Biggest Loser... Bigger Realizations...

So last night was a sob fest for me on Biggest Loser. It is rare that I take time to look back. To see where I started, where I was, how I could change things, but last night struck me right where it hurt...

When I saw the overweight people of Texas walking the 5K, I was in awe of them. I was so proud to see people who so desperately wanted to change their lives that they would get out and do something so big, so far beyond their norm. I used to be one of them. My weight was no joke, but like some of them, one day I decided that I was not going to follow in the path of others before me... destined to be fat, blame it on genetics...

...and then the crusher, I mean the really ugly, uncomfortable cry where you can't catch your breath, and for a moment, you don't want to...

Did you see CJ finish the 5K? She was the last one in taking over 2 hours to complete the 3 mile walk. She said that she normally uses a motorized cart to shop at Walmart... but what got me was her daughter holding her moms hand, being a shoulder to lean on as she walked with her mom, and coached her all the way to the finish line. I wanted to be her daughter. I wish I could rewind my life by 10 years, and coach my mom across the finish line. I wish this change could have happened to me sooner, so I could have helped the one I loved the most before it was too late... but I can't.

And this is where my mission begins. TO NEVER WATCH IT HAPPEN AGAIN. To never sit by and allow someones obesity to kill them. It's crushing to me to think I may have been able to stop it for her. I'm not sure words can truly explain how deep this went into my soul...

...and as if God were preparing my heart for this mission, this afternoon, someone I care about almost as much as my mom came to me to tell me that her weight has caused her to have Type 2 Diabetes, and she needs help now. She has 90 days to lose 30 pounds to try and reverse this. So we will.

I will hold her hand, or be her support. We will work this weight off, change her diet, and cross the finish line, victoriously, so I can turn around and go back for one more.

This is your chance for change. Do you want it? You may only be 20 or 40 pounds overweight today, but as each day passes, and the pounds creep up, your life changes. You have to take control NOW... stay tuned, tomorrow I will have opportunities for everyone...

River Run, Final Reminder

The River Run is coming next weekend (Saturday, May 8th)! I am so excited to complete my first 10K run, and look forward to walking the 2-mile walk with some old and new friends/workout buddies.

The 10K run starts at 8:00, and the 2-mile walk is at 9:40.

Are you going to join us? I hope so. (I would like to get entries squared away this week if possible.)


If you want more information, leave a note in the comment section, and I will contact you... check back in the comments to see if I've responded.


Let's see how many workout buddies we can get together that morning, it will be a blast!

Turbo Certification

I have been so excited to share the Turbo Certification with you, but as I mentioned earlier in the week, my camera ran out of batteries the minute I walked in the door that day. Thankfully my friend Kimmi was at the training with me, and was willing to share her camera. Thanks Kimmi!

Let me start by introducing my friend, mentor, workout buddy, and trainer Sherri Hill. When I needed a fitness buddy back in January, and Sherri offered, I never knew what I was getting myself into, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She is amazing and encourages me to push myself to "Do More" each day!

The day consisted of some lecture, some fun, and a lot of sweat. To give you an idea, I took 3 outfit changes, and I took 3 showers that day.

This is one part of the Turbo combination that requires jumping jacks!

This is a jab/cross combo. We spent a lot of time mastering the technique of each move.

The famous "Mandy pose"- me with my hands on my hips again...

Here's a roundhouse kick... (I'm front right)

This is me and Sherri with another workout buddy Kimmi. It was so fun to have her and her daughter (the photographer) along for the certification also.

This is the group of 13 girls that attended the certification that day. Most of them are from the Oklahoma area. We ended the day with a written test, and a round of Turbo that Sherri watched and graded us on. I will know in the next 4-6 weeks if I passed, but fingers crossed I will be teaching turbo real soon! Hope to see you in class : )

Diet Coke Chicken

I absolutely love this recipe, and have my friend Lindsay to thank for introducing me to it a couple of years ago. It's super simple, and although it takes some time on the stove, it's a very low maintenance recipe that your whole family will love.

Note: even if you don't like the taste of Diet Coke, that is not the flavor that comes through in the end. It ends up tasting kind of like a BBQ sauce. Give it a shot!

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can Diet Coke
1 cup ketchup
2 c uncooked brown rice

Directions:
1. Chop the chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes
2. Throw the chicken into hot pan just for a minute, you don't have to cook it.
3. Add the Diet Coke and ketchup
4. Boil the ingredients for 5 minutes
5. After 5 minutes, turn the stove down to a point in which the mix will bubble, but not boil.
6. Simmer for 45 minutes or until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove from heat and allow to sit for a few minutes to finish thickening before serving.

Prepare the rice as directed, and pour your chicken mixture over the rice to enjoy!

A couple of things: 1. The mix will look really foamy and odd when you start cooking it. Don't worry, it does that. 2. If the sauce isn't thickening after 45 minutes, just keep simmering for a few more, it won't hurt anything, and sometimes it just takes a little longer.

This recipe is also delicious if you add some stir-fry veggies in at the end and mix them up!

Nutritional Information: makes 4 servings, per serving: 320 calories, 4 g fat, 66 mg cholesterol, 871 mg sodium, 2 g sugar, 14 g fiber, 27 g protein

Drumroll...

... and the winner is


Michelle Fuksa! Michelle is winning her choice of either a box of P90X protein bars, Activit Multivitamins, or a set of Beachbody sculpting bands! Congratulations Michelle! I will contact you to get you your prize. Thanks to everyone who participated. I will do another contest soon.

Who Are You?

So curiosity has killed the cat!... I want to know who is reading this blog :) I get over 100 hits per day, and could only pinpoint a few of you, so in the spirit of having a little bit of fun, I want you to tell me who you are, and I will reward one of my readers with a prize! Yep, my first contest. Here's how it works...

1. In the comment section, tell me who you are, and give me a way to reach you, e-mail, something.

2. If you are a follower, or become a follower today. ADD ANOTHER COMMENT, telling me that. This will give you a second entry.

3. Link my contest on your Facebook, Twitter, or Blog, and ADD ANOTHER COMMENT telling me where you did this for a third entry.

***If you don't know how to comment, there is a section at the bottom. If you don't have an account, sign as anonymous, but be sure you tell me in the comment section who you are, and how I can reach you in the future!

The winner will win a Beachbody product that I am excited to share!

I will be stopping the contest at 10pm tonight (Wed), so I hope you tell me who you are... Good Luck!

How Quick Are You Going to Get Up?

Recently I posted about this song, and told you how much I loved it. The words motivate me, inspire me, and get right to the core of where I am a lot. You see, sometimes this change seems so easy, but when it's hard, it's really hard, and that's when I ask myself, "How Quick Are You Going to Get Up?"

For example, I gain weight nearly every weekend. If I let the fact that I weigh in on Monday morning 4 pounds heavier than Friday mornings bother me. I would be right where I was 612 days ago, feeling overweight and defeated. Instead, I realize that ups and downs are a part of the journey, and by getting back on track quickly, the weight will come off in time.

I'm running again. The same type of running that took me out of the game last year. My knees ache and pop all of the time, but it's tolerable. What I'm saying is, sometimes pushing yourself to the next level isn't comfortable for your body, but I press on realizing that the running is getting easier, and I am getting stronger with each step. (Now don't get me wrong, never go against your doctors wishes if you're truly injured.)

Sure, you can mope for a week, a month, a year if you like about the fact that the pounds aren't dropping, or that your body aches, or that you're just not feeling it, OR

YOU CAN GET UP. CHOOSE THAT NO MATTER WHAT YESTERDAY BROUGHT... YESTERDAY IS OVER. EAT BETTER. MOVE MORE. MOVE ON.

You are strong. You are a fighter, and in the face of life and injuries, and frustration, you just have to chose that when you get knocked down, you won't let the 10 second count start. INSTEAD, you will face that struggle head on, and know that if you do that, you are unstoppable and unbeatable... if you just get back up. "Everybody gets knocked down. How quick are you going to get up?"

***BTW, Turbo training went great, and I will post about it very soon! (I am waiting for some pics b/c my camera pooped out on me that weekend) :( Should have something very soon. Thanks for your well wishes and comments!