Pre-Tanna, Cold Stone Loving Picture

Pre-Tanna (May 2008)

Before or During Challenge 2 (June-ish 2009)

Pre Challenge 3 (August 2009)

In the midst of Challenge 3 .. Yay! Go us!!

So as you can see a lot has changed in a little over a year, and I hope to put an even more amazing picture next April when it will be a year from the start of the very first challenge. So school is going, only 2 weeks left (actually 11 days!! ) Yippee!! Now if only I could get done with school so I can dedicate more time to working out. (I know excuses, excuses .. but the last two weeks before finals are always the no sleep, high stress times.)

Job

I knew there was a reason for me to go to a different church on Sunday, but I wasn't sure of the reason and these past couple of days have helped me to understand. On Sunday the Pastor preached about Job and how God lets you go through certain situations because you are mature enough and because they help you to grow. The devil can only impact so much in your life, but the one thing he is not allowed to touch is you physically.

This week I have been tested so many times and it just helps me to think about what I learned on Sunday and keep those words and scripture in my heart and mind. I keep telling myself I am in NY for a reason and at this school for a reason and all the trial and tribulations that come with it are necessary. Both yesterday and today I have been frustrated and normally I would go and eat my frustration away. Both days I went and worked out instead. It felt good to relieve my frustration in a different manner!

In honor of Thanksgiving I am going to list 6 things I am thankful for:

1. God loving me and the mercies he continually shows me,
2. My family - They may be far away but it makes going home for the holidays more enjoyable and manageable.
3. My friends both new and old- my friends who have helped keep me sane while I am away in NY and my friends I have "met" through the challenge. What a wonderful blessing and opportunity.
4. My health - I am healthy and alive.
5. The Gill's - They have made my time in NY so much more enjoyable. They continually go out of there way to make my experience 100 times better then last year.
6. Tanna - For starting the challenge. Without this challenge I would be a lot heavier and still dealing with unhealthy habits.

Happy Thanksgiving!! What kinds of things are you thankful for?

30 Posts in 30 Days

I am working on this 30 posts in 30 days business and recently I became oober busy and it became harder. But life is still going. I have been running on the track at the gym and I like that a lot and I added in some weights through this cool circuit system the gym has that tracks everything for you. So other than that I am just trying to get through the rest of the semester.

3 Papers (individual and group)

1 Presentation/Project (another group)

2 Finals

Case studies to become certified for Sexual Assault Counseling

That is a lot to have done in 3 weeks!! The case studies by Monday, and the presentation and group paper by the following week. There is just so much to do and so little time.

I did get an email yesterday that said 178 days until graduation and that made me happy!!

Really Really Back on Track

Last Thanksgiving Break .. At the American Girl Store in NYC

So I used to weigh myself every day and this helped me because it held me accountable throughout the day seeing that I had made a success from the previous day/days. Recently I stopped weighing myself every day and went back to the once a week for The Challenge. For some reason I decided to weigh myself and I am just about back at my start weight. But, I am okay with that because I have made so many other different improvements. It's funny because I made this blog to capture my life in NY and now I am capturing my struggle and success with weight loss. I think having these things in writing help me and any one else who is changing their lifestyle know it is possible.

5 lbs 5 weeks

Five pounds in five weeks is my goal for the end of the challenge. I need to step it up, get out of my comfort zone and finish strong. I will be at the gym bright and early tomorrow (5am) and hopefully every day this week working strong and hard. I figured out my weakness today and that is saying no to food when I am full, so this week I am going to work on that. We are so conditioned to eat 3 meals a day at the same time every day even when we are not hungry and I think that is a problem. We should just eat when we are hungry and stop as soon as the hunger cues come, so that is what I am going to do this week.

Push hard buddies and finish strong!!

Oh Saturday

I wish today had been a day that allowed rest and relaxation .. but instead it was spent on school work and work work! I had a group meeting in the morning, a group meeting into early evening and work into late evening. {Yikes} I am tired!! Only 4 weeks left of this gruesome school schedule and I will get a break in Texas!! SO I started off my day eating good - a banana, strawberries, carrots, chicken chili- then I came home to make dinner and had rolls and red or jollof rice. I told myself no dessert or you will need to use a cheat but I didn't resist temptation {sigh} such is life. I think that for these past couple of weeks I have let myself have sugar just about everyday and I need to break that habit!!

I didn't get into Teach for America, and I am okay with that. I guess it wasn't meant to be. Pray that I can find a great job in the DFW area, pray that I can come to a conclusion on what to do with my life, pray for answers about my future. As I took a moment to just stop and think today I realized that I was okay. This time last year I was depressed and boy have I made strides. I'm okay and I will be home soon!

A loooong day

I worked from 8 am until 930 pm tonight .. {yikes} We went to NYC came back and then I worked my second job! What a long day that made for! A plus to my day is that I bought some books!! Yay!! 3 books!! I am excited to read for fun!!

I started looking for a job yesterday. Hopefully I can find one at home!! I am excited to be at home!!

Thank you for all the encouraging words about the challenge. I am re-dedicated and excited about finishing strong.

Time to go to bed .. today has been long and tomorrow will be long as well!!