The Year of Tam

Forgot to post this picture of almost a ten year difference. First photo I had already lost over 100lbs (approx 575lbs) and second photo 9.5 years later (290ish). Although I seem to be stuck here in my middle to high school weight, I celebrate the maintenance of the weight loss and the joy of living a life wildly beyond anything I ever hoped or dreamed!! The truth of Ephesians 3:20 is alive and well in my life!!

I am sitting in London right now visiting my dear friend from college who is like a sister. Reflecting on how I even got here - from where I was (see pictures from 2008/2009), I remembered her words to me as I promised "to visit one day." "Tammy," she said, "do you have your passport?" Such a simple question really, but deep with meaning and quite profound. Dreaming of winning the lottery one day, hoping to be blessed with a great prize, is a wonderfully grand dream, but if you never have a lottery ticket in your hand, you will never have an actual chance to win the lottery, right? So this question grabbed me, shook me to my core, "Tammy, do you have your passport?" I could dream of traveling to London for a visit for the rest of my life, keeping the trip on that proverbial 'Bucket List,' but if I never took action, took a step toward making that trip closer to a real event, it would remain a dream and never become reality. So I made a conscious decision to move many of my dreams from my wishful "Bucket List" to my actionable "To Do" list. Please do the same. Start with ONE thing on that "bucket list" of yours and make a list of what you need to get it done. Apply for the passport, buy a ticket, register for class, make the call... whatever it is, DO IT! You will find a joy greater than what you imagined! Now, as I sit here reflecting on my trip so far, I am tearfully thankful, grateful for this life God has blessed me to live - and I commit to LIVING IT!

I received some encouragement after what has turned out to be a loooooong disappointing recovery. A little reminder of my battle cry to "never give up". My emotions got stuck after the event of my car accident and the injuries I sustained... a perpetual loop bathed in disappointment and frustration. (I will save you the details.) As I re-launch my harboring vessel into this new decade, I will fill my sails with fresh winds of inspiration, setting about to finish my course. It is not about how long the voyage takes, but what I do, don't do... and learn along the way. Thank you for reminding me this harbor was merely a refueling and resting place. Onward!

Hello good people! If you are in the Stark County area on Saturday morning, why not take a walk with me (and a few hundred others) for the 38th Annual North Canton YMCA July 4th Race (2 miles or 5 miles)!?! I'm walking, but feel free to run past me and wave.

This Christmas I am praying you are showered in God's love and grace. May you reach your mark, achieve your goals, enjoy your journey, and be successful in all your endeavors today and throughout the next year. You have been a blessing to me, thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Five years ago today, I took the first step out of my sick and broken condition toward healthy living. At nearly 700 pounds, each step required incredible effort, but by God's grace, I can gratefully say: I'm 450 pounds lighter and beginning to experience some things for the first time. It hasn't been easy... painful injuries and circumstances caused many setbacks (in fact they still are) but I refused to give up.

I did not reach my goal of 500 pounds in 5 years, and I'm okay with that. I'm working hard toward my goals and enjoying all the firsts as they come. So here I am, starting year 6 with joy in my heart, singing praises for the many blessings in my life, embracing the loving support of friends and family, and praying for us all to find a refreshing grace and a renewed strength to dig a little deeper, reach a little higher and finish the race set before us. Thank you for playing such a supportive role! I sincerely appreciate you!

The Year of Tam's cover photo

It has been FOREVER long since I updated. Each day I'm working hard at being healthier and stronger. I am 400 pounds lighter between these pictures. (445 total loss with 100 still to go.) Ever feel weary, like what you are doing is never ending? Yeah, I fight that. But then I remember this verse, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." -Gal 6:9. So here is to the LAST 100 pounds...

Enjoyed some time away visiting great friends. And although my routine was upside down and I ate reeeeally well, I lost a couple more pounds. Yay!

Hello friends! I know there are so many of you struggling with issues in your life, desiring for things to be better. Let me encourage you to keep going! Make a small change. Talk to someone. Reach out to a professional for some assistance. Just keep moving through the trial you are facing with hope in your heart. Or keep moving toward that obstacle in your way with determination, and make it move! You got this!! I know you can do it!

When I lost my first 100 pounds, you could barely tell. This last 100 pounds is a little note noticeable. Took 8 months. November 2012 to July 2013. Here's to the last 100!!

Thank you Debbie Kelley for this collage, pictures from January 2010 and July 2013. I guess I can see why folks are not always recognizing me.... it has to be the highlights. ;)

Hello friends! I've had some folks reach out to me and it inspires me to ask you: What is your favorite way to keep moving / exercising? What keeps you motivated?

Happy Independence Day!! As you celebrate today, remember those who served and are serving our country to maintain that freedom. God bless America!

What a difference a year makes.

There are 4.5 years filled with God's sustaining grace, prayer and hard work between the taking of these pictures. God has smiled on me and I'm pressing on!! No turning back!!!!

I like this passage from The Message Bible and want to share... Philippians 3:12-14

"I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back."

WOW!

Motivational: 18 March 2013

SETBACK FOR A COMEBACK

Every time you “fail” is NOT a failure. It is an OPPORTUNITY for something “better”. It is a “chance” for you to CHANGE yourself and the world around you. It is a time to “look” deeper WITHIN you. It is moment for REFLECTION.

You might cry. You might scream. You might get hurt. You might be destroyed. But you also might LEARN. You also might begin to truly SEE. You might start to UNDERSTAND your soul. You might REALIZE your “true” dreams and heart.

Every time you fall down, no matter how far or how deep you fall, there is ALWAYS a way back up. It might take days, weeks, years, and be the hardest thing you ever do, but it CAN be done. EVERY setback, no matter how large or small, is God’s way of giving you a SECOND chance. It is your time to “begin” AGAIN. It is your Easter Sunday and the dawn of a NEW “spring”. The season for mourning has passed and you are given a FRESH slate on which to “write” the story of your life.

YOU are in control. YOU hold the pen that covers the pencil engraved already on the pages of your life. YOU create your fate with the decisions you make. YOU determine your path with the consequences of your actions and your response to them.

STOP looking at being “knocked down” as the end. See it instead as the chance to rise. See yourself as the phoenix rising from the ashes of your past life and stepping into the NEW. You are a “new” creature, the same as before, but NOT the same, wise with your past experience, beautiful with your past pain, and open to the future from everything that has transpired to this point, knowing that you have not gone through everything you have for NOTHING.

Every setback is preparing you for a COMEBACK, allowing the world to see and know a BETTER you, someone who is “of” the past, but not of the past. Transforming with deliberation, you a creature that has been tempered in the fires of hell, then moulded with the hands of God. A beautiful “creation” that brings Him glory.

© 2013 Rosie Chee

Back to the weight I was my junior year of high school... 308

Many people were asking me to post pictures so they can see the change in me. Not an easy feat because I would forbid people to take pictures of me and the yo-yo weight gains. However, I DID gather a few which I could put together for the comparison. You can find them all in the Shrinking Years album. The ugly truth of the beginning (and bad hair of yesterday and today) are evident, but I am the smallest, and the happiest, I have been since my senior year of high school. Here's to continued shrinking!

Forbidding folks to take my photo out of embarrassment and fear of facing reality, finding pictures of me at my largest has been quite a challenge! But herein contains some of my journey in pictures. And although not pictured, this journey included the use of canes, a standard walker, a motorized wheelchair and a rolling walker... but most importantly the prayers and encouragement of many! Thank you!

Happy 2013 my friends!! I officially lost 160 pounds this year and am back to the weight I was when I graduated high school. I am celebrating your amazing support and God's amazing grace. Here's to finishing this race strong!!! And.... I promise to post some pictures this week.

Weighed in yesterday and I lost another 11 pounds. The Year of Joy is off to a fine start!! (Whispering.... WHEN I lose 19 more, I'll be the same weight as when I graduated from high school. I'll let you know when I get there.)

Three years ago TODAY I took my first step out of my broken-down, sick and dying condition towards a healthy future. God has smiled on me! I am 327 pounds lighter and back to the same weight I was when I graduated from college. It's been a journey for sure as I pause long enough to tell you, I am still on my way.

Testing... this is a test of the Tam Broadcasting system... if you are seeing this message you can assume Tam is still at it. And embrasing the encouraging words of my friend Chris, I'll "Never give up." -CG

Anyone else been watching Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition?

So I may not have lost weight recently, but I did drop 50 clicks off my cholesterol. 139 baby!

Here we go Monsters, here we go!! Calder Cup here we come!! Good luck in the playoffs!!

Just want to shout out to my Lake Erie Monsters who are #1 and have won 8 straight!! You guys are the best!!! And I am feeling like a Monster!!

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty. A warm Irish greeting on this Saint Patrick's Day!