Week 7 & 8 =done!

Hi friends. Seems as if I'm having a hard time writing these things lately due to lack of time and energy to do so. Just like the last post, things are so busy for me. Working a lot, crossfit, bible study, fundraising for SKAD, etc etc. Whew. So, I just finished my first WOD of week 9 and it was a soul crusher, but I finished. 6 rounds of 200 meter runs and 25 burpee's. My two least favorite things and I did not think I would be able to finish it, but, while praying myself through the entire thing, I completed in a bit under 22 minutes. Hooray for me.
Let's recap the past two weeks. Week 7, I went my four days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.) Pushed through even while feeling exhausted. It's so awesome having an amazing team of people pushing you through even when you feel like you can't go any further.
Week 8, I made it to Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday's WOD and missed out on Friday's. Felt kind of bad, but when duty calls, you've got to answer.
Last week Amy had me write down my eating for a three day period and I did it during the weekend and it was terrible. Not bad eating, but just not eating enough.. It's really funny to me hearing that I'm not eating enough, because I'm struggling with the mindset of not wanting to overeat. I have this mentality of 'oh I can't eat that' because I associate certain foods with being overweight and it's a huge struggle for me right now. So keep me in your prayers. I haven't had too much of an appetite, so I'll eat a protein bar for a meal or a little bit of jerky. I know I know, not good. I'm just in a battle of the mind and having the Lord work me through it. Thus, I'm being open with all of you guys, so you can hold me accountable. Ask me how my eating is the next time you see me.
Eating disorders are such a sad thing. Who would think food could be such an issue for so many people? I've had conversations with multiple people, who you wouldn't even think struggle with it and they are have huge issues with it. Friends, I am SO thankful I did not have weight loss surgery. God is literally pushing me through this issue with my weight through these work outs. I feel super burdened for people who do go the extra mile to have this surgery and don't even change their eating habits. That makes me so sad. Don't you want to be free from the bondage of food? That is a little side note from a person I came in contact with last week. Saying 'Oh I can't eat that because it won't go down because of my surgery. But give me my Venti frappucino.' Look, I never want to seem like I'm bad mouthing anyone, because I get it, some habits are hard to break... But c'mon! You can do it! I feel more burdened than anything.
I'm enjoying Crossfit so much and I cannot believe I'm still doing it. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me and I give God the glory for it. He has put the right team of people in my path to help motivate me and He has been giving me the strength to do it. There are days that I have a heavy heart and feel the tears coming on when I don't think I'll be able to complete a WOD and the insecurities try to creep in, but I've noticed if I just keep on moving, 9 times out of 10, I am completely capable of finishing my work out. I'm learning that it is a mental battle and I have to keep on pressing forward.
So that is it, for now at least. I'll try to post more about the WODs and how I've been doing. My weight is down to 270 now and it doesn't seem as if I've lost much in numbers, but the measurements are proof that my body is taking new form. I cannot believe it! I am so thankful that God is giving me this transformation through Crossfit. I think this is the greatest work out plan ever and I urge everyone to try it out! I love Crossfit Tyler and Amy & Brad Chesley and everyone else that cheers me on. You guys are seriously the best!

This is after Thursday of week 8 with my friends Nicole and Janna. 

Two amazing women who encourage me every day. I am forever thankful for them.

Went to a music & art festival this past weekend to set up a table for SKAD.

Can't believe I can fit into that skirt. It's my favorite. Eventually I'll have to let it go because the weight just keeps on coming off. Praise the Lord!

I swore to myself I'd never show anyone this picture on the left because of how bloated I look. I would wear this dress and keep the top unbuttoned because it didn't fit. If you see the belt difference and now I can button it completely. In fact, the photo on the right is from a few weeks ago, so it's already getting loose on me. I'm thankful to have these to share with you. 

Spread the word & spread the hope!

Just sharing this with you, in hopes that you'll considering partnering with us and making this dream/vision a reality! Help us spread hope to the youth of this generation!

Week 4-6, finished and in the books.

Hi there friends. Life seems to have been insanely busy these past few weeks and I haven't had too much time to just sit, take a deep breath and pour out my heart and thoughts to this here blog. So, let's go back to week four. The week started out kind of lame because I found out Sunday morning that my grandfather (Dads father) passed away. Honestly, it was hard on me for multiple reasons but the main one being the fact that I never allowed myself to get close to him as an adult. I have just tried to kind of look past anything to do with my dad and that includes his side of the family. Which is WRONG. Do not do that. If you have issues with one of your parents, do not, I repeat, do not, miss out on an opportunity to love on the rest of the family. In fact, which I'm getting ready to do, take time to make amends and forgive that member of the family and restore relationships. So, since my grandpa passed away, I missed crossfit on Monday because I had the visitation that night.
Tuesday came and it was an intense work out and my first time to do burpees. I am in no way, a fan of burpees, let's just throw that out there. I ended up knocking the wind out of myself twice and then I started having an anxiety attack because I couldn't catch my breath. Amy was there to encourage me, but I just felt overwhelmed and started to cry. So yes, ladies and gents, this was my first official cry during working out. I felt so stinking defeated.
The next day, which was Wednesday, I had an incredible work out where I got my butt kicked. 50 jump ropes, 50 sit ups, 200 meter run, 40 jump ropes, 40 sit ups, 200 meter run... down to 10, 10 and a run. If you get what I'm putting down, you're understanding that it was exhausting. I felt so stoked that I was actually able to finish the WOD. After I left the box, I was heading to bible study, I had the craziest (and scariest) thing happen to me while I was driving. In my right eye, I started seeing zig zag lines and I would close my eyes in hopes that it would go away and then it moved into both of my eyes. As you image, this was so scary because I was driving, but I tried to keep my cool and just assumed that it was anxiety, since I had been plagued with it for the past few months. So, I prayed, and rebuked it (oh yeah, imagine a girl praying out loud and taking authority over something in the name of Jesus, as she's driving...) people probably thought I was crazy. I had peace about it, but it was worsening more and more and I started seeing rainbows and kaleidoscopes in my eyes and well, I had the thought that I was a) on acid (haha I'm a bit ridiculous sometimes) or b) having a stroke or something. So, I called my friends and went to their home and laid on the couch and said what I was feeling. This wasn't like other times of panic and anxiety because this time, I was pretty calm, just wondering what the heck was wrong with me. So, we ended up going to the hospital and we sat in the parking-lot praying that it would go away and it did, so we ended up driving back to their home and I stayed for awhile and rested. For the next few hours, I had the worst throbbing headache, was totally weak, and I was nauseated for the rest of the evening. Talk about over exertion?!? I have no idea what that REALLY was, but after talking to a few people, it could have been an aura migraine or something along those lines. I'm open to someone telling me what it is, so if any of you have any ideas, let me know.
Well, anyway, Thursday came along and I did not want to go because I had a fear of that happening again, so I stayed home and rested. The entire evening I was kicking myself because I really wanted to be there, but the rest was really great. I had awesome quiet time with the Lord and nothing beats that. I went Friday to the box and had an amazing work out and finished on a good note. Those are the days you feel accomplished.
Week five, I went every day but Wednesday night because I had a bible study and a meeting after. I don't have much to say about that week, except my friend Marisa joined Crossfit with me, so it has been great having her there to work out with. Oh yeah and it has been rather awesome having the man who was going to do my weight loss surgery, at my box, cheering me on! Kind of funny if you ask me.
Week six, is what I've just completed. I went Monday, Tuesday, & Friday. I've decided that I'm not going to go on Wednesdays anymore because of bible study and I don't want to feel rushed leaving Crossfit at 545 and getting all the way across town by 6. At first I was so worried of what everyone would think about me missing a day of working out and that people would judge me, but then I realized how silly that is. As long as I'm being active and going 3 or more days, then I'm doing something. That has been my goal all along. Plus, I don't need to worry about what everyone else thinks. (Conviction)
I've been doing a lot of praying this week about working out and making sure my motives are pure and that I stay focused on Christ. Anything that is put above God is an idol and I don't want my health to become an idol, but I do want to create change in my life and be a better steward of the life I've been given. With that being said, I've noticed that I'm praying a lot more during the work outs and that has been so helpful. God has been giving me the strength I need to finish them and to finish strong. This week, I made little goals for myself during the WODs and on every single one of them, I exceeded my personal goal, so it felt so great to even do that. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I was. I have went down an overall 11 inches in various places and I feel great. Today, I did unanchored sit-ups and jogged my first 400 meter straight for the first time. It was super exciting to see my endurance go up. It is so crazy to me how far I've come and I honestly cannot believe where I'm at today. It just took me getting off my behind and doing something about it. God can really light our behinds on fire when He wants to and I believe that is what He did to me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The next few weeks will be crazy because SKAD is doing a lot of fundraising for Warped Tour, so hopefully I'll be able to set aside the time to write these. I really hope you guys are encouraged in reading what the Lord lays on my heart to share. He has been really sweet to me and how often I forget.. That drives me crazy, because we need to remember His goodness every day. He loves us so much and the more we focus on our junk, the more we miss the good stuff. So, I'm trying to have a heart of praise, even through the storm, I suggest you do the same. He has been showing his sweet mercies to me this past week. Last night we had an amazing SKAD Community Night and I had the most amazing opportunity to share the testimony of Christ in my life, with two of our newer SKAD kids and I really feel that they were touched. God is constantly working, even if we think He has forgotten about us.
Until next time, Be blessed and put your words/thoughts into action!

This is me from week one, to week six. Feeling pretty excited about this transformation. It is not only happening on the outside, but believe me when I say it's happening on the inside as well.