It took me 5 months to get from there to here but the benefits will last a lifetime!  A question was asked on a facebook group that i'm a member of.  The question was: What change have you made that's made the biggest difference as far as your health and weight? My answer went as follows: The #1 change that made the biggest difference in my "healthier ME journey" was strengthening my mind! I know that it sounds strange but once I made up in my mind that I wanted to change (permanently) EVERYTHING fell into order. I stopped being held captive by my old mindsets, negative thoughts, lack of motivation... I took out the words "can't & impossible" and replaced them with action! This took some time but everyday I fuel myself with positivity through motivational quotes, prayer, those who believe in me, my progress pictures and etc... Honestly, there is NOTHING I feel that I cannot do. Once you get your mind right and tell yourself some "truths" that is when the greatest change comes. Everything has lined up according to what I think and believe about myself. I see myself running a half marathon, I see myself at my goal weight, I see myself powerful & strong, I see myself overcoming any obstacle that comes my way... therefore I work my butt off trying to get to that vision! Whew! I went out there and got my power back!!

~Go get yours!!!~

Ugggggh, just another quick update ~super busy~

Sooooooooo, just dropping by for a quick update now that I can finally walk again, lol.  That sickness/virus had me down for the count for almost 2 weeks!!! No kidding!  I was a mess!  I'm still only functioning at 85% at the present time.  But hey, i'll take it!  God has been so good to me!  So, the kids have their final soccer games for the season this weekend.  I have another 5k race to run, Saturday and hubby just finished another semester and started the next one toward his MBA. Ohhhh yeah and my son just started Spring conditioning for the upcoming football season this past Saturday.  Geez Louise, there's always something going on at the Ranch! I honestly feel like a taxi driver while ripping and running all over NC!  I don't even want to think about the future "European" Buisness Trips Hubby will soon have to take.  I just don't even wanna think about it!  I know that it will come whether I want to acknowledge it or not. 
~life goes on~

We've been approached with a variety of options/opportunities for my eldest daughter to move up to more challenging leagues in soccer.  She's soooooo good!  She blows our mind everytime she steps on that field.  She's not only quick but she's aggressive, smart with the ball, coordinated, athletic and an GREAT Offensive playing but an OUTSTANDING DEFENDER!!!  This is only her second season (she just started playing 5 months ago) but her skill level is outta this world.  She has no idea how good she is. Anywho, we're having her evaluated this Friday with a bunch of coaches standing by... this will help us to decide where she should go from here.  Baby girl is on deck.... she's a BEAST on the field as well so be on the lookout for more about her.

Today I had to bake a lemon pound cake for my daughter's preschool (Teacher's Appreciation) and it was ooooh so yummy.  I'm not gonna lie, a sista took a slither of cake just because I had to make sure it was ok for the teacher's. LOL... it was heavenly.  Once hubby finishes that MBA we will put his knowledge to the test and hopefully begin a small business in the near future.... stay tuned.

Well, that's all for now.  I'll do a recap of the weekend festivities once they occur.  Oh yeah, remember those wonderful shoes I made a post about?  The one's I got fitted for and spent $110 on???  Well, after running in them for 2 months I shelved them!  Why, you ask?  Well, they were too big and heavy on my feet.  No matter how much I tried to get used to them, it was evident that the marriage would not work out.  After looking around in my downstairs closet, I came across the original shoe box with the receipt inside.  Apparently Fleet Feet (the store the shoes were purchased) has a policy that states that you can bring the shoes back if you are unsatisfied with them at ANY TIME and for ANY REASON... no questions!  So, I boxed those babies up (scuffed up with a little wear and tear on the bottom), marched myself back to that store (with baby girl as my side kick) and exchanged the shoes.  I tried on a few but I ended up purchasing the same shoe, different color, and a whole size smaller!

 I ran in them, outdoors, while at the store and I almost cried!  They felt amazing!!  When I went to check out I learned that I had a $15 credit on my account that would soon expire if I didn't use it!  Sooooo, I grabbed a fresh pair of sweat free socks and a few packs of gummy chews (for my longer runs).  SCORE!!!!  I walked out with a smile on my face! I ran in them today during my 6.20 mile run (10k).  As I mentioned before, i'm still recovering.  However, I got in my run, burned 1290 cals (403 fat cals) in 1:29:49.  Hey, it's not the best time but it was hard earned and i'm keeping it!  ~Until next time....

I ran a 10k today during my training :)

1 hr 28min... 6.24 miles...865cals later I.AM.OFFICIALLY.OUT.OF.COMMISSION.... FOR.THE.NEXT.2.D

AYS!!!!! Omgosh!!! I was good up until I hit 3.10 miles and then I lost my knee... my hip fell off somewhere during one of those inclines... and my back fell into the lake as I was rounding the last curve! My booty has been numb since I took my first step! I was literally calling on Jesus and HE came through and carried me slightly past a 10k!!!! I straight chilled for the last 20 minutes and I could've easily gotten a better time. Wow, is all I can say. My bath tub is calling me and i'll answer that call for at least an hour. Just imagine what I could've done if I were pain free? Everything in me wanted to NOT do a workout today and wallow in my misery BUT my heart spoke to my mind and together they got my body moving! Here is a pic of my reward after my run :)

I am sooooo determined to find that skinny, athletically fit girl that's hiding inside of me!!!  One day at a time :)

U.N.S.T.O.P.P.A.B.L.E!!!

I'm back. I spent the entire weekend DEEP cleaning my moms house with over 30 years worth of junk in it! The first day we spent 5 hours cleaning... the second day? 12 hours!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even begin to estimate my calorie burn.... scrubbing, lifting/throwing out furniture, up and down the stairs, on my hands and knees scrubbing floors/walls, decluttering, organizing (piles and piles of clothing), cooking, PAINTING, ripping up carpet... the list is outrageous! Every part of my body is aching! In fact, on day 2 I woke up and ran a 5k (at 7am) and did it in record time! 37:20 (12:03 mile pace) annnnnd then I cleaned my moms house for 12 hours all in the same day! Only GOD can give you strength like that! I got home at 3am this morning and I am taking a much needed day of rest today. I hope you all went HARD this weekend as well. I'm starting my 10k training this week :).



We had a chance to spend some quality time with my parents, sister, family and friends.  The kids got in some swimming with their cousins after a long day of cleaning and they enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs, Spring Parties and etc...  They decided to dress comfy this year so we didn't dress them in layered ruffle dresses and uncomfortable suits... but we allowed them to wear whatever they felt most comfortable in.  Life is good.... Here are a few pics, be blessed!

The Color Run Atlanta 2012~ 5k Race

Soooooooooooo, the day i've been training so hard for FINALLY came... and went.  There was so much build up and anticipation... pure excitement and GREAT expectancy!  We loaded up the van with snacks, drinks, kiddos and hubby in tow... checked the kids out of school early and headed for ATL.  After checking into the hotel I rushed over to the registration/check in location, picked up my packet and met up with one of the ladies who I would be running with.  Although this was our first time meeting, it felt as if it was a reunion of good friends.  We met up later that night with the other young lady who would also be running with us.  Dinner was quite lovely, the conversation was insightful and all was well... That night, I rushed back to my hotel room and laid out all of my running gear & accessories.  I made sure that everything was in place.  Running bib, entrance bracelet, motivational bracelet (thanks Shay), bandana, white shirt, comfy socks, running tights, sports bra, head phones, cell phone, arm wallet carrier and etc... they were all lined up and ready.  After my nightly prayer I attempted to get some sleep... I had a restless night from all of the excitement but it would have to do :)

6am rolled around the next morning and up I went!  I got dressed, stretched, grabbed a muffin and water and mingled in the lobby with the other ladies before heading to the park.  We had a great time talking and laughing as we embarked on our mile long walk to the Piedmont Park.  We were mostly rambling out of nervousness but super excited about the sense of fulfillment/achievement we would feel after the completion of the race. 

We posed for several pics, ran sprints uphill and lined up in wave #4 (every 5 minutes a wave of 1000 runners would take off).  The start of the race lingered for over 1 1/2 hours.  We had sore feet and tired legs as a result... but that wouldn't steal our joy!  After the 10 second countdown we were off.... we were running... WE WERE DOING IT!!!  Side by side, hand in hand, we took our first steps and began our race.  We had to move into position, jump over tree limbs and run around/over side walk cracks & holes... There were times when we would run up on someones heels, bump elbows as we maneuvered around the course. 

I constantly found myself having to look over my shoulder, say "excuse me, coming through, oops, sorry and etc..."  There were over 10,000 runners and you could definitely tell.  As we hit each kilometer we had to stop and get sprayed with a different color before continuing our run.  It got a bit frustrating from having to stop and start so frequently but we moved forward with smiles on our faces.

As we crossed the finish line there was a sense of pride, relief, exhaustion, soreness, pain, happiness, accomplishment... you get the picture?  We were covered from head to toe with 5 different colors... Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, Purple... We looked funny but beautiful :).
I must thank hubby for taking my directions and capturing all of the wonderful shots of our special day. 

We finished the day with a nice brunch at a local restaurant... completed a 1 mile walk back to the hotel... said our good byes... took pics... checked out of our hotel and headed back to NC.  Washing off all of the color was a breeze... there are just a few stubborn spots but nothing major.  It was a good weekend!!! 



I will cherish every minute of the race.  I had a chance to meet to of the most amazing women/training partners anyone could ask for.  We have plans to meet up in the near future to do more races with each other.  Our goal is to run the 1/2 marathon in February 2013 in Myrtle Beach!!!  We have many races planned in the meantime... more 5k's, 10k's, 15k's... all leading to the 1/2 marathon.  We're on our way!!!!  The kids had a blast getting all dirty and celebrating along with me.  I plan to participate in the The Color Run (with my kiddos) in October when it comes to NC!  It will be a blast!!! Stay tuned!

~Thanks for sharing in my journey... the BEST is yet to come~