Good and Great news!!!

Well, I changed up my page so I guess I should also do a little update. Well, first the BIG news!!!! I am engaged. Yep, I am marrying the most amazing man I have ever meet. He makes me so happy and even though life is already complicated and between the 2 of us we will have 4 kids, I really couldn't be more excited. I am completely in love with Kyle and I believe with all my heart he loves me too! So Mark your calender Feb. 26th 2011...It is going to be the best day ever!!!

In other also exciting news, I am just 4 pounds away from the magic number! But if I am totally honest that is not really my motivation as of late. Yeah, I guess Kyle kind of is, but to be perfectky honest a very dear and respected friend basically challenged me to get a wedding dress a size SMALLER then I currently wear. I took the bait and now I just have to get to work! Thankfully the dress laces up so if for some horrible reason I don't get my act together I can still wear it, but I really want to be a beautiful bride for Kyle. He deserves that! Plus God has done such a huge transformation in my life. I really want to be proud of what he has done. I am not trying to have a bad attitude like oh, I'm a hottie now or anything like that, but by God's grace alone I was able to confidently pick out a dress I never would have even looked at 80lbs ago. So, I really am excited on a lot of levels. Anyway, I am kind of rambling, but there it is. The good news and the great news!!! And all I can say is Thank you Jesus!!!! Truly every good and perfect gift does come from you...Thank you for being so generous to me!!!

K.W.H.

Ok, I am trying to be good and post regularly so here goes. Yesterday, second session on Summer First place for health. It was good, well great I lost 5 pounds! 157lbs was the number on the scale. I was very encouraged! 7 pounds...I think I can, I think can!

And in other news, I am officially in a relationship with a wonderful man! We meet through Match.com and have been talking for about 3 weeks. He is absolutly amazing and everything I have been praying for. He makes me feel so safe and really genuinly cared for. He is by far one of the sweetest men I have ever even met! I actually met his parent's yesterday, when I visited his home (he lives in Port Orchard.) They are wonderful too. Very warm and friendly people! Next for us...he is probably meeting my parent's this weekend! I know it probably sounds like things are going fast, but every minute with Kyle has been so natural and just kind of perfect! I feel like he is a God thing for me. Totally an answer to prayer. So we will see. Kyle and I both pray often for each other and this budding relationship. We want God's will for each other, but really I think we are both secretly praying that God has brought us together for reason. I will keep ya'll posted! Well, God is amazing and I hope you can see his hand moving in your life too. Have a great week and I will post more soon!!!

one reason to be fat!

So, I have found a downside to being slimmer and ultimately a lot healthier. You see I just started dating again and first off I hate it! The pressure and confusion of meeting someone and getting to know them. I don't really like it. I really think that if God wants me to remarry he should just send me an e-mail and say hey "the one" is in a blue polo at startbucks. Go get him and live happily ever after! Still waiting for that e-mail. In the mean time I am trying both match and e-harmony. I have gone out with 2 guys. One a jerk in disguise, the other a total sweetheart, but even though I am only 8 months older then him I felt like I was lifetimes beyond him. But besides these 2 who I have actually "dated" there have been a handful of others who I have either e-mailed with via online services or a couple of guys who I know, but are just all of a sudden intriged and have been calling or texting me. Infact on myspace I was proposed to by a total stranger and then a few days ago I recived a simple e-mail saying super cute =you! While some of this may seem harmless and a bit of an ego boost a lot of it feels like really guys...REALLY! What about me has changed in the last year. The easy answer my waistline! I am the same grounded, smart, goofy, musical, single mom of 2 I have always been. I just wear a smaller jean size. It just really makes me wonder are guys only attracted to me now because I don't shop for plus sizes? I mean I will be fair, I am slightly superficial as well. I will not date a man who is overweight, but it is not because of the size it is because of my own weakness. I know that if I get involved with someone with little or no interest in eatting healthy and working out then I would most likely find myself struggling and possibly giving up on my goal of reaching and maintaining a healthy size and lifestyle. And really I never started losing weight to impress anyone. I am who I am...like it or leave it! I started this journey for me and my kids. I wanted to set a good example for Laina and Tia and I wanted to do everything in my power to stay healthy and be with my girls as long as possible! It does bug me a little though that I never tried to be a sexy little wife for Dave. He deserved that. I'm sure he is proud of me now, but I can't help wondering what he would have thought of coming home to a small, blonde Zumba instructor. Apparently, that is a turn on for some guys. Anyway, this is just my little rant about dating. I really don't like it and I wish I was not single. I actually pray that God will either answer my prayer to have someone new in my life or else take that desire away. It is just hard! Anyway, if you are in a relationship with the love of your life be thankful and don't take them for granted. You are both blessed! Well, good night. I gotta get some sleep before I meet with Jillian at 5am!

Shame on me...again

Wow, I haven't blogged in almost 2 months...where have I been?!?! Obviously I have yet to hit the goal otherwise there would have definatly been a post before now. I have had other things on my mind, but we can get there in a minute. First an update on the journey. Basically since my last session of FP ended I was 161lbs and I pretty much decded I "deserved" a break. I ahve not been weight lifting, I ahven't been writting my food down and I ahve missed a little Zumba due to other summer activities. Like this last week was VBS...I only went to 7 classes. I can not rememebr the last time I went to so few classes. It did make me sad, but VBS was a blast and best news of all Alaina asked Jesus into her heart!!!!!! Needless to say we have one proud Mamma!!!! Anyway, I don't know where I am weight wise, I kind of don't want to know, but Tomorrow it is back to the drawing board and then some. I ahve decided I want to hit things hard. So tomorrrow morning 5am I will be up to start the 30 day sherd with Jillian Michaels and then I get to dive into my new First Place 4 Health Bible Study. the groups will start meeting a week from tomorrow! I am so excited to get really serious again and hopefully, prayerfully, and uber dedicatedly I pray to reach my goal of 150 by the end of this 6 week study. It is all up to Jesus though so thy will be done!!!! I will try really hard to keep everyone posted!!! Much love to you. I hope you are having a great Summer!!!!

9 pounds!!!!

No not 9 pounds lost, 9 pounds to go!!!! I haven't weighed in for a few weeks and with some crazy stuff going on I really didn't know where that would put me, but there it was 159lbs. Honestly haven't been this small since probably middle school. How sad is that? Anyway, I am just so, so, so thankful right now. I was in such shock, I am still in shock. Wow, Thank you Jesus!!! I'm sorry I don't even know what else to say. I will have to post more on this later!!!

169!!!

Not a lot of news. Weight wise I am holding strong at 169. 19 lbs away from the ultimate goal!!! I can't believe how close it is, but it is also discouraging how long the last 30lbs are taking. I know we'll get there though! I have faith. God isn't done with me yet and even when I reach the goal then the journey to maintain will come into play, but I am not gonna stress over it. God is good all the time!!!! Well, I have been up way to late the last few days so I am gonna kepp this one short. Hopefully I will have exciting news for next Sunday! Have a blessed week everyone!!!

:) Happy Day (:

I hope this does not come off as braggy at all. I say this out of pure 100% shock! I AM A SIZE 10! I have never worn that size EVER! When I was younger I went from a kid's 16 to a jr's extra large/15. Then I floated most of high school around a size 14/16. Then Babies came and I ended up a size 20/22. So to think I am for the first time ever I am an average size for a woman my height and age is such an indescribable blessing!!!! And it makes my magic number seem do-able. I always thought it would be cool to be able to wear a single digit! My goal is a size 8...one size away!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESUS!!!!! You are an awesome God and I give you the glory for this HUGE change and I thank you with every ounce there has ever been of me! Wow, God is good! AMEN!!!!!

170!!!

Yep, you guessed it. Today I weighted in at almost exactly 170. It was actually lie 169.8, but I am rounding it up so next week I am hoping to officially say I am firmly in the 160s!!! Wow, I don't think I was this small at my wedding. God is so good! I am really encouraged and excited and the new BIBLE STUDY is amazing!!! It is about total surrender and what is holding us back and how can we get it out of the way. It is challenging, but great! Anyway, I just wanted to do a quick update. Things are going pretty good. I am very literally workin my tail of. Oh and I'm not sure I have posted this, but I have added 2 more Zumba classes. I teach Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:30to 10:30 am at a Studio in Marysville. My first class was last Thursday. Only 2 people were there, but it was good! I am excited about the potential! Ok well, tomorrow I gotta get up and be all set for Zumba and then some weight training, which I ataully really enjoy. After that I really don't know, but I really just want to focus on my girls. I am working on figure out the balance of everything. It is kind of rough, but I decided at church today to get re-yoked with Jesus and let God stir the plow! I am tired from trying to pull the load on my own. Anyway, God is good and good things are happening and Praise Jesus I am inching closer to the goal everyday!!!

the chubby exercise hater is back!

I know it has been postively forever. Well, today was the fresh start which I was so dreading. I knew when I got up today I would have to face the scale which I have been dreading even more then putting my post here. I though for sure I put on weight since our last First Place meeting. Since class stopped we have thrown 2 baby showers for my sister Brianne (due anyday,) I have been sick and had little to NO energy, I have been eatting badly when I did eat and basically i was just doing everything wrong. It wasn't totally intentional though some of it was that I physically couldn't handle it. So anyway, I took of my coat, and shoes and removed EVERYTHING from my pockets and as the number revealed itself I found myself almost in tears. I was back down to 172. That is my lowest weight since giving birth either times. I thought I was prepared to see the scale stop at 180, but to be down was an overwhelming gift and I take NO credit what so ever for it. that was totally a God thing!!!! I know I have to really work hard to maintain that and hopefully keep the numbers going down again. I am still a little in shock. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!
So my other bit of news I was hired this week at a new Zumba studio in Marysville. I wasn't really looking for a job or anything, but this just fell in my lap, so I though I would give it a try. I will just be teaching 2 morning classes a week from 9:30 to 10:30. I can do whatever music I want, so i can still throw in some of the stuff I do at the church and I don't know I am pretty excited about it. It isn't like it is a lot of extra money or anything, but I am getting paid to do Zumba. I can not think of a better way to earn some extra cash. So I start that this Thursday. More on taht later though!
Well, i am actually supossed to be getting the girls and I packed. We are heading to Great Wolf Lodge tomorrow after Alaina gets out of school. We are just going down for the night and coming home Tuesday afternoon in time for MCN Zumba. I love Tuesday Zumba!!! I ahve some of the most amazing people in my class. They just make me smile!!! Anyway, little family get away and I am so excited. I love water slides and my parents are going with us so I will be able to do some of the "adult stuff" too. I am blessed!!! And I am slowly, but surely getting to the goal. I am taking my sweet time, but it is all good. God is good! Someday i will look back and read my blog and I will just sit her crying and rejoicing at all that God brought me through. Thanks for reading along. I will try very hard to post regularly thoughout this session of First place. My little goal for the next 10 weeks...Lose 12-15 lbs. So hopefullI will weight some where in the low 160s. Wow, that doesn't seem possible. It is so true though with Christ ALL things are possible. Even for a chubby, exercise hater to become an active and excited fitness instructor...I never thought I would see the day! I will talk to ya'll soon!!!! Have a GREAt week!!!

Sorry I forgot.

So, we all know even the best layed plans don't work. I got sick on day one of my detox and given the fact that I was singing and being Heather's maid of honors just 3 days later I figured my body needed more nutrition then an all juice 2 day detox. So, that didn't totally happen and I missed a ton of work outs and I was stressed and blah, blah, blah. But go figure When I got on the scale at First Place (oh how I missed that class,) I was down to 172! Shocking I know, but I am just rejoicing that God is good even when I am not. 22 pounds to go. The end is definatey in sight. Well, I would love to share more, but I have to get ready for Zumba. Gotta get back on track and burn as much calories as I can, but I will post more soon!!! Thanks!!

the plan!

Well for starters, I quit getting up early which so I started today. I was up at 6am got in sometime with the one who matters most. Then I got in a shot workout with Leslie. I think these are 2 things I just have to do to have a good day much less lose weight. AS for the losing weight that is NOT why I am doing a 2 day detox. I honestly feel I let too much junk into my body and I am paying for it. I really just want to get it out. If I happened to lose a little extra that is fine, but after the way I have been eatting I am just praying I can be right at 175 for my weigh in this Sunday. Nothing lost, but more importantly nothing gained. So that is the detox. after Wednesday is over I will go back to eatting food, but I am going to step up my good choices. Like for breakfast I typically enjoy a bowl of half cheerios, half fruit loops, some fat free milk and a fruit. I think it is time to nix the fruit loop half. Who needs the extra sugar anyway? Also I have an addiction with Cristianos chicken salads. They are cheap and they are heaven in your mouth and did I mention FILLING. The only down side they are big enough to be a serving for about 2.5 people and when I get one I eat the Whole salad. yay, I justify it as well, that is my lunch and dinner and it is veggies and protien and all that, but really, that is not a good habit and it is encouraging my body to still over eat. Haven't I been trying to stop doing that for like a year and a half. Man, am I a slow learner. Anyway, I am focusing on baby steps again so that I can infact reach my goal sometime soon. The only other thing I will be adding is come March I am going to start weight training. I know I keep saying that, but I really mean it. I am going to get together with a friend who is going to help me figure out the details and I am gonna do it! Well, any way I should go get yet another class of my detox juice. Thankfully it doesn't taste too bad. Just citrusy. Oh well. It will be worth it to have my stomach back to normal! Talk to you soon oh and yes Heather, wedding is Friday so I will post some pictures of that too!!!

I have missed you blogger!!!!

Well, not really missed, but I feel pretty bad for missing my last few posts. But in my defense I have not been in my class either. The first week I missed because I helped Heather move to Or. The second was cancelled for V-day. But an update or rather a revized plan is needed. At least for me. Well, I think I mentioned in my last post that I am having an M&M issue. Didn't really get over it. Instead I let things get worse. For about the last 2 and a half weeks I ahve been eatting candy as I please, not watching portions and absolute worst of all not staying on routine a.k.a not always doing my Bible Study. There is no excuse and I will not try and make one, but I know this needs to stop. So tomorrow I am starting a 2 day detox. It ma not be the healthiest idea, but after I have put so much junk in my body I just need it all out. I don't want to say too much, but my stomach and other parts of me have not been doing well, with the added yuck. So I just want it all flushed out so I can start fresh. And with the whole starting fresh I want to seriously start thinking about getting on a weight training routine. I need to start building muscle or else my body is never going to fully recover and look and feel healthy. Anyway, I have more to say, but I also need to get my girls back on a routine, so I am going to go for now and put my little girls to bed. They were up until 11:00pm last night! Not good at all! Anyway, more details coming soon! Good night all, and God bless!!!

Moving weekend

Yesterday Me, my parent's and heather got in the big moving van and headed to Oregon. Heather is now officially moved and the girls and I are on our own! It was a fun weekend. Just me and my parents for most of the time. But due to the fact we woke up in Or. this moring we did not go to church and I sadly, missed First place and my weigh in. So, no news on that front, but I will share this. We stopped at Shop KO on the way home and I was thrilled to find a new work out shirt, a sports bra, a pillow, and best of all a new pair of jeans that were not only on sale, but were a size 12!!!!! I don't think I ahve ever been a size 12. I started wearing 14s when I was a jr. in high school and just figured that was good. I was pretty excited and very encouraged. I figure when I do reach my goal which is still 20 some pounds away I might just be in singke digit jeans. I am really looking forward to see what a healthy Amber looks like. I don't think I have ever seen myself at a truly heathy size and weight. So good times ahead! well, I guess that is all I have. I hope you have a fabulous week and I will post some new stuff soon! Oh, but if you want to see my new Zumba sight chechk out Zumbapraise.weebly.com. It is still kind of under construction, but I am excited about it! Oh and 24 ladies were at Zumba at MCN last Tuesday. Isn't that AMAZING!!!!!

just a quick one!

so I am just going to share real quick the goodness. I didn't get to go to class today because I had nursery duty, but I still weighed in and PRAISE JESUS...175!!! I am so excited 25 lbs to go to reach the goal!!! I can hardly believe it! I am honestly a little nervous though. I have a feeling that those last 25 will be a pain to lose, but I am not going to give up! God is so good and he deserves my best and the best me is a healthy me. At 175 I am still consided obese for my height. I have to hit the 14os to be classified normal...whatever. I will be content to be healthy and technically "overweight" at 150, thank you very much! Anyway, I better go. I have two sleepy girls who need their beds, but like I said I just wanted to share the goodness and say a quick THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!

PS that photo is from my very first choreojam today. It is basically just a chance for locale Zumba instructors to get together and work on stuff together and just ahve fun!!! It was AWESOME!!!

No Fear

What a great Sunday I was blessed with yesterday! First a great service and at the end a challenge to meet someone new. I did and it was awesome. The man I meet is in his 30s married, with 2 kids who just happen to be the exac ages of Laina nd Tia! So, very cool! Then I left and went to a soup exchange with all the ladies in my Bible Study. that was awesome. We wnet over our lesson and then had lunch together. After that I went to my parent's house expecting to find my kids there asleep, but they weren't home yet so I laid down and took a nap till they got there! Then the girls and I came home and made some cookies, they took baths and we were all asleep in out own beds at 9:30. It was heavenly! Oh, but the big question where am I weight wise??? I checked today while I was at church for walking club and I am back down to 177. My body seems to like that number. At least we are going back down again! Oh and I have slightly raised hopes for next week. I decided to challenge myself this week and do a 5 mile Leslie Sanson video every morning. I ahve done it today and yesterday and I actually did that video at church today too, but yeah I am excited to bump things up a notch and hopefully lose a few more pounds before heathers wedding. I am paying to have the dress taken is, so I really want it justified! Anyway, good times! I will post more soon have a great week everyone! God bless!!!!

I'm fired!

Well, this was a tough week. On Friday we celebrated Tia's birthday and on Sat. I helped my Aunt throw Heather a Bridal tea/shower. Bot went great and it was fun and all that, but the whole week leading up to the parties was chaotic. I missed not 1, but 3 Zumba classses. I was so tired that I did not do 2 of my AM workouts at home and I decided that I would enjoy the tea party. I wasn't going to go nuts, but I was going to definatly have a scone, a pettifour and a chocolate dipped strawberry. Well one turned into 3 of each! So all that and then the missed workouts led to a 2 pound weight GAIN! Trust me this is not a proud moment by any means. I am so annoyed that I let myself get so lazy and carried away, but I need to recognize that there will be days like this. What I have to remember is to only let them be a day. So, today was a sluggish recovery day, but tomorrow I am going to be back kicking butt. My weight today maybe 179, but I guarentee it WILL be lower next week. I enjoyed my day off, but I am ready to take care of myself and be the example of someone who tries her very best to be healthy! So, here goes nothing! Oh and 73 days to lose 29 pounds? Can it be done. Stay posted and we will all see soon!

going down?!?!

I really wasn't sure what to expect today at our first class. I was just hoping to have stayed put for another week. Well, no such luck. I was down another 2 pounds. Yep, 177!!! I have lost 29 pounds since starting back up in September, now just 27 to go to reach my big goal of 150!!! I am going to try and hit a pilates class this week to. Plus weight trainging is on the horizon. Don't get me wrong my focus has not changed. I am not trying to get some sick looking weight lifter body, but I know I need to really step it up if I am going to lose those last pounds and those are just a few of the things I am going to work on so I can get there!

Anyway, our first class was GREAT! I love that all teh other ladies are in a more mature part of life. I just kind of sit there and soak up their wisdom. I love it. I feel like I don't contribute nearly as much as they do, but they tell me that seeing my progress in the weight loss spurs them on and encourages them so I guess it all works! I am just so grateful for all God is doing in my life. He has opened doors and is so changing my life. I really am in a state of awe and wonder and I can't wait to see what else he's got!

Oh and what post is complete without a little ZUMBA talk. As of Feb. I will be leading 3 classes all at the church. Not that any of the classes are that big, but this way I can offer it enough that pretty much all the interested ladies can come. So, the soon to be schedule is...
Tuesday night 6 to 7 pm
Thursday night 5 to 6 pm
Saturday morings 11 to NOON.
Good times!!! I am so excited!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!

179!!!!

Ok, I know I have been bad and I didn't post last week, but on a good note nothing has changed. I have managed to stay right at 179! So, for three weeks the week right before and the week of Christmas and the week of New Years I have maintained my weight. That is a major accomplishment and I did start 2010 in the 170s!!! I was hoping for 175, but I really have NO complaints and next Sunday we start our class back up. So, let's all get ready to see the weight start flying again! Well, maybe not flying. I am kind of in a weird spot where I still totally want to lose weight, but at the same time if I do lose ANY my dress for Heather's wedding will have to be taken in. It is a lace up dress which would have been helpful if I would have gone the other way, but I tried it on the other day and Heather had to lace it as tight as she could. Believe me this is a fun problem to have, but at the same time I don't want to spend anymore on a dress that I am only gonna wear once. So, anyway, that is where I am at. Just 29 pounds to go and I will meet my goal. And with God in control I totally trust that 2010 is my year to finally be down to a healthy weight. Yay God!!! Seriously YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!

bad girls

sorry, I didn't update...I was a little discouraged. but I am better now. So I was really hoping that after ramping things up so much last week that I would have seen a few pounds gone. well, no such luck, but I didn't gain anything either. for now I am holding strong at 179, which is still amazing. I hope I can say that next week after not doing near as many workouts this week. I think I may have pushed myself a little too hard. I am having a hard time keeping up this week, but I am alright with taking 1 week a little easy. but next week it is on!!! as of right now I have gotten in only 5 workouts, but the week is only half done and my goal is to do at least one work out daily. So, yay! Anyway, to all of you who read my blog, if that is anybody, I wish you a very merry Christmas!!!! Our God is good and on the throne and he deserves and desires our praises!!!
Thank you Lord, for sending your precious Son, so that I can have life and live it to the fullest. thank you for second, and third and even fourth chances. You are good and I celebrate you this CHRISTmas!!!! Amen!!!

Crazy Goal!

Yes, I set a pretty crazy goal for this last week. Typically I do anywhere from 7 to 11 workouts a week. It would seem that is what I have to do to drop any weight. Anyway, I figured this would be a good week to push myself especially since next week is Christmas and I will be missing several of my usual workouts. Not that I am complaining. I am looking forward to a little bit of a break! Sorry, I am rambling. So, the goal for this week was to do 13 workouts of at least 30 minutes. Guess what??? As of 11:00am today I meet my goal!!! I did a workout every single morning and then did at least one other workout later in the day. Most of the later workouts were Zumba, but what can I say...I am pretty much obsessed! I also taught my first family Zumba class this week. It was pretty fun. I had 3 little girls in there and like 6 ladies. It was fun and I think I did pretty good. Instead of sexy we did silly! No hips...that was really hard for me! Anyway, good time, exciting times. I just hope the hard work pays off a little bit. Seeing a pound or 2 gone tomorrow would be pretty amazing! 177 will be my prayer/hope/goal. I will let you know tomorrow how it all worked out! Have a great day all!!!

Thank you Jesus for keeping me motivated. This goal was promted by you and I know I would not have reached it where it not for your loving arms carrying me when I got tired and didn't want to keep going. Thank you Lord for your strength running through my body this week. If it is your will please help a few more pounds be gone, but if not I still rejoice in what you allowed me to accomplish! Thank you Lord Jesus for this and for all you do in my life each and everyday! I look so forward to celebrating you tomorrow at church. Please prepare my heart for what you want me to hear and make me be obedient to your words. In your Holy, Awesome, Sweet name...Amen!!!