for what it's worth

I don't know weather it was out of boredom or avoidance of chores but, I went back and read my first post of this blog. I can't believe how much things have changed since I started this thing. I feel a million miles away from the girl in that post. Abundant Life-a journey It's amazing how much a person can change when you put your mind to it. I feel stronger now, both mentally and physically. This road has not been easy and parts have been very dark with pain and set backs. I am surrounded by love from family and friends but most of all, from a Heavenly Father who has unconditional love for his children. Life is full of ups and downs, detours and short cuts, that's for sure! Each of these has a special place in God's plan for every one of us. Some do not make sense at all, some are self-inflicted and yet, they all seem to come together and make us a better person for it. Every blessing, every hardship brings opportunities for growth. It's how we choose to deal...

Well, as I said before, I was doing so good on my weight loss plan before I broke my foot. After that, I just seemed to loose all momentum. I've always said age is a state of mind, but lately, I have been reminded that I am not 23 anymore... I went, this past Friday, to see a friend who works at The Weight Loss Zone. She is an amazing woman whom I've only know a short while but instantly liked her. (Is that the right usage of "whom"??) We met through a mutual friend a few months ago and have stayed in contact. If you want to hear an incredible weight loss story, check out her blog. She has lost over 100 pounds and kept it off by using the techniques of The Weight Loss Zone.   From Fat to Phat So, back to Friday--I had made an appointment the day before and was surprisingly nervous when it rolled around. Why? I don't really know honestly. I guess I've realized that this weight loss thing is a huge commitment and not an easy one either. When I arrived at the...

Ahh, home again, home again... We just returned from our spring break trip to Telluride, Colorado. While the scenery was beautiful and the food amazing, it wasn't the best trip we've had. I was unable to ski due to the stupid fracture in my left foot so while the boys and Shannon hit the slopes I hit the town.  Do you remember the scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts (in her hooker get-up) goes shopping on Rodeo Drive and gets shunned in the store? Well, that pretty much sums up my experience in Telluride--oh, minus the hooker get-up! I was wearing jeans and a sweater but evidently still didn't look the part enough to be shopping there...Geez, I hate when people judge you based on the first 10 seconds they see you. One lady looked up at me when I entered her store and actually frowned then proceeded to ignore me while I looked around, then she was all over the woman who walked in after me! I mean really, you would have thought I was some homeless person by the way she...

UHG. I've been on this road too long. I'm trying to lose the prednisone weight that I packed on through this journey with Ulcerative Colitis and every time I feel like I'm making progress, I have a set back. FRUSTRATION is the new "F" word in my vocabulary. 2 weeks ago, I stress fractured my foot which has made exercise much harder. Prior to this, I was in a great routine! Following my diet of 1200 calories a day, eating healthy foods and working out almost daily. If I felt the need for something on the NO-NO list of foods I would find an acceptable substitute or have a very small serving just to satisfy the craving. Then I would make a point to exercise to balance out the "treat." It was working! I was feeling great and even loosing some pounds and an inch or two. Until...I stepped off the treadmill one day after working out. The next thing I know, I have a Darth Vader boot on my left foot. I was crushed! My whole fitness mindset crumbled as soon as...