Thursday, March 17, 2011

the real stuff.

If you know me or have been following Our Life Voyage for awhile you know I value the real life raw emotions of daily living. I hate fake. I think our struggles in life are behind the amazing people we are and behind the great things we can do!

This has been a GOOD year.. I had always hoped my 30th birthday year would be the year of me.. it didn't end up that way.. there were some very dark times and I struggled more than I care to share... So I staked my claim to 2011. I have made choices to live the best life yet. For me. MY best life.

I decided to befriend my God again... to revisit those deep, deep wells. The water has been so so good. I joined a bible study group and we are going through Beth Moore's Breaking Free. It's been amazing. Dave told me the other night the changes he has seen in me... it was like a breathe of fresh air.

I also decided enough was enough with the overwhelming obsession with my weight. I made a choice to believe in myself and made a promise to myself to nurse myself back to life. To a healthy, active life. I joined an online community (the same group that did the bootcamp I was a part of last fall) It was called the fat shredder. A community of people who were tired of dieting and failing. We learned how to take care of our bodies by what we put into them... getting rid of the junk.. not only what we eat but the lies we tell ourselves. We were given the chance to view 20 minute workouts daily.. AMAZING. I actually love loading a workout each day. I mean 20 minutes is so doable! I can waste 20 minutes so easily. The biggest thing I can say now looking back and having completed it is I view myself so much differently.. I am not defined by what I eat. I care so much more. I feel confident. I feel more me than I have ever felt before.

So to bare all.. I am happy to report that with lots of hard work I lost 9.5 inches!!!
I decided to loose the scale part cause it was just dragging me down.. a number doesn't matter to me anymore.. but how my clothes fit and how strong I feel .. now that's what matters.
I was also gifted (God is so amazing) a 10 week yoga class.... AMAZING. I am in awe of what my body can do. It's so nice to feel strong again.

I can't say one or the other of these two life changes is better than the other.. I feel they both have worked hand in hand. I am making choices to become more disciplined, to live strong, to grow deeper in love... and of course learning day by day To Shine!! What are you learning so far in 2011?



p.s. I have not forgotten about the big reveals on our makeover upstairs.. just waiting for a few small things to finish the rooms.. I'll be posting soon :)

19 comments:

Stacey said...

SO happy to read this! I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life, and I'm trying to figure out which way to go. Thanks for the encouragement to go for it :)

kelly ens said...

awesome heather! this is encouraging to read! :)

Jennifer said...

Hi, it is your old neigbour! I stumbled on your blog and have read through the whole thing. I found it to be very inspiring as you have shared personal details of your life!! Congratulations on the 9.5 inches lost-that is awesome!! I look forward to seeing the pictures from your upstairs makeover!

Lydia Di Francesco said...

Amazing Heather!! You are such an inspiration with your openness and honesty. So far this year I'm learning to look for a moment or event in my day that makes me happy and focus on that instead of dwelling on the day overall (if it's a crappy day).

Crystal said...

I'm so proud of you! Loves.

Heather said...

Thanks for leaving a comment Jennifer! I look forward to checking out your blog. Stacey & Kelly I so appreciate your comments.. it's hard to blog honestly without feedback.. so thanks!!
Lydia - I love that idea.. focusing on the good stuff. It's so easy to dwell on the bad!
Love it all. Thanks guys!!

Heather said...

Love you too Crystal!! :) Thanks for being there for me... good moments and the BAD...

Carmelle said...

Heather - you are glowing! Thanks for sharing. Definetly inspiring.

Wenona said...

Yay Heather!!! I always admire your bubbly, smiley self and I know that it comes from a source that is greater than all of us, and it truly shows! Congrats on the inch-loss, that is so awesome!!

Gina said...

Love everything about this post. You look GORGEOUS in the picture!!

Holly said...

wow Heather I am so encouraged by your post and SO proud of you for how you've taken 2011 by the horns!! it's great to hear you so happy, and i can't believe you lost 9.5 inches - so awesome! i agree that the scale is useless, i sold mine a few years ago at a garage sale :P

Unknown said...
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Jenelle Penner said...

LOVE <3

The Nilsen's Journey said...

Heather I am very proud of you! And I'm so happy to read the beginning too...my heart's been praying for you often these years. Big hugs!!

valerie said...

Awesome. So happy for you. You look (and OBVIOUSLY feel) amazing. So very, very happy for you :)

patti said...

great.post.

Emily Deu said...

Way to go Heather!!! Truly inspiring. I am trying to take this year by the horns as well. My word is discipline and I have had ups and downs, but feel on track right now. 9.5 inches!!! That is amazing!
Love you!

Heather said...

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments! I am so glad I shared... I was soooo nervous :)

Eva said...

YAY, Heather!! :)