ENCOURAGED IN HEART

My weekly weigh-in revealed a one pound, nine ounce GAIN – AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I can do just one thing…PERSEVERE!

One thing is for sure, once you get this former party girl relaxed and partying, look out Lucy!  Though my party days look dramatically different (thank you God!) these days, I went away for the long weekend and got the party started with mucho carb-os!  I’m wobbling still, but back in action.

I have a lot of choices (pity party, binge, sit on the couch and veg in front of the TV, exercise, pray, eat a balanced meal)…I choose to persevere!

Speaking of perseverance, I have an UTTER INSPIRATION for you this week!

**PLEASE pass this blog onto any and all of your girlfriends for inspiration and motivation to persevere!**

The nugget this week is, God loves us all the same but directs us differently!

I’m warning you now. Sit down before you read another word of this blog.  What you are about to see is no ordinary woman.  No, she’s extraordinary!

(Cue trumpet blast please….)

She’s my oldest and dearest friend, Kerry!  I get misty as I type these words because the love I feel for Kerry runs very deep through my veins.  You see, God brought Kerry and I together when we were just five years old. 

(Walk with me thru memory lane for a few moments if you don’t mind…)

(Above is me, Kerry, and my sister, Mary as Brownies!)

(Here’s Kerry and me on our First Holy Communion!)

(Above, Kerry and me at the Bronx Zoo in NY!)

(Above is Kerry and me in New York City during Christmas time!)

(Above, me and Kerry on the California beach!)

(Above, me and Kerry in High School playing for opposite teams! — I’m pretty sure my team won!)

(Above, me and Kerry as high school sophomores on our Confirmation Day!)

(Above, Kerry’s wedding day!  Kerry, me, Kerry’s cousin, and Kate — who completes the Three Musketeers!)

Kerry, despite having enough dirt on me to cover me, despite her getting the Freezy Freaky gloves instead of me at Christmas (see the NYC at Christmas time for proof!), despite her getting her period first, shaving her legs first and wearing a bra first (well, she had a reason to wear one, unlike yours truly who was a, ahem…late bloomer!), is the most loving, sensitive and non-judgmental woman I know.  Kerry knows perseverance…as I just told you we’ve been friends since we were five years old! She knows patience too!

As you can see, we’ve been through A LOT together.  We’ve shared endless memories, laughs and tears together. We’ve had years of separation, and God ALWAYS brings us back together! After years apart, we learned our childbearing journeys, sadly and eerily mirrored one anthers.

We both have amazingly loving husbands which we both adore each others and our kids mesh like we did as kids (which is just plain scary!)!

Today, Kerry and I are both on a health for life journey.  Which brings me back to the nugget God laid on my heart:

God loves us all the same but directs us differently.

God directed both Kerry and I to pursue healthier living.  But He, like parents do as they know their kids well, directed us to take different routes. Kerry was led  to gastric bypass
surgery.

You know my story, as weekly, I have blabbed on and on. I want to share Kerry’s story.  Here’s Kerry’s story in Kerry’s words…(and I didn’t even have to noogie her or slap her with a wet wash cloth like the good ole’ days!)

I had my (gastic bypass) surgery on 4/2/07.

(Above, Kerry the night before surgery – 4/1/07)

My highest weight before surgery was 290. I lost 10 before surgery just by giving up soda/carbonated beverages. (And I was a DIET soda drinker.)

In a year I’ve lost 135 lbs. I’d still like to lose 10
more pounds, but I’m not obsessing about it, YET! The doctor said I should still be able to lose that last 10.

My weight as of this morning was 155. I completed my first 5K in October of 2007. I didn’t run that one, but I
will be running the one this October. The turning point for me was when I reached that 290 and my dress size was a 28.

I’ve gone down to a size 10 in most things. Some pants I’m a 12. Shopping is SOOO much fun now! I’m not limited to the stores I can shop in. I’ve actually bought a bikini for laying out in the yard…not really for public consumption. (Yes, she gave me permission to post this photo!)

My blood pressure has gone from 118/80
to 100/70. My BMI has gone from 48.3 to 25.8. I’ve lost 90% of my excess body weight.

Can you stand it!?!  Is she not an inspiration!?!?! She’s incredible for a host of reasons, not just because she had the courage to persevere through 135 pounds!

Okay, as you can see through the years, Kerry’s always been beautiful – but today, she’s one hot tamale!

Gastric bypass surgery was in no way a quick fix.  It was a big one.  There was a big transition time for Kerry.  She’s had to modify her diet completely. She’s in the gym weekly.  And her determination and perseverance has not faded!  She’s an inspiration to me!  As a gal who’s having a particularly “fat week”, she inspires me to keep pressing on!

You know what it takes? It says it right there in Hebrews chapter eleven…

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!…Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  Hebrews 12:1-3 (Message)

No matter how long it takes, make the choice to run your best race. The preparation does take discipline over a long period of time.  Just the realization that life is not a sprint but rather a long distance run is a huge step.  Keep the vision of the long-haul on your scope as short-fixes just don’t work!

I leave you today with the question, what perspective on perseverance do you have? A sprinters mentality (quick fix diet) or a long distance runner (permanent lifestyle changes)?

Ask God to reveal any roadblocks that are hindering you, to press through the difficult times to get to other side of enjoying your life more richly!

Collectively, Kerry and I have lost 200 pounds together.  Same hearts, different paths and the end results have been enjoying our lives more!

It is my heart to persuade you to make a choice for true life today!  Kerry is an inspiration to me.  I pray that her life effects you to make a decision today, to persevere, no matter where you are in your journey.  Kerry will tell you her journey has not been easy but it (life!) has been more than worth it!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (New International Version)

And also, please remember Kerry’s mother, Janice, in your prayers.  She’s was hospitalized this week, but back home now.  Ilove her a whole bunch and would appreciate the prayers for her health!

My weekly weigh-in revealed a ten ounce loss! Three pounds to go! I’m on a roll by passing up on the rolls…funny how that works!  I’m feeling a renewed sense of commitment and dedication to “my plan”. My plateau was indicative of my blah-blah irritation I had for not being at my goal. Have I mentioned lately I’ve been at this for almost six years now!?!

I also am not excited about my final goal weight incentive – a $100 shopping spree.  I like clothes and stuff, but it just doesn’t seem adequate nor exciting enough for six years of work and 70 pounds gone.  Also, since vacation, God revealed I’m most inspired to be more active by the great outdoors. So basically I’m telling you that, “I need to get out more!”

I used to love my old mountain bike…until the gears were unable to adjust off of the easiest speed and my legs would spin wildly around.  Then, the breaks decided to all but quit. The amount of Herculean force required to stop my bike was clearly not human-attained. When I mightily squeezed the brakes I’d slow down sl-o-w-ly, then pull a Fred Flintstone with my feet to terminate the motion! Last month,the bike shop technician opined the repairs would far exceed the cost of a new bike.

So, I asked Dave if I could change my end goal incentive prize to a road bike (honey, they are NOT cheap!) because I’d like to consider doing some bike races if and only IF I use my cheaper, mountain bike version to get to my final goal.  Also, when the winter comes (sprinkled a Christmas present idea out there!) I can get blocks to put my bike up and spin indoors too.  So it’s like another piece of indoor exercise equipment.  See, I build a strong case…no?

Dave said I could splurge and give myself the jumper cables to jump start my plan…in the form of two wheels. So, I hit the bike sale at Target and bought a hot new ride, the Women’s Schwinn Ranger Mountain Bike – 26″, sale price was $144 (I “saved” $25.99)  This is the bike:

But her colors look more like this:

She remains nameless, poor baby, until we’ve built the proper relationship!

Any ideas for me?

My car is “Herc”.  My scale is “Lucy” and my husbands’ nickname is…never mind – I like my husband and my marriage! 

Since her addition to the family this Monday, I’ve been able to log a bunch of miles in my ‘hood and some quiet-refocus time….ahhhh. SO good, for my mind, body and spirit!  And the time it would take me to get to the gym and get started, I’m already done with my workout – GREAT time management!

My weekly walking partner, Jody, is on vacation.  I have committed to getting up early just one morning a week, when Jody and I walk. Since she’s gone, I decided this morning my new wheels and I have an early morning date!

So there I was (do I sound like a war vet now?), zooming on a trail and realized, “Wow, where’d that street come from? And that car that is quickly approaching my body?” I jolted my breaks on, with the same Herculean force I trained myself to use with my old bike and WOWZERS – I barely stayed on my bike!  I literally almost fell over the bike! I was so disheveled!  The woman behind the wheel of the forest green Honda sure appeared entertained!  Yup, that’s what I do…spread joy, love and laughter…

Can anyone say I’ve got a crazy straw life?  Yes sir-ee Bob, I sure do!

The nugget God nurtured me with came from my writer’s group last Thursday.  We critiqued our pieces then our leader (and now my friend!), Jen, asked us to pick a question from the book, List Yourself: Listmaking as the Way to Self-Discovery by Ilene Sealove and Paul Bob Velick, and write about it! It was funny how we all were list making fools! This Type A lover of lists, picked this question:

List the attitudes and habits you’ve had to give up to get through life.

And so my hand and mind got busy.  I’ve had to give up:

1.  Laziness.
2.  Victim mentality – (like I had no power or control).
3.  Excuses.
4.  Self-centeredness.
5.  Complaining.
6.  TV hours.
7.  Saying, “yes” as my first response (the people pleaser is dying!).
8.  Answering the phone every time it rings.  I now utilize the answering machine (Few things are emergencies.  I can’t talk on the phone and pay attention to what I eat AND private time just won’t happen if I keep picking up the phone!).
9.  Saying, “I’m too busy!” (It falls under the excuse category anyway!)  At times, I’ll concede to say, “Life’s a tad brisk right now!” but that’s as far as it’s going to go!
10.  Arrogance.  Now I need to consider being humble as more important than being correct.
11.  Stubbornness. Now, saying, “I’m sorry, you’re right.” It almost feels good immediately! (See #10).
12.  Doing life alone. (I need to ask for help!) My writers group is doing just that – helping me!
13.  Life on my own tree branch. Life’s more interesting looking from another’s tree branch.
14.  The idea that I’m not bugging God by “asking” – rather I’m honoring Him.
15.  A full box of Milk Duds (I dump ½ in the trash before I dig in!).
16.  Lounging on Saturday mornings. (I’m at spin class!).
17.  Unforgiveness.  I need to forgive, mostly, without even being asked.
18.  Anger.  Learn to voice my feelings in the, “I feel….” form vs. my opinion which usually, comes up pretty strong!
19.  Criticism (of myself and others).

For the record, I believe God led me to this question to help “spur me on” and have me focus on how far He’s carried me.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Getting the bike was another form of encouragement, to help spur me one, to keep me on the course.

I’m currently reading A Martha Spirit by Joanna Weaver.  She wrote, “You see, I’ve come to realize that Satan is not nearly as disappointed at losing me from his kingdom as he is determined to keep me from being effective in God’s kingdom…Satan wants to keep us so consumed with our inadequacies that we never get around to appropriating the love and transforming power God has made available to us through His Son.” (p.26)

So I arrive at another choice. Focus on the three pounds left or celebrate the 67 gone?  I need to sometimes make my list, not just for shopping, home improvements, call backs, or how I’m drafting to take over the world, but rather, make a list to encourage myself!  Particularly when I’m tempted to discourage myself as to what I’m “not” (or not done…on the scale, the list – whatever!).  It’s not everyone else’s job around me to keep me propped up.   Sometimes, I need to just spur myself on and get on with it already!

Accepting the hard times (plateaus) with the good times (a goal hit) are all part of the mission!

You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.  2 Timothy 4:3-5 (The Message)

What’s on your “list?”  What are some habits that you’ve had to give up to get through life? Draft a list and tuck it somewhere handy to use as a pick-me-up on those down days!