I'm Still Working

Left side picture came up in my memories from 2018. My sweet friend Mrs. Lynda Powell Lynda Powell took it. So this was the February before I started this little adventure. I would have never thought 5 years ago I would be where I am now. I would have never have thought I would be running, hiking, lifting weights, or that I would be able to keep up with a 2 year old sweet grandbaby or be able to hike with Luke Cook or do things with Sarah Cook and Illyana Hope Hunter. What a difference losing weight has made in my life. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't including yourself. And don't sit there for one minute and think you are bound to a life of feeling tired and hurting all the time. I am here to prove to you that your life can change it can be 100% different. From the physical to the mental and every thing in between there is a better life for you out there than being caught up in and held down by your very on body. The living prison you find your self trapped in can be overcome and you can set yourself free. Free to live a life not bound to a chair or bed or stumbling through the motions. You can climb mountains, run races and giggle and laugh and twirl with those around you. IT CAN BE DONE.

Monthly update still maintaining with a fluction here and there. Climbed a part of a rock wall for the first time ever and ran 10 miles this past Saturday for the 1st time. It's amazing how much my life has changed during this 'adventure' . I try to do something everyday to attempt to make my life better along with the things I already do on a consistent basis to improve it.

My first 10k race today came in first in my age group. And beat my pb for a 10k. Beautiful Ocean springs in the rain overall it was a fun run.

Hiking Her Way to Health: One Woman's 260-Pound Weight-Loss Adventure. - Peaks4Pounds One woman's passion for hiking the Great Smoky Mountains has motivated her 260-lb. weight-loss and new outlook on life.

For my whole adult life I wanted to be able to do what we have been doing for a couple of years now. At some points in our life we were too broke to, or didnt have a vehicle to or were busy with the girls or working on the weekends. And honestly even some of 'those" times were just excuses for the main reason we didnt do road trips. You guessed it riding for hours wasnt compatiable with my body, my super morbidly obese body. My legs swelled, I was too tired, honestly my body would be sore from just riding, I would just hurt, I wouldnt have been able to do anything once we got there anyway. I missed out on so much in life that I enjoy so very much now.

Did someone say it's transformation Thursday? Well here you go. And it's time for my monthly health journey update anyway. I am still in maintenance. Within the same 5 pounds or so. 255 pounds down. Don't have a clue as to how many inches gone or how many sizes down (probably 8-10 maybe). We hiked last week. Still going to the gym (this is a lifestyle change afterall, I plan on going the rest of my life for those who ask), ran the last 5k until fall on the llth of June. Came in 2nd in my age group. Planning a few more trips to the smokies to hike before the end of the year. And maybe a few more hikes in state as well. This new lifestyle allows me to do so much more. Life just keeps getting easier as far as what I can do physically compared to the life I used to have at over 400 pounds and being supermorbidly obese. Just the latest update on my journey.

This day in 2020 we found out that our Renny D was gonna be a sweet girl (and she still is a sweet girl). We took a picture that day its on the left Saturdays picture is on the right. There was a newspaper article ran on June 25, 2020 that I had lost 200 pounds I have lost another 50+ since then. (I have to add here that i did gain about 15 pounds over the holidays in 2020 with taking off from the gym to help with our girl and holiday food which I lost. Happy to say I didnt gain that much over the 2021 holidays.) That last 50 pounds was hard fought it has been about consisistency, consistency with food and at the gym. I love seeing my memories and realizing exactly how far I have come. Results are never immediate there is no overnight magic pill. You cant take your body to the gym and come back later and pick it up transformed. But consistency it is the key. In both nutrition and movement the key is doing it repeating the same things over and over to achieve a better life. Whether it be the same excercise or the same foods you have to be consistent. Is my diet perfect, nope, is my fitness perfect, nope. But I am consistent with both. I have learned (FINALLY) that one bad day whether it be eating or in the gym (even missing a day) isnt going to destroy my progress. Thats where I failed so many times before I let one bad day of eating convince me I might as well give up I destroyed everything. Now I say I will do better tomorrow. I have small achieveable goals set. Like lets do so many days of running this week, this week I want to make sure to stretch every day, this week I want to hit my water intake goal, this week I want to get in 15,000 steps a day. And when I do that I move on to new goals and try to repeat the old ones too. Because well I ran 5 miles last Wednesday I know I can do it lets go 5.5 miles this week. Rome wasnt built in a day neither can a healthy lifestyle happen all at once. There is hope just keep adding a little each week. If I can do it you can too.

Gather round children I have a story to tell. 28 years ago or 29 not sure which one. I was supposed to go on a field trip to Ship Island with the marine biology class at PRCC when I was a student there. And you guessed it I didnt go because I thought I was too fat. Now I wasnt nearly at my biggest then at all. But I was still very self conacious and didnt want to go. I have wanted to go since then many times but never went because of the weight. Plus I didnt like the beach because I was always moserable when we went. Well we went today and I actually enjoyed it minus the jellyfish sting. I have always wanted to visit Fort Massacuets and got to do that too. Losing the weight has given me the ability to do soooooo many things that I have always wanted to do but couldnt because of it.

Just because this may give someone hope. Story time friends lol we went and "found" the house of the fairies in May of 2019. I wouldnt dare have tried to climb up to look inside. It was muddy and even though I had started at the gym there was no way I was gonna try. I am scared of everything lol I was afraid I would fall and hurt myself. Well we went back yesterday and not only "found' it but I climbed up to look in and even went on top of it. Last time we drove to the science center parking lot this time we hiked twin creeks to get there. Twin creeks is considered easy but it was a trail we needed to mark from the list. Also we didnt actually hike to the house of the fairies last time so I felt like I cheated. My confidence has increased so much along my journey. If you are just starting on your hiking journey keep going its so worth it. The side by side is at porters creek the same weekend we 'found' the house if the fairies the first time. It was my first attempt at hiking and we didnt even make it a mile. We are now close to 250 miles hiked (hopefully we get it next trip). Dont give up on your health journey.

Stacey Whaley Cavanaugh shared a picture she took at a get together for mothers day in 2017 and I always zoom in on the few pictures I have of me. You see I hated to have my picture taken. This was from a whole group that's why it's fuzzy. I had a built in table, my belly. I don't have that anymore. I didnt have a lap then because my belly was so big but I do now for my Renny D to sit in. A lot has changed in 5 years for me. Well actually 3 years and 8 months. Don't think your life can't change because it absolutely can. I can't stress to you how much better I feel. Because I honestly didn't know I could feel like this because all my life I was big and had all the aches pains and exhaustion that goes along with it. But not anymore.

Top left sept 2018, top right may 2019, bottom left may 2020 (don't know why I don't have a 2021) bottom right today

I have found that I do really enjoy running it is more of a mind game than anything for me. If I can conquer that, it is mainly the first 5 minutes of the race and the last 5-10 minutes that get me. Improved my time at this race by almost 1 minute and 25 seconds came in 2nd in my age group and 8th overall in the women's catagory. I have been 'seriously' training since February and part of that month I was sick. I can't wait to see where continued 'training' takes me. Thank you Luke Cook and Sarah for always being there (if you are off Sarah) to cheer me on. Thank you Allison Holden Patterson for being my running partner and for pushing me to run farther and 'faster' and Mitch and Leah for always keeping my goals in mind during my time at M & L Bodyshop.

Illyana Hope Hunter sent me this picture yesterday from 5 years ago. This was the day we bought her wedding dress. I was miserable, miserable from hurting constantly because of the weight, miserable from not being able to breath, miserable from being tired all the time, miserable from not being able to fully enjoy this day, miserable because my daughter's did not have the momma they needed. Because I didn't take care of myself then or while I was raising them. I couldn't possibly be the best me for them or for anything or anyone else because I wasn't taking care of myself. Honestly I thought it was selfish but it's not. I desperately needed to change. Thank God about a year and a half later I finally realized it and did. Now I can enjoy my girls, and my sweet grandbaby. Hope and Sarah I am so sorry I didn't take care of myself like I should I hope you do, I pray that you do.

3rd 5k in 3 weeks cut my time from 33 something to 31 something from last week. Came in 2nd overall in women behind my friend and running buddy Allison Holden Patterson who came in 1st. I love doing the smaller runs. It was a great day to run. I had fun. It's always a good run when you can improve no matter where you place.

Finally finished the couch to 5k app today. I gave up on it last year because of hip issues. I ran a whole 5k (on a treadmill I know it's different outside) today. 3 and 1/2 years ago I doubt I could have walked a mile. Let me fix it I know I couldn't have. I will admit that some days I amaze myself.

Part of my story

Same trail Dec 2019 to November 2021

Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do it. Sept 7, 2019 til today October 24, 2021 218 + miles in the GSMNP. We have hiked LeConte 3xs once via Alum, Trillium, and Boulevard each. We have also hiked Mt Cammerer, Ramsay's Cascade and the Cades Cove loop along with several other easier trails to add up to that 218+. No tough trails this trip because husband's knee is still giving him issues from Ole Boulevard. Don't let anyone not even your own self tell you that you can't. Excuse my frumpiness lol but I was hiking.

Oh my GOSH this almost made me hyperventilate. I guess I have never put this into words to share with anyone. This quote sums it up pretty well, "But when you’re fat, people do think they’re allowed a constant commentary on your beauty standards. You have to fight to be heard because people will only see.
I feel the constant need to justify my existence and explain my health records. The insecurities are paralyzing, and the damage done by others’ words and actions is quite significant and life-altering."
For YEARS and yes I mean like 22 years I felt this way. What if no one wants to be their friend or they never have a SO because they think they will be just like me. That they think they will always be fat just like ME. That they get made fun of because they have the FAT mom. That they are pitied because they have the FAT mom. What if they don't want their new friends from college to meet me? What if they don't want me to come to a game? What if I do nothing but embarrass them? What if she is so skinny because she desperately doesn't want to be fat because of me? What if she has an eating disorder because of me? Oh, my heart I just can't quite get the message across that I want to from where I was. Momma if you are out there and you are the fat mom you are still a great mom. Your kids do still love you and you are worthy of love and respect from everyone. And yes there will be bullies out there because people are just flat-out mean. Kids, adults, teachers, administrators, coaches are just mean. But all your kids really need is your love. No matter what they need to be loved. And no matter what size you are you can love them.

I'm the Fat Mom and I'm Sorry That Embarrasses My Kids - Her View From Home I consider myself to be the fat mom and sometimes I worry that embarrasses my kids and that breaks my heart.

And I almost stayed home today. I was so sleepy when I woke up. I am hardly ever as sleepy as I was this morning. But I went anyway because I have learned that those days that are hardest mean the most. Those are the days you are growing. Those are the days you learn what you are really made of. And God always sends me encouragement through someone when I need it the most. He has done it so many times along this journey of mine. I love to be at the gym and have someone ask me a question or mention that they notice my dedication. Today was one of those days. Not only did my body perform at a level that I am very pleased with this morning but God sent me someone that noticed my dedication. The struggle is ever-present. And it is all worth it. Learning to be disciplined, to keep showing up, to do it even when it's hard is the key even if you don't think it's going to be a good day. It may turn out to be exactly that and more. So many people ask me how I stay motivated but like this picture I am sharing says "Don't expect to be motivated every day, because you won't be. Don't count on motivation count on discipline.

I have to remind myself of this when I get upset about the scale not continuing to move. Because honestly, I have never been here before. And I honestly didn't think I ever would be. But look at me being here and stuff. And rocking it too lol.

You may have seen my post several months ago after conquering Ramseys (or was it Leconte? I'm not sure lol) before covid but we came back. I grew up coming to the smokies my grandpaw was born in the Greenbrier area of the GSMNP. So you guessed it that area is my favorite. About 2 and 1/2 years ago I decided it was time to get to were I wanted to get healthy. And my motivation was to be around for grandbabies (and I got my first one btw) and to hike the smokies. I started hiking in May of 2019 and didnt even finish Porters Creek. We came back Labor Day weekend of 2019 and hiked 15 miles over the weekend, thanksgiving 2019 we did porters all the way to ferns fills and Ramseys I beleive came back at Christmas of 2019 and did about 25+ miles. Was planning easter 2020 but covid. Came for short weekends memorial day weekend 4th of July weekend and labor day weekend 2020 and did several hikes. We have done Gatlinburg trail several times, porters several times, grape yard ridge, grotto, deep creek (the loop once) several times, Little river several times, Andrew's bald (twice once in a monsoon) Kephart prong, oconoluftee trail, Jake's creek, cucumber gap, rainbow to the falls, abrams falls, ramseys, Hen swallows falls Alum to the bluffs, alum to leconte with myrtle point and cliff tops, chimney tops, school house gap, and Cammer to the watch tower. And I may have missed a few I said all that to say this just start. Even if you don't even finish dont give up. There are only 10 trails in the park that are harder than Cammer that arent super long distances. And we plan on eventually doing those. These trails are doable. I would love to eventually be in the 900 miles club. We have done most of the easy ones at this point and hopefully can maybe get close to 250 miles before the end of 2021. I am sharing a picture or two from each trip for you to see the progression. I have lost about 230 or so (my husband says more) and these mountains have been a major part of tha

according to BMI measurements (and I know better than anyone that they aren't all that matters), I am still considered "overweight" with a BMI of 29.2 I am about 30 pounds below that 34 mark, thank the good Lord. I was super morbidly obese with a BMI possibly of 72.9. I'm not sure how much I weighed to start with, to be honest, I have no clue. I said all that to say this my quality of life has DRASTICALLY changed. If I can do it you can do it.

BMI is an EXCELLENT population level metric of the relationship between height and weight vs health factors.

There are flaws at an individual level of course with genetic outliers, SERIOUS athletes, etc.

However these have been vastly overblown in recent years.

Here is a decent rudimentary chart on adding waist circumference along with BMI in addressing a person's risk. Note that being above a 35 BMI no matter what composition the body is made of there is still massive increase health risk. When the heart has to pump blood to more body it is taxed more... simple facts.

We need to be realistic with ourselves as a society to get healthy... it is EVERYONE'S responsibility!

I follow John and have watched most of his videos. He is an inspiration for me on my journey. I don't have a clue who Alex Kime is but this post is not helpful to ANYONE. I truly hope this is not how my own children feel about their experience growing up with a morbidly obese mom. I know that it wasn't the best childhood but I hope for sure that they don't feel this way about me. And I wish every single day that I could go back and have a do-over but I can't. To say " Y’all truly are the scum of the earth. Smelly, slow, undisciplined, undesirable. It’s not wonder anyone with working eyes d a brain view you as the undesirables." is extremely hurtful and does not help anyone at all. I am still categorized as "obese" with the weight I gained back over the holidays (I'm a few pounds over the threshold) even though I have lost about 220 pounds. And I will still be considered overweight when I do lose it all again. I realize there are people out there who "hate" overweight/obese people fortunately I have never encountered one. Now did I encounter snide remarks or hurtful statements or stares? You betcha, but never anyone who called me the scum of the earth, smelly, slow undisciplined, or undesirable. It’s not wonder anyone with working eyes d a brain view you as the undesirables." And like John, I don't think you can compare a food addiction to alcoholism or drug addiction because they aren't the same, but they are all addictions. I don't understand how anyone can hate anyone because of the size of their body, the color of their skin, their s*x, or anything else in life. To me as Sarah says that just means you are a trash person tbh. And as to the people telling the second poster that the journey isn't hard, I would like to say that you are some of the most ignorant human beings alive. I have been on this journey for 2+ years and not for one second was it easy. And not for one second was the answer to "just eat less". Food addiction just like any other addiction comes from some sort of trauma trying to cope with life in unhelathy ways (eating and not exercising/moving). You have to deal with the mental aspects as well as the physical aspects as well. Also commenting on the fact of what he thinks of morbidly obese people after losing weight here is my two cents on it. I feel compassion and empathy for them. Do I rush up and say here is what I did to lose weight it may help you. NO NO NO, because it won't do any good unless they are ready. However, if someone reaches out I do not hesitate to offer advice and hopefully encouragement. I also tell them if I can do it then they can because I truly feel like if I can do it anyone can. will never understand how someone who knows the struggle can hate people that have the same struggle. Quite honestly I could go on and on and on about this and may edit my post later but I just had to share so if you are "one of those" people like Alex Kime please politely unfriend me and realize it is not helpful in any way shape or form to say these things.

Obese People INFURIATE Me.. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/JohnGlaudeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/obesetobeastDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/otbBPN: https://www.bareperforma...

Good morning! ❤ start today!    

I haven't seen the scale move much lately but those NSV's keep coming. I got into a super skinny size of jeans today I never ever thought would be possible. Then I got some hand me downs from my momma that I could put on and wear. They even looked descent without a "belly sucker inner thingy" lol. I am amazed all the time at what my body looks like and at what it is capable of doing now. If you are trying to start this journey I urge you do just do it!!!!! As my brother in law says MUCH LOVE

THIS is major for me. This is the toughest and longest trail we have hiked. Never in a million years before my life style change journey would I have thought it was possible. But I did it 12.5 miles up a mountian the tallest natural spot in the GSMNP. Believe me you. an do hard things. You just have to want it bad enough.

Some people in our lives teach us who we don't want to be even though we may desperately love that person there are always parts of them that we don't ever want to emulate. And there are other parts we do want to. Years ago one of those people probably in my pr***en or teenage years remarked to me about my fat neck. And over the years since then, it had got even fatter. So this morning when I looked at my neck I thought of her and thought well I wonder what she would think of me now. Don't get me wrong there are several things I learned from her that were good too. But this was one of the things that I want to work on in life. The words we use with people and what we say about them. Especially about whether or not those words are actually important enough to be said. As in will this matter once we get to eternity. I don't get actions in this life right every time. And I know I say things to people that I shouldn't say. I work on it daily. And I go back and apologize often. Did it really matter in the grand scheme of things that she tell me my neck was too fat? Or were they words that just hurt? I don't think she did it with the intent to just hurt me at all but what if she would have said other words instead? Words that would have built me up? I hope to do better, I hope to be better. Especially for my grandbaby Ren. I guess it all boils down to this "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. " Philippians 4:8

Making the decision to change the way you speak to yourself and others - and then practising that behaviour - builds new connections in your brain at the cellular level. Repeated use of the new synaptic connections 'installs' our chosen behaviour into our 'habit department' where it becomes our new normal. Knowing this is how it works, we can remember to be gentle with ourselves over the time it takes to make the changes. ❤

Change and Neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity: the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, or experience, or following injury.

Making the decision to change the way you speak to yourself and others - and then practising that behaviour - builds new connections in your brain at the cellular level. Repeated use of the new synaptic connections 'installs' our chosen behaviour into our 'habit department' where it becomes our new normal. Knowing this is how it works, we can remember to be gentle with ourselves over the time it takes to make the changes.