So we have decided that we need to make a change in our life. We have gotten rid of the fear that says "we can't." We are now determined to do this no matter what it takes. But now, we need some...... 

If you are anything like I can sometimes be, you are thinking...Motivation??? What in the world is that??

Motivation... a motivating force, stimulus, or influence (as a drive or incentive)!!

I will be the first to admit that getting yourself motivated is probably the hardest part. You can make up your mind all day that you know what you want. But actually putting your thoughts, feelings and desires into motion is a totally different thing. You say, well... I dont want to go walk today or I am too tired or I really need to see this tv show or its so much easier to just grab a pint of ice cream from the freezer than it is too stand and make a salad! We have to get out of that mind set and JUST DO IT! Don't let pure laziness get in the way of your motivation. Find something that motivates you. Whether it be an uplifting book, your skinniest pictures on the fridge, keeping a journal, finding a friend to be accountable to.. just whatever will help you to get motivated! Go above and behind your norm. In order to make a change in your life, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. So your challenge is... to MAKE UP YOUR MIND, HAVE NO FEAR, BE DETERMINED, AND MOTIVATE YOURSELF!! You CAN do it!!!

  

DETERMINATION

So, when I walk in the office this morning, I notice that over by the coffee pot (where I make coffee every morning) is 2 beautiful boxes of glazed and chocolate donuts. Woohoo, yes sir... I am about to get me one of those huge sugary chocolate donuts and run off to my office. Because, as a food addict.. that's what I do. WRONG! All of the sudden its like a hammer to the back of the head when my conscience says... NO MA'AM you will not have that donut .. just what exactly were you thinking? 

  So, guess what... I didn't! I made coffee for my fellow office people just as always and went on to my desk, without one! Go me!!! That is called... DETERMINATION! Determination is the next thing you have to think about after ridding yourself of the fear that says you cant! 

So far in my weight loss journey I have lost 75 lbs. Couldn't have lost even one of those pounds had I not been determined to do so. A small confession.. in the last month or so.. I have been looking for that same determination I had 75 lbs ago. Because without it.. you more than likely will give up on your goal. So with that being said.. You have to make up your mind. Be sure of what you want and be determined to get it no matter what it takes, how ugly it gets, how painful it may be, or how hard. Stay focused. Stay determined. You can do anything you want to do if you want to do it bad enough! Don't give up! Don't quit! Be Determined!  

There are a few things over the next few days that I wanna talk about before we move on with our journey together! Some things that I think are very important in any journey. I believe that you have to have your "mind right" so to speak. So the first thing I want to address is FEAR!
I believe that most of the time, the thing that keeps us from reaching for our goals in life is FEAR! Fear will kill your dreams, hopes, and desires every time... but ONLY IF YOU LET IT! There is always  that fear in the back of your mind that you will fail, that people will make fun of you, and that you just don't have what it takes to achieve your goal! I personally have a huge problem with fear. I always have. Just to be honest.. I have wanted to reach out to people like me for along time, but I was in fear that it was the most ridiculous thought I had ever had. So I just kept praying about it because God says "I did not give you a spirit of fear...." so what does that mean? That means that fear comes from the enemy. The enemy wants you to believe the LIE that says "you can't."  So I am challenging you to put down your fear.. shake off those negative thoughts.. that "stinkin thinkin" as Joyce Meyers would say. Start everyday anew with a clear head and a prayer too our sweet Jesus that just simply says "Lord, help me not to fear and Satan get behind me!"  and ask yourself the question "What could you do, if you knew you could not fail??" 

From a Table to a Booth...

 We have all suffered at some point or always with those extra unneeded and unwanted pounds. Whether it be a little pudge, baby fat left from pregnancy, swollen feet and legs, a hefty booty and hips, or just down right feeling like you are trapped inside of 4 flat tires... we all know what it feels like to feel our own level of "fat" so to speak.  I personally relate to the flat tire syndrome.. years and years of being well over weight and feeling hopeless and miserable. Feelings of being unworthy, unattractive, like I waddle when I walk, wanting to escape this prison of drowning in my own fat cells. So many times we take things for granted in life like putting on your seat belt comfortably, being able to share clothes with a friend, running around the ball field with your child and not passing out, all of the things you cant do if your over weight and out of shape. One of the things that has always bothered me is when I go out to eat and the hostess says "BOOTH OR TABLE" and I have to quietly hoping no one realizes say... table! I just simply want to sit in BOOTH, a more private place with a friend or my son or my husband. But guess what... I can't!! Oh, but I CAN and I WILL!! That is why I titled this page... From a Table to a Booth. I hope you will join me in my journey and be inspired by my daily, not always so pretty, fight to become what I know you and I can be!! We no longer have to stay trapped or feel like we will never achieve our goal. We are gonna do it... right here and right now! Sharing recipes and stories... no holes barred... down and dirty transformation of the body!!! 

Stay tuned for more...