The Home Stretch

The contest for the Atkins All-Star ends today....It's silly, I found myself refreshing the vote page over and over....Just HOPING that this would be a slam dunk.  That I would have thousands of people voting and I would sail across the finish line--Trophy in hand....

My husband is competing in a contest too.

He....RIGHT NOW is a half a world away, taking part in THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of PUBLIC SPEAKING....

And...From him I have learned a very valuable lesson. (I listen honey...Even when you think I don't)

Is it THE "TROPHY" that matters?  Or is it the message that is being delivered?

My story has many UPS and DOWNS.  It has kinks and bumps(literally) And I am far FAR from perfect.  But this "voting process"...and the messages and comments I have received from the people voting for me has been so eye opening.

So what if I don't win the ULTIMATE GRAND PRIZE.....!?  Sure donating to CTF would be AWESOME....But I know that I put myself out there...Did the very best I could...And I have shown people that taking back control is possible...EVEN when the odds are stacked against you.

This journey has shown me that my story has touched people....And IF I don't win this contest....I am NOT DONE making my mark on this world!

THRIVE ON!!!

And Vote! 

VOTE HERE

More About This "Contest"

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do almost anything to get it?

2 1/2 years ago, I was desperate.

My life then was about just surviving day to day.  Weekly chemotherapy treatments for my oldest daughter had me spinning.  Wondering what the next MRI scan would tell us.  While - at the same time, trying to keep some sense of normalcy for the craziness at home.

Worry--Guilt--Anger--Sadness--Fear

Comfort food made Bailey and I feel better.  Plus it was EASY to just go through the drive-thru on the way home from the hospital....And not-to-mention, it was "our thing"....A kind of celebration, for making it through another blast of chemo.  As long as Bailey was feeling good...I figured, why not feel good together...?

But - It was one comment made by Bailey that would go on to change everything....

The chemo bag hung over us, like a looming, dark cloud.....

We were both scarfing down the room service Chili-Cheese Fries that were delivered and watching cartoons...When Bailey looked over at me and said....

"Mommy....When I die....I want you with me."

Good grief.  I choked on my mouthful of fries....Almost unable to breathe or move.

How does someone respond to that...?  At THAT moment....I realized that I was facing TWO death sentences in that hospital room.

What was I doing to myself...?  To Bailey?

The plate of fries, that was resting on my ballooned stomach was mocking me.

I doubt that Bailey had any intention of believing I would die before her....Or the cause of that death being from obesity...She was just making a simple statement of wanting her mommy by her side, every step of the way....

But it was THAT MOMENT. THAT DAY.  That I woke up!

That next Sunday happen to be a WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE that our church began... I stepped on the scale....

Fast Forward to today....

Low-Carb/Atkins has changed my life....And brought me 117 pounds lighter!  Waking up - meant I TOOK CONTROL. I TOOK ACTION.  The 'something' I wanted so badly began to happen....It transformed me!

My excuses...Became completely worthless.  

I took on what it truly means to THRIVE....I feel it now....More than I ever have before.

Readers....I am asking a favor....

Atkins has this wonderful contest that I entered....Which means, if I win....My story will be spotlighted - for millions to see!!  I get excited just thinking about it!

What if....Someone - who faced all odds.....Who had EVERY excuse in the book.....Someone who is living with a life-long, progressive disorder SWEPT this contest!?  For ME...It's much more about winning prizes....But a CHANCE to show the world that NO MATTER what a person faces, ANYTHING is possible!

That's where YOU come in....

Please click this link (HERE) PAGE 10 (it changes)

You will NOT be spammed - or asked to sign up for anything.

If I win...I promise to do Neurofibromatosis....And all those who are dealing with this disorder proud!

Please share...and vote daily (Until August 18th)

Thank you SO much!

Readers....I NEED Your Help!

Maybe some of you are tired of hearing about my weight loss journey....But it has seriously been a HUGE part of my life over the last 2 1/2 years.  

Losing weight has re-focused me.  It gave me CONTROL over something.  It has put me back on the path of having the THRIVING attitude I needed!

Saying that.....I entered a contest.  I NEVER --EVER enter THESE kinds of contests.....Mostly because it puts me in the spotlight ....And I really don't feel comfortable there.  My tumors aside...I'm a pretty quiet--keep-to-myself type of person....Crowds and attention aren't MY thing...BUT....I WANT THIS!

I have been doing low-carb (Atkins specifically), joined an AWESOME Kickboxing class....And kicked things up at the local gym.....This has literally made me HALF the woman I used to be!  Shedding over 120 pounds...And making me healthier than I have ever been!

I've changed my life.....And this is where YOUR HELP can do something AMAZING......

If you CLICK HERE You will be taken to a website where I submitted a short version of my journey....There are hundreds of others who have also participated in this contest.....So I need all the help I can get!!!  I am on PAGE EIGHT Right now :)

All you have to do is click the above link...And VOTE for my story....THAT'S it!!!  I promise you will not be spammed...Or asked to join any list....Just click and VOTE!!

Thank You SOOOO MUCH to those who have continued to support me!!  This wouldn't be possible without you!!

Low Carb Diet and Neurofibromatosis?

This is an opinion based blog post.  

All results are varied and unique to you.

Please seek a doctors advice before beginning a diet / exercise program. 

Winter 2011 

(200-something pounds)

I started 2012 out FAT.  Well....I've always technically been fat...But when I stepped on the scale in February, I didn't have a pregnancy to blame for the number that came up on the scale.

Our church began the F.A.S.T. program - So my weight was now a matter of public records and I couldn't have felt more ashamed.  Thoughts of Middle School came flooding back.  My gym teacher had everyone step on the scale- for "PHYSICAL FITNESS MONTH".

All the girls peeking their heads to get a look at how much everyone weighed....And I was first in line. 

"God - Save me from this torture!"

I was laughed at.  I was called every fat name in the book....And now that the other girls knew my actual weight....I was called "Buck-Fifty", which thankfully, not everyone understood.

20 years later...

I was MUCH MORE than "buck-fifty", and I had excused my weight on anything I could find...KIDS, STRESS and even having Neurofibromatosis.  I've lost and gained weight many times and felt awesome when I'd shed the pounds...I even got a my lowest point ever, just before I found out I was pregnant with my now 7 yr old son.... But the pounds always came back and so did the excuses.

Growing up, my weight has been like a coat of armor--It protected me from boys liking me...It made it so my bumps weren't so obvious...So, in my own little way, I actually preferred being fat.  And as an adult, it had become accepted...Normal.

It wasn't until I became a mother, that I realized how much being fat was affecting everything in my life.  And when that number popped up on the scale in February 2012, I was hit with the realization, that my armor MUST come off, if I was ever going to be truly happy.

I began with seeing my doctor....And when THAT scale, confirmed what the other scale said....I KNEW it was time to change my life!  I had a physical and blood work done, and was given the "OK" to begin my new life!

That day...My husband and I began low-carbing. 

I have researched low-carb diets and tumor growth and have found conflicting information, so I decided to keep track myself and note any differences with my current tumors and/or growth of new ones.

Here's what I found.  Low-carbing has had NO SIGNIFICANT affect on my NF.  If anything, my tumors actually seem smaller than they were BEFORE the diet.

Here's another cool side affect of Low-carbing....

I've lost more than 70 pounds!

Fall 2012

Down 70+ pounds!

I can't express how much better I feel...I have joined a gym and get there as often as my busy life will allow me....And I am DONE with excuses.  I am DONE with wearing armor.

If I am going to SPEAK a THRIVING attitude....I am going to LIVE a THRIVING attitude!

I still have about 25-30 more pounds to lose...And it's happening. :)

If you want to THRIVE....You have to get up and JUST DO IT!  You can't give excuses, because there will ALWAYS be a 'good reason' for not doing something.

Typical Day

Breakfast- 2-3 Eggs with Salsa and a sprinkle of cheese

Lunch- Spinach salad with tuna, hard boiled egg and a low carb ranch dressing, broccoli, and a sprinkle of cheese

Dinner- Chicken breast with skin, side salad, hard boiled egg 

Exercise

Depends on the day

Walking to and from the school- Twice a day

Gym 30 min on treadmill

Kettle Bells-100

Weights

Bike 20 min