12/2/11- watch those numbers drop

all i have to say is........60 LBS. GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


all of me,
Char

10/26/11- the final countdown

i celebrated my b-day earlier this month...happy b-day to me! i am now 39 years old....WOW!!!! in case you haven't noticed, i've made a slight change to title of the blog, from fat to 40-the final year. the countdown has officially begun. i am excited about the next 350 days! i have no idea what is going to happen, but i'm not worried at all. i put my confidence in God and trust Him to know what's best for me.

the journey does not end at 40. it will continue, but in a different direction. i am 56 lbs lighter than i was 2 years ago...amazing! i plan to be even lighter this time next year on my 40th b-day. i guess we will change the name of the blog? how bout from 40 to 50-the next chapter? :)

all of me,
Char

9/19/11- FINALLY!!!!

a short but ohhhhh so sweet entry for today. after 2 years, i have reached my first BIG milestone of 50 LBS. LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can you see me dancing? GO CHAR, GO CHAR!!!! and how will i celebrate you ask? with a wonderful reward (not food) that i will share with you soon.

love you all and thanks for sticking with me. the journey continues.....

all of me,
Char

run, char run!!!!

hello family! it's been a minute, actually my last post was 7/1. i mentioned in my last post that i was preparing for the ch'ville women's 4 miler. well, its almost here!!! my training has taken a back seat, but i be will participating in the race. its not that i havent been training at all, just a lot less then i wanted to..all my fault. when i am training, i have been running more and i kinda like it. i will NOT be running the entire 4 miles, but i will run as much as i can or til i pass out. lol. i have 2 goals: to finish and to finish with a better time than i did last year. i'm confident i will do both.

last year, i walked the race in honor of my momma in law, shirley. she is a breast cancer survivor who lives life to the fullest. she got married 2 years ago after being a widow for over 20 years. she's a wonderful person with incredible strength. this year, i am running/walking the race in memory of my dear friend, lisa. lisa and i worked together at a convenience store in the town where i grew up. she was warm, funny and adventurous. i had the honor of singing at her wedding. last week, i heard the song i sang on the radio and i burst into tears. i hadnt thought about her in awhile and now i cant get her off my mind. so, this year, i am running for lisa :)

all of me,

Char

7/1/11- party of one

today is july 1st...WOW! thought i would post a little something since i was a total slacker and didn't post anything in june.

the journey from fat to 40 is a trip. the past month has been nothing short of interesting. i took a pit stop and had a MAJOR pity party. y'all, i typically don't throw or attend pity parties, but this time i was the host AND only attendee! i whined and moaned...moaned and whined for bout 2 weeks. wasn't eating right and surely wasn't going to the gym. i was in funk and it was stinky! i'm coming out of it now, realizing that i am so much better than that. sometimes you have to encourage yourself! i am MORE than a conqueror cause God says that i am! quitting is not an option. i'm a slacker some of the time, and a quitter none of the time! i gained a few pounds, which makes me mad, BUT not gonna dwell on it. whats my motto, folks? MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!! you cant move forward if you are standing still. besides, i am training for the c'ville women's 4 miler and i have set a goal that i WILL reach!! more about the 4 miler in my next post.

all of me,

Char

5/11/11- never compare your beginning to someone else's middle

what a powerful title, huh? I read a blog today and it talked about comparing yourself (your journey) to someone else's. you NEVER know where a person is in their journey and to compare is unfair to YOU! i often compare my weight loss to others without knowing the story behind their success. you can apply this to anything....career, family, ministry, etc. ALSO, you dont know the sacrifice of the person you are comparing yourself too! you may want the glory, but are you willing to carry the cross? as i heard joyce meyer say "we want all the perks, for none of the works."

let's be realisitic when reaching our goals. remember, that everyone travels a different road, and my road may look different from yours. enjoy the journey :)

all of me,
Char

3/24/11- on my way

just wanted to give you a quick update. you all remember my last post telling you about the 10lb. weight gain since september? well, i weighed today and i am down 5lbs.!! i gotta get this weight gone! my goal is 20lbs. by august.

thanks for the support and the encouragement :)

all of me,
Char

2/17/11- not in denial

i dont think its a coincidence that on the one year anniversary of my first blog entry, is also the day to have my weight and measurements done. i think its divine appointment or in my case, disappointment. its not good news, folks, but i feel compelled to share it with you. since my last weigh-in in november, i have gained 7 lbs. ; a total of 10 lbs. since september. i am angry, disappointed, frustrated and just mad at myself. there is no denial here, i know what the problem is. the decline started in september and i've been gaining since then. we all know that what is going on internally ,typically manifests externally. my emotions and my weight are best friends. sometimes i just throw up my hands and say "forget it!" but i know thats not right. sometimes i feel so motivated and pumped! this is truly an emotional journey, a roller coaster. am i giving up? NEVER!!!!!!! last week, i devised a plan because i knew i had gained weight even before i stepped on the scale today. i feel like a backslider coming back to Jesus. lol. i am re-committing to exercise 5 days a week, to eat more good and less bad AND to remind myself that i am worth it. i cant allow outside influences make decisions for me. i have to press when no one else is pressing. i have to eat the salad when everyone else is eating the cheeseburger and fries. no one can do this for me, but me! i wasnt going to blog about this, but so many of you have encouraged and supported me that i felt like i had to be honest. i apologize if i've disappointed you. saying (typing) this is a great outlet....a catharsis. i will keep you updated....good or bad :)

all of me, (ALOT more of me now)
char

happy anniversary!!!!

this month marks the one year anniversary of starting my blog. wow, cant believe its been a year already?!! when i started this blog, i was looking for an accountability tool; little did i know that i would inspire others...that was not the goal. i am glad that others have joined me in the journey. its not about weight loss for everyone. i talked to a friend recently who said this blog has inspired her to quit smoking, another to be more active. i wish i could throw a party and invite all of you, so let's have a virtual celebration instead!!! let's celebrate the accomplishments we have made...steps to being better. like i always say, this journey is about moving forward. you gotta keep moving forward, even when it feels like you are walking in place. i will turn 39 this year and 40 will be here before you know it. my dad reminded me that I was getting older,and he was getting better. well, dad, i am getting older AND better! does the journey end at 40? not at all!!!! 40 will begin the next leg of this journey and i am looking forward to it.

in the words of my facebook buddy, tionna, lets keep it moving, ladies (and gents)!

all of me,

Char

1/6/11- i don't do resolutions

happy new year and all that jazz! it's jan 6th....you still sticking to your new years resolutions? i stopped making resolutions about 5 years ago. turned out i was all talk and no action. i know there is something symbolic about a new year....fresh start, clean slate, starting over. don't get me wrong, i appreciate that i'm still here to see another year begin, it's a blessing. but why do we have to wait until january before we get ourselves together? why not start in august or october? i know why? we want to eat like pigs all year long and then think when the clock strikes midnight, we magically turn into a health conscious being. uhh...no, that's not not how it works. we all know that the most popular resolution is losing weight. if you want to lose weight, you need more than wishful thinking, you must have a plan. set a goal and make a plan of how to reach it. don't try to do it alone. find a buddy or join an online community for support. make 2011 the year that you make a resolution and stick it out!

all of me,
char