My Miracle

Yesterday I received a miracle via "snail mail".  I hardly ever get anything in the mail that isn't junk or a bill, so I almost didn't open the envelope that had no return address.  It had a blurry postmark that I think said Asheville, NC.  I opened up the envelope to find a typed letter.  This is what it said.....

"Dear Janelle,
     I believe you WILL make it to 199...I know you WANT to make it to 199...
     So here is a little incentive for you and the funds for all you wanted to do for yourself when you made it!
     But you can't spend it 'til you have reached your goal!
     With lots of love and encouragement,

Me ;-)"

Who the heck is Me????  I am still stumped.  The letter was also accompanied by 199 dollars!!!  WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!  I just stood in my kitchen and cried.  What a blessing.  So now to ponder, pray and consider what I'm going to do with my blessing. 

By the way, if my "angel" is reading my post...199 is just my 1st goal.  The next goal will be 185.6 (100 pounds lost) and then my final goal is 145-150. 

I shared this not to try and reveal the secret identity of my benefactor, but to share that God THROUGH me has inspired, encouraged and touched others.  Someone heard and saw Jesus at work in my weight loss.  That's the best gift of all.

My Friend Dana

I'm not entirely sure that she would like me to post this.  If you are offended Dana...please forgive :-).  We had a nice chat tonight.  I had forgotten just how much I love that gal AND her whole family.  There is a lot of history between our families.  We have shared laughs, love, music, tears, good news, bad news, births, deaths, you name it and it's been a part of our lives together. 

Dana is leaving for Army boot camp in a matter of days.  Pause here to tell you how proud I am of her for lots of reasons, but the service...THANK YOU Dana for your dedication to our country.  Dana looks AMAZING.  She has lost 49 pounds and is rockin' her size 7/8 jeans.  I am so inspired by her accomplishments.  As she was telling me today of her PT qualification tests I was happy, and envious all at the same time.  Will I EVER be able to do 12 push-ups?  How about a < 10 minute mile?  I could barely do 20 full sit-ups today in workout, much less 30.  You go girl!  I'm proud of you Dana.  We talked numbers, we shared calorie counts, we chatted about accountability AND we set goals.  She's gonna be bad to the bone (aka G.I. Jane) thanks to her boot camp workout, and by October (the next time I see her) I have a goal to be 175-180.  YIKES that number sounds completely impossible.  Yet, there is a part of me that is excited, inspired, challenged and hopeful. 

I have a 20 year reunion this Fall.  Am I gonna show?  If I do will I still be "the fat girl"?  25 weeks....40-45 pounds.  Sheesh...those aren't good odds, but I've beaten the odds before.  Who has two sets of twins without fertility meds?  HEHEHEHEHE!  I'm always scared to post goals, because I often don't make them.  My below 200 pounds goal by May 20th...not looking so good at this point.  It's April 5th and I'm at 220.  20 pounds in 50 days is like "Biggest Loser" kinda weight loss. 

Dana is young (22 years old) and has a LOT of changing, growing and learning left.  I'm 37 and a little further down the road to discovery, RECOVERY, and wholeness but we share a journey in common.  A journey to health and wholeness.  I will NEVER rock a bikini like she does, but I can wear that same smile knowing that it doesn't matter what the scale says anymore because I LIKE WHO I AM IN THIS MOMENT.  Thanks for the love Dana.  Thanks for the encouragement.  Thanks for the inspiration.  Thanks for being you.

Joining the "Ready for Summer Challenge"

So I have a new "friend" and follower.  She just recently mentioned a challenge in one of her posts.  I thought it might be a good idea for me to join.  Feel free to come along and let's ALL get ready for SUMMER.

I'm a few days behind.  The challenge started Monday March 25th.  I'm not discouraged though.  I'll link up on Sundays as required but count my weeks from Thursday to Thursday.  10 weeks to grow, change, become more fit and see those numbers moving on down.  Four areas where I can really focus. These focus areas are as follows: Weight loss goal, Non scale goal, Exercise goal, Nutrition goal.  Each week there will be a "mini challenge" that is completely optional.

So here are my four goals for this challenge. 

1.  Weight loss goal:  18 pounds

2.  Non scale goal:  Fit into a size 18 jeans that I bought from the store and they currently don't fit.  This is down from squeezing myself into a 26.

3.  Exercise goal:  Run another 5K (on May 12th) and do it in 38 minutes or less.  This will be my second 5K and cutting four minutes off my previous time.

4.  Nutrition goal:  Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily and eat at least one fruit and veggie daily.

WOW!  Those might have been a bit ambitious, but hey that's what a challenge is for, huh????  For those of you thight might be reading this for the first time as of this morning the scales said 220.  That's 65.6 pounds since Oct. 31, 2010.  Slow going, but oh so worth it.  I really started seeing the weight drop off after I FULLY committed myself in late Sept. 2011.  I haven't been below 200 pounds since 2001 (my first child was born that year).  I'm currently within 10 pounds of my wedding weight.  I have seen weight loss success one other time in my adult life.  Before I got pregnant with Joseph I went from 225 to 180.    So, at this point in my journey I've lost more weight at one time than I ever have.  I've lost LITERALLY one of my children.  :-).  My daugther weighs 62 pounds.  So odd to think of trying to put her on my back and run a 5K.  I can hardly remember what it felt like to have that weight on my body.  I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose another 62 pounds.  AMAZING!!!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.  Blessings to you ALL!!!



Kicking it into Gear

So I was gifted with a Groupon for a two month membership to Ladie's Workout Express.  This gym is just about 15 minutes from my house.  I was a member of this gym approximately 11 years ago and had great success.  I am hoping that this extra workout addition to my Tues./Thurs. program with Leslie will REALLY help my see those numbers rocket down.  Also the KettleWorx system was gifted to me.  I'm going to start this program today or tomorrow.  It is a six week program with an exclusive kettle bell workout.  I use kettle bells with Leslie.  Actually the ones I use with Leslie are heavier than the one that came with the program, but I'm still excited to see what kind of results I can receive/achieve.  Spring is in the air, Summer's right around the corner and I MIGHT wear a sleeveless top for the first time in my life.  Notice I said MIGHT :-). 

So I have several goals I'm headed for in the next days/weeks.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Here's to a more confident, leaner, healthier me.

30 Day Goals:
1. Continue Tues./Thurs. class with Leslie
2.  Incorporate a regular "running" day
3.  Start KettleWorx 6-week system
4.  FINALLY get through this ten pounds
5.  Call the doc for my yearly appt.
6.  Visit the chiropractor

90 Day Goals:
1.  Run in the Race for Adoption-5K on May 12th, 2012 in Greer, SC (40 minutes or less)
2.  Be below 200 pounds (preferably by 5/20)
3.  Fit into the jeans that are in my drawer.
4.  Complete the Made to Crave DVD Bible Study
5.  Activate my 2-month Groupon membership to Ladies Workout Express
6.  Visit the dentist
7.  Get a massage and facial
8.  Have both boys potty trained (at least day time)

Keep me accountable would ya????  Have a great weekend.