Running Outside

Tonight Josh did the workout and about 10 minutes into it he mentioned what degree it was outside. I told him that it was way to hot out and he said he wasn't concerned about the heat so I told him it was around 20 degrees out with a strong wind and we could catch a severe cold. I knew what he was up to. We were going outside to finish our workout. Now, in April I joked about going outside and we ended up going out. The weather was beautiful so it was pretty nice. In our parking lot there is a "short" Island and a "long" Island (they are areas with trees in the middle of the parking lot so people don't race through the lot). Anyway, in April I could barely make it to the "short" island at a very slow jog.

The few times we went out I finally almost made it to the "long" island at a run but never quite made it. Well, tonight I made it all the way to the "long" island at a jog, turned around, ran 1/2 way back, slowed to a walk and then with the entire class already at the start cheering me on, I ran the last leg of the run. Then we did a lot more things to the "long" island. I was VERY excited. But the best part was when I was doing something towards the end of the class Josh came by me and said, "I am so proud of you Karen." I know that this journey is not about what people think of me but getting healthy and honoring God but I am telling you that the encouragement from a person who knew how unhealthy I was in February and see where I am at now really makes a difference.

Thanks God for putting people in my life who encourage me to continue. Especially when I am struggling. Thank you that even though I have not lost a lot of weight I am losing inches. In Jesus Name, Amen.

God Bless,
Karen

Another Prayer Answered

I went to the gym last night knowing that I was up in weight from the previous week so I knew that I wouldn't get back to the 292. There was just no way. All day yesterday I did very well in my eating and had been praying that in the next 10 days He would allow me to reach the 280's since I had been on this stopping point at 291 for my lowest. (10 days yesterday is October 4th-my journey start date).

Well, I got to the gym. Did a little bike, did the Biggest Loser class which consisted of hard treadmill, hard elliptical, hard standing bike and hard racing bike for 1/2 hour. Then I did 1/2 hour of the barbell class. When I went to weigh in for the BL weekly weigh in not only had I lost the pounds to get back to the 292 but had lost an additional 2 more pounds!!! I weighed in at 290.8 pounds. Now, I know that a lot of it was water weight loss. So as soon as I had something to drink with my meal I gained some of it back but I BROKE THE PLATEAU!!! Only with God's help did I do that. Now, I am going to just continue to watch what I eat and work out hard again. I, with his help, can get to that 280's in 9 more days.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement. I know I will have bad days and will continue to struggle but I won't give up!!!

God Bless,
Karen

P.S.S. to Previous Post

Just to let you in on God's speaking to me. I mentioned that I needed to follow up on the previous post by spending time in His word. Well, a very special friend told me to start reading in Philippians. One of the verses that stood out to me was Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. See what I mean. It was like he was telling me that He hasn't given up on me so I shouldn't give up either. (To you it may not have said that but to me it did)

Thought you might want to know...

God Bless,
Karen

New Revelation

Well, if you have been reading my blog for a few months you will remember I talked about my journey taking on a bigger thing. Well, since I wrote that I have been stuck!!! So, I will talk about my journey a little. My journey may end up in an Inspirational magazine. Now, since I have spoken with this magazine, as I have said, I have stopped losing and have been going between 95-102 pounds lost. I haven't been able to get below the 102 pound mark.

This has been going on since the first of July. I am now 12 days away from my 1 year anniversary of this journey. Have I gotten scared? Have I hit the point I was afraid of hitting where I start off things strong and then don't follow through. Again, I am not going to give up but I am obviously STILL struggling.

I think this whole magazine thing has me so freaked out. The main thing I wanted out of writing this journey was to help one person be able to overcome his/her eating struggles. This magazine would give me that opportunity. But, if you all know me well, I am so freaked out about expectations. If I can accomplish this then people will expect more from me and then when I fail (I know, negative thinking AGAIN), people will say, "See, I knew you couldn't do it." or leave me like has happened in the past. If I go ahead and fail then I will be the one in "control" of the situation. The problem is that I am so NOT IN CONTROL.

I don't want them to give up on me for the story. I would love for them to still do that article on me. I know right now I am not doing so well on my journey as far as the weight loss but just think, when I make it through this struggle it will help make the journey even more real to others. I know that I am not the first or the last person to struggle with this and I thank God for that reminder. If through all this He can be glorified then even this part of the journey will be worth it. Probably even more since if I lost it all quickly I would probably take it for granted.

Okay, I am rambling. I need to follow up on the previous post and go spend time in His word. Thanks for once again listening.

God bless,
Karen

P.S. another thing that happened was last week a girl at work said that she would love to set me up with her brother-she could have been saying that in the heart of the discussion we were having but... To most of you that wouldn't be a big deal. To me that was HUGE. There has only been one other person who even mentioned trying to set me up with someone and unfortunatly the person they wanted to fix me up with had as many emotional and physical challenges that I had. So, for someone to believe in me enough to want to set me up with her brother was amazing. That scared me to death too. Unless God says it will, I don't see it happening since the poor guy is 15 1/2 years younger than me but the thought was so humbling and flattering.

God answers prayers

Okay, so if you know me you know that Karen Kingsbury and Dee Henderson are my favorite authors of all time. Karen's new book was coming out this Tuesday. (Don't tell but a friend found it early at a store here and bought it.) I picked it up last night from her and finished reading it this morning at 9:45am. It was FANTASTIC. I concluded a 14 book series of the Baxter family and it was just what I needed to read.

So, anyway, on my way to church I was talking to God as I drove. I prayed that He would have me get more excited to read His word then I am for Karen or Dee's books. That I would crave it the way that I do the other books. Then I also asked if He would show me something special in the message today.

Well, not only did he give me a message, he actually had my pastor write the message just for me. Now, before you get to thinking I am thinking I am better than anyone I am not. It just seemed like this message was written exactly for me. The message centered around being in God's word. One of the things my pastor said was something along the lines of no matter how good a book it that God's word is so much more important and another book should not stop me from spending time in God's word.

So, see, He really did answer that prayer. I guess you had to be there to really know what I am talking about but...

God Bless,
Karen

God's Many Blessings

I just read my friend, Gretchen's, Blog and was reminded how blessed I truly am. There is a family that I always talk about that have "adopted" me and Gretchen is part of that family. She, Jamie and their three beautiful girls live in Minnesota so I only get to see them a couple of times a year but through her blog I am able to keep up with what my "neices" are doing. The oldest daughter started 2nd grade already and the middle one just started kindergarten. I can't believe they are that old already. They are growing up so fast. Though they only see me a couple of times a year they still know who I am and make me feel special whenever they are around.

There is another 11 kids in this family that, thanks to God's placement, I get to see all the time. I went to Penny's the other day and her 19 month old daughter saw me coming up the sidewalk and started yelling at me through the upstairs window. When I walked into the house she was at the bottom of the stairs and threw her arms up for me to pick her up. When she sees me at church she will come to me and sometimes won't go to anyone else. Now, I know that pride is a terrible thing but it sure makes me feel special when she does that. : ^ ) Her 4 year old big sister just started pre-school this week and also got to go to Explorers. She was so excited. Her 3 year old brother is trying to learn to potty train because he knows he can't go to "Cubbies" or pre-school if he doesn't go in the big boy potty and the newest one is 2 1/2 weeks old already.

Then you have the family of Tim and Polly. The oldest will be 16 on Sunday!!!!!! How did that happen. He is a fantastic young man and I can't wait to see what God has in store but how he got to be 16 already is beyond me. His 11 year old brother started middle school this year. WOW. He and I are a lot alike. We like similar things and we both love to talk. The middle boy is 10 and gets to be homeschooled this year. He told his grandma that there would be some sad girls this year since he wouldn't be in school. Gotta love him!!!! Then little Anna who just turned 6. I got to watch her get on the bus for Kindergarten this year. I was so proud of her. She is such a beautiful young lady and I am so proud of her and then there is the youngest. He is 3 and learning to walk again after having a broken leg. He seems to be my buddy right now and I love it. The funny thing though is that when he sees me the first thing out of his mouth is "can I have bubblegum?"

Then last but not least are Katie and D.J.'s kids. The oldest is 10 and she is beautiful. Everyone says she is just like her Aunt Polly but looks like her mom. She is so smart and doing great in school. She and her cousin Philip are great friends. Finally is the sports star of the entire family. He can pretty much play any sport he tries and do it well. I know that he has an amazing future ahead of him in sports.

Well, as you can see God has truly blessed me. All of those kids are amazing and so special. They all have different talents and personalities but yet they light up my days everytime I think of or see them.

Thank you God for the special blessings in my life. Whenever I feel down you remind me of the gifts that you have given me. This day it is in the form of 14 very amazing, wonderful children and their parents and Grandparents. Please bless each one of them and hold them in your arms as they go about their day.

God Bless,
Karen

Just stopping by...

Wanted to let you all know that the Biggest Loser started at the gym again last Monday and I worked out A LOT. I am really sore. Also, I just got back from a ladies retreat at a campground 2 hours from here. It was a good time but I am sure tired!!!!!!

I was on vacation this last week as well and it was okay.

That's about it. Have a good week.

God Bless,
Karen