WE HAVE LOST 204 POUNDS BETWEEN THE TWO OF US!

It has been so long since I have written here.  Not because I am doing poorly, but because I have been so very busy.  Summer time is a crazy time for us.  We are busy all the time.  What I need to let you know is we have both reached our latest goals.  Dave is now down to 248 so he has lost a total of 132 pounds and I am down to 198 so I have lost a total of 72 pounds.  The coolest thing is since Fawn started working with us we have both lost 72 pounds.  The amazing thing is togehter we have lost 204 pounds. I cried at the gym when I steped on the scale and was below 200...not just below (199.9) but at 198! in the afternoon with my gym clothes on!  I sat there and cried!  It was such an accomplishment.  Dave and I have lost a complete person...an adult...and not just an adult, an obease adult!  Every place we went today (our regular customers) they kept saying they can not believe how good we look.  They love the change in us.  I thank the Lord that we were able to loose it. It has been a year and we have kept it off, and continue to loose...that to me is amazing!  Thank you for all of your support. I will try to write about other things that have beeen going on soon!  I want to share with you about seeing Fawn, and the campign trip we went on.   Loveyou guys.  I could not do this without your love and support!

SOOOO CLOSE!!!

Did you ever work at something soo hard and feel like you can never accomplish it.  That is what is has been like for me...My goal...to get below 200.  This morning I was 200.8.  Fawn is coming on Sunday. We are picking her up at the airport at 4.  I really want to be at 199.  I dont care if it is 199.9 as long as I am below 200!  I have never been this close. I really am so excited about it.  Please pray for me that I can do it.  I have less then 24 hours to loose .9 pounds.  My first reaction is to not eat....but I want to do it the right way, the way I have been doing it from the beginning...to me it would seem like cheating to do it that way.
Three days ago David called me in and asked me to read the scale for him....he told me he couldn't see it! YEAH RIGHT! He just wanted me to see that he was below 250. He was actually 248.  Part of me was soo excited for him...and part of me was...like what about me.  I have been working almost every day, doing my laps, going to the gym, and now he reaches his goal before me...after I just yelled at him for eating things he shouldnt be and not going to the gym...sometimes life just does not seem fair.  I am soo happy for Dave. He really looks awesome.  He is a real handsome man!!! I am thrilled that God blessed me with such a wonderful man.
Could you just take a minute to say a little prayer for me to be able to reach my goal...soon before Fawn leaves my house on Monday!  I dont think it is to trivial, or selfish.  I have been above 200 for this last twenty years...below 210 for the last 4  months.....If God cares about the hairs on my head (maybe a haircut would take off the weight!???) and cares about a fallen sparrow, then He knows the deirse  of my hear...he knows it would mean so much to me for it to happen when Fawn is here.  I will let you know when it happenss...it is going to be soon!!!
Thanks for all your love, your encouragment, and your support!
Love you guys,
Kathleen

The Pool is open YEAH!!!! and I am 4 pounds from my goal!

Latley I have been feeling soooo fat, and not happy with myself at all.  I dont know why,,, just not happy with how anything is going..I have been too sick to go to the gym, and to scared to step on the scale, and not real happy about anything in general...Well, Today Becca woke me up with.."Want to go to the gym with me!"  I really cant resist that beautiful face.  I was still have asleep and said, "Uggg"  Which she took to meen "Yes!" because she said, "Good leaving in ten minutes!"  I pulled myself out of bed, through some clothes on and plopped myself down at the table.  She looked at me and said, "Are you ok?  You look horrible!"  to which I said "Uggg!"  We ate breakfast and she announced that we were not taking the car...but riding our bikes to the gym!  Guess what I said!   "Uggg!"  I got on my bike, still half awake and started to peddle...I love bike riding almost as much as I love swimming...It makes me feel like I can fly! I have not ridden to much in the past few years and we just got a new bike...so it woke me up, and I actually thought becca was riding much to slow for me.  When I got to the gym and changed Becca looked at me and said, "You look really good today mom!"  She also told me that while she was talking to freinds of ours from Virginia that they wanted her to wake me up at midnight to give me a hug and tell me I look amazing, and that they are sooo proud of me! With that I headed to the scales....  As I told you earlier, I really have been avoiding the scales,  I thought I had gone up to 220....some of my clothes were tight on me, and I was sure that I had gained a ton of weight,,,but I am a creature of habbit, so I stepped on the scale.  I was shocked to see that I was at 204...in the afternoon, at the gym...this is the lowest I have ever been at the gym!  I was soo shocked!  Then I started my routine.  It was hard at first, because I have not been there in at least a week, but I was able to do everything with three reps of fifteen, not ten...not to say, that I was not sweating like crazy ( I usually do not sweat!)  but I finished everything.  I then told Becca that I wanted to take the lead on the bike because she goes to slow!  I peddled my heart out and loved every minute of it.  I must say I got to the house quite a while before she got there!  We  had about a half an hour break and then I had to take becca to work(she is a life guard at the community pool.  I knew I had to swim...so I packed my bag and headed to the pool.  As I got there everyone said,  "It's freezing!"  So I sat and sunbathed for about half an hour...then I knew I had to get in...As I jumped in it really was freezing at first.  I looked at Becca (who had told me it was warm) and said, "you lied to me,,,it is freezing!"  But then I started to swim...It is magic when I start swimming.  I feel like I am lighter than air...Like I can do anything! I Kept swimming and swimming and swimming....and loveing every moment.  I polished off my 100 laps in 40 min!  It felt so good.  I feel soo good.  I just pray that I can continue with this.  It would be awesome if I could work out and swim every day.  I only need four pound until I can reach my goal...I would love to do it before July 17th when Fawn comes to visit!  I will let you know how I do!

I tried on Swimsuits and I can wear a size 12-14!!!

I Tried on Swimsuits! I Can Wear Size 12-14

If you have gotten to know me at all you will by now realize that I love to swim...There is something about the water that releases some sort of peace inside of me.  I feel skinny, light and unstoppable when I am in the water.  I love doing laps and swimming.  It makes me feel alive and rejuvenated.  Last year while at mom's house I had forgotten my swimsuit (I usually went swimming while I was at moms)  Mom pulled out a size 16 and said "Try this on!"  I thought...Yeah right... (I was a size 22 at that time!)  I squeezed my body into it as best as I could and swam. I know I stretched the suit out, but it has gradually been getting bigger and bigger on me.  This season it is pretty loose.  I went to try on suits and the 16 looked huge.  I tried on 5 different styles and they were all big. I had to go back and get the 12-14 size...AND THEY FIT!!! I was shocked!  I did not buy one, although I wanted to just for the size,but I now know I can fit into a 12-14!

Weigh In for Ten Months

Here are stats for both of us

Dave Starting weight-- 380

Dave's starting weight with fawn- 330

Dave's weight last week 258

Dave's weight today- 252

Weight loss for the week- 6 pound loss

Total weight loss with Fawn- 78 pounds

Total weight loss- 128 pounds!!!  ALMOST 130 POUNDS!!!!!

Kathleen's Starting weight-- 270

Kathleen's starting weight with fawn-260

Kathleen's weight last week 210

Kathleen's weight today-206

Weight loss for the week- 4 pounds

Total weight loss with Fawn- 54 pounds

Total weight loss-64 pounds!!!  YEAH!!!! (I want 70!!!)

Positives for Week
* I have been swimming laps 2 times this week
* Dave has been at the gym almost every day
* Dave looks amazing!!!!
 Negatives
*NONE*

Please know we are working hard to get to our goals. Mine seems to be going slower then Dave's, but I am hoping that once the pool opens up it will fall off me like it did when I started.  I seem to loose, then gain and loose again...Not fun...getting old quick IF I COULD JUST GET BELOW 200!  I know I would feel better about myself then.  We are doing well, we are enjoying life more then we ever have and have great plans for our future. 

I am not a paper boy!!!

Last night my son called at 1am and told me he was not going to make it home to do papers...so Rachael and I were up, and had just finished a movie so I said we would do it.  I woke Dave up and told him what Brandon said and said, "We are up, you have help,,, why don't we just go now!"  Let me tell you it is a whole new world out there at 1am...the bars are going full swing, the animals are running all over...and it was dark and foggy...spooky kind of night!  It made me appreciate what my husband does so much more...As I ran from house to house with my daughter and husband I realized how truly blessed I am to have the family that I do.  For them to be willing to do this in the middle of the night, just to make sure our bills are paid is amazing... It is getting my son in shape.  He does not just walk up to the houses like Dave and I do, he sprints from house to house...in the dark.  The animals do not scare him...he loves chasing them and scaring them.... I went to Wal-Mart and got him a pair of shorts...his are literally falling off from him, and the 42 are a little big on him. He is down below 250 and looks awesome.  I am just so proud of the family that God has blessed me with...My heart is filled with love and gratitude for all that they do to make my life easier. I did realize that I can do anything I need to do...whether it is wearing a clown hat, a speaker hat, a baker hat (when someone needs donations for bake sales), a teacher hat (when I teach my awesome middle scholars), a mom hat, and yes, even a paper boys hat...when the need arises I can step up to the plate and be that too...God gives us the strength to do anything we need to do...

We are Back on Track!

Thank you all for all of your prayers.  We could tell that they were coming.  We have had a great week. We have restructured everything.  Dave now waits until 3:30am to start papers...then he gets home at 4:45.  Then him Brandon, Becca and I get ready and go to the gym by 5am.I love Springcrrek Athletic Club...It is amazing!  I have been working almost every day...so   When brandon or I am working we get ready at the gym and leave by 7am.  We have been doing a 2 hour workout every other day for the past week and a half.  It feels great.  We are on track with our diet and doing well.  I have not stepped on the scale, but I would be surprised if I did not loose.  Dave got his back put back in place and now he is rearing to go.  It feels so good to be back on track...My most exciting news is that the pool opens up in just 10 days!!! Once I can get back to my laps, I know it will come off!!! It is only through our determination and your prayers that we are able to do this...thank you again!  You are our cheerleaders....we could not do this without you!  You are awesome!  Love you all!

You have to see how good Dave looks he has lost 130 pounds!!

 You Have To See How Good Dave Looks.  He Lost 130 Pounds!



This is Dave now! Size L or 36 waist! He has lost 130 pounds so far!

This was Dave last Aug 2010 size 3X or 46 waist He had already lost 60 pounds at this point!

 I know this does not make any sense since my last post, but this is from May 16th the latest pictures of Dave. I am so proud of  him...he has lost over 130 pounds!  That is why We need your prayer so much...we have gone too far for us to go backwards...

 

This is probably where we started going wrong...I felt he deserved a birthday cake. The picture makes it look much bigger then it is.  It is the tiniest carvel ice cream cake that they make. We really only had a small piece each but it was the start of our fall!

Isn't he sooo cute! He is much loved!

Look at how awesome he looks.  He looks years younger.  He is amazing! I have loved this man for 32 years!  Hard to believe. Who would have known when I was 16 that I would end up with such a handsome husband!  Rachael made all the signs for his birthday! He still makes silly faces, and still keeps me laughing!



 

We are struggling to get back on schedule

We Are Struggling to Get Back On Schedule

This has been a crazy month. We have not had as many shows so Dave has taken on a paper route to bring in some extra money.  This means getting up at 12:30am-3:30am and running from house to house delivering papers.  Now I does not sound to bad, only three hours, but when you interrupt  your sleep like that it causes all kinds of havok with your schedule.  It is also the end of the year at school, so I have been working as much as I can. There is only two weeks left, and that paycheck is gone. We have been working hard. and not getting anywhere, but behind in everything.  Dave is so tired during the days that he is too tired to make calls.  I have been working so much that I have not made calls for shows.  Luckily our summer is pretty much full.  The worst of the problem is we cant seem to get back on track with any of the food or exercise plan.  It happened so quickly.  We would be out at the mall and decide to eat out...whatever we wanted.  We were camping and decided "we were on vacation" We were doing shows and had no snacks so we stopped and got a baby sized ice cream.  We have been so busy that we have not had time for the gym.  I stepped on the scale this morning and almost choked when I saw 208 again.  I was down to 203. Now that is only 5 pounds, but I feel every one of those 5 pounds.  Because I have not been at the gym I know I have lost muscle and have replaced it with fat.  I can feel it. Clothes that fit me fine a week and a half ago...seem snug on me now.  Dave has been craving sweets like crazy.  The only good thing I did this week was to go swimming two times this week.  I did 100 laps each time, plus ran around the inside of the pool for 20 min.  I thought that would counter what I was eating but it did not. Dave is getting discouraged about not going to the gym.  When he does go he struggles with weights that were no problem for him two weeks ago.  He does not know what to do...I ask for your help...we need your prayers, your encouragement and your support right now.  We don't need you to say..."It s ok, everyone goes thru that!"  We need to you tell us to get going...and help us to get back on track!  We have come too far to go backwards.  It is frustrating beyond no measure to see the  scale go up instead of down.  I was supposed to get up and go with my Becca this morning at 5am and I was just too tired to do it.  We have had three weeks to adjust, we need to just get back on schedule and get\ moving in the right direction again.

God is there even when you cant feel it!

This week has been very hard emotionally for Dave and I.  As I said earlier, we lost a good Godly man who was very special to us...His daughter put this on her face book.  It has touched me so very much....We expect God to give us blessings protection, healing, prosperity, and for God to ease our suffering...we get mad at God when we dont get the answers we want...God hears all of our prayers...sometimes we have to go through hard times to become the people that God wants us to be.  God is there....we should not doubt His love...Our healing may come through the tears, the pain, the trouble...

This song says it all....please listen to it..It is amazing...Get the tisssues!

Laura Story - Blessings

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‎*This album is now on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blessings/id429376000 Visit Laura Story's website: http://www.laurastorymusic.com/ Laura Story...

It is time for us to step up and be the leaders....

It is Time To Step Up and Be Leaders

 

This has been a year of change for us.  A year of loss.  Not only of loosing weight, but  a year of loosing the great spiritual leaders that were a part of our lives.  My mom was the first.  My heart still hurts when I think about her being gone. So many time I reach for the phone and say..,"I've got to tell mom about that!" to reach back and realize...she is not there. We will also be loosing the house we grew up in.  This week we signed the papers for the sale of mom's house.  Although we know it is for the best, and we know that God picked the perfect family to move in there, we also know that as of July 22 we will no longer have a home to go home to.  It is bittersweet.  Another loss... The week after mom died Mr. D (our youth leader growing up) died.  He was the one that made our retreats fun...His singing, laughing and story telling were always special to me. 
This last week we lost another one of the Great Godly men from our life. Don Ensmenger has been a part of my life from as long as I could remember.  When I was a little girl he used to perform for us at church.  He always came over to our house for  lunch and he always shared with our family his desire to serve the Lord.  When I got to be a teen he used to perform at our summer camp. Everyone loved Mr. E. As Dave was interested in magic, Mr. E became his role model.  So much so that he wanted him to perform at our wedding.  As we moved from Albany back to WNY our friendship continued to grow.  Don was the perfect example of an evangelist.  Everywhere he went you felt like you were touched by God's presence. He lived his whole life with everything he had sharing the love of God with others he came in contact with. He was a a very special man.

As we stood beside his bed knowing that he was going to be with the Lord soon, we could just feels God's arms of protection around that man.  What an honor to be there when someone goes in the presence of the Lord. I think I have cried more over Don's death then any of the others.  I am not sure why.  Maybe because it reminded me of mom or maybe because I realized he was the last of the greats. I looked at Dave and said, "All of the prayer warriors are gone...who is going to pray...."  "All of the Great Godly influences in  my life are gone, who will I look up to.." As I stood by his bed in the last few minutes I thanked him for the wonderful Godly example he was in his life.  He was quiet and Solid, just like my dad.  In some ways, in the past 18 years he has taken the place of my dad.  He had wisdom that he would share and a heart of gold which he would reach out to anyone in need.  I told him Dave and I would not be the people we are today if it  was not for his Godly influence in our life.  His constant persistence of reaching others for the Lord.  I also told him it was time for Dave and I to step up to the plate and continue his journey.  We need to become the Godly leaders...We need to become the "Spiritually Strong"  We need to step up to the plate  and become the spiritual leaders that one day people will look up to.  It is kind of scary to realize that a whole generation is almost all gone.  We are now the older generation...We are the ones who need to pick up the Bible and start taking over where others left off.

Yesterday was also our Lifestyle change Bible study.  I was so looking forward to  it.  I needed my girls.  Needed to share all that I have gone through this week.  As I called the ladies the first one said she could not come, the second one said she could not come, one by one they were not able to make it. When Jeanette called and said she was not coming  I just started to sob.  I did not mean to, it just happened. I did not mean to make her feel bad, I just could not help it. As that Godly women prayed for me, I realized how lucky I am to have her in my life.  She prayed for peace. She also said God had something special planned for me.  As I got ready for my group I realized that I need to step up to the plate. I put a smile on my face and welcomed my guests.  Edith brought her sister in law.  What a character. She had just moved from Texas. She was so funny and we had such a good time.  I looked around my room and realized that God needed it to be just who we had there,  He knows best.  He is in control.  I was blessed by the people we had.  He is changing our group, refining it, and making us stretch.  I am so glad God is a better planner than I am.

I

This is what I said for Girlfriends day out!

My Journey to Transformation

I am Kathleen Jeffers, and I am on a Journey…not just any journey…but a Journey to transformation.   8 months ago I was not the person I am today… I had a disease…

My disease was different than any other…no one sent cards…saying praying …everyone could see it, but no one acknowledged it.  It is a disease that was slowly killing me…but no one, including myself were doing anything about it.

What was it…obesity…When I first looked at my doctors chart and saw those words…not just obesity, but extremely obese…I was offended.  I never looked at myself as obese…that is such a nasty word…. Fat Maybe…but more like big boned…or pleasantly plump as my husband used to say…but never obese.  I knew I was over weight…but  I did not feel it was a real problem.

A year ago my husband…who weighed 380  pounds at the time looked at me and told me…we need to loose weight.  I, who was over 270 pounds looked at him and said…what every good women says…”You go ahead honey…I will catch up with you later…You can do it!”  So he did…He started to exercise every night on an elliptical…Every night he would ask,  ”Do you want to join me?”  Every night I would say…”NO” 

See I was not ready. I had lost weight before….lots of weight.  An amazing thing happened…whenever I lost weight.  No matter how much weight I lost, I magically gained it all back and more…Kind of like a bonus!  I was not going to work hard to have that happen again.  Then, God started to work on my heart.  He used a book called "Slow but Sure!" Through this book, about another person that lost weight and kept it off, I was able to see that I could do it. 

I now had the desire but no idea how.  Exercise certainly did not appeal to me as it did my husband.  Although, at this time my husband was closing in on loosing 50 pounds, and still going with just exercise.  I was on face book and I saw a message from my niece, Fawn. She was saying she was going to work with this lady Audra and help her loose over 100 pounds.  As soon as I saw that I started to cry. I am too late. I wrote as fast as I could to Fawn saying, ”What about me? I need to loose weight to.  Will you work with me?”  She wrote back and said “Aunt Kathleen, I just happen to be arriving from LA to visit grandma next week…lets talk!”  So we did. We sat out on my moms deck and she told us her plan.  She made us look her right in the eye and make a commitment to her…As I looked her in the eye and said “I will do this!”  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  The next day she was at my house with garbage bags. She was cleaning out my cupboards, my fridge, my freezer and every other hiding spot I had in the house.  She left none of my comfort foods.
Let me tell you, I felt like I was stripped of all my security. I was lost. She left me with one box of whole wheat noodles, one jar of sauce and fruit and vegetables.  As soon as she left, I stood at my cupboards and cried! Looking back now,  I thank God she was strong enough to do that. She did it not to a stranger, but to her Aunt Kathleen!  Sometimes…we have to be stripped of all of our securities before God can do a great work in us….

Then started the change!  We totally changed how we ate, how we exercised, and what we did.  We blogged on the internet and followed her instructions perfectly. Let me tell you this was a hard time to try to loose weight.  My mother, who to me was the most Godly, loving mom in the world, and my best friend, was dying.  I would go over to her house and there would be literally tables stacked high of goodies and food that wonderful people brought over to comfort us.  I never touched one of them.  When I start to get discouraged. I look back at that time and say, "If I could do it then, when my heart was breaking…then I can do it now!"

I started to loose weight…My husband and I became a team…we learned how to encourage one another…we started to exercise together and we started to love each other in a new way! When we went to Disney this fall with our girls…they had to ask us to slow down. We were accomplishing our dream of being in shape. We were leading the healthy lifestyle.

It was great…

I loved having my husband work with me but I had a burden for other ladies who I wanted to help… I knew just who I wanted in my group.  I did not need the holy spirit to tell me. I was in charge. I invited them all and would you believe not one of them came!  No  one came…accept one lady…a friend of my mothers who I met at the gym.  She and I met for six weeks We prayed for six people in our group  and every week none of my friends showed up.  I used to call them, hound them, and write on face book because I knew they needed help...but they never came. See God had other plans…when my mom's friend  went to Florida for a month I gave up my idea of a class.  I said this is a waste of time. I am not giving up time I could be working for nothing.

But God had other plans.  He wanted to chose who he wanted in my group. He wanted me to give it over to Him. It was only by me letting go that God could work.  He started to bring the people that he wanted in my life.  They just started appearing. I would be working at the gym and one lady asked me to please work with her on losing weight. Another God brought to me at the pool. she wanted to lose weight. My friend came back from vacation and I called her and told her we were ready to start up again…the first week as we were praying I stopped and looked Janette in the eye and said,  ”Look around!  We have exactly 6 people here! "  I realized at that minute that our ways are not His ways. He handpicked our group of ladies.  He knew who needed to be together and formed us into a family.  He has blessed us every week..  We have not only lost weight, 40 pound as a group in 5 weeks, but we are growing spiritually and emotionally.

Ladies if I can leave you with two things today, It would be these two things. First, God can use you in a mighty way no matter what size you are, if you are willing to do His will.  Second, If you are at a point in your life that you are ready to make a change…seek help. For years I struggled on my own! It is so much easier with a group of ladies working towards the same goal. Together we can accomplish anything God set before us.

Weigh in Day!!! We are still loosing

Weigh In Month 9

 

Dave Starting weight-- 380

Dave's starting weight with fawn- 330

Dave's weight last week 260

Dave's weight today- 258

Weight loss for the week- 2 pound loss

Total weight loss with Fawn- 72 pounds

Total weight loss- 122 pounds!!!

Kathleen's Starting weight-- 270

Kathleen's starting weight with fawn-260

Kathleen's weight last week 204

Kathleen's weight today-203

Weight loss for the week- 1 pounds

Total weight loss with Fawn- 57 pounds

Total weight loss-67 pounds!!!  YEAH!!!! (I want 70!!!)

Total weight loss this week 3 pounds
Total weight loss for Dave Kathleen combined. 189 pounds...closing in on 200 total loss!!!

We are still loosing...slower, but still losing. I really want to get below 200...but it seems like I get close and then gain again. I was talking to someone at the gym and they told me that I need to totally change up all that I am doing.  I need to be doing cardio every day. I am having a hard time getting motivated to go to the gym every day,especially when it is so beautiful outside.  I will see when I feel better what I can do.  She said she was stuck there for a long time too.  Once she broke the 200 barrier she started loosing regularly again.  I am hoping. Right now I just need to get better. I have been sick for two days. It is .not fun at all.
Dave is doing awesome.  He is going to the gym just about every day. He is looking real good!!! All of a sudden he looks very different.  He is HOT!!!  It is funny to see people notice him now...flirt with him.  I am glad we have a good relationship or I might be worried!

Mothers day with out a mother...

Mother's Day Without A Mother

This was the day I dreaded since mom passed away.  I was so thankful I had a ladies retreat to think about up until the day before mothers day. I had no time to worry about mothers day...to busy.  I had no time to think about how I had no mother for mothers day.  Saturday was Girlfriends day out.  I had been working on it for the last few weeks so  thankfully mothers day snuck up on me.  Saturday Dave came in and said, "I brought a present for you!".  He wanted to give it to me then...but I said ?Wait till mothers day...It will give me something to look forward to."  Saturday night Dave and I had a show...mother daughter banquet.  He asked me if I wanted to perform something. I really did not want to.  I did not want to talk about how special mothers were when I had none.  My talk would be depressing I thought.  When I came home Rachael had decorated the living room for me. She had made and put up signs all over the place Some said, "You're the best mom!", " Love you Mom!", "You rock mom", "Your a super duper ninja mom!"  It was awesome...It made me feel special. Sunday I woke up at 5am and walked outside just in time to see the sunrise.  It was as if God was saying "Good morning!" to me. Brandon sent me a message before church saying "Happy Mamma's day to the best mamma in the world."  Dave gave me his gift before church...a beautiful necklace that matched the earrings I had just gotten. On the way to church Becca told me she wanted to buy me breakfast at church. After church they fixed me steak salad and vegetables for lunch and they cleaned up to!  When Brandon came home he had gotten me a card with a poem he had written in it and some roses!  We then went to Sprague brook park.. Dave and I hiked through the woods, watched our girls play in the creek and just had a wonderful day!  It was fun!  Then Brandon and his friend came and we played football!  It was just a fun beautiful day. I had no time to be sad about mom. I had no time to think about my loss. I just spent the day enjoying the family that I still have.  I thank the lord for my wonderful family and how they went out of there way to make this mothers day special. When you are so busy thinking about all that you have, you do not have time to dwell on what you have lost.

Easter was very different for us this year!

Easter Was Very Different This Year!

 

This year we decided we were going to have a healthy Easter.  We only got our kids a small amount of chocolate. We fixed healthy choices for our meal.  We had  ham, sweet potatoes, wheat noodle macaroni and cheese (low fat cheese), salad, and sugar free pudding desert....It was great.  After the meal the guys watched the Sabres game.  My cousin, Barb, and the girls and I went to Sprague Brook Park.  We hiked through the woods, watched the girls play in the creek and swung on the swings with the girls.  We had a ball.  When we came home we went over to the school and Barb and I played tennis, while the guys played hockey. We did this till 9 at night!  We had such a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful day that God gave us.  It sure was different then how we used to gorge ourselves  and lay around all day!  So glad we did what we did!

Why did I eat my kids Easter candy??? WHY????

Why Did I Eat My Kids Easter Candy?

 

 

From the time I was very little Easter was always a special time at our house.  It was not just the excitement of  the Celebration of Jesus' Resurrection, .that was special enough, but it was the chocolate.   My parents did not buy Easter candy...we made Easter candy.  We made Easter candy for lots and lots of people.  As it got close to Easter dad would come home with this BIG box.  I can see him walking in the door with that awesome smile on his face.  He would call me over, open up the box, and tell me to smell.  It was the most amazing smell...pure Merkins Chocolate.  He would buy two huge 20 pound blocks of chocolate. Everyone  knew Easter was coming once that happened. They would wait for just the right day.  The temperature had to be perfect...chilly buy not tooo cold. Then the fun would begin. When we were little we had to stay in the living room and watch the adults work. We would peak into the kitchen and watch.  We knew better then to go into the kitchen...this was serious business.

As we got older, we got to take part in the Easter chocolate making business. Dad would take that huge block of chocolate and start to cut it into little pieces...I would catch his eye and he would give me a piece, just a taste...boy was it good! Once it was cut it would go into the double boilers. That is when the house filled with that awesome chocolate factory smells.  They had lots of metal molds which were already cleaned, dried and prepared for the day. Each one would be filled half full of chocolate.  They would turn them and twist them until the chocolate covered the inside of the mold.  Out to the back shed on the marble top they would go to cool..  As they were cooling mom would prepare my favorite part of the chocolate...the base.  She would pore the chocolate onto the cookie sheet nice and thick. They would then take the molds and place the bottoms into the base.  Then they would cool.  It seemed to take forever (it was usually less then ten minutes) for it to set.  We loved this part because we got to taste the leftover pieces.  Just like when you do cut outs, there was chocolate around the molds that could not me used again. It was for us to eat!  It was the most amazing chocolate you have ever tasted....Merkins chocolate.  The best pure chocolate you could get at the time.  Mom would put it on a plate and hand it to us kids. We would take one piece and let it slowly melt in our mouth.  It was the best part of making chocolate! They would then tap the molds and declare they were ready!  They would open the molds and out would come the most beautiful chocolates you have ever seen.  There were the traditional bunnies, which they would then put eyes on and trim around...but there were also elephants, chickens, and my favorite...the teddy bear.  Mom would store them in the back cupboard.  I can still see the whole cupboard filled with chocolate...It was amazing to think that my parents made them!

Dad was the best Easter bunny.  He would hide our baskets in such hard spots for the older kids and perfect spots for us.  He would give us clues that would keep us guessing for hours. He loved Easter!  Once we would find it all of his clues made perfect sense.  I would climb up on his lap and look over all the goodies in my basket.  We used to get gifts too. Until one year while mom and dad were out Christine and I snuck into  mom and dads closet and found our Easter surprises. We were riding the bikes that they had gotten us all over the kitchen as mom and dad came home! Boy was mom mad!  That was the end of our big Easter gifts.

As our kids grew up we tried to mimic the Easter making process.  I had a few molds, and lots of flats and would make them.  It was never the same.  The plastic bag of chocolate disks would never compare to the block of chocolate.  Eventually, I started buying chocolate for my kids.  It had to be good chocolate...Niagara chocolate. This was not quite as good as Merkins, but it was the next best thing.  I used to love to order Brandon the dinosaur egg with the baby dinosaurs inside it!  I got Becca the kitty and Rachael the ballerina slippers.  Eventually it turned into chocolate tools and cars for Brandon and chocolate CD's, skates, and cell phones for the girls...but always the smiley face circles.... To me they tasted like the "Real chocolate" base we used to have as kids.

   This year I only got the kids one piece of Niagara chocolate...and clothes, gifts...  plus the smiley face circles.I ordered them from school and put them in the office and did not think about them...until the week before Easter.  I had not been tempted by the chocolate at all.  Until Dave went to Wal-Mart and got chocolate eggs for the Easter bunny to give out (Dave is the Easter bunny if you have not guessed!)  When I opened up the bags to put into his bunny basket I got a waif of Chocolate.  This was not as good...but it took me back to those childhood days!  I did not want those eggs the "Easter Bunny" was giving out, I wanted the smiley face circles in the office!

   Dave was gone doing shows most of the week.  He took Rachael with him most days to help. This left me home alone most of the week.  I did well until Friday. Rachael called to tell me that her and her daddy were going to a movie. I was tired of being home alone and I was disappointed.  I wanted to spend time with them too.  I wanted to do something fun!  I wanted something special!  My mind immediately went to the chocolate in the closet. I would only have one piece...
As I opened up the bag I knew I should not be doing this....but I continued!  As I put the chocolate into my mouth I was drawn back to those days of old.  I had to have another and another...until I ate half of the one pound bag. I was scared someone would find out. Then I knew what I had to do.  I had to eat the rest...or they would know(my family).  I  also convinced myself that  if I ate the rest I would get so sick of chocolate.  I would make sure.that this would not happen again for  a long time...for ever.  I continued to eat my kids Easter candy.  I had to force the last two down but I ate the whole package.  Now, I did not feel good... I felt guilty.  I really have not had chocolate since last August.  How could I have done that? Here I was leading a diet class and I had failed.   I was meeting the girls at the gym the next day.  What was I going to tell them?

 As I met the girls at the gym I looked them in the eye and told them that I blew it.  I did not want them to make excuses for me and tell me "that is ok we all make mistakes!"  I wanted them to be mad at me.  I wanted them to yell at me. They did not and  they were not mad...but I was mad at myself.. As I stepped on the scale I had gained over a pound.  I was going up for the first time in a long time. I deserved it! I gained the pound I had eaten.  I had worked very hard to get where I was.  If I had just taken one or two pieces that would have been fine.  That is not what I did.  I gorged... eating so quickly that I was not even enjoying it.  The night before Easter as Dave and I were preparing the kid's baskets...they were missing the smiley faces...because of me.  I realize I don't need to gorge myself to bring me back to my childhood memories. They are all in my heart and I can take them out whenever I want, without hurting myself!  I will have to work very hard to get off the pound..but I learned a valuable lesson through it!!!

I got out my summer clothes and cried.....




I Got Out My Summer Clothes and Cried

 

The top two are my 3x and the bottom one is 20.



....and to think these are only 20s  I was wearing up to a 3X or 26!!!


this is me in size 16 and shirt is a large!



I did not think these would fit...just grabbed them to show in picture as my next goal...They fit!  they are size 14!!!! My first pair of size 14 pants!!!!!YEAH!!!!!

This morning Dave wanted to wear shorts, so I went to the closet to get out our summer clothes.  I did not think it would be a difficult thing...but it was.  As I looked in the plastic tote of summer clothes so many memories came flooding back to me.  I pulled out a black and silver shirt and remembered when I went to visit mom in it.  I walked in and she was talking on the phone.  She stopped and said, "Oh wow, you should see what Kathleen is wearing today...she looks so pretty!"  I pulled out my top that I always wore over my swim  suit.  I remember how I would go over to Karen's house and swim my laps as mom was laying in bed sick. I needed that release. I remembered how Marcy came with me and cheered me on. Then I pulled out the shirt from when I had gone to see her for a visit, and I just could not leave her alone.  I ran to Rite aid and picked up this t-shirt.  Then there was the shirt that I got matching ones with my sissy when she was up to spend time with mom. Then I pulled out the blue one that I wore when we did our singspiration in moms room that last Saturday.  I remember how the whole family was gathered around her bed the day before she died .I remember how mom looked from face to face and had a smile for each one of us. Then I pulled out the one that I said goodbye to my mom in for the last time...

I could not stop the tears as they came down dropping on each one of those close that held such precious memories. I can not believe it has been seven months....seven months that flew by quicker then I could blink.  I remember snuggling up to mom in the middle of the night. I hated leaving her alone at night when she was struggling to breath.  So many times I would just ask her if I could snuggle in with her.  I would tell her that I was too tired to drive home. Both of us knew what was going on....we just needed to be together.  I remember holding her  and saying, "What am I going to do without you mom....You are my best friend...I need you!"  She would look at me and said,  "You will make it honey....and I will always be there cheering you on..."  I would have loved to walk in her door today and show her what Dave and I have done.  She would have been so proud of us.  I can picture the smile on her face as she would see how much weight we have lost. We are changed people.
Yes we have lost weight, but more then that, we have been on a journey to transformation.  We have been transformed inwardly as well as outwardly.  God is doing something awesome in my family.  I thank God that mom was there for the first stages of our journey. I knew how proud she was of us. She loved us all so much. As I held each of those clothes for the last time I realized we have been on a journey.  We have beat all odds and changed.  The best part of that plastic stacky of clothes is not one of them fit us....I can not believe we ever fit into 46-48 waist and 3XL for me!  It is something I never want to go back to.  Even the smallest pair of shorts were huge on Dave.  None of them fit either of us.  My clothes were way to big for me.  I never have to put on any of those clothes again.

 I have my memories tucked away in my heart. I know that mom has left a  legacy that each one of her kids will carry on.  We have a love for God, and a love for each other that is growing stronger every day.  Every two weeks all the brothers and sisters have a conference call.....we talk for at least 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. Some of it is business, but most of it is just getting to know one another.  It is a wonderful time of sharing that we never had before. Mom and dad would be soo proud.  We also have spent weekends at mom's house fixing it up to sell. Those days were priceless.  We are getting closer.  That is what would have made mom proud.  Each of us have our special memories with mom and dad that have made us who we are today... I am just thankful that we had such Godly parents! Thankful that each of us have changed for the better...and that we each have memories that we can always pull out and look at whenever we want....and unlike the clothes...those memories will always be a perfect fit!

Weigh in Day...We are still loosing....God is Good!

Dave Starting weight-- 380
Dave's starting weight with fawn- 330
Dave's weight last week 262
Dave's weight today- 260
Weight loss for the week- 2 pound loss
Total weight loss with Fawn- 70 pounds
Total weight loss- 120 pounds!!!


Kathleen's Starting weight-- 270
Kathleen's starting weight with fawn-260
Kathleen's weight last week 206
Kathleen's weight today-204
Weight loss for the week- 2 pounds
Total weight loss with Fawn- 56 pounds
Total weight loss-66 pounds!!!  YEAH!!!! (I want 70!!!)

Weight loss of Dave and Kathleen for this week- 4 pound loss!
Total weight loss of Dave and Kathleen- 186 pounds- In 13 months
Total weight loss with fawn- 126 pounds! (in 7 months!)
Postitives for the week!
*Ladies Bible study is going awesome...we have lost over 20 pounds in our group in 4 weeks
*Dave has officially lost 120 pounds!!! WOW!  So proud of him!
*I am gettting closer to 70 pounds...seems to be taking forever...but I have been steadily loosing 1-3 pounds each week. 
*Brandon is down to 264! He has lost 40 pounds
*I have had more energy, now that I am feeling better and I am spring cleaning!

Negitives for the week
*Dave and I have both been sick this month.  Dave has it now...please pray that he will get better quickly.
*I am starting to get a little flabby skin...hope the gym will get rid of extra skin..I dont want surgery!

I am sorry that I have not been as faithful writting in here. I seems like we have been so busy...time is flying by. Yesturday my mom has been gone for 7 months...does not seem possible.  I did not think I could live without her and time keeps marching on so fast...not fair!  There is still a hole in my heart...but I feel good knowing that she would he so proud of me...not just in the weight loss, but in the Bible study at my house too. That means alot to me.  I love having people in my house...and I love  that we are growing together as a group.  What a blessing it has been to me.  It is something that God layed on my heart after she died, and I am so thankful that I have such wonderful friends to work with!

Weigh in day. We have been at this 7 months! We are getting closer to our goal each week!

Weigh in Month 7

Well we are moving on... We have lost more weight.  We are coming closer to our goals!  It is happening.  I am so thrilled!

 

Our stats for the week

Dave Starting weight-- 380

Dave's starting weight with fawn- 330

Dave's weight last week 266

Dave's weight today- 262

Weight loss for the week- 4 pound loss

Total weight loss with Fawn- 68 pounds

Total weight loss- 118 pounds!!!

Kathleen's Starting weight-- 270

Kathleen's starting weight with fawn-260

Kathleen's weight last week 207

Kathleen's weight today-206

Weight loss for the week- 1 pounds

Total weight loss with Fawn- 54 pounds

Total weight loss-64 pounds!!!  YEAH!!!! (I want 70!!!)

Weight loss of Dave and Kathleen for this week- 5 pound loss!
Total weight loss of Dave and Kathleen- 182 pounds- In 13 months
Total weight loss with fawn- 122 pounds! (in 7 months!)
Positives for the week!
* My ladies support group is going awesome. We are transforming from the inside out.  Please keep them in your prayers.... We want to loose 300 pounds as a group.
* Dave and I have been able to go to the gym at separate times...we have moved our exercise up a notch and are both doing great.  Many times we are at the gym one to two times a day!
* Brandon and Rebecca continue to get up and go to the gym at 5am till 6:30 just about every morning.
Negatives
* I had gained weight last week (4 pounds) so it has taken me all this week and much hard work to loose that and an extra pound...I would have been below 200 if I would not have gone on my binge!!!
* Dave has been sore from working out at the gym so much...has had to have a massage this week to work out the kinks!
Other then that all is going well,  Hope you continue to  keep us in your prayers.  It is through God that gives us the strength to carry on!  Love you guys!  Thanks for your support!

Two Chipped Coffe Mugs......

Two Chipped Coffee Mugs...

 

 

Did you ever have a best friend growing up?  Not just a good friend, but a BEST friend.  Like in the movies...where you stay up all night talking and dreaming, taking walks in the woods collecting wild flowers, laying on the ground looking up at the sky kind of friend?  One you could share everything with.  Who loved you for who you were and made your growing up years just plain fun.  I had a friend like that. Summer days consisted of waking up rushing through our "chores" so that we could ride our bikes half way to just spend the day together.  Sometimes we couldn't wait to be together so we would help each other with our chores...just to be together.  It was magical! It was a time in my life that I loved.  We were "best friends".  Nine years ago we had a misunderstanding.  We stopped talking to each other and went our separate ways. When mom was dying we saw each other for the first time in nine years.  Now granted we only live 24 miles apart for all of those nine years. We just could not let go of our hurt feelings and anger towards each other.  Years passed and we missed out on so many things in each others lives. As we walked down mom's street the day my mom was dying, we talked and decided we would get together....

Yesterday she came over to my house for the first time in nine years.  She talked about how she had brought me a gift but it had gotten broken on the way here.  After we talked and visited, and I showed her the house she laughingly went out to show me her gift.  Two mugs one with "Hope" written on it and one with "Believe".  The basket had swung and caused the two mugs to clang together and take a chip out of each one.  She showed them to me and we both agreed to put them into the garbage- so no one would not get hurt.  It was the thought that counted.  As we hugged goodbye and she left, I thought about those mugs in the garbage, but did not remove them. 

Rachael came home and saw the mugs in the garbage and her eyes lit up..."What are these?!" she said in her cute excited voice.  I looked at her and said, "Honey, they are chipped, you could get hurt on them...leave them there!"  She did not listen and pulled the two chipped cups out of the garbage. (they were sitting right on top!) "Those are the two best words ever, you cant throw these out!"  Then I looked at the words and it sunk in...You are right I could not throw those out. They were special, not because Rachael liked them, but .because they represented something so very special in my life.
From the time I was a little girl I had a faith (or belief)  that was so strong. I believed in a father God who loved me so very much. Strong enough that I could sit on my front porch with my best friend and lead her to the Lord, so she could be sure that she was going to Heaven. Strong enough that I could  leave my best friend as we headed off to college, and knew that our friendship could last through anything. Belief enough to cry with my best friend as we both at different times in our lives miscarried children, and knew that our children are up in heaven being held my our father God. I also believed enough to know that God would somehow heal our friendship. I had prayed about it for many years. God knew my heart.

When we were young we had such awesome dreams (HOPE) for our lives. We used to sit on our backs in a field and look up at the sky and dream about what our life would be like when we were married! (I can honestly say I did not dream about being a clown when I grew up!)  We dreamed about the men we were going to marry and what our children would be like....we shared our hopes and dreams with each other.  Did our life turn out the way we hoped as a child? No, but we both married our best friends like we hoped, we both lead happy fulfilled lives like we hoped, and we both have three wonderful children.  That is better than anything we could ever hope for or dream up.

The best part about the cups were the chips.  Each one of us in these last nine years have endured many hardships...house fire, accidents, surgeries, sickness and death of parents, loss of those we love, and growing pains from our children growing up.  We each have cracks in our lives that were not there nine years ago. That does not mean that we are not useful.  We have battle scars.  We have hurts that will never go away, but we also have a hope and belief that we can get through anything. If we believe...if we hope for the best we will see it happen.  My favorite verse in the Bible has those words in it..."For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you "HOPE" and a future..."  The next verse is "Then you will call upon me and come an pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart (BELIEVE). I will bring you back from captivity and bring you back to the place you were before.

So now those chipped cups are up in my cupboard for all to use. We need to use them carefully, but I have sanded down the spots so they wont hurt us.  But what did I learn about those chipped cups.  Each one of us have gone through things in our life that made us who we are today.  It may be hard things, it may be hurtful things and it may be things that we don't understand.  God is in control and sometimes things need to happen to mold us into the people we should be.  I am a different person today because of my accident.  I am a different person because of loosing all I had in a house fire.  I am better then I could have ever been if those things did not happen. As far as my friendship with my "best friend",  I am thrilled that we have come to a place in our life where we can reach out to each other, and be there for each other.  Some day soon I will have to invite her for tea...I know just the cups we can drink out of. Like us they are chipped... but they are still useful. The words on them will bring us back to our child hood days...when we hoped for our future to be awesome and we believed that we could accomplish anything...
Are they just two chipped cups that were thrown into the garbage...no... they are so much more than that.

Why do we "cheat"?

Why Do We Cheat?

 

This last week I have been working my but off (literally) trying to make up for when I decided I was invincible!  Dave and I wanted to do something fun with the kids.  We decided it was an "eat what you want day".  Which would have been fine if it was just one day...but....  It started out at a maple sugar factory.  We wanted to take the kids to.  We got a maple sugar milk shake...granted we only got one and split it, .but then we ate at the mall.  We did get a grilled salad and a grilled sub but on white bread.  Then we went to the movies.  Dave dropped us off and when he found us I gave him a kiss.  I smelled peanut butter.  He had grabbed a Reecee's Peanut butter cup four pack and ate it quickly before he came in.  " why?"  For super we ordered a vegetable  pizza...I ate 4 slices.  The next day I had to take Rachael to dentist, then a show, and then doctors, and another show.  We did not have time for breakfast so I grabbed a sandwich at Tim Hortons.  They did specially make it for me with a wheat bagel, turkey and an egg...but  it was still double the size I normally eat and double the calories too.   I was starving by lunch time and decided to go to  my most favorite place to eat....Santoras "All you can eat pizza" ...I got my special buffalo chicken pizza and my white pizza, a salad and French onion soup and ate it all....I ate five pieces of pizza!!! WHY?  I was so stuffed by the time I was done all I wanted to do is take a nap...which I did.  I took a nap every day that I messed up.  I was to tired to do anything else. Then I took Rachael to the movie theatre and we ordered popcorn...not just any popcorn, a large popcorn.. layered. This was the worst you can get...and I ate that too.  Then I had my ladies meeting.  The night before God really convicted me.  Here I was trying to lead these ladies and I have eaten like a hog all weekend.  I weighed myself that morning before they came and had to change out of  my jeans and into my "lighter clothes" just so I could weigh one pound less for the week.... Every chance I could I messed up. I gave in to all of my cravings without even putting up one bit of fight. After I had been working so hard for so long. I was a Mess!

 

WHY did I do it??? I have the support group that worked hard all week.  I had the encouragement I needed.  WHY would I do this.  Why because I told myself I deserved a break. I owed it to myself for being good for so long.  As I looked at the scale I saw it go up to 210, a weight I did not  ever want to return to. I knew I blew it. I know it is only 3 pounds, but I was no longer in the 200 but the 210.  That scared me to death!  I thought I was invincible.  I thought I could do what I wanted, and still at least maintain if not loose weight. I knew what I was doing.  I realized that it defiantly was not worth it.  My body deserves to be treated as a temple of the Holy Spirit.  I don't want Him to be in  a home filled with fat and garbage. This is the same as I would never want my friends to come in my house filled with garbage.  I talked to Fawn and she set me straight.  We have not worked this hard to let her down...to go backwards now.  I owe it to God, her, myself, and you my readers to keep it up.

 

All week I have worked hard...I have been at the gym every single day (sometimes two times a day) for at least 1-2 hours.  I have done cardio every day, and I have done my weights every day...so has Dave. I have also been very conscientious of my eating.  I stepped on the scale and was back down to 206.  I could have broken my 200 barrier if I would not have done what I did. It makes me sick to think about it.  Please know if you are following along and have fallen off the plan...get right back up and start working. Yes, it is easy on easy off, but you should never have to waste your time doing that.  You should stick to the plan and keep going.  If you have fallen, tomorrow is a new day.  YOU CAN DO IT!  You have the ability, the drive, and the support to do anything you want to do.  Don't waste your time on excuses," I deserve it", "I will just cheat this once!",  and "It is no big deal!".   It is a big deal!  If you  made the commitment to loose weight you owe it to yourself, and God to keep it up! You can do it. Just get back up and start working right back where you left off.

 

 Blessings upon all who follow me and are reading my blog....You are one of the reasons that this is working!  Love you all, Kathleen

Something Cool is happening in my family!

Something Cool Is Happening in my Family!

 

I have always been a morning person.  When my kids were younger, my favorite time of day was 5am before anyone was up.  I would sit in my living room with my cup of tea and just enjoy my morning.  Well, I still enjoy my mornings, but they have changed quite a bit lately.  I have been subbing almost every day for the past 3 weeks.  It was very hard to find the time to exercise on the crazy schedule I have been keeping. I was getting worried about my lack of going to the gym. 

My kids took care of that for me. They (Brandon and Rebecca) have been getting up at 4:45am every day and heading to the gym before 5.  I decided I was going to join them.  I have been going to the gym from 5-7 and then heading right to school.  Today Brandon asked for my help.  He wanted me to time him in his boxing in 4 minute times.  The first one was ok, then I suggested interval training. Interval training is used to get your heart rate up and keep it up while you are exercising. You do  1 min regular exercise , then push as hard as you can for 30 sec, and then go back to normal.  You  do this on and off  until your time is up. I told Brandon about it and he agreed.   I got on the bike and rode as he did his boxing.  I pushed him and I hard...Yelling..."Don't slow down. Keep it up!"  just like Fawn did in the gym last time.  It was awesome.  I think I burned more calories and went further in the 8 min then I did in the 10 min warm up...but more importantly Brandon and I bonded in a special way.  Tonight he asked me..."You coming to the gym tomorrow?!"  When I started to complain he looked at me and said "Come on...I need you!"  That touched my heart so much!  I am so proud of my kids.. Brandon goes to the gym 2 times per day. Once in am with us and once in afternoon with Dave.  He is amazing!

I am so proud of the changes this has made in all of my children. This has not only changed our lives but it has broken the cycle of overweight and unhealthy life styles in my family. We are changing future generations of Jeffers children. Wow. When you think of it that way it is amazing. We are leaving our future family a legacy of staying healthy that we hope will last from generation to generation. We are changing the future and so can you!

Springville is 10 pounds lighter this week because of our group!!!

Springville is Ten Pounds Lighter This Week Because of Our Group!

Three months ago my biggest desire was to have a Bible study in my home.  I wanted to reach out to my friends and help them learn what I have learned.  I wanted them to join me on my"Journey to Transformation". I decided I would make the commitment to give up one day of subbing and anxiously awaited my Bible study.  I scrubbed my house.  I made sure everything was just perfect, and awaited my friends.  My mom's friend Janette was the only one that came.  She faithfully came week after week.  We faithfully prayed for 6 people at our study. We had only her and I.

It is easy to get discouraged when things don't happen the way you tell God you want them to happen.  When Janette left for Florida for a month I forgot about my commitment (no one was coming any ways) and started subbing every day.  I got a call 10 days ago from someone I met at the gym.  She told me she really needed to loose weight, and would I help her.  Janette had also returned from vacation and was ready to start up again.  Then there was my friend from the pool, she wanted to come.  I did not advertise it. I did not call everyone and bug them to come.  I just put it in God's hands.  Last week we had 5 ladies and one man come to our Bible study.  This week we also had 6 (8 f you count the two daughters that come) I was so excited this week.  God did a mighty work in my house this week.  Not only did we loose 10 pounds total...but the person  who followed the plan to a T...lost the most.  What a testimony to the ladies that had not taken it as seriously.  Every one lost...at least a pound!  We lost at total of 10 pounds in all!  Those that worked the hardest did the best. 

Some times I think God just does things in his own time.  I have exactly what I prayed for.  We prayed for six people and know that each one in my study is hand picked by HIM...not me.  They are so excited about all of it.  When I read the Bible study, they cried.  Each one of us opened up and healing was taking place.. WOW!  I am amazed at what God is doing!  I know why he did it when he did. It was His time not mine.

I, for the first time in a long time, just blew it this week. I did not eat right! Although I am exercising like crazy, I could feel that I was just not doing things the way I should.  I don't think I could get right back up and start again if it was not for these crazy bunch of ladies who are trying so hard to get healthy.  I am thankful that God did things his way, in his time...He makes all things beautiful in His time....

If you don't have a support group please start praying that God would bring the right people into your life. God knows exactly who, what and when you need His blessings. He will bring the right people to you. I love working with my husband, but there is nothing like the power of praying ladies! You lose more as a group!  Just go out and find the group for you!

Just Keep Swimming....Just Keep swimming.....

Just Keep Swimming...Just Keep Swimming!

Today I really did not want to go to the pool!  My mind was on other things and I really was looking for any excuse I could find not to go.  I almost did not go.  I almost missed an awesome life changing time.  I had gone last Tuesday and I was determined to keep going...but today I really did not want to go. 

As I stood on the edge of the pool ready to dive in I still was trying to talk myself out of getting in.  Finally I dove in and started the first few of the hundred laps I was trying to do.  As I started those laps I could feel my body fighting me.  Not wanting me to work hard, wanting me to quit.  As I finished my first thirty laps I looked up and saw my daughter Rachael's friend come in.. Then I saw her mother come out of the changing room in her suit.  She was ready to do laps with me.  She explained to me how she watched me last week and was inspired and she really wanted to start working with me.  She also wants to do the triathlon with me.  ( I had gotten that message, but was trying to ignore it...so I would not have to do the triathlon) As I saw her working so hard on those first few laps (the first few are the worst) I was encouraged.

I so wanted to have friends who would join the weight loos journey with me.  Now I have her.  Marylyn at the gym also wants to get together with me.  She has an old friend of mine that wants to come to.  It seems like when I gave up trying to do a study in my home, that God would not let me do that .  He is bringing people that he wants into my life.  So, what did I have to learn at the pool today?  God will bring who he wants when he wants into my life for me to work with.  I was trying to pick and choose who I wanted.  He says, "No you will work with who I want".  I am so thrilled that I went to the pool today.  I have a new friend that wants to work with me, encourage me and do the triathlon with me.  WOW! That is amazing!  I look forward to having a friend to walk along side me in this journey.  Thank you God!

PS...I made my 100 laps and she swam 33 laps...which is awesome for your first time!
PPS...moms suit is getting big on me!

OOOOOH yeah baby!!!!

Oh Yeah Baby...Dave Needs New Clothes!

 I went through my closet dudes and dudettes. I was HUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEEEEE. I mean really HHHHHHUUUUUGGGGGEEEEE!!!!!. I'm talking my shirts literally wrapped completely around my body like a bathrobe. I can't believe I actually fit into that stuff. I was really shocked at my own fatness. I can't believe I survived at that weight. It's no wonder I was so tired all the time. My poor body was under so much strain.

 It was a truly eye opening experience. I'm so glad Fawn put on this new weight loss journey. Can you imagine what I would weigh now with out her help? I was already pushing 380 when I first decided enough was enough. We have come such a long way in just a short time. I was all bummed out because I was stuck at 270 pounds for a loooooooong time. But I'm feeling ok with it now that I see what I use to be. Did I mention I was really HHHHUUUUGGGGEEEE !!!.

I upped my cardio and it's started the fat burning machine again. I dropped to 264 at my last weigh in. I'm all pumped up now after seeing the clothes I use to wear. I also went back and watched my first video with Fawn. Who is that fat guy sitting next to her. I mean I take up the whole picture! All by myself I was a crowd! I had my own zip code. Did I mention I was really HHUUUGGGEEE !!!
  
Yeah I got a ways to go but I'm a happy camper. I look in the mirror and see a new guy. I don't fill up the mirror like I use to. So, if your just starting this adventure or your at a tough time along the journey, DON'T QUIT. It's all worth it!  DON'T QUIT!  You'll feel so much better soon!  Did I mention your should not QUIT.

I'll see you all on the skinny side of life.

Dave

PS. Did I mention that I was really HHHUUUGGGEEE !!!.

Today we cleaned out our closets...could we really have been that big????

We Cleaned Out Our Closets. Could We Really Have Been That Big?

Dave and I have been meaning to tackle the closets for some time now. It is one of those projects that you put off for a rainy day and you are to busy when it does rain.  I had come to the point where I could no longer move in my closet.  Becca looked in there and said, "Mom, you don't even wear any of these clothes, they are too big!"  Dave was getting clothes out of the closet for shows and finding them all swimming on him.  He was in a hurry one day, and I looked at him at the show and the only thing holding up his pants was his belt.  When I asked him about it he said, "That was all I could find!"  I knew I had to do something.

The family was getting together this Friday, so I knew it was time to tackle it.   I cleaned out 90% of my clothes and put them in a box for Carolyn. I went from a closet so full I could barely get anything in it to 3 dresses, 2 suit jackets and 3 skirts, some shirts and 4 pairs of pants. Then Dave came up.  He had outgrown everything.  Some of his 3X could wrap around him almost 2 times!  I think he now can see that he really has lost a lot of weight.  We had to keep 4 pairs of 42 (he is wearing 38 but we don't have any)  dress pants and found a few other things...but most are all cleaned out. I will have to call my sister Paulette and see if she can find him some clothes.  We went to Coat factory and they has t-shirts for $1.00. (Rebock and Nike and really nice ones!) We got 25 of them in size large! They also had jeans for $5.00.  We spent $50 and got 34 things!  He now has a new casual wardrobe...but we will have to look at dress shirts and pants for him.  I kind of feel like I did when Fawn cleaned out my cupboards.  Good but scared...In the back of your mind is always, what do I do if I gain weight??

I know it is not an option. By cleaning out the closet it is reinforcing the fact that we need to keep working on it.  I was able to fit into clothes that I had saved for when I got skinnier...some of them were big on me now!  There was so much in there I really could not tell what I have.  Now I think we have maybe 20 things total and about 100 hangers that are empty!  I am so thankful that my life has changed soo much!  We can bless others with what we have.  Plus, if I get my room cleaned out...I can get it painted with the paint I have had for a month now.  That is my project for today!!!!I am thrilled that we have Sat off...I have been working all this week! Thankful for the money, but when you are not used to it...it is tiring.  We are doing great and have confidence that "He who has begun this good work in us will continue it until it is finished!"  We would not be where we are today without God's help.  We also would not be where we are today without your encouragement!
Love you guys!

Weigh in day....We both lost this week!

Weigh in Day...Six Months of Change

Well it has been six months since we began this life changing journey. Thank you all for your support, your comments, your praise and your love. I really don't think we would have done as well without all of you cheering us on! I can not believe how far we have come.  Not just on the outside,but on the inside too.  God has changed us from the inside out.  We are still growing and changing every day.  I am amazed at all that God has allowed in our life in the last six months.  We are not the people we were then.  I just realized We have lost a complete person between the two of us! That blows my mind.

Our stats for the week

Dave Starting weight-- 380

Dave's starting weight with fawn- 330

Dave's weight last week 270

Dave's weight today- 266

Weight loss for the week- 4 pound loss

Total weight loss with Fawn- 64 pounds

Total weight loss- 114 pounds!!!

Kathleen's Starting weight-- 270

Kathleen's starting weight with fawn-260

Kathleen's weight last week 209

Kathleen's weight today-207

Weight loss for the week- 2 pounds

Total weight loss with Fawn- 53 pounds

Total weight loss-63 pounds!!!  YEAH!!!! (I want 70!!!)

Weight loss of Dave and Kathleen for this week- 5 pound loss!

Total weight loss of Dave and Kathleen- 176 pounds- In 12 months
Total weight loss with fawn- 116 pounds! (in 6 months!)

Positives for week!
*I was afraid it was a fluke that I could fit into size 16 jeans, that they just ran big...so I went to the mall and tried on my lee rider jeans that I always wear.  Guess what? They fit in the size 16!  I did not buy them I just tried them on! I was so happy!
* We are back on our exercise program again. Dave has been doing something here on the days he   does not go to the gym.  We have upped all of our weights at the gym.
* One of the ladies at the gym wants me to work with her and help her loose weight
* God is providing shows and our bills are being paid PTL!
 Negatives
* We are outgrowing all of our clothes again and need new ones!  Don't want to spend money on that!
* I can not think of anything else negative... our life is going great and we are very happy right now.
Thank you all once again for your love and support!
We love you guys!
Dave and Kathleen

We are back at the gym! Springcreek has changed our life! Yeah!!! I missed it!

We Are Back at the Gym!

 

We are back at the gym! Spring Creek has changed our life! Yeah!!!  I missed it!It has been crazy here since I saw Fawn!  We have had shows every day, and I have worked at the school a lot.  Which means we are having a hard time getting on schedule at the gym. We have gone, but not on a schedule like I was.  Dave and I always went together.  This last week, when I am free Dave is not and vise versa.  Well, we went at two different times today. Rachael has been helping her daddy with shows, so that frees me up during the days.  I went yesterday morning by myself.  It was so awesome.  I pushed myself like crazy, but it felt soo good!  (I am paying for it now!.)  

Now here comes the exciting part.I had time to go over my stats while I was there with Gary, the owner.  I told him I had lost 31 pounds since I started there 4 1/2 months ago.  He thought that was great...but when we looked closer I did even better.  I really had a positive weight change of 57 pounds since I started going to the gym. I have lost 43 pounds of fat and gained 14 pounds of muscle! He said that is amazing.  My percentage of body fat has gone from 57% body fat to 42%. That is still higher then I want to be ( I want to be 23-33%) but it is going down.  I was so excited when I got out of the gym today!

I am considering starting to train for a triathlon.  It is July 2 that would give me 4 month to train.  I would have to practice my bike riding, speed walking ( I cant run because of my neck) and my swimming. It sounds scary but exciting to me!  Will let you know if I am going to do it.  Anyone want to join me???