Operation Bridesmaid Dress & Biggest Loser Results!

I know, I know... I should have updated a LONG time ago, but as usual, I'm way behind... So without further delay...

First up... Operation: Bridesmaid Dress... The wedding was last weekend.  I'm so glad I got to be there with my beautiful friend and of course, I was super excited to be there in my fun, red, size 12 bridesmaid dress (just as a reminder, my last bridesmaid dress was a size 20)!  I wish I had more pictures, but my phone/camera died!  So sad... Here's one I got with my phone before it died and one that the photographer took.  Aren't all those colors fun!?  It was such a great day!

The Monday after the wedding, I went to the gym and found out the results of the Biggest Loser Contest.  I don't have any picture evidence, but... I WON!  I lost 16 pounds during the competition, so I got $32 ($2/lb) and I got a card for 16 free smoothies from the gym's smoothie bar.  I'm not really a smoothie person, but hey... they're yummy and free, so I intend to enjoy them!  I'm just happy to be the winner!

I've had lots of ideas floating around in my head lately for a blog post, but it's time to watch a movie with my man and enjoy the rest of this Saturday evening. :)  More to come soon!

I need something more...

If you've been checking back, waiting for an update on how The Biggest Loser is going at my gym... I'm sorry that this will not be the post you're hoping to find!  I should have written after my first weigh in.  When I weighed in after the first week, I was down ELEVEN (yes 11!) pounds.  WHAT!?  I was so stinkin' excited.  Just LAST Sunday (a mere 10 days ago) I weighed in at my lowest weight ever, and posted all over facebook about how I was finally out of the "obese" BMI.  But then, just as quickly as my fire was lit a few weeks ago, it went out again.  I slacked off.  I started snacking again, and quite frankly, not caring while in the midst of it.  What in the world?  

Last week when I weighed in at the gym, I was up 3 pounds.  I know that's still 8 pounds in 2 weeks, which is great, but I also know that my heart has not been where it needs to be.  You see, this challenge in not merely about losing weight for me.  It's also about eating, exercising, and living with a heart that is focused on Christ.  When I'm sneaking snacks from every human eye, I know Christ sees me, and what breaks my heart now is that in those moments I just don't care.  *Gulp* Yes, I just admitted that on the internet.  My heart is a dirty mess people.  I saw some friends last night who hadn't seen me in a long time, and I am so very thankful for their encouragement... it helped me get up this morning and get to the gym.  It's helping me go back this evening for another round!  However, it was also very convicting because these people were complimenting me, and that felt good... but I knew I was not reaching my real goal of living with a pure heart in everything I do.  Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ." 

So, what will I do now?  MY natural instinct is to give myself a pep talk. "You got this, Bonnie. Get back to that gym and run 5 more miles.  Put down that jar of peanut butter.  You're worth more than this! You got this!"  Truth is, friends... I don't got this.  Not on my own.  I need Jesus more than ever, and for that, I ask you to pray for me!  Pray that I will stay focused on Him and not a number.  Yes, the number should still be going down... I am trying to lose weight, but the number is not everything.  Pray that I will learn to maintain focus!

I can't help but think of Paul, when he wrote in Romans about knowing what he should do and yet lacking the power to do it.  I feel like a little Paulette right now, so I'll leave you with his words (in the style of The Message)...

Romans 7: 17-25

17 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! 18 I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. 19 I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 20 My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. 21 It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in God's commands, 23 but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.24 I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? 25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Biggest Loser Contest Begins!

Alrighty folks... I'm all signed up and have started the Biggest Loser competition at the gym!  My starting weight was 189 (higher than normal, but I usually weigh in first thing in the morning and this was right after lunch).  Yesterday was the first day of the competition.  I am using myfitnesspal to track my calorie intake, and yesterday was the first day in as long as I can remember (literally) that I didn't go over my 1200 calorie limit!  It was a little tough, but no major temptations yet... I'm sure they'll come later.  I got to the gym last night at about 7:15, jogged 3.3 miles (40 minutes), did 10 rounds of: 10 burpees and 10 sit-ups (about 17 minutes), and finished with 20 minutes on the elliptical.  While I was working out last night, I saw some ladies who may be my competition.  I don't know yet who's in the competition, so I just see everyone there as a competitor!  If I see someone working out hard, I try to up my intensity - competition is good for me!  It's only day 2 and I'm already tired, but I'll find my groove.  I did it before, I can do it again!  This time, unlike before, I had Chuy take some "before" pictures for me.  I'll be sure to take some at the end of these 2 months to see if we can really see a difference.  So exciting!

Who's Gonna be the Biggest Loser!?

When I joined my gym, I noticed on the website that they had recently held a "Biggest Loser" competition.  The winner won $300!!  I have been waiting... hoping... and asking for them to do another one, and finally it's HERE!  It begins Sunday, April 21 and ends Sunday, June 23. I don't even know yet what the prize will be or how it will be judged.  I know that I have to weigh in and they have to measure my body fat.  I don't know if it will be number of pounds lost or percentage.  There are a lot of "I don't knows," but what I do know is that I will do everything in my power to win.  I will not do anything that is not good for my body, but I will be pushing myself harder than I have been.  Chuy is willing to eat (and prepare!) simpler meals for the next couple of months, and I'm ready to make some sacrifices myself.  I have my priorities - things that won't get cut from the calendar, but for the most part, if you want to find me, check the gym... or the trail... or my living room floor (I've been TRYING to work out at home lately).  If you offer me candy or a cookie, I might slap you... just a warning. ;-)  If you see me, PLEASE ask how I'm doing.  I welcome any advice, encouragement or work out buddies.  I figure no matter what, I'll win. I'll give my all to win the competition, but more than that, I'll have lost more pounds, be closer to my goal, and be stronger.  I always try to pick it up a notch in the summer anyway, so this will be a great boost.  

If anyone out there has been following my journey since the beginning, you may remember that I was in another competition from Jan - March of 2011.  I won that competition, but I feel like the competition will be tougher at my current gym.  I've seen some pretty intense athletes!  I'll have to raise the bar and see just how hard I can work.  I'll update here after my initial weigh in at the gym.  I'm so tempted to eat junk food from now until weigh in day!  But I know that wouldn't be good for me at all... can't blame a girl for trying though. ;)

Here's a little trip down memory lane of the last competition...

If memory serves me correctly, this was about 40 pounds ago... so losing 20+ pounds might not be feasible this time. Any thoughts on what my goal should be?

New Muscles and Operation: Bridesmaid Dress UPDATE!

This will be a quick post, but I would like to get into the habit of posting more regularly, even if it's just something small. :)

Today, as I was looking in the mirror, I noticed back/shoulder muscles that I hadn't really noticed before!  I also flexed my leg the other day during one of my gym classes and noticed muscles in my leg moving that I hadn't seen before either!  This is all extremely comforting, as the number on the scale hasn't moved much lately. I suppose I'm going through another "building" stage.  

The scale has moved a bit, and just to update you all... I am at 182 now.  I hoped to be further along by now, but such is life.  My birthday is coming up, so I'm feeling a little more of a motivation to push it.  I have about 12 weeks until my birthday, so my goal is to be 169 by then.  I know that might sound like an odd number, but I started out at 259, so 169 will make 90 pounds gone.  I've LOVE to be 159 by my birthday, but that would be almost 2 lbs a week consistently, and I haven't been able to to do that in a long time.  We'll see what happens, right!?

So... I picked up my SIZE 12 bridesmaid dress this week and it fits perfectly!!!  Just goes to show (again) that the number on the scale isn't everything.  I would post a picture, but I figure I should wait until the wedding.  Don't worry, I'll post pictures!  All of the bridesmaids are wearing a different color, and my dress is RED!  I love it... can't wait to wear it.  Currently it is hanging in the closet next to my size 20 bridesmaid dress.  I really should get rid of it, huh?  Hip Hip Horray!!

Death might attack her, but death cannot have her!

I have a confession to make. I am a fan of Christian hip-hop. I know you might be surprised, but it's true. Sad fact is though, I married a man who is not a fan (at all). So, when I'm at the gym, it's my time to listen to whatever I want! A few days ago I was running along when the song, "Take Me There," by Trip Lee came on. I had heard this song before, but it has been a while. Let me just put the lyrics to the second verse here for you...

Tell me have you ever seen her? 

She's sick with a disease and it's really tryin' to beat her 
It's taken all her strength 
She knows that it can't defeat her 
Cuz she gonna be with Jesus 
She's more than just a dreamer. 

Her peace and her joy man it really ain't gone 
It's all because she knows earth really ain't home
And even when she's by herself she really ain't alone 
Her Savior's there with her while she's singing this song

She knows sickness might get her 
And death might grab her 
But she ain't scared of death cuz she's trusting in the Master 
Was buried but He rose up a few days after 
So death might attack her but death cannot have her
 
So she tells her family, "don't worry anymore" 
When she's gone from the body she'll be present with the Lord 
Her body will be raised, so much glory is in store 
He is her reward so she sings:

I just wanna go where 
I'm only breathing your air 
Father hear my prayer 
Take me there
Take me there 
I just wanna see you 
Brighter than I'm used to you 
Finally see it clear 
Take me there 
Take me there 
Take me there

Thankfully, there weren't many people at the gym that night, so no one witnessed my tears.  How could I hear those words and not imagine my sweet Mom singing them.  They say so perfectly the life she lived, and the hope she had even as she died.  It is more than perfect timing for me to hear these words as we celebrate Easter.  Christ died so that He could defeat death.  Defeat it.  "Was buried but He rose up a few days after; Death might attack her, but death cannot have her."  Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, my Mom is alive and well and in His presence.  Somehow I feel like Easter has even more meaning for me now.  I am overwhelmed with thankfulness at Christ's death.  Mom's earthly birthday is coming up soon (April 8th).  I am sure that I will feel the pangs of sadness as I wish I could call her and sing Happy Birthday, but she now has the strength to sing with the angels.  How could I selfishly rather have her here so that I can sing to her?  

Thank You, Jesus, for dying in my place... in my Mom's place.  I praise You!

John 11:25-26 

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Working Out - Pre-K Style!

I know I posted this on Facebook this week, but just incase there's anyone out there who reads this and doesn't use facebook, you have to see my kiddos.  A friend challenged me to get in 20 minutes of cardio everyday for 2 weeks.  This is how I had to make it happen on Wednesday.  :)  Some days I LOVE my job!!