Making progress

....Just wanted to add an update to my last post.  I just went to the gym and got measured.  I have lost 15 pounds of fat and gained 13 pounds of lean muscle.  I am FINALLY actually able to see the results that everyone else keeps saying THEY'VE been seeing in me.  I am SO excited and very, very grateful!

Things I am learning...

A couple of years ago, I published a post about my attempts to lose weight (In a post entitled "Invisible, no more...).  A lot has happened since then, not the least of which were surgeries and complications.  Needless to say, the weight-loss hasn't happened as I hoped it would.  That's not to say I wasn't trying....I was just trying without much success.  At the end of this summer, after really trying to shed some pounds, I went to my doctor for a regular check-up.  Instead of losing weight, I was up 20 pounds!!!  I was devastated!

Of course the first person I turned to was Kevin.  We discussed our options - my doctor's recommended weight-loss clinic with its meal-replacement (and related expenses), gastric bypass surgery (researching THAT scared us both!), and finally, working with a personal trainer.  After much discussion and prayer, we chose the latter-option.

Kevin has been going to the gym at a local place called the XSI Factory.

He has become acquainted with many of the people who train there, and a few that work there, as well. One of the personal trainers who works there, is Jerry Shannon. Jerry is a physical trainer, and certified nutritionist.

Jerry doesn't just teach nutrition and exercise, he lives it as well. He is kind, dedicated, and patient. Best of all, he was willing to help me. Kevin embarked on this journey with me. My goal is to lose fat and gain muscle to achieve a healthy weight. Kevin's goal is to lose fat and build on the muscle he already has. Jerry developed a meal plan and an exercise plan for each of us; tailored to our individual needs. It was incredible! We each eat six small meals a day, and work with Jerry three times a week. It's been great to have Kevin and Jerry's support. It helps that Kev and I are both eating the same things. 

Meal-plan and exercise schedule in hand...off we went. We really didn't have to change too much of what we were already eating, we just added more fresh-foods and whole grains. For me, the exercise was the biggest obstacle. I have NEVER been a fan of exercising for the sake of working-out. 

So, here we are, eight weeks later...I have lost 16 pounds of fat and gained 6 pounds of muscle. More than that, I FEEL amazing! I feel more alert and have so much more energy. I am sore a lot, but it's a good kind of sore. It's the soreness of muscles that are learning how they're SUPPOSED to work, not the soreness of joints that are aching because they're carrying too much weight. I can honestly say that I LOVE how I feel. 

Along the way, I've learned some things about myself. I've learned that I can eat foods I didn't think I liked. haha I have learned to LOVE oatmeal - who-da-thunk that???? I enjoy yams (didn't know that about myself, either...hummmm). I actually enjoy exercising. I look forward to my time at the gym. I enjoy the soreness I feel after a work-out because it tells me that my body is changing in a good way. I'm learning how my body is supposed to work. I'm learning that I am tougher than I thought. I am learning to see my own strength and to use it to get healthy. I am learning to live, eat, exercise, and progress in a healthy life-style that will benefit me for the rest of my life. Once again, Heavenly Father is teaching me that I CAN do hard-things.

As I progress on this program, I will post updates. Maybe, if I get brave enough, I'll share some pictures. Most of all, I appreciate the love and support I've received so far. I certainly couldn't do this without Kevin and Jerry's help. It would be a lot harder without the encouragement from all my family and friends. Stick around...the best is yet to come! 

PS:  Any of my local friends and neighbors who are looking for a healthier lifestyle, or just a great place to exercise, check out the XSI Factory.  Their address is:  4425 North Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT. They even have a facebook page! www.facebook.com/xsifactory

Two Horses...

Two Horses
Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two

horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks

like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by,

you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that

he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him

put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and

listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound,

you will see that it comes from the smaller

horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is,

so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends,

you'll see that the horse with the bell is always

checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse

will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to

where the other horse is, trusting that he

will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the

barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back,
Making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind

to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw

us away just because we are not perfect or because we

have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives
To help us when we are in need..

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by

the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to

find their way....

Good friends are like that... You may not always

see them, but you know they are always there..

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours,

and remember...

Be kinder than necessary-
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT

Sky painting!

This morning God painted me a sunrise.....

...and I was grateful...

"With wings as eagles...

 I got up this morning, exhausted and completely UN-motivated.  Still, I had things to do, and an appointment at the gym with my personal trainer.  The thought of slogging through a work-out, the way I was feeling, was almost overwhelming.  So in my morning prayers, I asked Heavenly Father to help me do well and make it through my work-out.

I have seldom done my exercises with more enthusiasm or energy.  It was AMAZING!  My trainer was so proud of my endurance and stamina.  He even moved me up to a new level for my work-outs.  I was thrilled!

Coming home, I was listening to a General Conference talk on my ipod, and heard this scripture quoted:  Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

I am grateful for a loving Father-in-Heaven who hears and answers ALL my prayers.  Even those for something that as seemingly unimportant as a morning work-out!