” Daring to Believe Boldly. Daring to Dream Boldly. Daring to Think Boldly. Daring to Live Boldly. Daring to Pray Boldly.

But my thinking, believing, dreaming, praying boldly was met with opposition. As it was meant to. If you are to dare…boldly, you have to expect to be put to the test. Daring…Boldly requires faith. Faith is to believe something that is not as though it were. To not surrender to the fear. To not live in defeat. Daring…Boldly is to Not Surrender!

Since May 2010 I have believed boldly for a trip to Australia to go see my friend, Sharon. My faith was put to the test. The goal was to save a little bit of money each month for about 14 months. But the savings was cut short due to some financial strain. For several months I had no idea where the money would come from. I was trusting that It would be there. As the days moved forward I would fight the doubt and that somehow it would come. And it did!

Tuesday night, the reality of my dream was one step closer. I have purchased my ticket to Australia!

I have been dreaming this dream for nearly a year. I have been living this dream in my mind for nearly a year. I am now watching it become my reality!

I had a dream in my mind. I thought about it every day. I could put emotion to it and could feel the dream in my heart. I believed in my heart that it would happen. It was happening in my mind already. All I needed to do was have faith that what I have been dreaming would become a reality. It was already real in my mind, in my heart. Even when things didn’t look like it was going the “right” way, I believed that somehow it would just be. Even when doubts would creep in I let my faith take hold and declared it was to be. I kept saying, “It is a done deal. I am already there.” I did not surrender to what my circumstances said.

I have a definite goal…a Photo shoot ready body. This is my “comp”. I have an image in my mind. An image of a strong, confident, muscular Warrior Woman. It is not any other person’s body, it is mine. I see myself.

And now, I have a definite goal end date…August 1, 2011. The day I fly out to Australia.

I have huge emotions attached to this goal. It is the culmination of a dream, of faith, of belief…of not surrendering to doubt, fear, or circumstances.

But this goal is not just about a photo shoot or even a trip to Australia. It is about giving it my all. It is about Inspiration. It is about being inspired. It is about all the emotion that comes with this trip to Australia. It is personal. It is about becoming more than I ever dreamed I could possibly be…not just physically, but spiritually and mentally. It is about rising above my circumstances and overcoming the trials of life.

This goal will require focus, drive, determination, intensity, and strength of heart, mind and spirit. It will require a “No surrender!” attitude.

“This is the day, because I no longer feel afraid!”

This video I made for Sharon and the song fires me up. It empowers me. It Inspires me! It will be my anthem for this mission to Oz.

Dare to Think Boldly!

Dare to Dream Boldly!

Dare to Believe Boldly!

Dare to Pray Boldly!

Dare to Live Boldly!

NO SURRENDER!! T-110 days!

Inpiring video

2011-04-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

Talk about inspiring? I have to share with you all a video I made for my Aussie friend, Sharon. Despite going through some tough personal crap this past year, she has been busting her butt getting back into shape and has worked her way down to a four-pack and has nailed her Senior Brown Belt grading in March. I made a video from her pics from her grading. It so fits her and her journey up to this point.
Every time I watch this video I made for her I get inspired. It fires me up! I've got 113 days to get that photo shoot ready body for my trip to Australia to visit Sharon in August.
It is going to be a challenge, but I am a Warrior!! I will focus on the positive and will focus on words of Life!! I will not be waving my (white) Flag anytime soon, either. Not in this physical challenge, nor in my life challenges. Every challenge I face is making me stronger!! I am thankful for my challenges. They are growing me into a new person. I am being Transformed!! a continual process.

Song: "Never Wave My Flag" by Mary Mary

I will post up updates soon to my next "mission"

Comparison Pics

2011-04-02T16:18:00.000-04:00

Super quick post....comparison pics. tummy is way, way flatter!! My weight has gone from 161 lbs down to 154.5 lbs. in the past 1 1/2 weeks. But, I have more work to do! I need to Reshape my whole body. Some body fat has gone, but the muscle gains need to improve. I think I am close to where I was "pre-Muscle" (from my "mission 3" from nov. 2009-to feb.2010)
I am getting some new "fire" in my belly.
My trip to Australia has been confirmed(like I always knew it would!), so I have some major muscle building and "ripping" needed to get done. I have 122 days.

Lessons

2011-03-31T00:21:00.000-04:00

As some of you know, I have been facing a major test(probably more like a mid-term) in my life the past couple of weeks. My "training", physically, mentally, spiritually the past year has all been for this moment in time. The lessons we learn do not always come swiftly, but come with many "quizzes and tests". Some I have failed, but always with the opportunity to take it again. So really, do we ever fail? No, they are lessons that are learned and reinforced by the situations in our lives. Some of us are slow learners, but we get it eventually.
The lesson I have learned this week is one of asking those questions Carlos has been teaching us. "What just happened?" What is the remedy for this?" Granted , I did not ask them in these very words, but still the same. Our life is made up of choices. Sometimes we don't always make the right choices and we learn from them, even as painful as they may be.
This weeks lessons were in Shutting up that Dream Stealer! That dream stealer comes as those inner thoughts we have of fear and wanting to just quit. But if we speak truth to that dream stealer, he will have to flee...he really has no backbone.
The Truth for me came in by way of Peace for me today. Words are powerful...words we speak and words we think in our inner man...words that can kill and words that can heal. Unfortunately, there have been some hurtful words spoken these past few weeks. But, the wounds can heal...and it comes by way of forgiveness and peace. Has it ended like I would like it to have? No. But it does end in forgiveness and peace! And it is in that forgiveness and peace that a Transformation occurs!
It is also in our physical journey's, that we do have to come to a place of inner peace and forgive ourselves of past "wrongs" so that we are able to move forward and achieve our physique goals.

Today I did steady state cardio. Food has been all to my plan.
I am moving forward.

I am looking forward to taking my pics this weekend. I just know my tummy is going to see some major results. I already feel my tummy is flatter!

I AM a Warrior!
I AM Unstoppable!

Keep Believing

2011-03-29T01:17:00.002-04:00

Your job is to believe. God’s already figured it out. Nobody can keep you from your destiny-except you. It’s time to believe.

I have to share this quote yet again. It rings so true!! God does have it already figured out! He has me by my hand and is leading me towards the destiny He has created for me...all I have to do is to keep on believing. He asks us to believe without doubt..that is faith. I have been reminded of this many times these past days. It is not necessarily faith that things will be resolved, but a faith that I am being made New...I am being Transformed! The dream stealer is going to try and try to bring me down as he has done in the past, but I will fight the fight of a warrior!
Here are some thoughts on what it means to be a warrior.Stu Weber says, "A warrior is one who possesses high moral standards and holds to high principles. He is willing to live by them, stand for them, spend himself in them, and if necessary die for them.”

One way I will stay strong is to keep up physically with my training. Tonight I did muscle A. I increased on some reps and some weights. I am down on scale weight this week. I'll update with pics and numbers the end of the week. With the scale going down, yet my strength staying the same or increasing slightly, I have to believe I am maintaining my LBM and am in a fat burning mode.

I am eating good. tonight the family had pizza ...I went for a walk so as to not be tempted. One way to resist temptation, is to walk away! I have even been able to avoid the cereal! I feel good about making good food choices!

I will continue to take one day at a time. Believing Just for Today. In all things mind, body, soul. I press on with right choices and trust and faith and belief, that all things will work out for good..that good can come from something bad!

The Warrior Suz: Woman on a Mission

2011-03-28T07:48:00.000-04:00

This still works for me! I am on a mission..it has just been "slightly" altered for a while. No matter what, I will never give up!
It has been a tough few days. But I continue to make positive choices. There will be plenty more tough days...but I will stay strong...because I have Someone who gives me strength. I am not strong on my own.
Your continued support and encouragement means so much to me.

Blessings in Disguise

2011-03-26T13:29:00.001-04:00

This blessed me and I wanted to share it with you all.
All of us have gone through down times in our lives and there was something...a blessing in disguise, that brought us here together. Blessings come in ways we just can't imagine. I know my trials have brought me to where I am today..stronger than ever before, despite the current issues.
and to know that because I have kept up with my fitness over the years and even now, will only help me to be strong physically, because we know that stresses of life do wear on our physical bodies...and our immune systems. My good health will only be a plus as I go through this present trial. And knowing I have formed the positive habits that will keep me moving forward and to not fall back.
Let us all look for the blessings that may be disguised as pain and suffering.

Positives For Today: Making the Right Choices

2011-03-26T01:43:00.000-04:00

Positives for today!

Ate clean all day! I found an awesome product I am going to try the next 30 days, which includes protein, an energy and mood enhancer, and an antioxidant fruit blend. Besides using the product, I will be able to market it as a business and make some money. It is a fast growing company with some awesome products, with an awesome income potential. I am excited. It will help me to stay positive with the changes going on in my life plus also help me to support myself and my family.
It could very well keep me from having to work a second job. (let me know if you care to hear about what I am going to be doing. I will also help with weight loss!)

Got the workout in today! I did make some small gains with weights. It felt good to push the body.

I am thankful that I am making the right choices for me and my health despite the difficulties I am facing in my life. I know the road will not be easy nor will it be over any time soon, but I DO know that I CAN make the right choices and stay on my path to staying healthy, mind, body and soul. I DO not have to choose poor foods due to emotional eating. I CAN keep working out, knowing that exercise will only enhance my mood and even my immune system. I can take control of one area of my life that I KNOW I can control.
I can also take control of my thoughts. Granted, there are going to be some down times but if I stay diligent in taking my thoughts captive, I can overcome the negative and defeating thoughts from the dream stealer by affirming the truths of who Suzette, is. I AM a Warrior! I AM Unstoppable! It is who I AM!! It's not just an attitude, it's a way of life! It is a way of Being!
Even though things are not as I would like them to be right now, I can still believe that it will all work out for good. I don't have to like it, but I can still trust. I can keep the faith, that it will turn out just as it is meant to be.
What do trials in your life do? They cause you to grow. They cause you to change. They cause you to examine your life, your thoughts, your beliefs. I can sulk in the depression of it all, as I have done in the past, or I can not live defeated and not allow my circumstances to dictate who I am as a person. I can overcome! I do know this, I will come out stronger than ever before having gone through this current trial.
My life, my thoughts and my beliefs will Be Who I am!

God is not the source of my storm, but He is my shelter in the midst of it. I agree with Jesus and take authority over the storms of life, and declare PEACE in the midst of them. I walk in wisdom by acting on the Word, and I rise above every storm, in the name of Jesus!

Be Thankful

2011-03-25T03:38:00.001-04:00

My champion "activity" today was to sleep! I am emotionally exhausted. but unfortunately the "nap" has me now up at 3 am!
I continue to eat fairly well. My only "downfall" is a bowl of cereal, which is usually Raisin Bran...not the worst, but not the best either.

Today, I will focus on getting my workout in. I do not want to let my life circumstances keep me from the things I can control. It would be so easy to just slip back into emotional eating patterns because of life issues, but that would only make it worse. I feel better knowing I can still do those healthy things..plus eating healthy and exercise will only help the stress and keep my immune system strong, as stress can have affects on your immune system and health. hmmm..remember gall bladder?! (If you don't know about the gall bladder thing, ask.)

Here's what my devotional said today.
"Let Thankfulness temper all your thoughts. A grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Rejoice and be thankful! Trust is the channel through which the Lord's Peace flows into you. Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances."

So I will focus also on being Thankful. Even being thankful for my circumstances, even as hard as they are. If I stay thankful, I will not be drug down into depression.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Choose Strength!

2011-03-22T18:38:00.001-04:00

So with a high on my heels, I was thrown a low blow yesterday!(in time I will share what has happened). This low blow is a life changing one!! My life will forever be changed.
But I am determined to not let it pull me under or to throw me off course and revert to old poor food habits or to stop my workouts. While yesterday I did not do my scheduled workout, I know my body enough to know that the stress I was under was a recipe for injury. But I made good food choices and it was forefront in my mind that I was NOT going to make poor choices there that would only serve to disappoint myself. I have been down that road before and 90 lbs later regretted it. I will not do that again! I will not let my circumstances dictate my actions. I am even more so determined to keep my mind in the right positive place. To fill my mind with empowering and positive thoughts that will propel me towards personal excellence. I will not be pulled down by the dream stealer with defeat and depression. I will Rise Above!! I am worth it!
The next months will be challenging for me...like that is anything new for me? This is a "new" challenge unlike I've ever experience before, but I know the personal growth I have undergone these past 14 months is/has made me stronger to endure this new life changing challenge I am about to go through. Many of you know of the challenges I have endured even just this past year...but I will not be pulled under.
I am more than a conqueror!
I am unstoppable!
I ain't no quitter!
I am a Warrior!
I have an unstoppable Force behind me, within me, for me, before me!
I am a woman on a mission! To inspire! To show others that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome! That with God, ALL things are possible!
Nobody can keep you from your destiny-except you! Even your trials and circumstances can not keep you from fulfilling your destiny! God's got it all figured out! All I have to do is Trust and walk in faith...believe without doubt...put into Action...the destiny God has put inside of me.
What don't kill you can only make you stronger!

I choose Strength!!

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!—Psalm 31:24

fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.—Philippians 4:13

God says, as He said at the Red Sea, the battle is mine. I do the fighting. In quietness and trust will be your strength.” Our strength is in God. And it’s not just any strength – the strength of a warrior. Trust in God is our warrior strength. God is our fortress and strength

Let's just say I am about to go through the fire...but I WILL come out Gold!

Just do your best

2011-03-22T02:03:00.000-04:00

Just do your best for today.
Today, the best I could do was a walk. That's it.
It seems when God opens one door, another one closes. That was the case for me today. And with that, all I could manage to do was go for a walk and soak in the sun.
When I could have easily eaten completely off plan due to emotional reasons, I chose not to. I ate well today. I am proud of my food choices today.

No Limits!

2011-03-20T17:22:00.000-04:00

There is no limit to what God can do!

lyrics:
So, there's always gonna be critics out there
You'll never go nowhere as long as you care
So ya gotta understand
There's gonna always be a man
Telling you that you can't

So, if you never spread your wings
You can't touch the sky
And you'll always wonder why
Because you never try
So are ya really gonna let someone else decide
Who you are and how far you were created to fly

Refrain:
(fly)
oh, oh, oh, oh
(no no no, no no no)

oh, oh, oh, oh
(no no no, no no no)

Just who you are and how far you were meant to fly

(You are so wonderful...
Because you are so wonderful
(...and fearfully made)
and so fearfully made
able to do all things great

(your Maker has a ...)
Oh, you better know your Maker
(...plan or purpose for you)
Cause He's gotta plan or purpose for you
And there's no limit to what together you can do

So you might even notice there's not a single one
Who agrees the things you seen and visions can be done
So you gotta realize
That the truth that makes you wise
also makes your faith fly

So you just may be the one to listen and obey
Despite the dark nor the uncertainties
Significance is not built on what meets the eyes
Who you are and how far you were created to fly

REFRAIN

There where always be haters like commentators who'll be carried away
Hey, There will always be somebody who got somethin' to say
Yo, don't be 'fraid or discouraged when your plans are good
'Cause Jesus said He opened doors that no man could shut

And it don't matter 'bout your status or mistakes you made in yo' past
If God be for ya He got ya back like a coat tag
Trust me, you can help that in Him there is no flack
You can drink from his fountain Zion's mountain with no cash

When your life is all smashed
But you in your room with a box a tissue Wipers
Sniffin', wishing for your tomb

But the sky is the limit
God knew you from the womb
He got your eye on the prize tryin' to give you the moon

So still back for a second and realize your purpose
Yeah, people gon' talk, but know God's plans are perfect
Well, Miss Shae's here to tell ya
When you're trying to cross an obstacle
Know that God is with you,
He will make it all possible.

(You are so wonderful...
Because you are so wonderful (you are so wonderful)
(...and fearfully made)
and so fearfully made
able to do all things great

(your Maker has a ...)
Oh, you better know your Maker (better know your maker)
(...plan or purpose for you)
Cause He's gotta a plan or purpose for you (for you)
And there's no limit to what together you can do (what together you can do)

(You are so wonderful...
Because you are so wonderful
(...and fearfully made)
and so fearfully made
able to do all things great

(your Maker has a ...)
Oh, you better know your Maker
(...plan or purpose for you)
Cause He's gotta plan or purpose for you
And there's no limit to what together you can do (what together you can do)

A kind Word

2011-03-17T01:16:00.000-04:00

A kind word.
Yesterday I was talking to a long time friend of mine whom I had not talked to in quite a while. He wanted to compliment me, something that he wanted to tell me over 20 years ago. Well he took that opportunity to do that yesterday. It has made my day!

The impact our words have on people are so far reaching...even to share a compliment from 20+ years ago. You just never know what your words will mean to someone...a word of encouragement...a word of support...a word of belief... a word of praise. Positive and uplifting words go a long way. People won't remember you for what you did, but for how you made them feel.
Isn't that what we are doing here? We celebrate each other! We encourage each other! We support each other! We believe in each other! This is how we succeed. This is accountability. This is community. I love it here!
I won't remember how much weight you lift or how much weight you lose or how strong you are..but, I will remember how you made me feel.
So share a kind word today.

The same thing works for ourselves. The power of self talk and positive affirmations. When other people are not around, we have to encourage ourselves. We have to believe in ourselves. We need to give ourselves positive, uplifting words. We have to be accountable to ourselves..

But look at how much farther we can go with the help and encouragement of others.

Food was good...but could be better.
Muscle C workout done! and each one of you came to mind.
Attitude today was uplifted.
I am so grateful for a compliment coming about 20+ years "late"..but so on time!

Just Keep Doing it Anyways!

2011-03-15T09:50:00.002-04:00

How do you transform you body? How do you transform your life?
How do you lose 90 lbs?

"Just do it anyways!"
When you are tired...
"Just do it anyways!"
When you are too depressed...
"Just do it anyways!"
When you don't feel like it...
"Just do it anyways!"
When you have a bad day...
"Just do it anyways!"
When you eat pizza...
"Just do it anyways!"
Do you want to feel amazing?
Do you want to look amazing?
Do you want to be amazing?
then...
"Just Do It Anyways!!"

That was my mantra yesterday. Do I always feel like working out? no. but if I keep doing it anyways, then the results will speak for themselves.
And the impact will be far reaching...farther than you could ever imagine!
Last night I got another message from a long time friend from college seeking my help in losing weight. My ongoing weight loss success is having far reaching impact. Much more than I could ever imagined. All I wanted to do was just lose 30 lbs. But four years into my journey I am humbled by even the few people who have been inspired by my story of weight loss success, especially in the last few months. What I am finding is that it is those people who know me personally are relating to me most, because they DO know me. They can relate to me on a personal level already. Of course I have referred my friend to Elaine's "Why Delay Amazing?" ebook...and I say to you, check out Why Delay Amazing? you won't regret it!

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to "meet" a new friend in fitness, Melinda. I found her via Facebook. She had been leaving comments on one of the pages I frequent and so I followed her link to her page. She offers inspirational quotes, blogs and articles she finds on the net about faith and fitness. She wanted to share these with other people who sought the same things and started Strength for the Journey; Forging Faith and Fitness. She has a blog of the same name (Strength for My Journey) and I started reading and leaving encouraging comments...and so the friendship began. Last night we had the opportunity to have a live skype video call. What fun it is to meet other like-minded people from across the country. I am truly blessed to be able to meet such wonderful people. She is a blessing and I hope you will visit her page and "like" her. She finds some awesome, inspirational stuff.
One thing we both discovered is that in our own little worlds we don't find many, if at all, other people with the same passion for fitness as we do. But we have found it in the most blessed way on the net. Our world's have been expanded. We also have learned that it is through an ongoing support system and encouragement from others doing the same thing that we are finding our passions growing and helps us to press on in our own dreams and goals. To be accountable to others doing the same thing is motivating. I just don't know how other people can quit on their dreams and goals. I have always felt like I could never quit...because if I did, not only would I be quitting on myself, but on those around me who have supported me.
Granted there are life situations that have slowed me down at times, but I could never quit.

So here are the lessons for today:
1 Don't you quit! Because you just never know the impact you will have on people..even four years down the road.
2 Encourage others every chance you get. That person you encourage just might be your next new friend.

oh by the way, yesterday the workout DID get done!
I will post updated pics soon.

Updated with pics! I know it's kind of small..but the changes are minimal from Feb. but quite obvious from January. Let's see what I can do in the next 41 days! Game on!

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-48 Motivation and Trust

2011-03-10T03:18:00.000-05:00

Motivation : a force or influence that causes someone to do something
That's what being part of a community with like-minded people like "The Transformers Club" is about. I had gone to bed late(way after midnight) only getting about 3 hours of sleep. I took a nap after I got home from work. I only intended to sleep for about an hour but ended up sleeping until 10 pm. My first thought was there was no way I was going to workout this late (even though I have many times before). So I sign on to the Transformers Club and what do I read from Elaine and Kim...and even reminding myself of my own post ("do it anyways") plus the thought of not missing a workout the next 50 days motivated me to get off this dang computer and "do it anyways!" Was it the best workout? No, but I did it anyways.
You all motivate me! You all inspire me!

Today's Eats: 95% good. mostly good. only really "bad" time is getting home from work. raisin bran is the first thing I go for. all other meals are good. salmon/broccoli, chili, eggs/oatmeal, chicken/spinach wrap.

Today's Workout: Muscle A.

Today's Attitude: I felt so much "lighter" today. Someone told me that I looked "happy" today. I think a huge part of that attitude change from the past week or so, was in recognizing and writing out(giving light to) what has truly been distracting me and identifying my feelings in regards to those distractions. The overall feeling I have been feeling was one of "helplessness." It can be discouraging, if we allow it, to think that our lives are so out of our control, that circumstances are beyond anything that we can do. But, there is always something we CAN do. Trust:reliance on and confidence in the truth, worth, reliability, etc., of a person or thing; faith. The truth is, these circumstances are only temporary. The truth is, all things will work out for good. The truth is, I can only believe for today, for we only have strength enough for today. So by changing my perspective of that "helplessness" into that of having hope for the future, by trusting in the truth of today I can have and be at peace.
Here's the lesson. It is everyday we can become distracted. And it is everyday we must transform our minds. Transforming is an action we do every day, it just doesn't happen to us, we are active participants. The part I CAN do, the action, is to renew my mind daily(be transformed by the renewing of your mind) by Affirming with my mouth(life and death is in the power of the tongue)that these circumstances are only temporary and it will all turn out for good, that it will "make me a better fighter," that something great is on it's way. Believe with my heart(without doubt) and confess with my mouth.

Today's Gratitude: the other day I got a lead for a possible (2nd) job. I called on them today. They said they had a couple of openings and asked me to send my resume'. The person that gave me the lead told them about me and they seemed excited to meet up with me about the job. I sent off my resume' to them this afternoon. I'll let you all know how that goes. This second job will be a much needed answer to prayer and will help in resolving one of my "out of my control" situations.

Your job is to believe. God’s already figured it out. Nobody can keep you from your destiny-except you. It’s time to believe.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-49 Uncommon Focus Required

2011-03-09T02:39:00.000-05:00

The Uncommon Dream will require Uncommon Focus

Obviously I lost my focus for a few days. But I am working to regain that focus back. How am I doing this? With Carlos' help and encouragement, I am in the works of an affirmation statement that will address my distractions, the circumstances around me that I really have no control over, and allow me to see, hear, live and believe the truth of my being. To speak truth into my thoughts and to transform my mind from my old way of thinking to a new way of thinking. This is an ongoing process, because something always shows up that we were not expecting.
There is a passage in the Good Book that really illustrates what happens when you take your eyes off your goal.Whatever your goal is, if you get distracted and look at the circumstances(the storms of life) around you that cause you to be distracted, be fearful and to doubt, you will sink. We need to have an uncommon focus on that goal so we don't look at the storm and doubt and think that our storms are bigger than our Dream/goal. I guess you can say these "storms" are dream stealers. We need to believe in our Dreams. Faith is required to reach your dreams. Losing focus is also losing faith. You have to sometimes believe what you can not see or think is impossible to reach your goal. But when you do sink, you can be assured that when you ask for it, help is there. Even before Peter stepped out of the boat he was already affirming what his goal was..he just had to step out in faith and keep his eyes on his goal.

'And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ”'

—Matthew 14:23-33

Today's Eats : still not 100%, but I am not aiming for 100%, yet. about 96% good eats.

Today's Workout: HIIT and Abs. felt the burn on the abs. yeah!
Less than 50 days for this phase of my plan. I need to step it up ! Can I go 50 days without missing any workouts and eating to plan?

Today's Attitude: regaining focus, hopeful.

Today's Gratitude: Believing that whatever I go through, good will always come out of it, even if I can't see it right away.

Writing Project:
This is something else I have been distracted from working on. Belief is a big factor, but I am moving in the right direction with that. The more positive comments I get in regards to my blog posts here are instilling belief in me.
When You Announce The Uncommon Dream, Those Who Believe In You Will Be Encouraged And Energized To Assist You.Carlos DeJesus has been a huge factor in this project for me. It was with his encouragement that I do this. My mother is also a huge source of encouragement. She told me today she is excited about this and wants me to hurry up and write it so she can read it. She has been reading my blog posts and is loving what I am writing. My mother has always been my biggest cheerleader.
Your Recognition Of The Uncommon Dream Birthed By God Will Unlock Your Greatest Ideas, Creativity And Energy To Create A Truly UNCOMMON LIFE.
My mother helped me brainstorm some ideas on my ebook today. One of my distractions for this is, believe it or not, my computer. So what I am going to do is get me a journal and start handwriting there and then transpose onto the computer from there. We had some "format" ideas ,too. But for now I will focus on just writing...writing from my heart.

Finally! Do it Anyways!

2011-03-08T23:07:00.000-05:00

Monday was the day I finally got back into the gym since Feb. 21. I had to drop weights on everything. It felt good, though, to be lifting. I dread it until I get out there. Today's thought was, "Do it anyway!" I just haven't felt like doing much of anything the past week or so. It's time to change those thoughts and start thinking, "Do it anyways!"
Food has been good, too.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement and for believing.

We all have a story

2011-03-06T17:13:00.000-05:00

I met up with a long time friend for lunch yesterday. It was great catching up from the past 16+ years of life. We talked for several hours! It was so good for both of us. It was the lift I needed, and I think she would say the same.

It reminded me that it’s not all about me anymore. We all have a story to share. The common thread is not how much weight we have to lose, or about physical strength, which we do need, but It’s about strength of heart, strength of spirit. It’s about how we feel about ourselves. It’s about believing in ourselves again. The story we share is one of belief! It is one of fulfilling our God-given destiny-we all have one. It is our duty to share our stories so that others can believe and live their destiny...and keep the story going.

I have also been reminded that it takes a community…my own words. We do need each other! While no one can do the work we need to do in the gym or in the kitchen, but we do need other people for support and encouragement. We do need outside motivation. Either in the form of a family pact to lose 30 lbs by Christmas, or a professional photo shoot or a figure competition, even just telling someone you want to lose weight. We need people to believe in us, when we don’t believe in ourselves. To know that there is someone there to pat you on the back when you meet your goals for today. To know there is someone with a helping hand or an encouraging word helps us to keep moving forward when we don’t feel like we can.

Get around people who will stir up those seeds of greatness. Find some dreamers, people who will build me up, people who will celebrate my victories, not people who will criticize and be jealous any time I succeed.

My crisis isn’t over. But I can only do what I can do. The rest is up to God to do. The Creator of the universe is directing my steps. He has me in the palm of His hands. And even though this is difficult, I know it’s just a matter of time before it turns around. I know my payday is coming. God is in control of my life. He knows exactly where I am. He knows even the hidden dreams He has put in me. He still has a way to bring them to pass.

The story continues.

Overcoming Adversity

2011-03-05T01:25:00.000-05:00

"Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick
"you can choose to convert your times of crisis into the greatest opportunities of your life. It all depends on how you see your crisis -- and whether you seize the chance that lies before you."
"Where there is no opposition, there is no opportunity."
"Without a crisis or adversity there would be no opportunity for victory or overcoming"
"I choose to believe that audacious faith enables me to seize the opportunity in my adversity."

These words are reassuring to me to know that in the adversities of life that there is always an opportunity for being an overcomer...an opportunity for victory. There can be no victory without first a battle to fight.

This is what adversity can do for you:

Refuse to quit
Be Determined
Be Focused
Be Relentless
Be Intentional
Be Decisive
Be Driven
Be Unstoppable
Be Thankful

Live Your Passion
Live Your Purpose
Live Your Dreams

It's Time to Believe

2011-02-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

thoughts taken from Joel Osteen books

It’s time to Believe

You are closer than you think.

You may feel you have so far to go. The truth is, you don’t know.

“I am closer than I think. I can make this work.”

Zechariah 9:12 says that we should be prisoners of hope. God wants us to be so full of hope, so full of expectancy, that we just can’t help believe for the best.

I just can’t help it. I know it will work out. I know I will overcome. It may be taking a long time, but I know this too shall pass. It may be difficult, but I know that means I’m close to my victory.

We walk by faith, not by sight.” That means we don’t have to see it to believe it. It’s just the opposite. If we believe it, then we see it.

God is a faithful God. I will believe, knowing that my payday is on its way.

I’ve come too far to stop now. I’ve been through too much to back down. I realize the pressure has been turned up because I’m about to give birth to my dreams!

Yes, this is the greatest attack that I’ve ever been through, but I know it means that I’m headed for the greatest victory that I’ve ever seen.

The Creator of the universe is directing my steps. He has me in the palm of His hands. And even though this is difficult, I know it’s just a matter of time before it turns around. I know my payday is coming.

God is breathing new life into my dreams.

It’s Your Time

God is in control of my life. He knows exactly where I am. He knows even the hidden dreams He has put in you. He still has a way to bring them to pass.

That’s it. I’m done being complacent. I’m done settling for mediocrity. I believe every dream, every promise, even the secret petitions of my heart will come to fulfillment.

I will not be defeated. It may look impossible, but I know God can do the impossible. I’m not worried. I know God is my vindicator. It may be taking a long time, but in due season I know I will reap if I just don’t give up.

God already has the right people lined up to come into your life.

You’re not working unto man, you are working unto God.

God will open up new opportunities. He will bring the right people across your path because you’ve been faithful. Because you’ve been a prisoner of hope, you will enter into a new season of victory.

“It’s my time to come up to a new level. I’ve seen it happen for others, but it’s my time to see God’s blessing and favor. It’s my time to accomplish my dreams. “

“My time is coming!”

Seizing Your God-Given Opportunities

Your job is to believe. God’s already figured it out. Nobody can keep you from your destiny-except you.

It’s time to believe.

God I already know You have supernatural breaks planned out for me. You have the right people, the right opportunities, so I will not be stressed out. I will stay in peace knowing that You will get me to my final destination.

His dream for your life is so much bigger than your own. He has breaks lined up for you in the future, but if He told you right now, it would boggle your mind.

God has you in the palm of His hands. God is aware of all you are facing now and all you will deal with in the future. The good news is, He already has answers to those problems.

“For I know the plans I have for you, Plans to proper you, plans to bless you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Proverbs

‘This is my time. I can hear the winds of God’s favor. I will become everything God’s created me to be.”

“Father, thank you that the winds are shifting in my direction. Thank you that the tide of this battle is turning.”

“You will not defeat me. No weapon formed against me will ever prosper. I have moments of favor coming my way. I’m not only coming out, I’m coming out better off than I was before.”

If you’ll get in the flow of God, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. When God’s breathing in your direction, there’s a supernatural ease. There’s a grace to do things that you couldn’t do before.

When you make a leap of faith, you will accomplish things that you never thought possible.

Every setback is simply a setup for a comeback.

Things are about to shift in your favor. You are about to enter into an anointing of ease.

Maybe business is slow, sales are down, but I can sense increase is on its way. I can sense this is my season of favor. I can sense my best days are out in front of me.

Learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

When you sense it’s your season, you need to declare it. Words have creative power. You need to hear it, and so does the enemy.

Health is coming my way.

When you stay in faith God will cause you to hear what you need to hear.

Nothing is too hard when we believe.

Announce your faith in a new season of increase: I can hear the sound of abundance. I can hear the sound of health. I can hear the sound of restoration. I can hear the sound of promotion. I may not be able to see it, but that’s ok. I can sense it down inside. I know my set time for favor is coming. I know my hour of deliverance is on its way. I may have a lot of turmoil, but bottom line is, I got a feeling everything is going to be all right.

When you’re in difficult times, it’s good to remind God what you’ve done.

Get rid of that negative, defeated, not-going-to-happen mentality, and put on an attitude of faith, expectancy, praise, thanksgiving. All through the day thank God that new seasons are on their way. Thank Him that your set time for favor is here. Thank Him that your hour of deliverance has come.

You have the right gifts, the right talent, the right personality, the right height. You have the courage, the strength, the ability you need. But just as with the physical, some spiritual genes lie dormant, waiting to be activated.

Every one of us has potential waiting to be released.

You will accomplish things that you never thought possible. You will see new talents, new levels of ability, new levels of wisdom and insight, new levels in your career, new levels of success. Get that down on the inside. These genes of favor, wisdom, strength, and ability will be activated.

Speak to your genes. “I have the DNA of Almighty God. He breathed His life into me. I will not drag around feeling discouraged, intimidated, and inferior. I know I’ve been equipped with everything I need. I can do all things through Christ, and I will fulfill my God-given destiny.”

Before anybody put a curse on you God put a blessing on you.

I am a child of the Most High God. My parents may not have given me what I needed. Other people may have tried to push me down. My circumstances may not have worked out. But that will not stop me. I know I have the DNA of Almighty God. I know I have been preprogrammed by the Creator of the universe with everything I need.

I am strong. I am talented. I am creative. I am disciplined. I am called I am equipped. I am chosen. I have it down on the inside. I have a vision for it. God’s DNA will overcome any negative DNA.

I have been preprogrammed for victory. I don’t have to worry about my future. I have the right genes. I don’t have to wonder, Am I talented enough? Do I have what it takes: Will I be successful?

I come from a bloodline of champions. I am not average. I am not mediocre. I have the blood of a winner – the DNA of Almighty God-and He has equipped me with everything that I need.

I have seeds of greatness on the inside. I have been preprogrammed by the Creator of the universe not to barely get by, but to leave my mark, to make a difference.

Too often I am held back because I forget who I really am- a child of the Most High God.

Nothing that my parents did or did not do can hold me back. It may slow me down a little. It may make it a little harder, but the bottom line is this: God’s DNA overrides any negative DNA

Before anyone could put a curse on me, God put a blessing on me. Before I received a single negative gene, God equipped me with blessing, with favor, with talent, with creativity. I can overcome any obstacle.

Before anyone could put a curse on me, God put a blessing on me, and the blessing always overrides the curse.

I declare that every good thing God has put in me will come to fulfillment. Every gift, every talent, every dream, every desire will come to pass. I declare I will fulfill my purpose. I will fulfill my God-given destiny and become all He has created me to be. I declare I will overcome every obstacle. The strongholds of the past are being broken off of me. The negative things in my family line for generations will no longer affect me.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-62 Hold my Hand

2011-02-24T23:17:00.000-05:00

I am slightly unwell today. I am taking a break today.

Also I have two sick kids. My 14 year old daughter has bronchitis and my 11 year old son has pneumonia. I think everyone in the family has been sick the past two weeks, except me! Hmmm. I wonder why that is? Except now my tummy not feeling so good. I'll wait it out a day to see how I feel. This morning didn't start out too good, so we'll see.

I try really hard to motivate people to get started on this journey to "amazing". Some find a little spark and actually start...but then somewhere along the way, they stop. I can only do so much. Each one of us has the responsibility to change if that is what we truly desire. No one else can motivate you enough to keep you going..that has to be done within oneself. But it sure helps to have a support system in place that offers that support from others who have been there and know how you feel. Sometimes the starting or taking that first step seems the hardest. But knowing there are others that have struggled the same and have made it is encouragement enough to start.

This is a message I got a few days ago:
"I was chatting with your brother about losing some weight and he suggested that I get in touch with you.... He said that you are so inspiring and motivating that you could help me out."
Well, isn't that the ultimate compliment from your brother.
A comment I get alot is that people say they need someone to hold their hand through this, that they need that "external" motivation. And that is so true. We do need that to start...until we can learn to do it on our own that hand-holding support is needed. With the proper "care" we can do that and then slowly let go as they learn to walk on their own.
If you want someone to hold your hand for a while until you can walk on your own, then you need to get this ebook, "Why Delay Amazing" In it you will find all you need to not only transform your body but to also transform your mind, for that is truly where the battle is. You will get step by step guide for nutrition and exercise, from beginner to advanced. But more important you will get what you need to make a lasting transformation, by changing the way you think. There is only thing stopping you! YOU! Why Delay Amazing?

It's time for you to be the Amazing you that you already are!

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-63 the Beauty of the Storm

2011-02-23T01:48:00.000-05:00

Today was a beautiful day. The sun shining on the new snow and the glistening of the ice on the trees is awesome. It almost makes the storm worth it.
It's kind of like life. We go through the storms of life, not always knowing if we will make it through without damage of some sort. Sometimes we are afraid of what might happen. Are we going to survive this storm? Sometimes it seems it gets worse before it gets better. Sometimes the weight of the storm weighs us down...just like the ice on the branches. But as the sun comes up and shines on that weight, it doesn't look as bad as we thought. We get a new perspective. We've weathered the storm, and are now stronger than ever before. But in the wake of that storm, what seemed like a terrible thing can turn into the most wondrous beauty. Without the storm there would not be the beauty of shining after the storm.
This is also a great analogy of transforming our minds and bodies. We go through 12 weeks of pushing and pulling through the pain of training, even cutting calories. Sometimes those weights can seem so heavy. But if we push through we will make it through, stronger than ever before. We go through a time of testing our minds to push ourselves past where we think we can bend. Then we get to the end of our 12 week "storm" to see the beauty of what we have endured. We come to a place of shining, the beauty after the storm.

Check out my ice storm pics on facebook

Good eats today.
Steady State cardio. 30 minutes elliptical, 10 minutes spin bike. Abs.
Today's Attitude: amazement of the beauty after the storm.
Today's Gratitude: I am grateful for the storms. Storms show us the majesty of creation. Storms of life that don't kill us only make us stronger.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-64 You Want Something? Go Get It!

2011-02-22T01:38:00.000-05:00

Don't let anybody steal your dreams!

You want something? Go get it. Period.

It was an interesting day here in southeast Michigan. We had an ice storm last night into this morning(Sunday night into Monday). Most of the evening was spent listening to the trees and branches cracking and falling to the ground. Everything is covered in ice. Many trees limbs came falling down. We had a couple close calls with some big limbs. Power outages all around the area due to tree limbs falling on power lines. Word is that many will be without power through Thursday. It is to be cold the next few days. Please pray for those without power and damage to property.
Thankfully we still have our power. Was out today cleaning up tree branches.

I took some pics today. here are comparisons:

Either way, I am seeing positive changes in the right direction.
Just as I felt, the tummy is getting smaller. That is the most noticeable to me.
I am feeling positive with my progress.
I weighed myself yesterday. I am not sure where I started on January 17, but the difference from Feb.1 are also positive. 7 lbs down from Feb. 1 to Feb. 20. I didn't take any other measurements. maybe tomorrow.

Eats are good. not much different than what I have been reporting.
Workout Muscle B today. I upped nearly all weights and reps! Still moving in the right direction there, too.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-65 Dare to THINK Boldly!

2011-02-20T15:39:00.000-05:00

You have a sound mind, filled with good thoughts, not thoughts of defeat. By faith, you are well able. You are anointed. You are equipped. You are empowered. When your thoughts are guided by God’s Word every day, no obstacle can come against you because your mind is programmed for victory.(Joel Osteen)

Our minds are programmed by the thoughts we allow to enter in and stay there. We control our thoughts by what we put into our minds, whether it be in hearing or reading or seeing. (what are you watching on TV? what music are you listening to? what are you reading? What about our conversations?) When thoughts enter our minds that are filled with doubt and fear, you can know these are truly not our own thoughts and we need to "take every thought captive" and throw down every thought that does not encourage, or lift us up, that is not the truth. These thoughts of fear and doubt are not TRUTH...they are lies. We can choose to believe those lies or we can choose to take hold of the TRUTH.
The truth is...you are able, you are anointed, you are equipped, you are empowered, you are an overcomer, you are more than a conqueror, you have a sound mind.
We must continually guard our hearts and minds against the lies that enter in our minds. We are meant for victory. We are meant for peace. If we are not living in a place of peace, there are lies. With the TRUTH comes with it PEACE.
Real Transformation starts and is a result of what is in our minds. The truth is, real transformation is not about what is on the outside, physical stuff...the workout, the diet, external motivations...but real transformation is about renewing our minds, reframing our thoughts, changing perspective. We have to banish the old thoughts of defeat, lies and doubt and replace them with new thoughts of victory, conquering and overcoming.

What we say means nothing unless we think it and believe it.

"but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
(renew= To make new)
"as a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

For something to be lasting, it has to start with our thoughts.

What are we letting guide our minds? The Truth? or the lies?
Identify the lies and replace with the Truth!

What are you thinking?

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-66 Fire it Up!

2011-02-19T01:15:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: eggs/oatmeal, salmon/sweet potato, green smoothies, shredded wheat cereal, mixed nuts.
still room for improvement.

Today's Workout: HIIT Cardio/Abs

Today's Attitude: Fired Up!

Today's Gratitude: Skype! lol. How awesome is it to call someone on the other side of the world for free and not only talk to them, but to see them live on webcam! I got to talk to a friend of mine in Australia. I had the opportunity to chat with her last night on a video call. How awesome is that?! I love connecting with my friends all across the world. Not something I ever imagined I'd ever be doing only a few years ago.

Today's Thoughts:
I hope to get some progress pics up soon. I have not been taking pics. My hard drive space is getting too full and need a new hard drive.
However, I do feel like I am making changes in my physique. The biggest thing I feel so far is my tummy feels smaller...and I also think my hips are getting smaller too. I'll have to do some measurements and take some pics and do some comparisons to see how things are going. I expect good things.

The book I've been reading has been firing me up. ("Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick) Here are some quotes from the book that fire me up.

"We simply have not been walking in the light of what we know to be true. I call that action step activating your audacious faith. The minute you take one step, and then another, into these truths, your life will change. By God's power, you'll break through into the kind of life you were created to live."

"If there is no limit to what God can do, then there is also no limit to what we can dream or pray or accomplish in his service."

"Your vision should never be limited to who you are or what you think you can do."

I don't know about you, but these quotes fire me up. If we truly believe, the possibilities are endless!

“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.” - St. Catherine of Siena

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-68 Dare to Pray Boldly

2011-02-17T01:53:00.000-05:00

I don't even know where to begin. My heart is full of so many thoughts.
My audacious faith has already been put to the test. I have passed! The other day I had asked for your prayers and positive thoughts for a dear friend of mine. I had not heard from my friend since New Year's Eve and I had started becoming concerned, especially after my friend's skype account had been offline, which was unlike my friend to do. The other day I prayed I would hear from my friend within the next few days or by the end of this week. Today I got message from my friend. While not a direct message, a message none the less. And with that answered prayer my faith has increased today. But, unfortunately, my friend is suffering deeply dealing with a very difficult situation with her ex-husband. He has stolen her computers and basically has kicked her and her two boys out of her own home. Needless to say, her life has been incredibly challenging, to say the least. Your continued prayers for my friend and her two boys is so appreciated. Pray Boldly! peace, provision, protection, redemption of what was taken. uncommon wisdom.

I'd like to share a few things I've gotten from the book I am reading, "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick.

"How we think and believe has a lot to do with what becomes our reality. Then when we act on what is not visible we create what IS visible!"~Carlos DeJesus

This comment from Carlos came to mind when I read the following in the book I'm reading:

"Accomplishing the impossible is all about seeing the invisible."

But I want to define what is faith? strong or unshakable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence.(thefreedictionary.com)
This relates on so many levels. The same faith it takes to start a new healthy way of eating or to start a new workout program or even to revisit a past success is the same faith it takes to pray for a friend in need. It's the same faith that it takes to make our dreams come true. But sometimes what comes with those dreams and prayers and starting a new lifestyle is fear and doubt. We just don't know for sure we can accomplish those things. We start saying things to ourselves:
"What if I can't do this? What if I fail?"
"Maybe I'm not meant to do this?"
"Like I need one more thing to add to my list, to worry about...etc"
But here's what Steven Furtick says,
"Audacious faith does not eliminate doubt and fear. It eclipses their power one decision at a time.
It is not wrong to feel fear. It is wrong to let that fear have the last word in your life. The people who accomplish the most astounding things aren't the people who feel the least fear. Often they are the ones who deal with the most intense fear. But instead of letting that fear disable their dreams, they start increasing their capacity for faith."
How powerful is that?!

So here is what I am going to start doing..I'm going to increase my capacity for faith....in praying for my friend...in pushing towards my physique goals....in reaching for my dreams. Praying, pushing and reaching are all action words - Action words of the spirit, mind. Faith requires Action!
I am going to Dare to Pray Boldly! Dare to Think Boldly! Dare to Believe Boldly! Dare to Live Boldly!
Faith allows us to be Unstoppable!
I am Unstoppable!

Today's Eats: 2 green smoothies, salmon/sweet potato, chicken/spinach wrap, protein drink, eggs/oatmeal

Today's Workout: steady state cardio/ Abs

Today's Attitude: overwhelmed

Today's Gratitude: Audacious faith does not eliminate doubt and fear. It eclipses their power one decision at a time. I have the strength to keep on making decisions one at a time to eliminate fear and doubt.

Today's Song: Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. The ultimate in faith...having faith that He is in control over all.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-69 Reframe your thoughts

2011-02-16T00:29:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: eggs/oatmeal, 2 green smoothies, salmon/sweet potato, brownie(opps, but I can't lie)
not enough, but with little sleep last night, I took a long nap today.

Today's Workout: HIIT only. I must say I was not really wanting to do this. I had gotten little sleep last night and had taken a nap today to compensate. It was quite late, but I did it anyways.

Today's Attitude: Hopeful

Today's Gratitude: I have the health to be able to go out and get a second(part-time) job and help support my family needs.

Today's Thoughts: Reframe. Today I am learning to truly reframe my thoughts. What can start out as a "negative" situation, we can always reframe into a positive.
The thought of having to get another job has been "weighing" on me for a few months. I have put off the idea of having to do so. But the need necessitates that I do it now. While I can easily think, "crap, I don't want to do this. " which I have been thinking this way, I can reframe it by saying, " I am able to do this, because I have great health and am full of energy. It will help lessen the financial stress levels at home. Plus not only will it help with expenses at home, I will now be able to save for my trip to Oz!"
Dare I ask for more prayers? Yes! I dare to ask boldlly! I dare to pray boldly! David(my husband) has applied for s.s. disability. We are praying for a "one and done" approval. If he is approved (hopefully by April/May) then I will not have to continue working a second job....plus, the retroactive pay he would receive would be plenty enough for me to pay for my trip. But either way, I know the Lord will provide and I know He will help me to reframe my thoughts and no matter what, it will all be to His glory.

Today's Song: "Amazing Grace" Just wanted to share, since this version sung by Leann Rimes is so beautiful.

In the stress of life sometimes a nice calming song is what is needed. and no better song than Amazing Grace.

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-70

2011-02-15T01:58:00.000-05:00

I have changed my countdown time to put a sense of urgency on this current muscle building phase.

Today's Eats: green smoothie, cereal, eggs/oatmeal, protein shake, protein shake, mixed nuts. As per Elaine's blog...not nearly enough veggies nor greens. This will change! Surely today's food intake has affected today's workout.

Today's Workout: Muscle C. increased some, some stayed the same, some not as much. did the best I could for today.

Today's Attitude: concerned. I have a very dear friend I am concerned about. your thoughts and prayers would be so appreciated.

Today's Gratitude: I am grateful for Peace in spite of the trials we may endure. It is not always easy, but we can be at Peace when we seek it...Knowing there is a Higher Power at work doing what we can not do.

Today's Thoughts: With a less than stellar past few days, I need to remind myself of my 2011 Mission. "Dare...Boldly!"
Dare to Think Boldly! Dare to Pray Boldly! Dare to Believe Boldly! Dare to Dream Boldly! Dare to Live Boldly!
Is it time to put the "Audacious Faith" to a test?
"Whatever your dreams are, know this: God wants to do more. He wants to see the dreams He's given you come to pass. You’re not going to just accomplish what’s in your heart but instead surpass anything you've ever imagined.
Remember to keep a God-sized vision in front of you. God can give you one idea that will take you to a new level. Dare to believe for His limitless favor today.You haven’t touched the surface of what God has in store for you. You may have walked in a measure of that blessing, but there's more to come. God has opportunities in your future that are going to amaze you!"(Joel Osteen)

Boldness is not arrogance, it is total trust.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-169: Audacity!

2011-02-11T01:56:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: all good. eggs/oatmeal, green smoothie, chicken/spinach wraps, protein drink, ending night with organic popcorn.

Today's Workout: Muscle B. still going higher with either reps or weight. Feeling strong.

Today's Attitude: uplifted

Today's Gratitude: I am so grateful that I am a source of inspiration and can provide motivation and accountability to those around me who desire a change in their life.

Today's Thoughts: Many times I have wondered if I am doing what I should be doing in life. And I have often wondered why we have to go through some tough things in life(illness, death, relationship issues, financial woes,etc). But I am learning that 'God gives people the exact experiences He wants them to have in order to shape the specific destiny He's designed for them.'(Steven Furtick)
I believe when you have dreams and goals that have a greater purpose than just ourselves that sometimes there are signs that show you that you are on the right track. I think we receive those signs all along, we just don't recognize them until we look back or they are so obvious they just jump right in your face. I feel like I am seeing both such kinds of signs. This is how we know we are walking in our Divine Destiny.
One such recent sign for me is confirmation of this years theme of "Dare....Boldly" I came up with this thought back on January 11. My thoughts were, "what if I decide to dare to think, pray, dream, believe, and live boldly for my dreams and goals? What if I dare boldly to go beyond where I previously tought I could go in my physique, in inspiring other people, in doing things and going places I never dreamed? Am I on the right track with all this "daring...boldly" stuff?"
Today a confirmation for me for "Daring....Boldly" I found in a book, "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick. In it, he talks about having an audacious faith. What happens when you dare to ask God for the impossible?
What does that mean?

Audacity: Boldness or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal comfort [or] conventional thought.

There it is!!! right there in the definition...boldness and daring!
Right there in his book are the very thoughts I have been having and sharing with you all in my blogs. He talks about a "Higher Level," which is very close to what I have been sharing.
Here's what he says,
"You are about to discover what happens when you dare to believe God for the impossible, ask God for the impossible-then act in audacious faith for his glory. You're about to discover that faith is not a drug to sedate you through a life you hate. It's a force to transport you to another realm of reality." (the words in bold highlight what my thoughts have been in my blog posts) To live with audacious faith will never be the easiest way to live, and actually it seems downright intimidating. But what an exciting way to live. "Do not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"
This "Daring ...boldly" for me has not happened just over night. It has taken me several years of going through life and learning to believe in myself. Learning to believe I have a "voice." I have come to learn that what I thought was about me and my goals really is not about me at all. Our True Destiny is not about "ME" but about how we can serve others. It's about touching the next person..and the next...and the next.
With that, my brother , Scott, has referred one of his friends from high school to me today. So that makes three people in the past two weeks who have sought me out for support/help/accountability.

When you start to "Dare to think, pray, ask, dream, believe, live Boldly"...when you start living with Audacity, doors will start to open up you never could have opened yourself. And this is only the beginning!

I am Unstoppable!

Today's Scripture:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
   and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.
So the sun stood still,
   and the moon stopped,
   till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,    as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
   The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day."
~Joshua 10:12-13 (NIV)

P.S. no pics.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-171: Driving Force

2011-02-09T01:08:00.001-05:00

Today's Eats: 3 green smoothies, homemade meatball "sub", eggs/oatmeal, protein drink, mixed nuts(snacked on through out the day).

Today's Workout: Muscle A. pushing it hard. Still increasing either weights or reps on all movements. I was still feeling the affects of Sunday's workout. Now have the wonderful deep tissue worked muscle feel. love it.

Today's Attitude: Determined.

Today's Gratitude: Inner Drive. I am thankful that I have an inner drive that propels me towards my goals.

Today's Thoughts: Driving Force(The impetus, power, or energy behind something in motion),...Inner Drive...Determination.
Some days I do not "feel" this drive, but it is always there and if I can focus in on it, I can pull it out! It is a truth that tells me if I can ask believing with faith in my dreams with all my heart, without doubt, I am able to use that Power within to accomplish immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine. Nothing will be impossible.
I just need to take that first step of faith.
I also believe there are people in our lives who have a "powerful effect or influence"(force) on us to move in a certain direction, as in towards our dreams. People that believe in you. People who will support you and encourage you to keep going after your goals.
I also believe events in our lives can have this same "powerful effect or influence"(force). As in training for a competition, or a photo shoot.
You put these "forces" together, both internal and external, and you have the makings of doing the impossible...of being Unstoppable.
It is that drive that propels you forward, overcoming obstacles in the way to our goal. It is that drive that says, "Never Give Up!"

"I will believe in my future I do not see.
That is faith.
I have faith in my future.
Faith has no limits.
I will expect miracles in my life,
because faith produces them every day."

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-172: Transform

2011-02-07T19:29:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: all good, so far today: green smoothie, chili, homemade meatball "sub". Made up some chicken for chicken/spinach wraps.

Today's Workout: HIIT and Abs. yesterday I did do Muscle C as planned. It was good!! I did Bulgarian split squats in place of leg press(which I can't do at home) Those are tough.

Today's Attitude: overall is good! but have my moments.

Today's Gratitude: I am grateful for the ability to think. I have the ability to control my thoughts. I have the ability to control my attitude with my thoughts.

Today's Thoughts: So here in this part of my blog I focus on my thoughts. What is it that I can share of my thoughts that might inspire you? What is it that I can share to inspire myself?! What thoughts can I choose to write here that will propel me towards my dreams and goals, despite what my circumstances may say right now?

I guess we should look at the word “inspire”- what does it really mean?

in-spire to breathe: see SPIRIT]] 1 orig., a) to breathe or blow upon or into b) to infuse (life, etc. into ) by breathing 2 to draw (air) into the lungs; inhale 3 to have an animating effect upon; influence or impel; esp., to stimulate or impel to some creative or effective effort 4 to cause, guide, communicate, or motivate as by divine or supernatural influence 5 to arouse or produce (a thought or feeling) [kindness inspires love] 6 to affect with a specified feeling or thought [to inspire someone with fear] 7 to occasion, cause, or produce 8 to prompt, or cause to be written or said, by influence [to inspire a rumor] --vi. 1 to inhale 2 to give inspiration

So- truth be known inspiration has its root meaning in things with spiritual significance. Wow – did anyone see that one coming?

So now to reframe my question I would have to say, “What can I say that would be inspiring?” How could I encourage others with something that would have a lasting motivational significance?

If we let our current circumstances dictate our thoughts and actions, then we are on a road that would lead us away from our goals, I'd say. So to rise above our circumstances we need to gain control of the thoughts we have that may be untrue or empty values or false perceptions. Negative thoughts can enter our minds at any time – especially at moments of weakness and if we let them stay there they will eventually tear us down. So instead we need to change those thought patterns to line up with the Truth of who we are...not what the negative thoughts wants us to think. It’s great to clean out the fridge and get rid of the junk food in the pantry. But what about the junk food in your head? My source of inspiration is the Good Book and Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (NIV). Isn’t that a great idea?
How do we do this? We need to transform our minds. And most of us who are Transformers have discovered that true and lasting change starts from the inside out.

Transform. Transform means “to change the condition, function, nature, character or personality” of something. It means changing from the inside out. Again in the Good Book we read that the great teacher, Paul says to transform yourself not by trying to be like everybody else, but by renewing your mind, by changing the way you think.

How do we change our thoughts? It is in our human nature to have negative thoughts. But we can choose our thoughts – we really can- So, when a negative thought full of things that are not true about us enters our mind, we can and have the power to change that thought into right thinking filled with truth. With the truth always comes peace.

I'd also like to add that Carlos' continued guidance and wisdom is always much appreciated.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-175: Inspiration to Action

2011-02-05T01:04:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: Not 100%. no excuses. but must take responsibility.Every choice DOES matter. I commit to do better tomorrow. Every choice will either take me closer to my goal or take me farther away...every choice!

Today's Workout: Steady state Cardio, 40 minutes.

Today's Attitude: Humble. (see today's thoughts)

Today's Gratitude: Persistence. I am grateful for persistence in my efforts to never give up, my persistence to keep pressing on, my persistence to keep coming back after seeming setbacks. I am learning to change my perspective on "setbacks." In reflection of these past four years of my journey, I can look back and see that any "setbacks" I had were not really setbacks at all, but times of tremendous personal growth, a time of gaining inner Strength. Strength needed to conquer the next "mission." Strength to keep pressing on. Persist...Never Give Up!

Today's Thoughts: Today I want to celebrate "touching just one more life". There is a gal at work who has seen me shrink over the past four years and has seen me keep the weight off. I know I have inspired her before and she lost about 40 lbs. She has put some of that back on. Her business is going to be starting a "weight loss challenge" and she came looking for me today!! She says she wants me to "help" hold her accountable. She knows that I know what it takes and she wanted to get my "opinion" and to also "do" this with her. It touches my heart so much to know I am inspiring not just you all, whom I have never met in person, but to inspire someone right here in my own "back yard". It's one thing to inspire someone at an emotional level, but it means so much more to know that you inspire someone to action! As far as I am concerned inspiration doesn't mean any thing until you put action to the inspiration.

I AM Unstoppable!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-178: Who's ready for Spring?

2011-02-02T00:57:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: ditto from yesterday.

Today's workout: HIIT and Abs. Also my dad did his first workout today. I walked him through it. I think he is surprised how "weak" he is. We took "before" pics...and measurements. So he is on his way. Will keep you updated as to his progress.

Today's Attitude: Peaceful. Proud of my dad for Starting his program...even though I had to "push" him out the door to get it done! lol.

Today's Gratitude: It might seem kind of silly, but I am grateful for the internet. Never in my life would I have been able to meet such awesome, loving, caring people from across the globe. My world has been expanded to all corners of the earth....from Australia, Mexico, Spain, UK, South Africa, etc. and of course, all over the USA! You all have become dear friends to me. Four years ago when I started blogging I never imagined "meeting" such awesome people from across the world. Boy, am I glad I stuck with it.

Today's Thoughts: The big snow storm is the talk of the web in the USA right now. I am so ready to set the world on fire...and I'm ready for winter to be done!! Anyone else with me? LOL. A greater part of the USA is under snow today and into Wednesday. As I sit here writing this I can hear the wind blowing and can only imagine what the snow is doing. If work is closed down, you can bet we will be going sledding! As with most of us in the wake of this storm, we are looking to get around 10-12 inches. That should be enough for some good sledding! What a nice way to bring in February! NOT! lol. I hope you all are warm and safe....From Texas to Chicago up to the Northeast.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-179: Set the World on Fire

2011-02-01T03:06:00.000-05:00

Today's eats: green smoothies, chili, chicken/spinach wrap, protein drink

Today's Workout: Muscle A. Again I am increasing my weights and reps on nearly all my exercises. I was a little bit concerned that I didn't get enough calories for energy for my late night workout, but apparently I did just fine.
I am nearly at my max weight in leg extensions as I was at the end of my Muscle mission ending last Feb 2010. Even with some inconsistencies from this past year, I have not lost much strength.

Today's Attitude: I am Optimistic. I am feeling positive about my mission. I am feeling positive about some internal growth I am experiencing.

Today's Gratitude: Today I am grateful for Adam Waters. It was four years ago December 2006 that I found him in his first mission documenting on his blog where he was posting daily pics documenting his physique transformation. He was putting himself out there. I followed his journey for quite some time before I actually started leaving him comments. It was by his encouragement that I started my own blog on the internet. By that time, I had lost nearly 45 lbs on my own. Without knowing it at the time, that was when the true testament to being accountable to a "community" was put into full affect for me. From that point on, I just couldn't quit. For some reason, a community with Adam just fit for me. He became like a little brother to me, eventhough I didn't really know him. The dream of a "shreddersphere" wasn't even on the radar(at least for me). And it was in that shreddersphere that my life has been touched and forever impacted by many wonderful people. People I never would have "met" if it weren't for that "sphere." We were touching each other's lives and it all started with a guy who wanted to transform his physique. And for that, I am grateful. (by the way, Feb. 1 is Adam's birthday)

Today's Thoughts: I read a quote on facebook,
"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
This really makes me think. If we are not yet blazing a trail, then we are not yet what we should be. What will it take to get there? What dreams do we still have yet within us that will ignite our worlds? Dare I be so bold as to get fired up about my dreams and move forward with reckless abandon?
Truly the questions to ask are, "Do I think I can? Do I believe I can?"
Our actions do truly start with what we truly think and believe in our hearts. Our actions and life are a true reflection of what we are truly thinking.

As you think, that is who you are.
Change what you are thinking and change who you become.
The Mind Of A Champion

How we think has a direct effect in what we believe
And what we believe determines what we do (We act on what we believe)
And what we do has a direct result in what shows up in our lives
If you don’t believe it – you are not even going to try it

If anyone can influence the way you think – they can influence the way you behave (and that without force)
And every champion knows that we can become what we think. Much of what we do is as a result of thought.
~Carlos DeJesus ~ 1985 Winner – Professional Natural Mr. World

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-180: 69 is not too old to start

2011-01-30T15:08:00.000-05:00

I am so excited!! After several years of trying to convince my dad to start working out "with" me, he has today made a decision!
On Saturday, February 5, my dad will be turning 69 years old! My dad has been very active his whole life. From playing some sports in his younger years and farming as a teen and into his early adult life. He has always loved gardening and working outside. He cuts down trees and splits them the old fashioned way, with an axe! In his mid-thirties, he developed "Guillain-Barre Syndrome", which is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. He was in the hospital for six weeks suffering chest-down paralysis from this disorder. He did recover from this and came home, but does have some long term residual affects. When he got home he started reading and did his own research. Ever since then he has been conscious of eating healthy, whole foods, hence the gardening. He is big into supplements and I believe all of this has kept him not only feeling younger but also looking very young for his age. If you were to meet him in person, you would not think he was even in his sixties. Some would say he looks in his 50's. But even being very healthy, he has added on weight slowly over the years. Since he is single, he does like to go out to eat more often than he should.
We've lived with my dad since June 2008. He hasn't said it, but I know my dad is very proud of me for how I have changed my life and am back on track with the way he taught us growing up. He sees how I eat and sees me working out in our garage. He has literally over the past four years watched me change right before his very eyes. Not only change my physique, but change who I have become. He has seen my struggles and has seen my victories over the past few years.
And now he sees me going at it again full force.
It is with great pride that I say he has decided to join me in training starting on Monday. He is going to start with Elaine's baseline training the first four weeks and then we will assess then how he is feeling and determine if he would like to do the whole WDA(Why Delay Amazing) program or to venture into Muscle. I will see if he will be willing to do some "before" photos and progress photos as he goes along. We will also do some measurements. I'll keep you updated as to his progress.

As with anyone, it is great to inspire someone to start, but it will be up to that individual to follow through. I know I have inspired three of my four siblings to start(several times over! lol), but it is up to them to follow through and press on. I will continue to set the example and show them it IS possible, to not only start, but to also follow through and get the job done. It is my hope that my dad will do just that, Follow through.

It doesn't matter how old you are when you start, what matters is that you do start. It's never too late!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-182: Secretariat

2011-01-29T10:24:00.000-05:00

"It's about life being ahead of you and you run at it."

I just got back from see the movie, "Secretariat." The following is a review of the movie "Secretariat" from a Christian point of view.. I love what they are saying and I think it speaks volumes to us going for our dreams and to give it all we got. It doesn't matter what other people say about us or whether or not we can do a certain thing. What does matter is that you believe in your dreams and you don't let anything stop you even when faced with "incredible odds." This movie really made me think of such a Champion right here.

'Secretariat” is an inspiring film based on the true story of a housewife and a horse who rise victoriously to overcome incredible odds.

“Secretariat” speaks to us all. To find what we were made for and to live it without regret. “Because you never know how far you can go unless you run.”

Secretariat” can be summed up in one verse. 2 Timothy 4:7 says,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
It is a story of perseverance through hardship and struggle. While history tells us the outcome, the film also tells us failure isn’t in losing the race, it’s in not running. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says to “…run in such a way as to get the prize.” The Contemporary English Version says “…run to win.” The heart of the story, like the scripture, is not in the actual winning, it’s in the effort, in giving all you’ve got.

As we prepare for and run our race, we must learn to stay focused on Jesus.

“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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” —Hebrews 12:1-2.

“Secretariat” opened and closed with quotes from the Bible (Job 39:19-24)

Job 39:19-24

¹⁹ “Do you give the horse its strength
   or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
²⁰ Do you make it leap like a locust,
   striking terror with its proud snorting?
²¹ It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,
   and charges into the fray.
²² It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
   it does not shy away from the sword.
²³ The quiver rattles against its side,
   along with the flashing spear and lance.
²⁴ In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
   it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

Loved this movie!!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-183:

2011-01-28T01:18:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: All good except for a bowl of raisin bran...I don't think that is on the plan. I am really wanting to stay away from any "processed foods" as much as possible. boxed cereal would qualify as "processed" to me.

Today's Workout: Steady State cardio on elliptical and abs. Got a good burn on the abs.

Today's Attitude: the day started out good. then had a bump mid morning. But I am "recovering" pretty good from it. I am really doing well not to dwell on the issue, as has been my past troubles with "bumps".

Today's Gratitude: I am grateful for a working mind. And that I am choosing to use it.

Today's Thoughts: I have so many thoughts. My mind is in full speed. I really need to sit down and sort it all out. I get all excited about an idea and thoughts just start pouring randomly out of my mind. I want to make the thoughts to come through clearly. So please forgive me for another day.

Today's Pics: sorry you will have to wait on those, too.

No matter what life throws at me, I will never quit!
No matter what mountains I am facing, I can be confident that God is bigger than any problem and able to carry me over any mountain!
I AM Unstoppable!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-185: Out of the mouth of Babes

2011-01-26T00:17:00.000-05:00

Today's Eats: Good whole clean foods.

Today's Workout: HIIT with Abs...and a little bit of sledding hill climbs

Today's Attitude: I feel amazing. Determined. Inspired. Unstoppable.

Today's Gratitude: As I mentioned yesterday, part of quality community is a "coach" who believes in you! and helps you to believe in yourself! It is a coach who helps you to ask the right questions. Who teaches you how to think, Who cares about you and wants you to be the best you can possibly be! It is a coach who gives and doesn't expect anything in return, but for you to be the Champion you are born to be!
Today I want to say, Carlos DeJesus, I am so grateful for you! Thank you for your gentle and caring spirit. Thank you for being available to coach me and to encourage me to be the "Warrior Lady" I was created to be. Thank you for your continued guidance and wisdom. I will never tire of thanking you!

Today's Thoughts: "Out of the mouth of babes".
Today after the kids got home from school, my six year old, Daniel, and I went outside to get some sledding in. We haven't had too much snow so we have not been able to sled as much so far this year. Well, my Daniel likes me to pull him up the hill while he sits on the sled. As he is getting bigger and heavier it is becoming harder to pull him up the steep hill. So he asks me to pull him up. My immediate response was, "I can't do that, you are too heavy." He replies with, "Yes, you can mommy, just do your best." How can I refuse to at least give my best effort?! So up we go! As I start up the hill, he says this repeatedly, "Don't Stop! Never Give Up!" as I climb the hill. We get to the top and he's like, "I told you, you could do it!" So guess what my mantra was during my cardio tonight? "Don't Stop! Never Give Up!"
To give credit where credit is due, I believe he got this from watching a show on "Noggin" on TV which is an educational TV channel for preschoolers.

Today's Pics: no pics today.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-186: It takes a Community!

2011-01-25T01:56:00.000-05:00

When it comes to conviction of our dreams and goals, if we persist boldly with an unshakable belief with faith by affirming out loud in confidence that which is truth (which is to know that if we incorporate certain actions—we will obtain a certain result) we can know that which we visualize with emotion and feelings will become a reality!
"It is also the needed ingredients for a powerful and successful Affirmation Statement." Carlos DeJesus

My dream of a tight, fit, photo shoot ready body is all but a reality because I train hard with intensity. I eat whole, healthy nutritious food that fuels my body for muscular growth and strength. I persist boldly with an unshakable belief with confidence in myself that I will follow through with unwavering focus and inner strength that comes from speaking truth. I am pumped and excited as I stand in front of the camera knowing I gave it my all and am reaping the rewards of my full on effort.
The rewards of my efforts is to have an awesome photo shoot in July 2011 in the best shape of my life. I live it. I breathe it. I am in the best shape of my life! I am Unstoppable!

Warrior Mind Code
I no longer accept the mediocre in my life, but accept the challenge of doing my best before me.
I lead and live as an example for other to follow.
I train hard.
I set challenging goals for myself, and hold myself accountable to their achievement.
I accept nothing less of myself for I am worthy of their achievement.
Every day that I breathe I remain committed.
Consistently, without fail, I will never quit.
I will never quit!

I am a Warrior! Warriors never quit! The Victory is mine! I'm about to bring some Glory!

Today's Eats: nothing but whole and healthy foods.
Todays' Workout: Muscle A. I rocked it out today!! woo! I upped my leg extensions by 15 lbs.(up to 115 lbs) and still rocked the reps! wooo! (do you think I am pumped?) all other sets increased weights and/or reps. Success!
Today's Attitude: um....what do you think?
Today's Gratitude: I am so grateful for Elaine Morales!! You pump me up! You fire me up! Your positive energy just infuses the "Not Just a DayDream" site! thank you for writing an awesome ebook in "Why Delay Amazing?" Anyone who refuses what you have to offer just isn't ready for amazing yet! Me? I am so ready for Amazing!! I am so grateful for the awesome support and encouragement you provide to me and to all dreamers who come there! Thank you for being Amazing!
Today's Thoughts: We don't do this on our own!! We do this as a community, whether that community is two people or 200 hundred people, it doesnt' matter. But, what does matter is the quality of support you get from that community! What is quality support? It is people who genuinely care about your success. It is people who share with you in your struggles and in your victories. It is an uplifting comment when you are down and a "virtual" high five when you rock it out. It is accountability that pushes you to go harder, faster, more intense with each workout and to eat as clean as possible because you know your "community" is doing the same thing and are going through the same struggles and experience the same victories. I push hard because I know you are pushing hard!
It is a "coach" who believes in you! and helps you to believe in yourself! It is a coach who helps you to ask the right questions. Who teaches you how to think, Who cares about you and wants you to be the best you can possibly be! It is a coach who gives and doesn't expect anything in return, but for you to be the Champion you are born to be!

Today's Pics: week 1 comparison pics. I do believe I see progress in the right direction. No measurements or weight taken...only pics. the pics won't lie!

Today's Musical selection:
"No More" by Beckah Shae

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-187: Conviction

2011-01-24T06:03:00.000-05:00

In response to Friday's blog post on visualize with emotion, Carlos has shared with me, "Emotion is good- but for me conviction is better. Conviction has emotion but it also carries a certainty of faith, belief- and as a result... action.""

Some definitions:

con-vic-tion convictio, proof, demonstration]] 1 a convicting or being convicted 2 [Rare] the act of convincing 3 the state or appearance of being convinced, as of the truth of a belief [to speak with conviction ] 4 a strong belief --SYN. CERTAINTY, OPINION

Thesaurus

conviction, n. 1. [Belief] ----Syn. persuasion, confidence, reliance; see belief 1, faith 2.

conviction - an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

conviction noun

1. belief, view, opinion, principle, faith, persuasion, creed, tenet

2. certainty, confidence, assurance, fervour, firmness, earnestness, certitude He preaches with conviction.
Faith:
b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction;

Belief:
a feeling of being sure that someone or something exists or that something is true [singular] ▪ a heartfelt/deep/deep-seated/firm/strong/passionate belief

certainty n

1. the condition of being certain

2. something established as certain or inevitable

for a certainty without doubt

confidence - freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
Synonyms: certainty, certitude, assurance, conviction
These nouns mean freedom from doubt.

So here I am visualizing my dreams and goals and I have put some emotion and feelings to those dreams and goals. But what good do all those emotions and feelings do for those visualizations unless one Believes those things can and will actually be realized? Without belief, one is not moved to action. Action only comes by way of belief.

So if you feel like “something” is holding you back? It is your belief!!! Belief holds you back. Because, if you truly believe, you will naturally move towards that which you believe. So enter in our dreams and goals…how is it that we can believe something we have not yet done or seen? “Faith…By hearing” (So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”.—Romans 10:17

I would gather to say that Speaking our Affirmations is “to Hear” the Truth, and this is how we are to believe that which we cannot see.

Even if your belief seems very small to start, that’s ok! Build on that little bit of belief. A tiny mustard seed grows to be a “persistent and troublesome” plant large enough to provide a valuable food and shelter for animals.

“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”—Matthew 17:20

“It is when we let that intense hunger, that intense resolve be activated...we will move the mountains and cast the tree into the sea! When we hunger and thirst so much that we will do anything God-honoring to satisfy it...we will walk in Mustard Seed faith!

But we must not forget also, that though we might possess that faith to move the mountains and have not love, it is nothing. God will never honor a selfish quest for personal worldly reason...but will always honor our quest for more of Him.

God WANTS us to bother Him! To get His attention! Tug on the hem of His garment....call out to Him! And keep at it until we get answers, until we get healed, until we obtain our blessings. For such persistence means we really and truly will do whatever we have to do to get it! That is real faith! Just wishing doesn't do...we are to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace.”~Mary E. Adams

So how can we pull all this together?

Hmmm...I think that would also be the definition of UNSTOPPABLE!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-189: Visualize, with emotion

2011-01-22T01:48:00.000-05:00

Body, Mind, Soul

Today's Eats: Leftovers! Quick, easy, all ready made! Reheat and eat! Plus two "green" smoothies.
Today's Workout: Muscle C. A great workout! I am finding this week that I can and should push so much more on my legs. I will push harder next week! I will up the intensity level.
Today's Attitude: Unstoppable! What an awesome week so far! I truly feel I am in a place I haven't been in quite some time. I am strong in mind. I am strong in Spirit. I've had a few "tests" of resolve this week, but have overcome and not allowed those "outside" influences to derail me this week. I have kept my focus. I am determined. Today, I am Unstoppable!
Today's Gratitude: I am so grateful I have workout equipment at home so I can workout in the "comfort" of my own home. I do not have to travel on snowy roads or be away from home any longer than I have to. I am grateful for the ability to even be able to lift weights and to train my body.
Today's Thoughts: One of the things I've been thinking about today is the power of visualization. I have three big dreams/goals this year.(trip to Australia, photo shoot, write an e-book) Right now, they seem like a far way off and it may seem an impossible feat looking at current "conditions". But I know in order to reach those dreams I must focus on the end goal. I must keep my eyes looking straight ahead. There can be no doubt! I can not look at what the circumstances or present conditions say. I can not look down, or to the left or the right. As soon as I do, I will start sinking!
I really think you need to have a powerful driving force that is positively, emotionally charged. To make it even more powerful, attaching an image or vision for it in your mind is key. It is the visualization that you have already reached your goal. You have to see it as if you are already there. You have to feel it in your spirit and being. You have to feel all the emotions of that moment and time.
For me, it has started out with my planned trip to Australia in August. What I have been doing is visualizing myself actually in Australia stepping off the plane on Australian soil and seeing my friend Sharon Harris for the first time in person. I feel every emotion of the whole trip, from the nervousness of flying overseas by myself for the first time in my life, to the joy and excitement of meeting Sharon for the first time and even the tears of good bye. I can feel the hugs and tears of joy of feeling this dream realized. I can feel the elation of celebrating my birthday there with our Aussie friends.
So what I am going to do is utilize this same positively, emotionally charged, powerful driving force towards the photo shoot. The photo shoot is driven by two forces. One being the Pro Photo Cover(hopefully updated version for Elaine's web page!). I imagine how awesome I will feel to have these pics made and knowing I gave it my all to reach a physique I can be proud to show off, especially after coming so far in my journey and overcoming so many seemed obstacles. I have to think about myself actually being there at the photo shoot. I have to see in my mind how awesome and tight and ripped I will look. To be able to say, "That's Me! Look how far I have come! If I can do this, anybody can!" To be able to look at those pics and say, "YES!!"
I am also using the photo shoot as a driving force for my trip to Australia to be in the best shape of my life. I do not want to meet Sharon, or even Adam, all frumpy and soft. lol.
The feelings with the book are of the joy of finishing it and knowing that it just may touch someones life. To know that I can have an impact on someones life by sharing my story. How awesome will that be?!
The visualization not only requires you to see it "as if"...but to also feel everything about it...to live it in your mind as if it has already happened. It is putting a powerful, positive, emotionally charged, driving force behind your dreams.
Of course to add to that visualization is the power of belief...without doubt!

Today's Pic: a work in progress...one day at a time.

Today's Visualizations:
Suzette in Oz with Sharon

Suzette at her "best"..but the "best" is yet to come...so this is the first step!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-190: Just One at a Time

2011-01-21T01:30:00.000-05:00

Mind, Body, Soul

Today's Eats: I love leftovers! I have been "batch" cooking some foods. Yesterday I made more chili and have enough for several meals. I also made a new chicken recipe for diner today. Walnut encrusted chicken, with baked red potatoes(coated with extra virgin olive oil and onion soup mix) Yummy! I made enough for four meals. So the next few days will be chili and chicken/potatoes with Broccoli. I also am drinking my green smoothies to get my greens in.
Today's workout: 30 minutes steady state cardio with abs. I am feeling the abs from Tuesday's workout.
Today's Attitude: Thankful. I am thankful that I can come here and share with you. I am thankful to Adam Waters for having a dream and going for it. I would not be where I am today if Adam did not keep pressing on and share his own journey. It was his blog that inspired me to start my own back in April 2007. At that time I still needed to lose another 45 lbs! Not only have I lost over 90 lbs, but I have also "gained" so much more in support and encouragement and so many new friends along the way..as well as increased self-confidence and increased self-esteem. I've grown physically, spiritually, mentally. I am thankful for all that I've gone through to get me to where I am today.
Today's Gratitude: I am grateful for the 30 minutes my six year old sat on my lap while watching a movie(Avatar) with me at home tonight. The few precious moments a mom can have with her "baby". They grow up so fast and don't want to be with you anymore. Our Daniel is truly a "miracle" as he nearly lost his life back in the summer of 2008 from pneumonia and fluid on his heart/lung. So I treasure every little precious moment with him like this(when he is not being a "naughty" boy.)
Today's Thoughts: I was thinking about recent blog posts. I was thinking about the impact we can have on so many people by sharing our stories and life experiences and successes. That is why sites like this are created. That is why we blog. But it all starts with one! It starts with touching one life! And then one more. And then one more. It's not really about all the people we want to touch..but the next one. And the exciting thing is, you never know who that "one" person is going to be!
It is my hope and prayer..and maybe even "dream" to just touch one life...and then one more...and then...
Just like my transformation journey...It started with just one! That One time it took to make one decision to just do it! That One decision has changed my own life! Then I had to take it just one day at a time, one meal at a time, one workout at a time.
Today's Pic: Just one more...day at a time!

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-191: Great things are in store! Expect it!

2011-01-20T01:04:00.000-05:00

Body, Mind, Soul
Today's eats: green smoothies, salmon and sweet potato, a new batch of chili with a few Ritz crackers! one banana
Today's workout: Muscle B . increased some weights, increased some reps, some weights and reps stayed the same. Overall a great workout.
Today's attitude: Good. I am focused and excited about my goal. I have motivation. I have inspiration. I have determination.
Today's gratitude: I am so blessed and grateful for my Church family. I had several people come up to me at church tonight inquiring as to how I am doing and my husband as well. Indicating prayers are still being sent on our behalf. I am blessed! I even had one "elder" of the church sit next to me. She was a great encouragement to me. At the end of service she told me she felt God had great things in store for me this year. I AGREE! I told her, I am expecting it!
Today's thoughts: After what I read and posted yesterday, I am thinking differently about my goals. For a long time I think I struggled with the idea that getting "ripped" was a vain thing. But if I look at it differently...if I change my perspective...I can now think of it as showing others the way and living up to my potential will not just help me, but help others...for surely if I can do it...so can you! Does this put "extra" pressure on myself? Not if I keep my eyes on the goal. If I keep living in the truth of who I am and rest in my calling, then I can be at peace and can live empowered, determined, courageous and what I do will not only be beneficial to me, but to any who "read" my story!
Today's pic: a work in progress, one day at a time.

Dare...Boldly 2011: T-192: Wide Awake

2011-01-18T23:47:00.000-05:00

"In his book, Wide Awake, Erwin Raphael McManus helps us see the difference between being awake and being wide awake. It is the recognition that God is very active in your life and then to actively live that life. He says, “Living wide awake is about realizing that the world needs you to live up to your potential. There are others whose lives and future depend on your stepping up and living big. The better world you keep waiting for needs you to accept your life’s calling and responsibility, and then create it. The future needs you to dream God-sized dreams; these are the only kind God gets involved in.”

Love this! I found this on the site, "Faith and Fitness Magazine". I am loving this site more and more. This statement is so profound for me. Imagine that the world is waiting for you(me) to live up to your(my) potential and that there are others lives and future depend on your(my) stepping up and living big! This really hits home for me as I never thought of it that way. The life we live is not our own, nor for our own benefit..but it is for the benefit of others. How we live our fitness lives and even our faith, show others that there is a better way to live and feel about ourselves is a mission unto itself. Our calling isn't just for ourselves, but for our "neighbors". "If I can do it, then so can you!" Isn't that what we do here? That's what Elaine shows us in her book, "Why Delay Amazing?" It isn't about Elaine anymore...it is about reaching out to others and helping someone else along this path to health and fitness and even towards faith. Faith in God. Faith in ourselves. Faith in our new found friends. It is to empower each other to push towards a goal. We don't do this on our own! We are much more effective and successful as a community than as individuals.
Success is inevitable!

So are we dreaming some "God-sized" dreams? For ourselves? for our "community"? For others future?
Are we wide awake?

Today's eats was green smoothies (turned "brown" with blueberry's, but oh so yummy!) and left over chili and salmon and sweet potato.
Today's workout was HIIT and Abs.
Today's attitude: Great!
Today's pic: a work in progress...one day at a time!

"Dare...Boldly!" Dreams become reality one choice at at time

2011-01-18T02:41:00.000-05:00

I am back at it today with Muscle. I have not been very consistent recently. That's about to change! Starting with today!
We all know here that consistency is one key to a physique transformation. I have proved it to myself over and over again the past few years. When I am consistent, I get awesome results....when I am not...well..I don't.
I have put out there an awesome physique goal for me. While it seems a ways off, I am faced with the question Elaine has so beautifully shared with us, "Why Delay Amazing?" I have two complete 83 day missions to complete to reach my photo shoot ready body! It is my goal the next 14 weeks to do Muscle program. I know already from my own past experience that I can both gain muscle and lose fat with this program. That is indeed the goal! When this mission is complete I'll evaluate where I am and then determine the next step(but I am leaning towards doing Turbo.) (both Muscle and Turbo have been designed by Carlos DeJesus)
I still have yet to weigh myself in recent weeks, and I don't really want to, mainly because I don't want that scale number to "defeat" my mindset. I did take some measurements back on December 30, 2010 when my little sister was here. But, the Pics already tell me what is going on! This is "negative" motivation enough for me. I am so not happy with today's pics...but that will change.
The "Positive" motivator for me is of course how I will feel when I get those pics taken in the best shape of my life! I have a "best" shape from Feb. 2010, that I will visualize, but I intend to improve on that!!
Another "positive" motivator for me is, of course, going to Australia in August in the best shape of my life. I will be going to meet my good friend, Sharon Harris. I also might have the opportunity to also meet up with Adam Waters again( and also a few other shredder friends). You know photo ops will also be had there in Australia. What better way to spend my 42nd birthday in the best shape of my life in an awesome country with some awesome friends?!
Of course, the original idea for the photo shoot is to get that new pic for Elaine's sales page! How awesome will it be to see my "Pro" photo up there with Elaine and Kim?!

I was really dragging there for a few days this past week. But once I started with figuring out dates for this photo shoot/trip to Oz, I realized how fast time goes by and 194 days really is not that long. It is about 28 weeks. Just enough time for two full-blown missions! Today is the day! I could not wait any longer. Self-sabotage was setting in. So, the past few days I have been "devouring" some awesome stuff from Faith and Fitness.
Here are a few things that have stirred me today. Some of it is stuff we already know, but sometimes we need to hear it again to let it really sink in and take hold of our hearts.

A person with a Maximized Mind is a person who sees herself as a disciplined, committed person capable of sticking with a healthy lifestyle.(what an awesome affirmation statement!)
"I am a person with a Maximized Mind! I see myself as a disciplined, committed woman capable of sticking with a healthy lifestyle."

It's important to not only change "what" we think, but... "We need to change HOW we think to experience transformation."

"Become willing to experience pain, then we can experience a transformed mind, body, and spirit. The pain itself is a sign of the weaning from our sinful habits."

"Run straight toward the goal with purpose in every step."

"When you commit yourself to doing the will of God you no longer allow others, emotions or the way you feel to lead you."

It's time for me to make some commitments!!

Food was good today! I will be incorporating my Green smoothies into my meal plan. they contain healthy greens, fruit and plant based protein in form of avocado and also will be incorporating nuts/seeds into those as well, which is also a good source of protein. I will also be eating good clean eats in my other meals. Today I made a batch of chili that I cooked in a slow cooker. Oh so yummy!! As long as the beans don't cause me too much bloating I will make more chili! With my gall bladder removed it does cause some bloating issues with certain foods, like beans.

Well, I believe I am ready! I am ready to get back to being "Unstoppable!"

Just for reference and accountability of my measurements:(as of dec. 30, 2010)
waist(at belly button): 33"
hips: 41"(too much 'butt ledge' going on here!)
r. thigh: 24"

The Warrior Suz

Unstoppable

Chapter 2 begins

Mission 5: Genesis T-63 making progress

Mission 5 Genesis T-71 My December Promise

Mission 5 T-73 Openness

Mission 5: T-76 Are you giving it 100%?

Mission 5: Genesis: Enjoy the Journey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mission 5: Genesis T- 84

T-3 days to Mission 5: Genesis

A New Beginning: A Genesis Week

A New Beginning: a Genesis Week

Jersey Shore

T-6 Jersey

T-14 Jersey

T-28 Jersey

Vision

Being Transparent

Remain Steadfast

Balance: Spirit, Mind, Body

Just Be!

Decide

Decide

A "Genesis week"

Getting Unstuck....part 2: Genesis

U.S.of A. Day 25: Getting "Unstuck"

U.S.of A. Day 23: What is the Truth?

"Be careful about what you think and what you say during your times of trial and tribulation. The attitude you have while in the wilderness determines how long you stay there."~ Joyce Meyers

U.S.of A. Day 5: Affirmations

"U.S. of A." Day 1

U.S.of A. = Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness!!

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

The Adventures of...

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

Be Thankful in All things

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply: Putting it into practice

Love Life, Let Go, Breathe Deeply!

"Learning How to Think" "What do you Believe about this?"...in action

“What does this experience make possible?

“What does this experience make possible?

Turning Overwhelming into Overcoming

Gut Honest

Storms

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-69

Woman on a Mission!

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-81

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-83

Happy Mother's Day! Prelude to a Massive Mission

sick

on my way Moving Forward

We can not look to other people to say whether or not we are getting closer to that goal. We do not need other people's opinion. All we have to do is look in the mirror. And that mirror will reflect only what it sees.

Inner work on order

Quitting is more about who you are than where you are.

"But the reality is that the external things do not stop people. Thosewho achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey."

Dare...Boldly 2011: Dare to Believe Boldly

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-102 Determined

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-103 Commitment

Commitment - DOING the thing you said you would do long after the MOOD to do it has passed

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-106

Dare...Boldly 2011: "No Surrender!" T-110

Inpiring video

Comparison Pics

Lessons

Keep Believing

The Warrior Suz: Woman on a Mission

Blessings in Disguise

Positives For Today: Making the Right Choices

God is not the source of my storm, but He is my shelter in the midst of it. I agree with Jesus and take authority over the storms of life, and declare PEACE in the midst of them. I walk in wisdom by acting on the Word, and I rise above every storm, in the name of Jesus!

Be Thankful

Choose Strength!

Just do your best

No Limits!

A kind Word

Just Keep Doing it Anyways!

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-48 Motivation and Trust

Dare...Boldly 2011: Muscle T-49 Uncommon Focus Required

Finally! Do it Anyways!

We all have a story

"But the reality is that the external things do not stop people. Those
who achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey."