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Thursday, July 26, 2012

{It’s Time to Turn Up the Heat.}


The CEO of the hospital I work in taught a leadership lecture today that I had the honor of being present for. The CEO is a classy woman with a southern accent that draws me in every time I hear her speak. She has this way about her that I hope to see in myself some day. I think people adore her, but hope to never be on her naughty list. I love that. She talked about leadership and hard work and change. It takes a lot of courage to push through struggle. Doing what’s right, whether at work, in school or at the gym, takes courage. Courage, in the face of adversity and change can seem near impossible.

I feel like I have been working really hard on fitness. Burning thousands of calories every day, double days at boot camp with Body By JHeb, getting ready for my 5K challenge (thanks to Michael) this Sunday, lots of water and I have started Shakeology as a meal replacement for breakfast, yet my weight seems to be plateauing for longer than I am willing to deal with patiently. I haven’t gained, but for the last 2 weeks, I have only lost 2.6 pounds.  I know what it is…I am not on my food game. I am not eating bad, but I am not as sharp as I need to be. I have either eaten far too few or a couple too many calories on an inconsistent basis for the last 2 weeks. Instead of beating myself up and completely binging on some kind of salty, sugary fast food, I am trying to see where and why I went ‘wrong’. I say ‘wrong’ because I have not binged, nor have I eaten anything disgustingly bad in the last 8 months. On the days where I have gone over my 1400 calorie budget, it’s not on bad food. But nonetheless, calories are calories are calories. If you eat more than you burn, you gain. If you eat less than you burn, you lose. And if you eat about the same, you roughly maintain. Clearly, I am not an expert, but what I love about this journey is that it’s easy. 1+1=2. Though I am burning more than I am eating, it’s not enough. My sister and I have been on this journey for a little while now and many of you started with us at the beginning, and it’s not over. And after 32 years, it’s just the beginning for me. I have a long way to go. One hundred and twenty-five pounds, to be exact. That’s more than a lot of people weigh. Now is not the time to lose sight of all the work, all the sweat, all the 72 pounds I have already lost.  Now is the time to turn up the heat.

Shout outs:

To everyone on a journey…no matter what journey…and especially to Nan, Cara, Nicole, Ryan, Victor, Heather, Potate, Meg, Keith, Amanda, Haley, Michael, Mike, JHeb, and Kian, should you ever feel the need to reset, I dedicate this short video to you compliments of my CEO. 



Tips:
Believe in yourself. Trust the process. Change forever. One degree and pound at a time. 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

HOPE for Sudan

There are things that I wish for in this life. Things that only I keep inside of my little head. I work toward the goals and sometimes I just think about someday reaching the goal. This blog was mostly inspired by a good friend of mine (that really is a good friend of Brianne's, but I love her and her family all the same).


The story goes like this, Brianne and Dave were partners at AMR "the Mighty 265" that was what they called themselves. Brianne was there when Dave and his wife Jessica got their dog Kobi, she was there when they found out the were having their first daughter and then Jessica was there to make programs for my wedding and then I got to work with Jessica in dispatch at AMR. Full circle. These people have been in our lives for a while. Sometimes on the side line, but always ready to be in the game.


Dave and Jessica have had some pretty amazing things happen to them. The most recent is the growth of their church, HOPE Church of San Mateo. I look at pictures and I want so badly to make that a part of my life, that little goal in my head will soon come true. I am taking Ryan and the boys to check it out.


I am sharing this because just like my journey; EVERYONE has a journey, theirs is through HOPE Church. In April, Dave went to Sudan. He went to spread the word, but there is so much more that he found. Because we all know that what we take away is not what we thought we would.  Read about it here... Hope for Sudan because his journey is just starting! 


Please take moment to read, read Jessica's whole blog, subscribe, and if you can GIVE!
Your donation is tax deductible and 100% of funds raised will go to Hope Church, directly for this effort.
The donation button is at the bottom of the website link Hope for Sudan.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

{Inspire to be inspired.}

by Betty
You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.
Fun fact: I am obsessed with movie musicals. Rent, Chicago, Nine…Burlesque. I can sing almost every word to every song. There is something about the music, dancing and costumes that make me wish I took theater in high school.
I have had 3 very inspiring experiences…all in just one day! Like I have said before, I tell everyone about my journey to stay accountable and to find inspiration along the way.
Inspire to be inspired.
Her name is Kathy and she is a manager in a department in the hospital I work for. There was just something about her. She exuded an energy that I hope to one day mirror. I knew we would be friends the moment I met her, but I can’t just say that out loud without risking a 5150 hold. I have been struggling with a rib out of place and mentioned that my recent boot camp may be the culprit. She immediately took interest and I knew our connection was going to be our weight loss journeys. She explained that she has lost 100 pounds in 1 year!!!! Holy! And went from a size 28/30 to a 14/16. Amazed! She has changed her life all on her own. Her eyes were bright and proud as she spoke. We hugged; I took her card and look forward to building our friendship.
I have mentioned before that my Body Bugg (named Tonia, after my ass kickin trainer at the Resort) has been one of the greatest tools I have in my life. It counts my calories burned so I know where I am at and how much more I need to do to meet my target. I mentioned that I had a Body Bugg to this fantastic co-worker, T, who is in excellent shape (and looks like Pro-WMBA star Candace Parker) and she went home and bought one. The same day! I know people read this blog and I know Cara and I have done our fair share of spreading the knowledge, but she actually bought the Body Bugg and called me to say “thank you for inspiring me”. Crazy, because I am so inspired by her. She is clearly very active and healthy. What can I possibly do to inspire her? I am so honored to say that this journey has been so much bigger than I ever thought it would be.
I made a friend with this feisty lady, Beth, down the hall from my office. She is everything I want to be when I am truly at peace with who I am. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, but has a heart big enough for everyone. I sit with her in between busy parts of our day and we talk about family and fitness and life. I hadn’t seen her in a couple weeks and when she saw me today she told me I looked great and looked like I lost since I’d seen her last. I am not one for compliments. I think all the years of self-loathing stopped me from even being able to hear a compliment from anyone. Still unsure about receiving them, it felt great to hear Beth say it because I know no bullshit would ever leave her mouth. I even did a little skip back to my office.
The reason I am sharing this is because I am so not the person I was 7 months ago. I forget that the new people I am working with now, don’t know the old me. They only know the new me. They are all such a part of my journey and keep me inspired. I will continue to stay present, mindful and sweaty. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself.
This is far from over. You haven’t seen the last of me.
Shout outs:
Cara….Sometimes I think you are far past hard days, but I know not every day is easy for either of us. You have changed your life. I look at you and I see success. You are doing this for you and Ryan and your babies. The greatest gift you could ever give. I am so proud of you and I am inspired by your skinny ass every day. Let hard days come and let them go. Tomorrow is a new day. I dedicate this Cher song to you. I love you more than floating on Pinecrest Lake.

To Kathy, T, and Beth, THANK YOU for inspiring me. I need my journey to be filled with moments that make all the hard worth it. You make it worth it.
Tips:
Tell everyone about your journey and watch movie musicals.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

{Do You}


by Betty

I truly believe that there is something to be offered from everyone we meet. The key is to try to find out what.

I have the pleasure of meeting many people every day at work. This week I met a woman who came into the ER and was sent down for a scan of her head. To avoid any patient rights violations, I will leave her name out. She was laying on a gurney and said hello to me when I walked in. I went over to her bedside and asked her name and how she was feeling. She told me why she was there and asked me what I do. I told her I was responsible for ensuring her quality of care was superb while she was in our hospital and she thanked me. She told me that she used to teach special needs kids and that when she started to get older and her health started to decline, she wasn’t able to continue. Her health deteriorated while she was unemployed and uninsured. She found herself another job, but has struggled with her health ever since. I noticed a bandage over eye that was from a recent surgery, poor hygiene, and sadness. I couldn’t help, but want to stay beside her as she waited. She told me that she has spent her whole life taking care of other people and now as she gets older, all the years that she didn’t take care of herself, were catching up with her. She was overweight and suffers from chronic medical conditions, most likely caused by her weight. I was confident she was older, but sad to hear she wasn’t even 60.

During this brief encounter, I looked at this woman and I realized that if I don’t stay committed to my journey I might be her someday. I know that I struggle taking less care of myself than I do other people so meeting this patient was a significant. I don’t want to wake up some day and be laying on a gurney waiting for a CT because I didn’t take care of myself. I told her that her service had probably changed the lives of many people and that a life of service is something I have profound respect for. She graciously said thank you and I told her that our staff better take good care of her. It was late and I walked back to my office, packed my stuff and drove home.

The truth is we have one life to live. Everyday we get older and everyday that we live any way less than what we deserve is a true disservice. I know I am worth the good life I want. Everyday I am reminded of how lucky I am to be only 32 years old with many years ahead of me. This simple concept serves as my constant motivation. I don’t want to find myself sick and too tired to do anything about it. I refuse to waste anymore time. This journey may not be easy, but it is worth all the hard work if I get to live well.

Shout outs:

Menne: Thank you for your message. I think I really needed it. Part of the reason Cara and I continue to blog is in hopes that we may inspire as we have been inspired. And you inspire me every day. Thank you.

Fam: Pinecrest was epic. T-ball, lake water fitness, lots of sun, raging fires, low-cal smores, fantastic food, the party boat, late night convos in sleeping bags…And Grode almost died. Thank you for being you.


Tips:

Take care of yourself every day before it’s too late. Just Do You.