TheNewMe

I took yesterday off, so today I really did not want to do anything. I was overly tired and wanted to nap all day. I did nap some, but I did make myself get up and work out. While I was catching up on missed shows, I did my strength training which included 150 sit ups and 100 squats. Then this afternoon, I took my walk. It was a little over the 3.1 miles because I did our loop which is about 3.7 miles. You know that story you heard from your parents or grandparents when you were younger about how they walked to school up hill both ways in the snow? Well EVERY direction from our house is up hill. This is no joke. It is not snowing yet, but give it time. I am not sure what I will do when it starts snowing. I guess I will have to get me some good walking boots. The only thing I don't like is having to walk on the main roads. I know it has to be frustrating for drivers trying to get around even when walking on the side of the road. Oh well, pressing on...pressing on.

I haven't had any updates lately so I haven't felt the need to write, but I may change my mind and try to do this more often. I finally have something to say. I have been hovering between 175 and 180 pounds for a while now and I think it is time for a change or restart. This past weekend, a close friend sold me her ticket to an Insane Inflatable 5K. It was pretty cool and we had a great time. I felt this need all of a sudden to get more active. I am not saying I haven't been active at all, but I haven't been super motivated. Being out of work has been a not so good thing for me. I know it is through no fault of my own and the folks at my place of employment hate to go through this as well, but we can't control what the governor does or does not do. Without the budget being passed, many are out of work or having to go find loans to survive. I am not depressed, but I am highly unmotivated...to do ANYTHING. Well I decided that I would try something new to get myself go...

 Well, today is my 1 year surgiversary. My journey started in December of 2013. I weighed 330, my BMI was 58.5 and was in really bad shape physically. Before surgery, I lost 50 pounds and was on a variety of medications and machines. September 22, 2014 I went in for surgery. My pre-surgery weight was 280 and I measured my body. As of today: I weigh 180, my BMI is 31.9, and I have lost a total of 79.25 inches off my body. Incredible. I would like to take full credit, but I cannot. God has been my main source of strength. My awesome host of family, friends, and co-workers have been my incredible source of hope, motivation, and support. I love them all. I don't know what the future holds regarding any further loss, but I am finally comfortable in my own skin. I am still working towards my goal of 145, however I am happy to be where I am. Thanks to all who have gotten me here and praise goes to my Father in Heaven for allowing me to finish a great work. Things to keep in mind: 1....

I want to begin by saying that I am a reviewing an advance copy that was provided by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of review. I received it through the Blogging For Books website. You can purchase the book   HERE . The author, Kevin Gerald is best known for his communication of practical, biblical principles that empower people to live successful Christian lives. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Champions Centre, one of the largest congregations in the Pacific Northwest. This book gives a fresh perspective on how to live believing that God's favor is always upon us. The point is made that grace and favor are intertwined and we are never without both. Despite hardships that come our way God's favor can give us a different perception in how it will affect our lives. While I do differ in opinion about how easy it is to relish in God's favor, I found the material to be uplifting and encouraging in the Christian faith walk. I would recommend this book for ...

Why does what I say matter? Because it matters to me. Only you can make what you want to say significant to yourself. What it means to others falls on them in how they have been shaped by their own experiences. Everyone's voice makes a difference, whether you agree with them or not. I am shaped by my experience and by my beliefs. Because I may not agree with how you view the world or God's word does not mean that I do not love you just as much. We all have opinions and the "right" to say or express our feelings. Sometimes it is not worth saying and sometimes it is. There will NEVER be a time when our beliefs will align with everyone or when politics will simply be real and unadulterated. Why do we have to then argue about every single issue? Is it going to change anything really? This life is short. God meant for us to love and for his love to reach others through us. We are not to compare ourselves to others because we were only meant to be ourselves and not those ot...

I think sometimes adults forget what it was like to be a kid. The imagination should be celebrated and encouraged instead of broken down. There is a difference between healthy imagination and delusional fantasy and we should be able to tell that difference in order to create a balance for our children. My daughter is heavily into baby dolls right now and she is always searching and shopping for more. I am not encouraging her to spend money mindlessly, rather entitling her to dream about the possibility of saving for what she wants. I was tempted to get upset with her because this particular baby she wanted was a lot to spend and she kept referring to her as "real." Several of us reminded her that it was "just a baby doll" and she needed to keep that in mind that if we would buy this for her that it was a birthday gift and it was not real. Since receiving it for her birthday, she has treated her like a real baby; she even buys real baby clothes and wanted a real bass...

I am new to the blogging for books world and so far it is treating me VERY well. I enjoyed this book very much. In the beginning it was a little hard to grasp who the characters were and what roles they played, however as I continued reading the story began to unfold. At first it seems like a ordinary romance story but when delving forward, I began to notice a mystery that the heroine has to get to the bottom of to understand her family. It is a tale of love in hardships and the threat of losing love during a time of war and secrets due to Jewish heritage. All of the characters were well played and the ending left me wanting more from the story. I am not truly happy that I have to wait until 2016 for the sequel, however I know that it will be well worth the wait. Hillary Manton Lodge has proven herself to be an inspired fiction writer and I look forward to reading more from her.  http://www.hillarymantonlodge.com/blog.html http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?auth...