transformation determination

Every Friday for me during the last 6 weeks has caused a bit of anxiousness.  The whole day in the back of my mind is the clocking ticking toward 3:30pm.  Weigh-in is an exciting yet nervewracking.  This week I have pushed myself harder than I have in previous weeks.  Prior to weigh-in I had 6,000 plus calories burned.  I felt that I had lost weight, but I wasn't sure how much.  I was hoping for about 3-4 pounds lost.  I took a deep breath and stepped on the scale and much to my glee I was 6 pounds lighter than I was last week.  To date I have lost 34.5 pounds.  It's a number that I'm astounded by.  I never thought I would lose like that in such a short amount of time.  These past weeks I've proven things to myself.  I've found an inner strength that I didn't know I had.  Determination has grown.  Determination continues to grow.  There is a fire in my belly that burns bright and hot.  I hope that the changes in my life I've made can inspire someone else make this same change to help themself. 

I'm a little sad that I only have one week left of this chapter.  It's been such an exciting time.  My team has been my backbone and have pushed me further than I thought.  I hope we all keep moving forward and achieve our goals.  I keep thinking of my healthy self and I can't wait to see her.  Debbie has been such a guiding light through all this.   My friends and family's support has meant the world to me.  These factors put together have allowed me the success that I've had thus far.  The next chapter will be interesting to see where I go. 

just keep pedaling

I thought when I started Biggest Loser I'd have time to blog about my experience. Well I was wrong. I had no idea how time consuming this adventure would be. I'm writing this as I pedal home from Disney. Yes that's right we made first. My team is now pedaling back to NJ. I've biked more miles on this bike than I ever did on my 10 speed as a kid.

Throughout these past six weeks I've had some amazing highs and a few lows. Some of those highs have been being the third highest calorie burner out of twenty women, being able to hold the plank position, running for three minutes straight and doing again four minutes later. I've found strength I never knew existed. I also found muscles I didn't know could ache. Muscles hurt that haven't hurt since my field hockey days. The biggest victory has been losing 10% of my body weight.

To be continued...

Biggest Loser

I had mentioned before I started this journey of 8 weeks that I was going to blog my progress. Well little did I know I'd be so busy with workouts. Yesterday was a day of much needed rest and today I have some time while my car is getting new tires. So now I'll share what this grueling and exhilarating experience has been like this far.

First let me tell you that I'm allotted 1400 calories a day. As a food addict that seems like a minuscule number. I'm not sure what my intake was prior but it was far more bloated than 1400. My brother told me that it's similar to having 28 old weight watcher points. I don't think I ever had that number of points. Much of this week has been spent rewriting my brain to figure out calories. It's been quite an education. I've drank more water than I ever have. I owe thanks in part to a new water bottle that I love. Yep I love my new water bottle. It shows me how much I've drank and how many times I've refilled with a little click wheel around the neck. I think my competitive part likes to see how many times I can refill it. Yesterday was 4 1/2. That's about 90 ounces.

Exercise has been the surprisingly easy part. I'm required to burn 2000 calories a week doing different cardio and classes. I've found a lot of joy in my workouts. I love seeing that calorie number grow with each step I take. My tram gets extra points if I burn 2250. Well I exceed that number to somewhere above 3400. Ive got to pat myself in the back for that one. As the competition continues our largest burn is 3000.

In addition to our calorie burn we are required as a team to ride the recumbent bike to Florida. I think Disney World to be exact. It's funny because bike usage has become a game all unto itself. I enjoy riding the bike. This week I rode 30 miles. The bike burns the least calories so it feel a little counter productive but it's low impact.

I am part of a phenomenal purple team. Those ten women are so uplifting and encouraging. It's great to be part of wonderful group of women to aim towards a goal. They lift me when I feel like stopping and push me to go further

This week I am going to start 5k training. It has been one of my long term goals to run a 5k before my 30th birthday. My eye is on July.

Today starts week two and I can't wait to get started.

New Year. New Start.

I realize it's been a while since I last blogged but with my upcoming contest participation I thought it would be fun to blog my journey.  This Monday I will embark on an 8 week Biggest Loser contest at my gym.  I'm so excited to spend these upcoming weeks focusing on my health.  I'm on the Purple Team.  Go Purple!

In 2011, I started to take care of my mental health.  In 2012, I taking care of my physical health.  All the while I will be taking care of my spiritual health.  I'm feel like I'm finally taking the steps to become a more well rounded person. 

I'm so looking forward to what this year has to hold.  It's nice to feel optimistic for once.

Heather

In His Presence

It's been a few days since I last posted and I feel like there is so much to say.  I guess starting with my very first counseling session is a good place to start.  I was super nervous going into it.  I could few the butterflies tumbling around in my stomach.  I knew I was going to have to spill my guts out to a stranger.  It's funny though, once I sat down with my counselor I felt completely at ease.  She has a kind and gentle way about her that made me feel comfortable immediately.  I was excited too, because she's a curly girl like me.  (i think there's a special bond in that)  In true Heather fashion, I talked fast and shared a lot (maybe too much).  I'm looking forward to the transformation that I'm hoping is going to come from these meetings.  I felt God's presence as well and His guidance as my counselor prayed for me at the end of our time together.

I think another reason I haven't been blogging as much is due to my renewed love of crocheting.  I feel so at peace even when I'm learning something new.  It brings me a sense of calm and accomplishment to have an activity to do with my hands.  I love that in a matter of hours I have a project (usually a hat) that is beautiful and makes me proud.  I sold my first hat today.  It was only for a few dollars but I felt good that I could bring a little piece of joy to another person with something I made with my own two hands.  It's the same way I feel after I've baked or cooked food that people enjoy.  I totally get why my friend Angie's love language is making food.  It's euphoric to give the gift of happiness to another person. 

This week at work I've had three half days, two of which were spent in training for handling students with care.  It was helpful for me to practice being the solid rock for a student that is in crisis.  It was also a reminder to me that God is my solid rock, my firm foundation.  I kept singing in my head, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand,"  and "Jesus, You're my firm foundation, I know I can stand secure..."  It's so nice to randomly have songs of praise pop into my head.  I've notice that in times when I start to get worked up at school I'm remembering to shoot up a prayer to God and it bring me calm.  I'm so grateful to have a God that loves me and wants to be involved in my day to day, not just some god that sits far away and watches his children like little ants running around an ant farm. 

Here's a verse that has been part of our small group study that has really stuck with me this past week...

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  -2 Corinthians 12:9

Day 9

Its funny that after a few good days how my focus changes. I'm so grateful that God has brought me so far, but I've forgotten to praise and thank Him all that He's done. So let me take this time to do so publicly.

Dear Gracious and Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love. Thank you for your Son and thank you for the cross. Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation and Your never-ending love.
I'm sorry God for neglecting to place my focus on You. Father forgive me for trying to do things on my own. It's so easy to lose sight when I feel good. But I know all that is good and perfect comes from You. Thank you Lord that Your mercies are new everyday.
Lift me up when I fall and forgive me when I fail. Lord be the light that shines on my path. And may Your light shine through me. I love you Lord.
I pray all this in the Precious and Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Day 8

Today was one of the few work days I felt went really well. I felt confident in my work and proud of my student. It's like I could feel God's hand guiding and comforting me.

I'm so grateful for the small group I'm a part of. I feel I can share openly and know that people will be praying for me. God has continued to reveal Himself to me in new and fresh ways.

Today is my brother's 26th birthday. I pray that he does well on his test tomorrow. I pray God will bless him this year.