Sweet Saturday

Today was awesome. I got all those little odds and ends done around the house I wanted to get done. Big one was getting out all my summer clothes and putting away the winter ones. So what's so great about that aweful job? Half of them went into the yardsale pile cause they were falling off me!!! Ones that didn't fit were fitting again, and some I hadn't been able to wear for at least 3 years:) We went out for soup and salad at Olive Garden tonight and stopped by Dick's. I think it could be my favorite new store if they only realized the fat people work out too. Sucking in my gut to wear a men's extra large just isn't my idea of fun. So I settled for a shade hat for hiking, a strap for my sunglasses for the pool, and a dri fit t shirt that should dry in 5 minutes or less. Exercise today included about 20 times up and down the stairs, kettlebells, and that was about it. Tomorrow after church and lunch we are going back to Blowing Rock to do the 5 mile Boone Fork Trail again. Thank you to those of you who are reading my blog. I guess it's sometimes as much fun as watching paint dry, but it helps to keep having to write about my days on this journey. Keeps me honest. See you tomorrow:)

Today Is The Day!!!

OK, I know I've already posted today, but I just wanted to note that today is awesome!!!! I have been making payments to FR now since December (we aren't made of money) and today I made my FINAL payment. Woo Hoo! All the weight of the world is off my shoulders. Now I just have to get the boys through testing and pull off a few goat parties and festivals and I'll really be Ridge bound:)

Royal Friday

Got up this morning like most of the country to watch the royal wedding. I cried, of course, and thought of the time not so long ago that Steve and I got married. It occured to me shortly after we were married and got our professional pictures back that I never had a full length picture taken of just me. No portrait whatsoever! While I'm at the Ridge we will celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary:( But, when I get back I hope to be able to zip my wedding dress for the first time since I got married. It is so close to zipping! I plan on getting that portrait made. Who cares that I have more wrinkles and shorter hair. It's a little dream of mine. When I did discover that I had not had a protrait made it was kind of too late. Steve and I were both in college, back from our honeymoon, and broke. We actually had to return some of our wedding gifts just so we could buy enough food to eat that first week home. There would be no portrait for me, but I really didn't care. I had met and married my prince. Life was truely happy! Last night I went to Zumba at a Latino club. I cannot describe the energy on that dance floor! I jumped around and kept up with most of the songs. I felt so much stronger than I did two weeks ago. Forgot to wear my heart monitor so I have no clue how many calories I burned. Today I was looking at my lower arms and flexed my muscles and I actually saw muscles pop out. WHAT!!! What is that!!! Wow, those planks are working me - Woo Hoo!

Fat Thursday!

You know those days where you just wake up feeling fat...well, fatter than usual? Today is my Fat Thursday. I have been on the computer most of the morning looking at the Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Alumni page on Facebook and I'm so excited to meet people online before I get out to what is known as FR. They all have blogs too. After browsing through some of them it is a bit funny. All of the pics look alike. Lots of red rocks with hiking people in them. Lots of pics of the food boards and the meals that are served. And lunch time soups of every hue in the rainbow, dang I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! It's like when I do Zumba. I have this unbelievable urge to eat Mexican food!!!! Not good! The music is pumping and I can see myself diving into a yummy enchilada or burrito or pile of nachos. Somebody slap me!

So I'm here on the computer and reading the posts people have made. People just like me from all over the US and they start...tears! Emotional release pours out that has been backed up since last Tuesday's Biggest Loser episode. Every week it's the same. Emotional weathering that makes me so euphoric to see people overcome obesity. Now it's my turn. I don't know if I mentioned it yesterday, but I lost 8 lbs. last week!! That's almost as much as if I was at the Ranch:) I am so proud of that. There were also tears of sadness when I read some blogs of triumph followed by failure. Saying a prayer under my breath, "Please God don't let that be me." I guess that's what scares me the most. I've battled weight my whole life. The difference in FR is I hope that I can finally learn to be an athlete. I have never been one to push myself in that area, but have always wanted to. Here's my chance to prove myself! Wish me luck.

Less Than A Month To Go!

Well it's less than a month til I shove off to the Biggest Loser's Fitness Ridge in Ivins, Utah. No, I'm not going to be on TV and no Jillian Michels won't be training me, but I'm pumped. I guess since I signed up in December I have experienced every emotion there is. But right now, in the midst of training for this intense month I will spend out there, I am really pumped. I have found people online who have gone before me and lived to tell the tale. They have been wonderful to give me juicy little tidbits that will help me get through my month long stay.

I will be given 1,200 calories a day and workout for 9 hours every day but Sunday. Thank goodness for a day of rest! Hmmmm...wonder how it will be coming home and waiting for my food. Don't see it happen. Isaac is concerned that while I'm gone he will only get corndogs and PB&J sandwiches.

It is amazing to me that Fitness Ridge will hold 70 people each week and May 22nd was the first date they had available back in December when I signed up! Also the price has gone up $800 per month since December. That's rough. I better make this one count cause I don't think this girl's goin back!!

I will miss my family terribly. I have never been apart from them for more than a week. That said, I will also miss Steve's birthday, our anniversary, and my birthday. There is a redeeming event planned for my return though. My wonderful husband is going to invite all my friends and have a birthday reveal party for me.

I hope you enjoy the blogs I post on here. I hope this blog in some small way inspires you. Maybe weight isn't what you battle with. Maybe it's substance abuse, emotional issues, or pornography. Whatever it is, it's killing you. Maybe today will be the day you say, "You know what? I can make a change. I can do this." It takes guts, willpower, and kissing fear goodbye. But I know you have it in you. Dig deep and find that person. And if you want to check out the website of where I'm going to be tortured for the next month go to http://www.biggestloserresort.com/