Never say Never

In the past week I have had a few really awesome things happening in my life!
Last weekend I was able to join some of my amazing GRIT team and workout buds on a hike to Table Rock.  Mind you, before this day I had never hiked a day in my life.  Since telling people this I've gotten responses like, "WHAT!!??? and You choose that one to start on?"  Apparently out first hike was a toughie but it makes me feel super confident about those coming in the future.  Let me be real clear- I really didn't know what I was getting myself into and had little time to really even think about it.  First week of school, who has time to think AND work out?!
Needless to say, the ride there was an adventure with Lauren.. I only freaked about my safety once or twice.  We had a pretty great group go with us... made some new friends and memories too!  On a side note: I only fell twice.. and my big booty caught me both times! 
It was scary, especially looking up every now and then knowing where I had to go, but it was super fun!!
Here are some pictures from that awesome adventure....

This little place was where we took a break... it was pretty much straight up hill but gosh darn, I made it!

Me & Lauren along the hike!

GRIT PEEPS!

Marie, Lauren and I thought we should push David off-- this was his idea!

We made it!

Very proud of myself for doing this!

 

 

 

After the hike Saturday the weekend went well and this week at school was of course-- CRAZY!  Thursday night was the official start of College Football season! If you know me, you know I'm a crazy excited Clemson Tiger fan!  I've been pretty bummed this week knowing that I wasn't going to be able to be at the game today--- ESPN's Game Day is there and... well how awesome is that!  Let me tell you what's more awesome though! I got to run my first ever 5K with even more of my GRIT team and amazing motivators and supporters and then beasted a workout with Aaron and a mile run, to weigh in and see an amazing number on that scale that put me a total of 70 lbs. down  There's just not way to describe the feeling.... I cried after it hit me... More this week about how I feel about all that... for now.. here's some of the best time we had at the Color Vibe this morning!!

 

Taking a small break.....

Things might have gotten a little wild........

So proud of this girl's hard work!

LOVE LOVE! Glad she kept me going! And... aren't we sexy!!

Sexy and they know it!

The best team eva!

Do you think we were excited?!?!

Teachers do Color Vibe!



This was the BEST experience I've had in a while! Sorry I just dumped so many pictures on you! But I am totally in love with pics!
Happy Weekend!
PS GO TIGERS!

These are my confessions......

I know I know... another song.. didn't I tell you I'm a music crazed fool??

I thought I'd catch you up a little bit and then focus on a few things about me.... that you may.. or MAY NOT already know...

First week of school with students was this week... I got in some bomb work outs with some of my favorite people.... started a new GRIT session.. beasted it twice on Thursday with David and Marie, both times! AND-- managed to reach 69 lbs. total weight loss... ONE POUND PEOPLE!
My original goal was 70 lbs.... now it's higher, but.. I'm almost to a place where I never thought I could be.....

Now.... let's talk about ME! These.... are my confessions!

1. I am absolutely addicted to my phone..... it's with me all the time... even when it shouldn't be.  It's how I keep up with the world and let's be honest.. who doesn't love snap chatting their best friend?? I do!

2. I have enough tervis tumblers to use a clean one for over a week without having to do the dishes... pushing two weeks... yes I have a problem!

3. I am certifiably addicted to chocolate... I find the power to say NO pretty often.. but on the rare occassion I may or may not snap a few M & M's in my pie hole!

4. Workout clothes make me happy! Especially brightly colored one with snappy sayings on them! I could rotate my workout wardrobe more than my work clothes.

5. I just took brownies out of the oven-- BROWNIES.... What the, what the?!?! Don't fear they are paleo approved from one the best supporters out there and even come with rave review from a few folks- including John and David who can't keep their paws off them!

6. I like to push my limits on my workouts.  Sometimes I push too far, but no pain no gain.. right?

7. I cried make a salad once.  Early in this journey I was making a salad one night for my lunch the next day and I was so extremely tired and worn out.  The thought of eating a salad every day for lunch for the rest of my life seemed hopeless, boring and just more than I could bear.  Who knew I'd grow to enjoy them so?

8. I have always, only, ever wanted to be a teacher.  It's hard, it's frustrating, it's rewarding, it's a joy and more than I could have ever imagined and all that I want to ever do, even if I have days of doubt.

9. Taking pictures is my favorite past time.  As I've grown older, lost friends and family and made new relationships I realize even more their importance to me.  I cherish them with my heart.

10. I struggle.   GASP-- what? Don't you have this under control by now?  Sometimes I think it's ridiculous that I don't.... but this is a journey, it's a marathon that won't be over within the next year or even 10.  I will battle with food, weight, and possibly exercise probably for the rest of my life.  Some days I want chocolate, cake, french fries or a glass of wine so bad I could scream.  And guess what? Some days I give in to those wants, but just in a smaller dose now.  I know one thing to be for sure.. I have NEVER in my life felt better or been happier! So there---

In the mean time.... here a few pictures from the last week or so--- Watch for a update soon-- some of my GRIT team and I are going hiking tomorrow.... surely fun awaits!

 

Starbucks always is allowed.....!

Loved spending some time with this sweet, sweet face!

 

I know this is upside down... and I couldn't figure out how to fix it.. but Marie Reppart is so sweet to remember me and my love for owls!

 

These girls--- they make life fun :)

Watch out for the other person....

I remember when I learned to drive, my mom would always say to me, "Be sure to watch out for the other person."

It wasn't until lately that I realized this piece of advice is carried out through my mom's life daily.  She is absolutely one of the most caring and considerate people ever to walk this Earth!  Yesterday when I was stressed to the max she came to school to bring me some goodies for Open House and help me finish some last minute things.  Even though I snapped at her, her love never fails.  *Don't worry- I apologized!*

I've learned a lot from my mom and one of them is caring for other people.  I'm no where near her capacity, but she's taught me great things.  I love teaching my kids and they mean so much to me.  One of the things that I value most in my life is my relationships with other people and my friends. 

January 4th when I started this journey of weight loss I never ever knew I'd come to where I have now.  It's amazed me beyond belief that's for sure.  Shortly after I started this, one of my partner teachers and friends decided she might just try this life changing epidemic as well. 
I'm proud to call Samantha Bond not only my co-worker but also one of my very best friends.  She's a supporter and motivator and keeps me on my toes! Along this journey she has lost about 40 lbs.  I'm so proud of her, not only was she voted Teacher of the Year this year, but she's a mother to 4, wife and still manages to work out, balance life and make good food choices- even when the Ice cream is calling our names!

Last weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to go on an amazing shopping trip with Samantha and her aunt and friend.  They took us both, and some of Samantha's kids to Tennessee where they rented a condo for the weekend.  It was gorgeous!

 

Before we left- my amazing hair dresser- Leigh Anne Simpson works wonders :)

 

The water slide where we stayed!

Who could resist a weekend of fun with this sweet face?!!??

 

The rest of the weekend was completely packed with shopping, shopping and more shopping. We had such a great time buying clothes that were smaller and for me smaller than I've ever worn before.  We had a blast with Susan and Lisa.  Also known as Boobie!

 At the Dress Barn outlet they put your name on the door.... my name was spelled wrong....this was the correction!

 

This trip was so fun and I was super fortunate to not only be able to go, but spend time with some great friends! Check out our new clothes! Aren't we amazing?!?! haha

 

 

Love this girl! She's going to accomplish even greater things than she already has!



 

 

 

The whole group- minus Shannon, the photographer :)

There'll be days like this my Momma said.....

Song lyrics are my favorite... music is my favorite! I love it all, if you picked up my I phone and looked at the pandora stations you'd see everything from Dixie Chicks, to Ying Yang Twins and even a station called Buttermilk Biscuits (thanks Libba!)  When it comes to music I rarely discriminate! Sometimes I like to even let my kiddos listen to Kids Bop during clean-up time! It's fun for all of us!

Anyways, this song stuck out to me because.. well it's just been "One of those days." It's been a particularly rough day for me not liminted to tears, headache and plain aggrivation.  Stress! Oh how I hate it!  And it does a number on your health and weight loss if you're not careful!  I don't intend to complain here, because nobody likes all that and honestly I'm striving with all my might to be much more positive these days and just let the negative melt away, like fat!

What I want to share with you is this: That song is true.. whoever told you or however you figured it out.. there are going to be days like this! They might be few and far between or occur more often than you like, but it's going to happen.  Something negative is going to slip into your head, heart, and mind and make you feel like straight POO!  It's normal, it's life and guess what- we HAVE to deal with it!

I want you to take a challenge to find at least ONE positive thing in your day for the next 2 weeks, or longer if you like.  Share it with somebody! Do some random acts of kindness! And post about them on here if you want! I love a good RAK! They make me feel happy inside!

I want to leave you with this- Life's not going to always be rainbows and sunshine, but it's up to you to make it the life you want.  Life happens, and rough roads come our way.  Find the people you want to share all that with.  I have! I left that Y this afternoon on a run with one of the best supporters I have and when we walked out the door I had tears in my eyes due to random things making me bummed, but after completing almost 4 miles of a run with her I felt better! I knew I had won that battle beccause I didn't let myself get down!

My good for today is this: My best friend in the entire world wrote about me on her blog today- and yes I cried in Big Lots reading it!  You can find her here at Hungry Hach
Also, my sweet mother reminded of some of the joys in my life when I needed it!

Tomorrow's a new day..... and I'm hoping to leave today's luck somewhere.. maybe I'll leave it wherever I lost the remote..... oh boy!

 

A little crafting I did in the classroom yesterday! I just love it!

 

I look weird, but what a great, sweaty run with this girl! She said she was catching breeze off me! She silly!

Weekend of Awesomeness- Recap!

The last few days of my life have been nothing short of amazing! 

It all started Friday morning when I decided to conquer my fear, and accompany Brie on a long run.  She mentioned 7 miles, and something inside of me was just like... "Hey, I should do this!"  I had absolutely no intentions of running the entire thing and told her I wouldn't.  The farthest I had ever ran was 3 miles, which was about a month ago on July 4th.  My goal was to make about half of the treck running.  Well the route started on a hill none the less and only about 2 miles in I was thinking to myself, "What exactly were you thinking attempting this??" Brie stayed close the entire time.  I'm not sure what I expected, but it was more than I could have imagined.  Over half-way in she turned to me and said, "So what's the farthest you've run before today?" In between gasping for breath I manged to say, 3! So she says, "Wow! You're going from 3 to 7?" To which I laughed and informed her that wasn't happening.. so she says, fine 3 to 5.  I thought surely I could make that, at this point we were going down hill. During this down hill Godsend I knew there was a not so joyous hill ahead.  Brie turns to me and says, "You'll finish! Nobody comes 90% to quit Jena!"  In order to make this long story short, I finished that run all the way back to the Y.  As I crossed over the pavement into the Y parking lot I had tears in my eyes because Brie was there, cheering me on. Not only at the finish line, but all along the way. And here my friends is the proof she captured!

 

Talk about glorious!

 

 

Also featured in the local paper, the Laurens County Advertiser Extra was an article about me, my weight loss, fitness success, etc.  I sat in the car reading it just absolutely stuned! To read it go here-
Curry making the right moves in latest battle

Hope this works! You might have to scroll to the sports section!  Friday's excitement continued as many family and friends discovered the article in the paper. Over the next few days I was sent an out pouring amount of support from so many people.  It's amazing!  My parents didn't know about the article either, so they were surprised and very proud!  I am astonished at my progress and seem to amaze myself more each day!

I spent Friday night with my mom attending Annie, which was an amazing play!

Saturday was a rocking GRIT class of course, followed by one of the best Zumba classes I've had lately.  Later in the day I finally made it to visit the BFF! There's not much that can't be cured by a visit with her!

We went bowling, gotta love a friendly game tossing balls around!

Our wide array of bowling balls, plus my sexy shoes!

Saturday morning, we got up for some QT shopping together and faced reality when we saw all those hungry peeps gathered at IHOP! Well we joined them, in our quaint little booth for two where we throughly enjoyed the people watching of those around us! I wish I could make money doing this!  I won't tell you about what all we ate, but we split a great healthy choice and maybe a not so healthy choice!

Before and After! And worth EVERY SINGLE BITE!

 

I struggled tonight getting this all formated! But these are my measurements from the 12 week GRIT challenge! I lost a total of 12.25 inches all over.  You can't see the jump test results, but I gained 3-4 inches in my vertical jump and a whopping 12.5" in my standing long jump! The proof is here and I am loving every minute of the fun with my team!

 

I hope you're finding some help in all this! This is helping me stay more accountable for sure! To date I have lost a total of 65 lbs. I'm never going back! Join me in the amazing journey!