The best of 2013

As 2013 comes to an end, I find myself scrolling through my Facebook page, and pictures seeing all that I have been blessed to be apart of this past year.  So here is my top 15 of 2013:

1: I made a huge life decision and switched church families.  It was hard to leave my familiar roots, and my comfort zone, but my Abundant Life Church family welcomed me with open arms, and truly set me up for such and amazing year from my first day there!

2:  My little man turned the big #4 this year.  He had an awesome construction theme party with family and friends.

 

3: I joined a gym and started to make a solid effort to work on my health, not only for myself but my family as well.

 

4: I re-connected with a dear friend from High School, Heather Holcomb, who shared her passion and heart with me, and helped me continue my health journey but with a whole new attitude about my WHY! ( Week one on program)

 

5: I got connected with an amazing Lifegroup through church, and have been able to heal, and move forward with my life, not hanging on to the past anymore.

 

6:  I started running!  To my amazement I LOVE TO RUN!!!!

 

7:  I competed in my first 5k run with my wonderful cousin Corrie - We ran in the Electric Run at PIR it was awesome!!!

 

8:  I ran in the 5k Foam Fest with Heather, Lauren, and Corrie! It was pure awesomeness!!

 

 

 

9:  My sweet daughter turned 6 years old and became a first grader at Corbett.  She has the same teacher I did when I was in first grade!!

 

10:  My mom and I did our annual Race for the Cure this year.  18 years down....looking forward to another 18 years.  This year also was the first year I did the 5k run, and then met up with my mom and kiddos and walked with them.  It was awesome.

 

11:  Miss Kaylee accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and was baptized. It was truly an amazing experience to help her along this journey.  She is such an inspiration, this girl is going to do amazing things as she continues to grow!

 

12:  I completed the Not A Fan series through my church, and it took my relationship with Christ to a whole new level.  I also became a member of Abundant Life Church, truly a blessing to be apart of such an awesome, inspiring and wonderful family.

13: I officially stepped out of my bubble, and became confident in myself as a daughter of Christ, a mother, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and so much more.

 

14:  Celebrated another amazing Thanksgiving with my wonderful family, and really treasured the time spent with my Grandma.  Her memory is not what it used to be, but playing a game of cards made me look back on what an amazing person she is and be truly blessed to be so close to her.

 

15: Loosing almost 100lbs (I am .6 away from 100lbs gone)  What an amazing year of overcoming so much and truly finding myself in the wonderful, and amazing process.

 

Blessings to all of my family and friends.  You all have inspired and encouraged me through this year.  All I can say is bring on 2014, talk about a year full of awesomeness about to happen! 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR from my family to yours!!!

What's your WHY?

It had been almost 10 years since my health coach Heather and I had talked to, or even seen each other.  When she made that first phone call to me I could tell she was truly passionate about what she was doing, but more importantly she was there to build a friendship.  As our conversation went on and we slipped easily into the good old days of high school and band trips, not once did I think she did not have a heart of gold for me.

When she started to share her health journey with me, she asked me my "WHY".   Molly why do you want to regain a healthy lifestyle?  

As I think back to our conversation I am trying to remember all the details about my answer to her and the one that sticks out the most is my kids.  At this point my daughter was 5 1/2 and my son had just turned 4.  I could not carry them for long distances without getting short of breath.   I could not chase them outside and run around with them.  I disliked going on long walks because it was too hard to keep up.  I hated to go swimming, and really just did not like doing anything active with my kids without grumbling inside.  I had a few other why's that I identified but my kids were definitely at the top of the list. 

When I joined my gym in February 2013, I was not asked my WHY.  I was given a outline of where I needed to be and some tools to start with.  Yes that was helpful, but identifying the WHY in my life is what made me turn around and re-think how I was going about my journey towards health.  My WHY gave me a reason, a purpose, and a focus to keep moving forward and to adapt a healthy lifestyle that would overflow into my children as well.

Identifying the WHY is a very important step in anyone's journey towards health.  It sets one up for success, gives one purpose, and something to look forward to.  I am now able to chase after my kids.  I can carry them, sometimes both at the same time, through the zoo.  Going on a walk is now peaceful and enjoyable, regardless of the weather.  And swimming,  I have nothing to hide from anymore and enjoy any chance I get to swim with my kiddos.  I don't grumble inside when I think about playing with my kids, but more I am trying to figure out ways to be active and challenge myself with them.

What is your WHY?  Do you ignore stairs, because you know you are going to get short of breath?  Do you drive around the parking lot to find the spot nearest the front of the store because it is too much to walk that far?  Are you on the verge of having diabetes?  Are you at risk of cholesterol issues or heart problems because of your weight?  These are all WHY's I identified at one point or another in my life, but now no longer have worry about as I have kicked them to the curb!

Starting January 1, 2014, how would you like to join me in a 12 week transformation.  I will come along side of you and help you identify your WHY, and then help you get started on a program that can change your life forever.  Not only will I get you started on the program but I will join you in the transformation as well.  Let's identify the WHY now, and work together to create a happy, healthy lifestyle for your future.

Merry Christmas

I have to say my week did not start out great.   I was not really in the Christmas spirit, but was making an effort for my kids.  Although I might have seemed jolly, and happy I was not feeling it on the inside.  Last night as I was wrapping the last of my gifts for my kids and watching Miracle on 34th Street, I realized I was the one choosing to be in "Grinch" mood.  Nobody was putting there it was my choice.  I was not focusing on any of the positive's that had happened only the one negative.   Right then and there I decided I needed to take a few minutes for me and just pray.  I had neglected that the past couple days in all the craziness.  So I literally got down on my knees and just gave it all to God.  I mean the true meaning of CHRISTmas is Jesus Christ coming to earth for me.  Once I was done praying I had the sense of "its all ok" feeling and everything else did not matter. 

I have been that way ever since.  It truly is a blessing to be a daughter of Jesus Christ.  He will always provide for me, regardless if I can not physically see how He is working in my life, He always is. 

We can choose to be in a "Grinch" mood, we can choose to be happy, go-lucky, and jolly on the outside but feel completely empty on the inside. I was empty for so long in the inside, and not only did I suffer from it, but my family did too.  I have been reflecting on that this Christmas season, and realizing how truly blessed I am to have a family that regardless of my "deadness" they still loved me and supported me. 

So here is to a year full of blessings, me reaching a weight of 184lbs, giving me 4 pounds to get rid of and I will have reached 100lbs gone.  And huge satisfaction in knowing I only have 39lbs to shed and I have reached my goal weight!!!!

2014 cannot come soon enough.  It is going to be an EPIC year of transformations!!!

Who's going to join the awesomeness that is about to take place across America!!!

Once again Merry Christmas, and many blessings to all my family, extended family, friends, and facebook friends.  May you all feel the blessings this holiday season!

Why wait till January 1.......START NOW!

Are you thinking about your New Year's resolution yet?  In the past mine typically started in late November early December and would change weekly, sometimes daily.  Last year my New Year's resolution for 2013 was to find a new church family.  

I had a friend who had invited me to her church for months, and I kept saying no.  I was holding on to familiar roots and did not want to let go.  I did not want to branch out and try something new.  Story of my life, stick with the old......the new is not for you.  But when 2013 started I decided I needed a change.  I went to Abundant Life Church for the first time on Jan 6, 2013.  Now if you were there on that day sitting towards the back left and you saw someone wearing a white blouse with jeans and brown shoes who had the "deer in the headlights" look, than you saw ME!!!!  I felt like I was the only person in the room.  Like the senior Pastor was only speaking to me.  "Thrive" was the series Abundant Life started 2013 off with and WOW was it amazing.  

This one resolution that I followed through with was a huge turning point in my life.  I began to grow spiritually, I began to embrace life, I began to be a better role model for my children, but most importantly I realized I needed to make a change for myself regarding my health and eating habits.  I joined a gym in Febuary and while I embraced it, I still was not 100% committed.  

Jump to June 10, 2013 when I started my transformation.  This was not the easiest process, but I was committed.  I started to really open up to my health coach, and share things about my personal life that I really did not share with anyone.  I slowly started to peek out of the box I had been in for so long and see the beautiful light all around me.  

It has taken time for me to embrace and fully love this new healthy lifestyle I have gained.  Now that I have, why hide it any longer.  In 2012 I would hide from anyone, and everyone.  I would hide with a bowl of chips and just eat.  In 2013 I started to see the light all around me, I tossed the bowl of chips out the door and committed to a transformation not just for me but for my family as well.  And for 2014 I want to help you, your family, your friends and your neighbors see the light, step out of the box, and toss the chips away and create a transformation just as I did.  

Give me 90 days.......We will go on a transformation together, and in the end only greatness can come out of what we have accomplished.,  WHO'S IN?

So many numbers

Really.....you are going to talk about numbers?  Yeppers I am talking about numbers, but you will see the importance of these numbers as I count them down to you...Here goes nothing:

280 - That was me at my highest weight (not my favorite number, however it is a number I will never forget because it shows me where I will never be again and how far I have come)

189 - My current weight :):):):)

145 - 150 - THIS IS WHERE I WILL END UP - WEIGHT LOSS GOAL 2014!!!

91 - That is how much weight I have lost from my heaviest!  Holy buckets - in 9lbs I will be in the onederful land of 100lbs gone!

48 - That was my BMI when I started this journey towards health.

44 - How many pounds I am going to shed to get to my ultimate goal 145lbs!

32 - That is my BMI now - and this number will go down, just wait and see!

27.5 - How many inches I have lost since June 10, 2013

24 - That was the largest pants size I could barely squeeze into at my heaviest (not a number I ever want to see again when it comes to buying clothes)

12 - My current pants size but not for long

4 - How many months it took me to join a gym after being diagnosed with sleep apnea

3 - How many 5k races I did this year (Next year I will double this number and there will be a half marathon in there too!!)

2 - This accounts for the two precious children I have and the reason I will continue to live a healthy life and share it with others.  

Saving the best for last...............................

1 - It took one amazing friend, Heather Holcomb, to share her story, her passion, her love, her faith, and her heart with me.  She reached out to me, and has been walking along side of me and my journey ever since.

It only takes one person (THANK YOU TO MY HEALTH COACH - HEATHER) to come along side you and support you in a journey.  With my one, I have gained so many new friends and now have a whole team behind me, and I behind them as we all work together to create optimal health not only for ourselves but for others as well.

If you need just one person, then I want you to close your eyes, and picture me jumping up and down saying "pick me, pick me, pick me, pick me."  Because as you picture this, that is exactly what I am doing.  Let me be the one person who brings a whole community behind you, just like my one person did for me.

Don't Hide Behind the Camera

For years I never liked having my picture taken.  Even when I had my senior pictures done I was not excited about it.  I remember making sure I had enough makeup on and that my clothes were just baggy enough in hopes I would not look too "fat" when the final product was printed. 

The biggest thing I regret though is never having those pregnancy photos taken.  I was ashamed of how I looked.  With my first pregnancy I gained around 60lbs and there was no way I wanted anyone taking my picture.   My second I did not gain nearly as much but I had not lost hardly any from my first pregnancy.  I see all my friends and family having babies now and taking these amazing photos and I have none of those memories.  I honestly can say there is about 4 photos of me when I was pregnant with both my kids, and they were taken without my permission. 

When I started my health journey I was coached to take the pictures.  I did not take the pictures when I started in February of this year at the gym, however I did start taking weekly photos starting in June on my new program and I am honestly glad I have.  Now I am the person that would love to photo bomb your picture you are in because I am not ashamed, and I do not feel like I have to hide behind the camera anymore.  I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but to have the memories of what I have accomplished means more now than it ever did before. 

If you hide behind the camera, try stepping out of your comfort zone and take your picture.  Do you feel what you see is as good as it gets, or do you feel that picture could be better?  Could you have a brighter smile?  More self-confidence?  If you are like me you want more.  You want the brighter smile, and the self-confidence to go with it. 

Don't hide behind the camera anymore!!!  Today is the day you can be in front of the camera, I would love to take that step with you and share with you how I got from behind the camera, to wanting my picture taken.

Me with my kiddos at the Oregon Zoo!!!

This is me one week on program!

Fan or Follower

Last week, we started a new series at church called Not a Fan.  Basically we are being asked if we are a Fan or a Follower of Jesus.  Do you allow Jesus to be involved in some aspects of your life or all aspects.  As I am really enjoying the start of this series, and cannot wait to see how the coming weeks play out, it has made me think about many different areas of my life.

As I say the words "am I a Fan or Follower" in my head over and over it makes me really think about my health journey this past year.  I used classify myself as a "FAN" of changing my health.  I wanted to change my eating habits, I wanted to exercise and get healthy, I wanted to be active and happy.  I never followed through with all the "I wants", I just kept telling myself "I want......".  In October 2012 I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea.  I had to be put on a C-PAP machine.  Only problem is I could not stand to have the machine on.  When I did wear it most of my symptoms of extreme fatigue went away.  When I did not wear it, massive amounts of caffeine were needed to keep me semi-awake throughout the day.  But still it was not until February 2013 when I actually made a small step to take control of my health.  I joined a gym, and I even signed on with a personal trainer to get some tools and guidance on how to really take control of my health.  This all worked.......at first.   

Then the "Fan" part of me started to kick in after just a month or so of going to the gym.  I would go to the gym and eat healthy for the most part but I LOVED to snack.  And even though my snacking was healthier than the chips and sweets I used to do I was still eating too much.  I had to make another change.  But how.  I was a food addict.  I was addicted to food in any sorts and I would eat mass quantities of them.  Why you ask........It was the only way I knew how to comfort myself.  Over the years I always turned to food to cover up my emotions.  Whether I was angry, sad, depressed, happy, frustrated, stressed, lonely etc. food was "saving" me. 

I needed to follow through and make a permanent change to gain control of my health and my eating habits.  Thanks to my amazing friend and health coach I was able to learn how to eat healthy and eat smaller portions.  I learned that I did not need to turn to food to cover my emotions.  I did not need to hide behind food to get rid of the stress, but rather go for a walk or run.  I am blessed in many ways now that I look back and ask the "WHY?".  Why did I wait so long to take control?  Why did I choose food over just talking about my problems? Why? Why? Why?.

I honestly cannot answer the WHY question.  But what I can say I choose healthy eating now.  I want to show others that healthy eating is not hard to do.  I want to spread my knowledge that I have gained and show anyone who wants to learn, how a phone call with one person can help change you, and help you gain control of your health.  If I had not talked with my health coach I would not be down 86lbs (from my heaviest weight) and 30lbs just from the program I have been on these past few months.  I have gone from a size 24 to a 14.  I can run a 5k.  I love to do 5k obstacle courses, plus I want to run a half marathon, and who knows maybe a marathon too!

Life is good, my health could not be better, and I am loving life one happy, healthy day at a time. 
Although this series Not a Fan is for church, we all can ask ourselves these question's regarding any aspect of our lives......Are you a Fan? or Are you a Follower?  What are you a Fan of?  What do you want to be a Follower of?

I first and foremost am a Follower of Jesus Christ, but now I can so I am a Follower of creating healthy eating habits, and that is a Beautiful Exchange!!!!!

It's all about TEAMWORK!

When you are the first baseman on your softball team, can you pitch the ball, field the ball when it is hit and make the out at first base by yourself?  I am pretty sure the answer you came up with is no.  And you would be correct.  There is no way one person can be an entire softball team.  Same goes for creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself.  If you do not have the support of your team (family,friends, co-workers) you will more than likely have a hard time accomplishing your goal.

In life if you choose go at everything alone you will find out that it is much harder to accomplish your goals than if your team is with you.  Now I do not necessarily mean you need to form an 8 person team for anything you are going to take on in your life.  But what I am suggesting is you surround yourself with family, and friends to be your support.  Speaking from personal experience I tried to take on struggles in my life without support and I failed big time.

Lets go back 4 1/2 years ago.  I welcomed the sweetest little boy into my life.  My son Aiden was born on January 27, 2009.  He added so much joy to my family when he arrived.  The only problem is my family saw the joy he brought but I was struggling with that joy.  I was having a hard time being a mom of two, and really at this point a already single mom because my ex-husband was not much help.  I was diagnosed with severe post-partum depression.  I tried to tackle this alone.  I did not want anyone to know that I could not handle everyday life for myself and my two kids.  I felt like a failure.  I only allowed my mom and dad to know.  I asked they not tell anyone else.  I spent time in the hospital, and went to therapy and looking back on what I went through if I allowed my friends and family to comfort me and support me during this time I might not have take me so long to finally regain my strength and confidence.

It is not easy to admit that I suffered from post-partum depression.  When I started talking about my struggles and not just within the family, but with my friends, and co-workers, and church family I became stronger and stronger each time.  It is amazing how the power just talking makes you stronger.

Do you feel like you are lacking a support system?  Is your team not behind you in your journey?  I hope you are feeling loved and supported in whatever journey you are on.  But please if you are not reach out for some support.  I am one who now realizes that my team is what I needed most during those dark days of my depression.  I want to be on your team!!!  And I want you to be on mine!!!

Lets build a team together one healthy happy day at a time!!!!

Past, present and future.........

I can be the first to admit that I never thought I would start up a blog.  But this past year has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are out there if you take a leap of faith.  So here is a giant leap of faith (with a little encouragement from a true friend) for me.  I am opening my heart up in hopes to inspire others, to show others that we are all beautiful, we are worth it and that nobody is alone in whatever struggles are being presented in your life right now.  I am hoping to create a beautiful exchange within others by sharing my past struggles, the beautiful journey I am on now and taking a trip down my future and where I plan to be.  This is going to be a AMAZING journey and I cannot wait to get started.

I was never the skinniest person in my class.  Considering most of my kindergarten classmates graduated high school with me we all knew each other pretty well.  Most kids I went to school with were either extremely athletic, or very academically smart, or even both.  I could put myself in the category of being a little athletic and somewhat smart.  I never was above and beyond in those categories and I was ok with that.  But after high school I began to isolate myself.  I turned to food when I felt like I did not fit in anymore.  It comforted me I was alone, it made me feel good during two rough pregnancies.  It got me through my years of severe depression and became my anchor when I left my now ex-husband.  Although I felt like everything around me was crumbling and leaving food was always there to fill the voids that kept occurring.  I never had to work on myself if I just hid behind the cheeseburger or chips that were put in front of me.  But when you get diagnosed with sleep apnea all because you packed on a few (20+) extra pounds your perspective of life starts to change.  I thought if I just joined a gym I would get healthy.  At least I was making the effort and that is all the counted right?  I did that for months and yes I lost a little bit of weight, gained some strength but I figured well I am exercising I don’t have to change my eating habits entirely.  I got stuck.  I needed something else.  I saw a picture of a former classmate from high school.  She looked amazing.  I ended up sending her a friend request on Facebook.  She took a leap of faith and called me.  She shared her story with me and well it took me a while but I finally took my leap of faith and decided to take control of my life, and my health and start my journey towards optimal health.

Bring me to the present day.  My journey is ongoing, however I have learned that food does not have to comfort me.  I have two beautiful children who need a mom that can run and chase them – I can do that now!  A mom who can read a book to them at bedtime and not fall asleep – I can do this too!  A mom who can drive them to school and the Zoo and not be worried she is going to fall asleep at the wheel because her sleep apnea is out of control – Guess what I don’t have sleep apnea anymore, can I get a WOOT WOOT!!!!  I have learned that I do not need to eat 3 giant meals a day, but that I can eat smaller meals that still fill me up and keep me energized for all the adventures my children bring to me.  I now realize that I have been given the tools to succeed and to grow not only in my personal health but my faith as well.  I am creating a beautiful exchange from depression and death inside to healthy satisfying life.  I do not rely on food for my stressful times, but I rely on my family and friends and most importantly Jesus Christ to get me through, they are my anchor now and forever.

I now look at my future and how I would love to predict where I am going to be in 3 months, 6 months, year or two years but I cannot predict that.  What I can say is in 3 months I am going to better than I am today.  In 6 months I will be better than where I was 3 months prior.  And in year I am going to be in a place that I cannot even describe in words.  Two years, well that is party that I cannot wait to get started.  I want you to join me in that party, whether it be a full on dance party, a healthy happy hour at your house, or a trip to the beach.  Whatever party you want to have to celebrate your optimal health I want to join you.  But to do that you first have to join me.  Will you take a leap of faith, a giant step towards health and join me in a beautiful exchange.

This is why I finally decided to choose life instead of death.  The two most precious children one could be blessed with.  I am proud to call myself their mom, and am finally happy that I will get to be around when they graduate high school, go to college and get married.  Here is to life, one healthy step at a time!!!