Daily Check-in
Good morning! The Heather you know and love is back on track, fully alive, and energized to kick some butt and get ready to rock the Road Trip! I had an awesome day yesterday, and I do not use that word lightly! God was with me, and He definitely answered all the prayers that have been going up on my behalf.
First, the depression lifted yesterday morning. I took a nap after my last update then woke up and enjoyed Kari Anderson’s DanceWorks for the first time in a year. Oh, how I love this workout. It is without a doubt my favorite dancy hi-lo workout of all time. Kari’s background exercisers are professional dancers. I feel so beautiful and light on my feet twirling around my living room with Kari and company. Cathe’s workouts transform my body, but this one brings healing to my soul. It inspires me to pursue my dreams with a passion. I also enjoyed Jen Carman’s Strength in Movement. She is one of my favorite instructors. Her warm and perky personality makes me feel so happy. I love the harbor set with the dolphins playing in the water outside the studio window! I was definitely feeling all warm and cozy inside after my workouts.
I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and was delighted to discover that my perseverance during the week was rewarded. I dropped 2 pounds in a week even though I did not have enough energy to give my all to every workout. Consistent exercise and clean eating works for me even when I do not have as much energy as usual and have to modify Cathe’s intensity.
The sun came out yesterday. There is nothing like a burst of Texas sunshine to chase the blues away. It is amazing what natural light can do for a soul. Yes, the depression has been kicked to the curb where it belongs.
I had an Olan Mills photo session yesterday afternoon for our church directory. I waited until the last possible day. Actually, I skipped my original appointment last Saturday because my hair was wet and covered with snow! I thought about simply not being in the directory this time, but I knew in my heart that my pastor and the elders would be disappointed because they like to pray over our pictures. I called my hairstylist to see if she could fix my hair yesterday. My hair is my glory, so I look good when it does. It is a Texas thing! She was booked and had no cancellations. Off to Drug Emporium I went for Ringlet and a new hair dryer with a diffuser. It is simply amazing what professional styling products can do! God blessed me with a great hair day for a $15.00 bottle of Ringlet! I bought a tube of Clean and Clear invisible gel a few days ago and heavy makeup in case it did not work. Thankfully, my skin cleared up in less than 48 hours. Another answer to prayer! I did not like the stage makeup look on me and decided to go with a more natural look. I am a natural beauty kind of girl. I went with the very sheer foundation I usually wear, mascara, blush, and lip gloss. I was absolutely amazed when I saw the proofs. I had a revelation yesterday. I am very pretty! I kept asking the girl if I could see the best one again. There were only 2 poses we could choose between for the church directory, and one of them was the best! I was so happy that I ordered a small package.
I do not look thin. My face is still full and round, and I still have some fluff under my chin. But I have clear blue eyes, a radiant smile that lights up the room, and a porcelain complexion. Not to mention, a mane of thick and naturally curly/wavy hair. I am fat indeed, but I am pretty. And fat is temporary and fixable! Yes, I had a glory moment yesterday. I write this with all humility because you know that pretty is not a word I use to describe myself in general. Fun, friendly, encouraging, loving, and passionate are my words of choice. But pretty?! Me?! Wow! I think God is teaching me to see myself the way He sees me and the way people who love me unconditionally see me. I am pretty in unretouched pictures. Glory! I am going to rock that Road Trip. Texas-size butt and all! This was a big deal for me because I was discouraged by a long thread (not posted here), which added to my depression last week. A size 8 is my goal, and one poster wrote that a size 8 would still be fat unless you are 6 feet tall and have bulky arms and legs from exercise. I was very discouraged. After wearing a size 28, I will feel tiny in a size 8. I have been judged for my size all my life and do not need anyone telling me I am fat after I work my butt off to shed over 100 pounds. After reading the comments in that thread a few days ago, I was having serious Road Trip cold feet about going at my size because I will not even be close to a size 8 by August apart from a miracle. Those of us who wear larger sizes know we are fat and are working to change that reality if we are visiting fitness forums. We do not need a poll with hundreds of votes to make us aware of our fatness.
The worship service was awesome last night too. The river of love in my heart was spilling over, and I could not contain the joy inside. We watched a video of our Good Friday outreach. I did not look as big on film that night as I imagined. I am still overweight, but the morbidly obese Heather is gone forever.
I went to the grocery store last night so I can relax today. I fixed homemade cheese pizza yesterday with a whole wheat crust and enjoyed a few squares of an organic chocolate bar for my treat. I decided not to chase blueberry muffins all over town this weekend! I learned my lesson last Saturday!
Have a blessed Sunday! I am looking forward to my beloved Rhythmic Step this morning!
Jane, I would love to rock that precious baby! Enjoy every moment with him and take pictures, pictures, and more pictures.
Tammy and Phyllis, hugs to y’all!
Conni, I am praying. You are an inspiration!
Blessings,
Heather B.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
