I am back to only move on to a new chapter in my life

Hello all!  I found my blog and this past week I said I needed to write again. It has been over a year and the last time I was here, I said I would be better.  Well that didn't happen.  I am sorry to those few that follow me. I have a new focus again.  The cost of being overweight.

The cost of being overweight has weighed (no pun intended) on my mind for a few weeks now. This is because I went on the journey almost three years ago to be in better health. That did happen.  I lost most of the weight.  Was no longer on High Blood Pressure meds.  Looked better, felt better and could more things!  Loved life and was able to to be in it! My food cost, health costs was way down!  Life was great!  Then the pain hit!

Pain I never felt before.  Well not like this anyway.  I have always had knee pain off and on.  It would come and go.  Had an auto accident a few years ago that show my left knee was not the best.  Some therapy for it and a injection shot of two and it was better.  Fast forward to now and laying in bed one night with such pain in the same knee that brought tears to my eyes!

This was the Sunday night after TPC.  I worked TPC Sawgrass and was on my feet for five long 12 plus hour days. Sunday night I was done.  Went to bed feeling accomplished. I was able to work this past five days and I could do it!  I might not have been able to a few short years ago weight in at almost 150lbs heaver.   Then the pain hit!  I had a little knee pain at TPC while I was working but not like this.

Waking up in pain is never fun.  Not knowing why is the worst too!  Pain in my left knee like never before.  I was scared, cried and my husband said get to the Dr.  So I did.  My Dr. order a MRI of my knee and I waited for the results.  I have major arthritis in my left knee.

Wait!  What?  I have major arthritis in my knee?  I am to young.  I am in much better health now.  This can't be happening!  I now have to see an Orthopedic Doctor?

I decided, ok this can't be good.  I gain a little weight back and need to focus on that.  Call up my Lab-band doctor only to find out he is leaving the area!  More bad news for me.  He talks to me for a little bit.  Give me a small fill in the band and wished me luck as I did him.  I felt alone at that moment in my weight loss journey as I was told he would always be there.  I felt like I was having a pity party for one.  Bad knee, gain weight, loosing my Dr. whats next?!?!

The next was the referral to the Orthopedic Doctor is not the one that was sent in.  Due to budget cuts in the government, I now have to go Jacksonville Naval Hospital.  I swore years ago I would not go back there!  I don't have a choice in this. I have to go.  So I went, met with an Orthopedic Doctor and took more xrays.  These showed that yes, I don't have much knee left.  I now will meet with a joint replacement surgeon at the end of the month.   I have to start down the road to having knee replacement surgery.

So the cost of being over weight is BIG!  Being overweight all those years did not do my knee any good.  The stress of the weight caused this.  Plus while loosing it, I ran more then I ever had in my whole lifetime.  I found a love in running.  This did not help the knee.

The cost of being over weight is only to increase for me.  I now have to pay for more doctor visits (cost of travel) a surgery, a hospital stay, physical therapy not able to work, walking aids, pain meds for a while and I am sure other costs that I am not even thinking of at this time.  Shame, I didn't do something years ago when I was younger.  Might not have this issue now.

So I can only stress to those that might read this.  Get yourself healthy!  You never know what the future my bring. If this happen while I was weighing 150 some pounds more, I may not be able to have the surgery until I loose some weight.  Then, I would have to live with this pain even longer.

Stay tune to this new chapter in my life.  I am going to make the best of it and work towards helping people make the changes in their lives if the like the help.  This is my new goal once again. So I am back! 

Life's Journey with the Rollercoaster ...it can go down fast!

Oh My! Could it really be two...no wait THREE months since I updated my blog! I guess it has! I am so sorry for those that follow me. I promise I will be better at this!

Life is full of ups and downs. The rollercoaster is a fast pace, sharp turns, Ups and downs and abrupt STOPS! I guess I did a stop and just didn't get back on. So my blog stop. I am settle down in my seat to give and update of the rollercoaster of a ride with my lapband.

November was busy with the start of the holidays. For us in our family it is not just Thanksgiving and Christmas, but a few birthdays as well. My darling daughter Kaitlynn turn 16 right before Thanksgiving. Is my baby really growing up? Where does the time go? Then, move into Thanksgiving. We had a big table of guests this year. It was nice to have so many here for Thanksgiving. This was the start of my allowing myself to eat what everyone else was eating. However, I did this is very small amounts and for the most part stayed away from the sweets. I had a fill and now I find that I just don't eat a lot of anything.

Then I had started a job with Blue Buffalo and found I just didn't like it so I left them. I missed my Saturdays with my family and family is first! It was fun dealing with all the different pets, and pet parents and I will miss that, but I missed my family more.

So, moving into December, I get a new adult in my home! Chris turn 18! My baby boy is 18 now! I also got a new job working part time in a dental office that I just love! Christmas came and we were able to share our home with some Sister Missionary's to make their calls home that day. December was my one year anniversary of being banded! What a year! I lost at least 145 lbs in the last 16 mos when I started with my doctor. The band is just a tool like I said before. It is what I eat and do that helps me in my weight loss. December also marked my weight in the 100's! So happy about that! I think I love the month of December. I can mark my goals during this month before the new year!

Because of the last few months with a new job, weather and my neck giving me some problems, working out was not at the top of my list. So I stayed now at the same weight that I was in Dec. when I went and visited my Dr. I am trying to get my neck better, so I will feel better and get to working out again. I don't want to go sliding down and gain my weight back!

Weight maintenance is harder then loosing it! I would love, LOVE to loose the last 20lbs I need to. I feel in time, it will come. I just need to get my neck feeling better so I can feel better. Summer come on!

That is my ups and downs for the last few months. I promise I will be better at this again. Maybe Mondays should be my blog updates. Hugs to all!

I had a "FILL" today...first one in months! So my food money is going to Second Harvest.

Had a doctor appointment today. This is with my weight loss doctor and the pounds loss this past month was all of a half a pound! Ugh. This is truly my first time that I have not lost and at a stand still. But, I know what I need to do as well.

This past month has not been a normal one. Kinda of not working for Jax4kids as much as I was, so my daily routine has been tossed. My husband asked, when are you walk/jogging now? The answer really was next to never for the last month! So I am going to work out like I use to at home, walk/jog each day of the week like I use to as well....just I got to find the new time to do it. I just need to get back on track and back into a routine. Also my new game xbox game Michael Jackson The Experience will be used!

Today I went to my weight loss doctor. I call these appointments my accountability appointments. Calling them that worked for me today! I got a fill on my band today as a step in getting back on track. Dr. C took me back to the basics. We all need to go back to the basics sometimes. With Dr. C. when you get a fill on the band the first 24 hours is clear liquids, then Full Liquids for the next 2 days following clear liquids. Soft foods for 5 days after liquids. This is going to kick start me again I think! I have to admit, in some ways I was missing my kick starts. I got to complicate I guess. This is the first fill that I have had in months...since April I think.

Since I am not really eating for the next few days...I am going to go pick up food for my sons food drive. Chris is doing a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Jacksonville. And I am going to get one item of each on the list on his flyer. So tomorrow I am going to pick up:
Canned Meat
Canned Fruit
Canned Vegetables
Boxed or bagged pasta/rice
Cereal items
Hamburger Helper
Meals in a can
Spaghetti Sauce in a can
Instant potatoes
Boxed Stuffing
Canned Yams
Canned Cranberry sauce
Canned green beans
Canned corn

Now looking at this list...so much on here I would not normally eat! But the need is great during the Holidays and this I felt was a good way to support my son and those who don't have as much. So I get to go shopping for items I don't shop for normally!

Well got to run now, need to get some sugar free jello for tonight! YUM!

Fun Size Candy, Halloween evils.

Ahhh the Fun Size Candy at Halloween! What little evils they are! It has been a rough month for me to eat the right things now this comes upon me in my home! Ugh!

So what to do during this time? I don't want to eat it...but it calls my name! I am so looking forward to tomorrow night for the "Trunk n Treat" that I can get it out of my home and not be so tempted! So to answer my question, it is will power that I am failing at!

Why do they also have to making fun size so people like me say it is only a bite or two in that bar...it won't hurt anything. But for me it will! I don't want to fall backwards but still go forward. For the last month, going forward has been hard in my weight loss. I have asked Phil the other night what if this is it on the weight loss and forever be around 200 lbs...give or take a pound or two . Wish it was easy again!

So tomorrow I am going to make my low carb chili and enjoy the night with the kids and decorate the back of the Jeep with my son Chris. I have to look forward to the other things other then this Fun Size Candy! This is just the start of the season of FOOD!

The Versatile Blogger Award

Chrissy of Losing it...(in SO many ways) She nominated me and fourteen others for ‘The Versatile Blogger‘ award. What a great honor and I really appreciate her considering my blog to receive this award. My first blogging award too! Thank you Chrissy!

One of the things in accepting this award you need to name seven things about yourself. So here goes my list of seven things about Judy!

1. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been since I was 18 years old!

2. Once upon a time, I served in the United States Air Force and reached the rank of Staff Sargent while in.

3. I am a Mom of four great kids! Two are adults and two are teens. The youngest is our daughter. So she has three older brothers to protect her! :-)

4. This is my first True Blog. I only been blogging for a year now.

5. I love the outdoors and wish I didn't live is such hot weather so much of the year.

6. I used to be an internet DJ. Love music so it fit for a time.

7. Been told I can be funny at times, I just know that I like the simple things in life and I love to help anyone that I can.

Ok, that is about it for me..I could go on but it was to be only 7 things about me.

I am to pass this award along to about 14 others...to tell the truth, I don't really read 14 blogs at the moment. Bogging is still new to me. So as I go along and over time, I like to update this with the blogs and I come across them. But, here are a few I am passing this award onto.

Trishelle at Adventures of the Domestic Engineer

Sister LaJeunesse at Things of my Soul

Susan at Snapshot Sue

Shelly at The World according to Eggface

So thank you Chrissy for this award and also giving me the chance to reach out and look at some other really wonderful blogs. I know they are out there, I just need to find them!

Walk from Obesity

The Jacksonville Walk from Obesity was held on 15 October and I was able to take the morning off from work and walk it after all! My hubby Phil also join me this year and I was able to meet my goal of $100 raise thanks to family and friends!




Phil and I got to UNF where the walk was held early that Saturday and we walked I would say with about 100 or so people that morning.

I got to meet some people from Facebook that is also fighting Obesity. It was wonderful to meet my online friends LeAnn Banding My Belly and Tim Maninmyshadow.


LeAnn has had the surgery like I have and is well on her way to becoming who she would like to be. Has lost 5o lbs so far and is feeling GREAT!

Tim is inspiring! He has lost over 100 lbs and is doing all on his own! He was to have the lap band surgery but found the weight was coming off and now is working hard at that and is doing wonderful!

I also got to catch up with two ladies I met last year. I was so excited to see them as I forgot to write down their names last year! So this year I got a picture of them and their names!

Please meet Kena Pugh and Inez Rowe!

They were also happy to see me! It was great to catch up with them and introduce them to some of my weight loss center friends. Now, I can go back to last years post and properly put their name on their picture! Thanks Kena and Inez for walking again this year! Keep up the great work!

The Jacksonville Weight Loss Center

We were there in our Green "Look and Me.." shirts. I love this group! The support we have for each other is so helpful. I am so thankful when I went searching for a Dr. I found not only the best Doctor for me, but a whole package of help to succeed!

My last picture is that of my Brother from another Mother. Nick goes to church with me and has been on this journey about as long as I have. Nick, keep up the work! We will beat this together!

Thanks everyone for supporting me. This has turn into something for me bigger then just loosing weight and getting healthy. I have always felt the stigma that obesity can bring once I was there. I am now here to help others on their journey. Support is the key!

Loose a Job...get a job

This is my Roxy. Roxy is a puggle. My hubby took this picture a while back and I think it is a great one. Her look in this picture is kind of how I feel. Bit down but bright eyed.

Sorta lost my job, still with them but not doing as much for them anymore. But, the same day I got a new part time job. Only this one requires me to work the weekends. Because I don't want to work on Sundays, I work two 4 hour shifts on Saturday. For the most part that is ok, but a week from this Saturday was my Walk from Obesity that I really wanted to do and can't now. So I am feeling a bit down about that.

I am bright eyed about the new job for the simple fact I can stand and do it! I know little over a year ago I would not have been able to handle being on my feet. We need the extra money this brings in and I am happy that I am able to do this.

This job requires me to be in the face of the public! Would have I don't this a year ago? I don't think so only because I am more sure of myself. I have not felt this way in a very long time and I know I can do anything I need to do!

So I stand up and go and do! It is a great life because I can!

Onederland is taunting me!

I really want to see this number 199 or less on a regular bases. I am there one day and then I am not. Yesterday at my Doctors appointment I was not.

Come so far but only a little more to go. I have to keep in mind slow and steady wins the race! As long as I keep loosing I will make it to goal. So head up and keep pushing forward!

Why is the number on a scale so important? It is the person that is important not the number. Numbers are in our lives in everything we do! We have a phone number and these days that means anyone over the age of 12 anymore has a phone number. I remember when I was in my teens the only phone number I had was our home number. Now, it seems to be a life line for teens.

Those of us in the US has social security number. That petty important number to each of us. Then we might have a credit card number, bank account number, our tag on our cars have a number. All of these are important in some way so is it really necessary to focus on the scale number?

Loosing weight for me was about feeling better and be healthy. I feel I gotten to that point. Can I fine tune what I have done so far? Sure I can, but the end goal is here and I am successful in that! So with that said...199 and less will come, just might not be on my time line.

October Success Story

I am the Success Story for the month of October for the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center!

To see my story please visit here. Thank you to all who follow me here and on my Facebook page.

Found a new Love!

Phil the love of my life and I were out shopping the other night. Came across this little gem. Going low carb to help me loose the weight I have had to give up so much for the fight of weight loss. But never the less it is my life style change now.

So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk I found is so GOOD! I can mix my protein mix with it. Taste better then water I have been mixing my protein mix with. To me it taste much like skim milk. So smell and pure white! I can't wait to try it in some other things that I make that are low carb. This milk only has one carb for one cup and 50 cal. I was so excited about this I emailed my "Nut" and told her about this. My "Nut" is my Nutritionist at my weight loss center.

I wish it was this easy to find the things that taste good that I like. This is a lifestyle change now for me but I will be honest, I am tired of the same old things. I have my staples but I am now feeling it is the same things. So, I am on a mission to find the low carb good stuff! If you have any great low carb stuff let me know in the comments!

See you later!

11 Month Update

 

11 Month Update 

For my birthday I asked my friends on Facebook what daring thing I should do!  Got lots of answers and I will be doing one of them real soon...as soon as my shoulder is up to it so stay tune!

So on my birthday I had my husband help me with an updated picture.  I had visited my weight loss doctor a few days before and even though I did not see Onederland (weight in the hundreds) I did have a BMI of 29.1!  I am now overweight and no longer obese!  I would have loved to have hit Onederland but I will take this as a wonderful gift to myself! I have to admit, I now check myself out and saying...I am looking good!  Shopping is wonderful now!  I even got into a size 14 jeans the other day...still a bit tight but I GOT them on!  September they will be mine!

Now, I am wishing Florida was cooler again.  I can't wait for the cooler weather!  I find working out is harder in this heat and I want to do a few 5k's this fall and winter. My first one will be the 15th of October.  Not a 5k but it is the first walk I did on this journey.  The Walk From Obesity is very close to my heart and can't wait to do it again.  Last year I could not do much, but I did it.  I am hoping more will come out and do this walk. 

Now as I come up on my one year mark, I think back to where I was this time last year.  I kick myself looking at old photos of myself.  I wish I had done this sooner for myself, for my family.  But I have done this and I will keep on going!  Long term I am going to be the best that I can be!  It going to be a great life and my hubby better hang on and come a long for the ride because I am ready to do anything!

Time to reflex as to who I was and who I am now

My husband was going though some old pictures and found this one of us a few years ago. I was working at the Sawgrass Marriott. It was around I would say Christmas of 2007. He emailed this to me with the subject line of "Look any different?" I open it and went OH WOW! Then I asked my self now why did I let myself get like that and not do something about it sooner?

So this is my new inspiration picture from the past! The past that I don't want to revisit. The past that put me on the side lines of life where I didn't want to be! The shirt I have on in this picture I have in a bag to give away....when Phil emailed me the picture I had to pull it out and see just how big it was now! It so does not fit!

Tuesday, I go back to my weight loss Dr. I will step on the scales and I hope to see a drop but will not be a surprise if I don't and I will take that. I use these appointments as my accountability. But with school starting tomorrow I can get back into the routine of working out etc.

Who I am now is not the woman in the picture above. I am strong and not weak. Able to go and do and not get tired. Able to keep up with everyone! Walk without hurting. Maybe even run but the robo toe really don't like that to much so running might go to the sides lines for sure now.

But never the less I will go and found all those things I could not do before. For I am a new woman able to do all!

Set Goals

Well it is time for Back to School. My dear hubby Phil went back to work today to get his 5th grade classroom all set and ready for new students this year. His goals are the same as to have his kids do better all around. Chris my 17 year old son is getting his goal of Eagle done soon. He needs to as he is turning 18 at the end of the year. He is also getting ready for college as his Sr. year of High school will be spent going to college. Kaitlynn goal is to have A-B honor roll the first 9 weeks of school at a new school so she can get an IPOD touch. Goals...they are worth it.

So why is it now almost an year out I am finding it harder to set goals? I am no where near the point I want to be and I am not doing myself any good not eating the way I should. My goal of 199 by my birthday seems so far away but it really is only a few pounds....just I keep hurting myself in my eating and workout habits. I need to regroup. I need to do what I know I need to do. So why is it so hard now?

I am enjoying living my life in my new body. Size 16 feels so good on me. For those who are saying wow size 16...you got to think I am very tall and size 16 is very good for me. I have about 35 more pounds to loose to be where I want to be...so why is it so hard now to get there?

So now I am setting some new goals again. I want to be in Onederland in September. I also want to get back to my workout of walking 2-3 miles a day. I want to do my scripture reading everyday. I will eat right.

Next week I go back into my weight loss Doctor. I am interested to see what I have lost. I hope some but I am not going to be surprised if it is none....I just pray I have not gained. At least this will keep me accountable. If I screwed up I will accept it and move on.

Walk from Obesity

DonorDrive®

Please help me reach my goal!

This was the first walking event I did right after I decided to loose my weight for good. I had many to support me then, I hope you will again! The first link below has my story, my weight loss blog. Please if you like share it with someone who might benefit from it.

The Walk from Obesity is the only event that brings together those who are directly affected by obesity. My participation in this event is key to raising funds and drawing attention to obesity and the need for treatment and prevention efforts.

Your tax-deductible gift will help the ASMBS Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition fund research, education and advocacy efforts to help fight obesity and the problems that those struggling with obesity face.

Thank you for your support!

A friend in Onederland

A weight loss banded friend of mine (that I yet to meet in person and we need to change that!) made the milestone today of ONEDERLAND! For those who is wondering what onederland is it is when you make it below 200lbs. Congrats Nancy! Keep up that great work!

What a wonderful feeling that must be! I am so close myself to that mark is why I am making this post today. To keep me accountable and to keep me on track!

This past month or so has been hard to stay on track. Eating the things I should not, not exercising like I should etc. I noticed this a few days ago and I said it will stop NOW. I am getting myself back on track and will be at that onderland mark by my birthday on the 25th of this month! It was this month a year ago I made such a life changing decision. Why should I fail now? I have come so far I just need to keep on going! As Dory would say "Just Keep Swimming, Swimming, Swimming!"

The Bucket List

Ahh The Famous Bucket List. Most people have one or something like that. I started one way back in high school and I found that over the years that bucket list changed. There were things on my list in high school that I could care less about now as my life changed shortly after high school to which the bucket list changed.

So the list in high school was something of travel you could say. Like join the Air Force and go over seas. I did just that! I did go into the Air Force and I lived in England while in the Air Force. Got to see all of England and would not trade that time for anything! So I guess I checked off most of that list.

Then a new list came about. One of joining my church. Lots of goals/bucket list there for me! I got to go to the Temple. Visit Salt Lake etc. I guess you can say that list is added to over the years.

Last year when I started my weight loss journey, I created a "New List" of the things I wanted to do when I lost weight or as I was loosing the weight. Here are some of the "Weight Loss Bucket List"

-Go to the beach and not feel like everyone was looking at me
-Workout and not feel faint
-Do a 5k
-Buy clothing in the "normal" size section in the store(add to this be able to shop anywhere for clothing!)
-Ride a roller-coaster
-Do more around the house
-Ride a horse
-Cross my legs when sitting

These are just some of the things on that list. There are others but for a moment today I like to talk about one of them. That is riding a horse. Yep! I got to ride a horse!

This is me at Camp Oz earlier in the month. I am one of the Stake Asst. Camp Directors for our church and we take girls ages 12-18 to camp with our church.

While at camp we got to ride horses one day. In the past years I didn't ride. I felt I was to heavy and well I don't know if I could have even gotten up on that horse!

This year my goal was to drop at least 100 lbs by camp time. I did just that and more! With this goal met, I felt I could ride. It was so much fun! If I never ride a horse again, I know I got that checked off of my bucket list for weight loss! What a great ride it was. I started to rain but I had that big smile on my face the whole time.

I feel a bucket list can help make your goals. It did for me! So that check is beside the "ride a horse" now. Set mini goals to make it to your big goal. Make a list of the things you dream about and go back to it once in a while to help you reach your goal.

Now I will close here so I can go on to other things on the list........

Being Sick with a Lap Band

Ok while no one likes being sick, I have learned being sick with a Lap Band is really a pain.

Chest congestion is not fun with a band. Then if you are not used to taking meds with the band, you sometimes forget you can't take the horse size pills even if they are cut in half!

I go into my primary care doctor yesterday. He was pleased at the amount of weight I have lost. Puts me on some meds to get me to feeling well and wants me to take Vitamin D again. Saying that Vitamin D is why I am sick because I don't have enough! ugh.

Today, I went to see my band doctor. I did this because last night I got part of that horse size pill stuck! It was not a petty site at all. It would not go down and it did come back up at least but that hurt! Then when I got up today from a rough sleep last night my chest hurt right where my band sits! After a UGI in his office the band is fine and I am just irritated and the Dr. wants me on fluids only for a few days to calm things down. So glad that everything is still fine.

I need to get better before the 4th. I go out of town for my Young Women of my church and we are going to camp for the week! It was this very Young Women camp and serving them that made me want to change my life. You could say they saved my life in a way!

So down another 6.5 lbs today. Great weight loss since the 3rd of June so all and all I am doing great with that...just now I got to get over this summer time cold!

Gynmast launches new fitness program

Gynmast launches new fitness program

Today was my 15 seconds of Fame! Follow the link to read and hear about Shannon Millers new Walk Fit program. Today was the first of an 8 week program each week.

I first met Shannon Miller back in September for the Walk from Obesity and then I could only walk if I was lucky one lap which was not even a mile around St. Luke's Hospital. Since then with the help of my wonderful Dr. I now have done two 5ks (walking them) and now I am doing this program to encourage others that walking at least 30mins a day is really a great form of exercise.

Who is that Woman in the Mirror?

Phil (that wonderful man of mine) and I were out at Wally World yesterday doing a bit of shopping. They are moving departments around again in the store and I found myself waiting on Phil while he was looking at a book. As I was waiting, for what ever reason, they had a few boxes of mirrors in middle of the aisle. You know the full body ones that you might hang on the back of the door. This is when I saw "THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR........

This mirror was in one of the boxes, it could not show my feet, and I am so tall it did not show my head in the reflex of the mirror. So only my shins to my shoulders I could see. I did a double take! Who was that woman there? She was looking of normal size. I looked around for a moment to make sure there was not someone standing beside me that would be in the mirror. Nope it was me and only me. I even found myself doing a little turn around to check out my backside! And it was then I found myself saying to myself...Dang! I look good anymore! Even if I am in workout clothes.

I really don't know the woman in the mirror. I see the old me, I even feel it at times. But I do know this is really all in my head. Yes, I have a mirror at home and see myself each day, but I think those who have taken this journey to loose weight need these unexpected times to make us realize that yes, I really have lost at least 125lbs! I hear it from my family and friends but it has been a long journey for me to come to know that I am really not obese anymore. I can shop in normal stores and find something new to wear! It is such a great feeling!

So, I just might have to go back to Wally World and buy that mirror. It was the mirror I saw my future in.

Yesterday was our 20th Wedding Anniversary

Phil and I have been married 20 years! Oh my what a ride! Looking at this picture we were young and thin! Phil is my MAJOR supporter in this journey to loose weight and always says I can do it! I love him so much.

In this picture taken the day we were married at the Washington DC Temple is my sons (now our sons) Adam and Justin. They were so young! Adam was taller then Justin at this time!

Justin is also a great supporter for me and he may not even know it. Every time he see me he says "WOW" you lost more weight! He now kids me because I am weighing less then he does!

Adam is also a supporter. He careful to ask where I would like to go if we go out for lunch. He might know this but I really started this blog to cover my journey for him. I worry about my Adam. Adam if you read this know I love you and would want you to find the freedom that I have.

As for the rest of my family who is not picture above and came later in our lifetime together. Chris is a wonderful huger AND supporter! Each day he loves to put his arms around me and see just how far he can go around now. One of my goals was to be of normal size weight by the time he graduated from High School. I am well on my way! Thank you Chris for your hugs!

My beautiful daughter Kaitlynn. She is my carb counter! She reads the labels as much as I do now. She says "Madre you can't eat that" or "That is like your whole carb count for the day". She did my first 5k with me. Likes to walk with me. Thank you Kaitlynn for doing all this with me! While we been on this journey, and I say we as my family been right there with me, we all have lost weight, toned up because of the way I now eat and the family most times eats the same way or just not as much.

So that is my family. We are there for each other and I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful family. I do not know where I might be today if I had not be blessed in finding such a wonderful husband and father. WE may not have it all together, but together we have it ALL!