Shrinking Violets Check-in for April 15-21, 2007

BelovedHeather

Cathlete
Good morning, Violets! 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!

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).
 
Hi Heather and all to follow.

Heather, I'm so glad the Heather we know and love is back. I don't know if you realize it or not, but your words are not only therapy to you, but to others. Your attitude, your confidence, everything you write about is such an inspiration to me. I've never been in your shoes, but you make me want to take a second look at myself and how I really see myself. I wish I could see myself as pretty and maybe someday I will. I wish I could say my hair was my glory. I've got the big Texas hair going on, but more of a long, frizzy wild look. I'll have to check out Ringlet. As for what size you will be at the end of your journey, try to worry about it. Your accomplishments to improving your health and your life will far outway the number on a tag in a dress. Congrats on your loss for the week. Your consistence continues to pay of. As for the roadtrip, you will be just fine. You will have a blast. Getting to meet Cathe and Crew and everyone else is an opportunity that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Hope everyone's weekend is going well. I am currently watching a sleepy eyed puppy start to wake up. She woke me up several times last night, so I guess I'm sleepy eyed too. She is the sweetest thing. (picture is on Open forum "Another new puppy here") Oh, she is fully awake now. Gotta go.

Jean
 
Shrinking Violets Check-in

Good evening, Violets! I hope everyone had a delightful weekend!

I enjoyed my beloved Rhythmic Step this morning and did the abs and stretch from Butts and Guts tonight. In between those workouts, I took a long nap and went outside to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I put stickers on my Cathe calendar to bring it up to date, did a few loads of laundry, and packed my meals and snacks for tomorrow. I am so grateful to feel good again.

Jean, you are so sweet! I hope we can get together for a few minutes in June when you are down here for the wedding. Ringlet is God’s gift to those with naturally curly/wavy hair. It totally tames the frizzies even in heat and humidity. It is a Redken product if you want to search for it. I love it because it leaves my hair feeling soft and touchable. Your new puppy is absolutely adorable! Have you decided on a name yet? How long will she stay cute and little like that?

Wendy, where are you? I hope you had fun this weekend!

Maeghan, I miss you!

Hugs to Kali and Kim if you are still around.

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).
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Heather, Glad you are back to your old self again!:+

Jean, Congrats on the puppy!:) Reminded me of when we first got our Golden.

Meg, I finally caved and ordered Yoga Shakti from DDD a few days ago. I'm so excited!:7 I intend to keep yoga in my rotation one time per week so this vid will give me alot more options to choose from so that I don't get bored! Aren't ya proud of me? ;)

I am done with the X!!! WOOH! I still need to take pics. Should have had DH take them y'day morning! Grrrr. Oh well, I'll get them taken with in the week though.

Today I begin my BBC rotation...well, one of several I have created-LOL...I will be doing Arms and Abs. I am adding in chin ups and then tonight it's running class in the cold and rain...UGH!x(
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Wendy- yes I am proud of you! I have so much on the DVD that I haven't done yet lol! Great one. You should join the Yoga check in! What is another check in LOL????

Jean- the pup is too cute! Congrats!

Heather- you are so cute! Glad you are so happy!

NOt sure what WO I am doing today. Haven't decided. Of course I will let you all know!


Maeghan AKA megadoo


Added pics to NYC GTG and Christmas Albums 3/6/07




http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=megadoo2&x=15&y=7
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Meg, I've actually considered joining in on the yoga check-in! LOL I check in in 4 places already though...:eek:

I'm done with Arms and Abs/chin ups! Great work out! I didn't do any cardio though since I have my running class tonight. My arms are nice and fried but I do need to up my weight for biceps next time. I was a bit light. This could kill my chin up #'s but they are pathetic anyway so they really can't get much worse! LOL :p :7

TTYL!
 
Shrinking Violets Check-in

This was another Monday of persevering through my circumstances. I started fighting a sore throat last week. I had a tickle in my throat last night and a coughing fit at bedtime that kept me awake until well after midnight. I was tired this morning, but I pressed on and did the Butts and Guts leg blast premix with all those walking lunges and firewalkers. Oh my! I love this workout. I am planning to alternate this one with Gym Style Legs.

My eating was clean today, and I drank plenty of spring water. I was wiped out after work, so I took a long nap. I hope I can sleep tonight. I still have a tickle in my throat. Hopefully, a Benadryl will knock me out and take care of this itchy throat. My meals and snacks are packed for tomorrow, so it is time for a warm bubble bath and a restful night of sleep.

Wendy, I have 4 regular check-ins here plus a check-in I visit here plus 2 regular check-ins over at the Ya Yas plus another check-in I visit at a Christian forum. That is 8 check-ins for me!

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).
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Heather, You did the Leg Blast early in the morning!? YIKES! You are a braver soul then I!:eek: :p :7 8 check-ins? That's alot of check-ins girl!LOL How do you keep up??? }(

Well, I have BBC Legs and Butt on tap for today. That's it. Easy day for me unless I get crazy and want to do some cardio for fun :p or get even CRAZIER and want to tack B&G's Leg Blast Premix on afterwards!!:eek: :eek: :eek: Someone in my Cheetah check-in has done these back to back and she survived...I don't think I could though!:)

Have a good day!
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Hi everyone. As for me and checkins, I'm lucky if I keep up my workouts, let alone check ins. I only have 3. And now that the puppy is here, it appears workouts and checkins are going to suffer for a little while.

Heather, the puppy will not stay small for long. She will end up around 50 lbs (or more because she was the largest puppy in the litter at 6 weeks of age). She is growing right before our eyes it seems. She will stay cute for awhile, then go through a lanky awkward stage and then hopefully turn out to be a beautiful dog. She is such a little pistal right now. I forgot how sweet (and obnoxious) puppies can be. As for a name, we tried Sunshine, but that may change. We are not all in agreement with it.


Maeghan, what workout did you end up chosing? Your workouts are always good one.

Wendy, hope you enjoy the yoga DVD. Try to stay dry running in the rain. Raining here too, but you won't catch me out in it, except for pottying the puppy LOL.

Jean
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Jean, Have fun with the puppy!:+

I just finished Butt and Legs weight work. Great burn!}(

Tomorrow calls for a TM run, ARX and Chest and Abs weight work. OUCHEES! I am hurtin' just thinkin' about it! LOL ;)

Have a great afternoon folks!:)
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

For those of you who are interested...I "unlocked" my X pics. I still have to do the final ones but day 1-60 are there if you want to check 'em out....
 
Shrinking Violets Check-in

Thankfully, this was an uneventful day. I slept much better last night. I still have a tickle in my throat, and I am very tired for some reason. I did the Body Max 2 cardio and weights premix again this morning after my quiet time. I love the choreography, but I started running out of steam during the last cardio segment. The fun music energized me, and I pushed through it.

My eating was clean again today. My meals and snacks are packed for tomorrow. Actually, I have only been eating one snack a day since I started this new rotation. I noticed that I do not get hungry until close to lunchtime, so I just started eating a little more at breakfast to tide me over until noon. I am also eating fruit with my lunch now. My daily intake is still the same. I am just eating 3 meals and an afternoon snack now instead of eating 5 times a day.

Wendy, you look fantastic. But, Wendy, I would be thrilled to look like your “before” pictures! ;-) Have you always had great arms like that? If not, what did you do to get to your “before” shape?

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).
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Good Morning Violets!

Today is a run, ARX and Chest and Abs weight work from BBC. I'm gonna be hurtin'...lots of ab work and I feel LOTS of push ups comin' on! OUCHEES! }(

Hey Heather! Sounds like you are doing well with your plan. Workouts are good. Eating is good. You have it all wrapped up girl! Now, the only question is...are you drinking your water? :p

The last couple of weeks prior to the X I was doing strength work with the GS series and PUB to "gear up" for the X but before that I was heavy into endurance work...alot of Jari Love stuff and the endurance weight lifting class at my gym mostly. I never really stuck to any sort of goal-oriented rotation prior to the X though so it's hard to say what caused my arms to look the way they do....?
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Well I took a spin class this morning. TOUGH! Always is though. }( It's Yoga night tonight and that will feel GREAT! I have several sore parts today!:p

Our shrinking violets check in is growing smaller by the week! We may be forced to disband soon...:-(

Hope everyone is well!:)
 
RE: Shrinking Violets Check-in

Hi everyone.

This morning was 45 min jog/walk using iTread outdoors. The puppy started sleeping through the night so maybe I can get back to some regular morning workouts.

Wendy, great prictures. You've got some nice definition going on. I also saw your dog. I didn't realize you had a golden too.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Jean
 
Shrinking Violets Check-in

Good morning, Violets! The weekend has finally arrived! I am happy, happy, happy! I had an extremely stressful week at work and was too tired to check-in most nights. I did Cardio Kicks Wednesday morning, Drill Max Thursday morning, and Stretch Max yesterday morning. I am planning to do DanceWorks and Strength in Movement this morning then meet my friend Rebecca for brunch. I need a fun day just to unwind after such a wild week at work.

I am so excited! One of the girls I met during the street outreach on Good Friday contacted us. We give our phone numbers to the women every year, and this is the first woman who has reached out for help. We have started the process of helping her find a job and a place to live so she can get out of that hell on earth motel she is stuck in now. Anna called Emily and shared that she wants to attend our Saturday night worship service. All the other girls on the ministry team are out of town or otherwise occupied tonight, so she will be riding with me. Please pray for me as I will be driving to that part of town alone. God will be with me. When Emily sent me an e-mail last night with Anna’s room number, it dawned on me that this is the girl I met and hugged! She received one of the gift bags that I packed and prayed over! It is possible that she could change her mind before tonight, but I am so excited! I am also thankful to have a church family that will welcome her with open arms and not judge her or look down on her as “less than” because there but for the grace of God go any of us.

I went to the viewing last night for a friend’s father who went to be with Jesus this week. I wore the same top I wore for my church directory photo session, and everyone told me how radiant and beautiful I am in that color, including a man who is a professional photographer. The power of color is amazing. I am a clear spring. I need to wear colors that are clear and bright. Nothing too dark or muted for me. My look is clear and contrasting with porcelain skin, bright blue eyes, and brown hair.

I maintained my weight this week, but my cycle just started. I usually gain 3-5 pounds during PMS week, so I am very excited! I should see a big change next week.

Wendy, I am still here!

Jean, I need to take a road trip to Dallas to see that cute puppy while she is still little!

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).
 
Shrinking Violets Check-in

Good evening, Violets! I had a fun day today. After I enjoyed DanceWorks this morning, Rebecca knocked on my front door. We visited a local farm that grows organic produce, walked at the lake, and went to our friend Jan’s home and took her out to lunch because she has been feeling blue. The three of us split a piece of key lime cheesecake and did not finish the whole serving between us! A few bites of dessert is satisfying to me. I did Strength in Movement this afternoon. I am a morning girl all the way, but I did not have time for both workouts this morning.

A local ob/gyn saw me and Rebecca walking at the lake and stopped riding his bike to commend us for working out together. Both of us are visibly overweight. He really encouraged us and told us that, as a women’s physician, he has seen firsthand how much harder it is for women to shed pounds and even maintain weight in their 30s and beyond due to hormonal issues. He is a member of the club who has seen us jogging in the pool there, and he affirmed that the weight we have already dropped is applaudable no matter how slow progress seems. Rebecca and I were greatly encouraged.

I went to Anna's place tonight before the worship service. A man answered the door and told me that she wandered off earlier today and never returned. I am concerned about her, but he did not act like this was an unusual thing for her to do. I am not sure what her relationship is with this man, but I have been told that he is the one who pays for her room at the motel. I drove around and looked for her thinking that she could not have gone too far on foot, but I did not see her anywhere. This is the woman I met and hugged on Good Friday, so I was really looking forward to seeing her again.

I believe it is a good idea for someone to go with me in the future. I was surprised by all the men in the parking lot at such an early hour. I thought about waiting for Anna to return but did not feel peace about hanging around that part of town on a Saturday night. I definitely did not feel peace about going to the corner where the prostitutes work. I asked the man to tell Anna that I came for her so she will at least know that I did not forget about her.

Have a blessed Sunday!

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).
 

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