not so pretty PCOS [pt. 3]

i will elaborate now on MY story. hopefully this will help someone find some relief and encouragement. know that if you're dealing with craziness that you dont understand..you are NOT alone! this is hard for me because i dont open up too easily. but GOD allows us to go through things to help others, even on our way to our own personal wins!

CAUTION::: SOME OF THIS MAYBE A LIL TMI FOR SOME...so please keep that in mind as you read.

i remember it started with the SIDEBURNS...they kept growing. i was about 14 or 15 at the time. overweight, depressed and now THIS?! it was so embarrassing. i never really noticed it was that bad until someone, a DUDE, pointed it out. then it seemed like things went downhill from there.

i also remember my neck was darker than the rest of my body, i didnt know what that was all about. i was made fun of about that, even by my own family members. saying i didnt bathe good. i remember getting alcohol-soaked towels and SCRUBBING my neck until it was raw..with NO luck!

then when i was 17 i noticed a lil hair on my neck, then two, then three. i was told it was just hormones, just hereditary. i had a boyfriend at the time and when he noticed it i wanted to JUMP out of a window! ahhhh! noooo!

about 18, my periods were VERY heavy and i've even had a few embarrassing incidents. mind you, MORE facial hair and NOW...a nice lil mustache..not as thick as some i've seen though! THANK YOU JESUS!

age 19-20 the periods would get so heavy and painful, my first few days i laid in the bed in fetal position, weak. even during the PMS time frame. it was the WORST ever!!!

then all of a sudden...the bleeding didnt stop! and it went on every day for 3 yrs...heavy bleeding, clotting, pain, with maybe a day or two break in between..i was so scared. imagine pushing down of your lower abdomen...and there's MORE! even painful to touch at times! it was even hard to sleep on my stomach (even now..). constantly changing pads..OVERNIGHT SUPERLONG WITH WINGS and a license to fly! haha! them big ole pads that sound like a diaper when you walk! ugh! NOT SEXY! then so weak and lightheaded from losing so much blood. and depressed even more because NOW i felt like i wasn't NORMAL at all..like i was definitely a FREAK! like i was being CURSED! then the WEIGHT came on even more! and i locked myself in the house!

i was always told it was ALL BECAUSE OF my weight. even the facial hair. they said my excess weight throws the body's hormones off track, which is partially true, but i wonder if these people have been educated on PCOS. didnt even know what it was until i was 27! and by then i was NOT having a period! praying for a miracle.

so YEAH...three years CONSTANT bleeding (endometriosis maybe? they never told me. but with ME doing my own research and reading..i THOUGHT that's what it was.)

tried to take birth control pills, they made everything go haywire! the mood swings were like CRAZY. WAY too much to handle! among other things, so i STOPPED.

then a while after that..IT STOPPED..COMPLETELY!!! three years NO PERIOD..i REALLY begin to get scared..thinking 'what if it's a tumor, or tumors or CANCER'?

did a series of test..didnt have DIABETES! THANK YOU JESUS, but i was borderline diabetic/insulin resistant which could EASILY escalate to diabetes if i didnt lose the weight. seeing my cousin die at such a young age (37) of this disease shocked me back to reality! i was basically eating my life away! i was THISSSS close to being 400LBS [before i decided to do SOMETHING]! the WORST feeling ever! to step on the scale and see the numbers that high, to have all of these odds (other ailments) against you. to look in the mirror and NOT recognize yourself..if you could even stand look in the mirror long enough to even notice how bad it REALLLLY IS/WAS!

i finally got a sonogram (external and internal..omg that was BAD!!! the PAIN! because my cervix and uterus was so high i had to get jammed with that thing to get a proper reading! just terrible!) and they found the cysts on my ovaries and in my uterus, but not big enough to be a threat. they did a pap and didnt find cancerous cells. THANK GOD!

then with the combination of symptoms that were checked when i was diagnosed BORDERLINE DIABETIC::

weight gain. mainly in the midsection (also from stress for me..)
soreness in the abdominal area
facial hair
dark spots of skin on my neck, knees and elbows.
maybe a few skin tags [like elevated moles]
depression..i felt like a freak..and still do! the crazy hormonal changes does things to you physically and emotionally.
insulin resistance (chunks your metabolism in the trash, making it harder to lose weight.)
alot of hair shedding and thinning

i was finally diagnosed with PCOSthe enemy finally had a name...

..that was 3yrs ago. now i'm on a mission to FIGHT EVEN HARDER!

at first i was like LORD IF IT AINT ONE THING IT'S ANOTHER?! but He wont put more on us that we can bear! i had to remind myself of that the other day even as tears stream down my face! as symptoms seem to MOUNT..and yes the PRESSURE gets to be a bit much...but i'm willing to do what it takes to win!

also looking back on my family history, alot of women have had 'female problems'. even my mom having a hysterectomy at a young age, maybe in her early 30's. she said when they removed everything there were cysts like a cluster of grapes on her ovaries...sounds like PCOS to me...but dont quote me on that..then had WLS..

so i've lost a bit of weight. it's been a HARD 3 yr battle, but i've lost over 73 lbs..gained some back..but i'm working on nipping that in the bud! (with the back injury and all. another story! smh) also i've noticed the dark patches have lightened up SIGNIFICANTLY..especially on my knees, which have almost fade COMPLETELY. even my neck has lightened up a bit! THANK GOD! i used to use bleaching cream on the patches with lil or NO luck! since i was allergic to it, ESPECIALLY from the chest up..ugh!

BUT the facial hair is still there (which i have to remove, almost DAILY! but i'm looking into somethings for that as well.). the middle is still there (along with the bloating from IBS. another symptom of PCOS from my understanding)..not as bad tho..my periods have started to get a lil crazy again (especially with the stress i'm dealing with right now on my job other health issues trying to break me down) but at least i still have a period! which was a MIRACLE I PRAYED FOR.

ok..i was gonna END here..but GOD brought that back to my memory of how HE healed me!

when i went those 3YRS w/o a period. at first it was a relief since i bled all that time before, i felt i need a break..then when the years went on...i was like 'THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND'. so i started praying..then one SUNDAY MORNING one of the ministers said there's a spirit of HEALING in the room so i instantly lifted my hands and felt GOD's presence as never before..i felt something moving around, i felt so much warmth and electricity all over my body, then the heat grew in my lower abdomen, exactly were my womb was! i've NEVER felt anything like that before! and i'm in tears just thinking about it right now! i literally felt a RELEASE or something..how can i describe it? it was just AMAZING! i knew exactly what that release was for!!! the NEXT DAY i had my PERIOD! after 3yrs, then GOD healed me like THAT *snap*! i lived to witness a MIRACLE in my own lifetime!! and it happened to ME!!!!

and that was about a year or so ago!!! and i still have a period! it's trying to get a lil wacky again but i know God is giving me the knowledge and the strength and the tools to fight this and help others! so many others that have this have shared their stories. one lady named AUDREY shares her story, even personally encouraged me. and i appreciate her for that!

so for a while i forgot all about it..then things started getting worse. EVERYTHING was out of wack! felt like my body was breaking down! i started PRAYING! asking GOD for a miracle, asking for wisdom, whatever to be HEALED. especially with my WEIGHT being my NUMBER ONE target right now! and He said GO BACK TO WHAT'S AILING YOU, GO BACK TO THE SOURCE, WHY ARE THINGS LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW? WHY ARE YOU NOT ABLE TO LOSE THE WEIGHT? i was like 'eating? emotions? these hrs? my injuries?' He said, NO. IT'S NOT THAT. GO TO THE CORE. then i remember i looked down..and touched my stomach...PCOS..that's right!! He told me YOU CAN FIGHT ALL DAY AND LOSE. I UNDERSTAND YOU TRIED YOUR BEST AND I'M PROUD OF YOU. AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE NEXT THING. DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. DONT BE AFRAID TO CALL DRS. I'LL GUIDE YOU.

then the i checked for PCOS again online and check videos and meds. things started coming back to me as a talk with Audrey was now in my memory. and how she worked with a specialist..and is doing MUCH better! OK..THAT'S IT!!!

so yeah! GOD gives DRS knowledge and know how for a REASON..it all comes from HIM! even the wisdom to create tools to help us and assist in healing! so i went to the DR today for weightloss..and we'll see how things go! the next visit will strictly be for PCOS. next testing would be for GOD KNOWS WHAT?! ha!! HEAVEN HELP!

So when you get a DIAGNOSES, dont give up! dont hang your head in shame! do YOUR part and study what you can. how can you know how to fight if you dont know what your fighting?! check the symptoms, know the names, pray about it, study, dont give up! get the weapons and fight! because you can exercise the rest of your life, but if your metabolism is CRAPPY, you wont see the results as you would expect! so find what BOOSTS that metabolism and go for the WIN!!!

TO BE CONTINUED!

not so pretty PCOS [pt. 2]

i watched the following documentary about a lady with a similar story and started crying..like I'M NOT CRAZY!!!!!

pt. 1


pt. 2


pt. 3

not so pretty PCOS [pt. 1]

stressful, life-changing events and many other things have caused a slowing down of weightloss. i've even felt some weight gain..dun dun dunnn..

i've found it so hard to lose the weight no matter how hard i've tried! gave up a time or two..and it seems like..when i try to treat one thing..another one arises..i'm dealing with alot of things right now, but my main battle/WAR right now is the WEIGHT..

i was praying to God, asking for guidance and wisdom on what to do. i was asking WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? WHAT IS THIS? i could here him say, GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING, the source...check the center. He started bringing things to my memory..and BOOM...PCOS. that's it..i was diagnosed with it a few yrs back...BUT NEVER TREATED. and i'm kinda upset that there are meds out there that could help me but they never offered them..smh..

here are some SYMPTOMS..and YES this is hereditary...that's why it's good to know your family history as well.

* Multiple ovarian cysts
* Irregular or absent menses
* Infertility
* Acne
* Obesity or inability to lose weight
* Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism)
* Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes
* Thinning of scalp hair
* Velvety, hyper-pigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans)
* High blood pressure
* Polycystic ovaries that are 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries.
* Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly including:
o Androgens (testosterone)
o Cortisol
o Estrogens
o FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
o Insulin.
o LH (luteinizing hormone)
o progesterone
o Prolactin.
o Thyroid hormones.
* Impaired lung function.
* Sleep apnea.
* Fatty liver degeneration (NAFLD).

i know it seems like i'm puttin all my biz out there and i may get bagged on but hey! i hope this helps someone..so if you're dealing with a combo of these symptoms, you may wanna check this out.

for ME and many others with PCOS...lose the WEIGHT..MANY symptoms fade...

KNOWLEDGE is power! if you dont know what's ailing you, you're fighting a LOSING battle. knowlege is power. just dont get intimidated or depressed by drs reports. PRAY for healing, knowlege, guidance, and devine connections. study whatever dis-eases you, and go on a mission to take your health and well-being back! NO YOU ARE NOT CRAZY! no... matter WHAT you've been told! and HEALING IS FOR YOU!

so yeah..i'm taking the next step...to be continued..pray as i go on this journey.

DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!

i KNOW you may be thinking 'WHY is she posting this? i thought this was about fashion and beauty'. if you know anything about PCOS, you know there's nothing CUTE about it. this is just apart of my journey, taking my DIVA BACK by facing this monster head-on. and dealing with this disease definitely doesnt make one feel attractive at all..

PLZ check the next blog for this documentary i found.

SUMMER COLLECTION PT. 1

check out! http://verne.trendyindie.com/

1 hr DRESS!

HOW COOL IS THIS?! in need to try this and see how it works. i also have these MAXI dresses i'm working on [NO PATTERN] so i need to finish those..but i'm working on EARRINGS right now! more i'll show the finish asap!

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/64549/1-hour-dress

also check my store to see what i DID post so far: http://verne.trendyindie.com [recently HAIR FLOWERS]

BLESS!

i'll be back SOON! things have been CRAZY around here! but hey you can follow my ranDUMBness on twitter @alicia_aka_vfly

a PLUS SIZE MODEL?! who ME?! O_o

NOTE::: i typed this entry ORIGINALLY on 4/17/10 of course before the whole LANE BRYANT thing went down [check the previous entry incase you're not sure of what i mean.] so please dont think i'm ranting because of that whole incident or 'OH GOD! ANOTHER FAT GURL TRYNNA MODEL!' to try to gain popularity based on what's going on. i just had this in my DRAFTS til i found the energy to put my lil 1 minute vid together [aww..lol] which you'll see at the bottom of this post.

ok..on with tha blog..

i remember when plus size models started to hit the scene and gain some recognition. i was wowed but still didnt see anyone that looked like me. beautiful..but STILL another 'standard' i felt i had to measure up too..again coming up 'short' in my eyes. but i remember my confidence was elevated when i found BELLE Magazine [i need to find them somewhere in storage and post some pix]! anyone remember that mag? omg! i was on a cloud to see beautiful women that looked like me. and it was then that i secretly wanted to be a plus size model, even tho i'm a lil short only 5ft 5 and A HALF! [lmbo!] inches. over the years i remember people saying 'you're so photogenic, have you ever thought of modeling?' funny thing is i've always THOUGHT about it. but living in this small town it's like there's no way out..

long story short..when i started gaining weight, i lost ALOT of myself. there was so much going on: got out of a bad relationship, moved away, had to move back, had an accident, was out of a job...i just felt lost and worthless. so i got a wake up call when a relative passed of diabetes at a really young age. and NO! he was not overweight. [sad it takes that for us sometimes, though]. i started my weightloss journey and tried to gain some confidence back and thought about modeling again. i've even chatted with a model before and she said in 'REALISTIC' terms i was too large to be a plus size model! and maybe i am but... REALLY?! she was just a few sizes smaller than me, if that! so i was confused! hmm..iono yall....that's as far as i'll go on that one...but it had me kinda down..so i was like WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

so NOW that i'm halfway to my goal mark and my confidence is building back up, along with people asking me about modeling again, i'm thinkin bout it...AGAIN... even if just for fun for a while..iono! i dont want it to be SOOOO SERIOUS that i lose love of the craft. i just mainly take pix for fun at the moment. and with a MUSIC project coming up [whenever that happens..bwahah!], i gotta get more pix to get my face out there. but maybe take modeling more serious when i get smaller if i dont have alot of other craziness going on.

then i started thinkin...'but why not NOW'? why wait til i get to that 'PERFECT' size to be a plus size model?! or do or BE anything else for that matter!

i also thought about being a NATURAL HAIR MODEL as well. i mean, got..FLAUNT it and make it WORK! EVEN THOUGH..i'm wearing a wig in the last few shots! HA! but i want to do a shoot SPECIFICALLY with my hair [growing out of my scalp..lol] in mind...

i hope to have more soon! i always have ideas for different looks.

Verne' Couture

just dreamin a lil..iono..i was bored...

REALLY GUYS?! REALLY?!!!

so they dont want you to see THIS for showing too much skin? showing too much cleavage? being too sexy?



but you see THIS all the time?



things that make you go HMM...

i could go on and on about this topic but yall know wassup! but i have nothing against my smaller sistahs. this world is just so friggen biased! it's disgusting!

also model in the Lane Bryant commercial [ASHLEY GRAHAM] speaks out!

>>>>>CLICK HERE for the link.<<<<<

COMMENTS PLEASE.

OOTD

today i went to a church program with momz and her guests had to wear purple [they spoke on colors in the bible, very good stuff] so this is what i wore. didnt have time to finish unbraiding the hair on the full head so i wore the beret as a beanie.

top, cardigan, slacks: LANE BRYANT. and POW! that was easy! lol

[sb: i could not even get into these pants a few mos ago! God is GOOD! just a reminder so yeah..i'mma keep mentioning my weightloss! HA!]

closeup of the shoe: SOFTSPOTS. they're sorta comfy at times. the toe and strap can be a lil harsh at times but they're cute, make my feet look smaller and provide great support! my back thanks you! got these from SHOE DEPOT.



BAG: NINE WEST [gift]

knocketh NOT my nerd swaggery! lol

[hair: braidout. earrings: made by my granny. beanie: claire's. face: max factor gloss, HIP shadow duo, fashion fair blush, zuri foundation.]

***********************

ps: one of the missionary mothas had on a hat just like mine but it was blue! ha! i love it! i wanted it! i started to ask where she got it. :)

[time to check on another cam. i had these on flash and STILL had to lighten them up in PSE. i'mma get better yall! thanks for ya support so far! there's so much MORE i wanna do with this blog]

this should be a DAILY reminder!

let's take time out to STOP telling ourselves that we aren't good enough. that we'll never be perfect. never have the perfect hair, perfect eyes, lips, perfect nose, even body shape. we need to stop walking around with our heads down, afraid to free ourselves because others may look at us funny or say something offensive! it's time that we free ourselves with NOTHING TO PROVE! by just being who we are...without even trying..

now that's Beautiful

SPRING FLING

i am SO lovin this look! it's so feminine and gurly with a cute lil retro touch to it!


well i entered this into a contest entry and i think it's cute how it all came together!


ITEMS:

floral top: plus size fix
skirt: b&lu
wedges: miu miu
crop cardigan: ashley stewart
bag: vivienne westwood
necklace and bracelet: betsey johnson
earrings: fantasy jewelry box
reversible beret: mauri web channel international


::check >> HERE << for my polyvore::

RESURRECTION DAY DIVA! 2010

so yeah i've decided to get my grown-n-sexy on with this one. with my pearls and all! didnt have time to do my hair like i wanted to tho!

[middle going DOWN..ahh yeah!]

[dress: lane bryant]


[please excuse the plastic runner..ugh..lol and it kinda looks like i should've gone down a size..hmmm...maybe! lol i need to revisit this look...maybe another belt to see the diff]



close up of ruffle detail..


shoes close up

[shoes: TARGET]


close up. check the diva smile!
[hair: chunky twist-out, finger styled. color: clairol's textures and tones in BLAZIN burgundy]

[jewelry: mom's personal collection. pearls for that QUEEEEN TOHHOO BEEE! lol]


[powder: zuri. blush: fashion fair. liner for eyes and brows: maybelline. mascara: cover girl. eyeshadow: milani, HIP. gloss: revlon, max factor, victoria secret.]

Diva WEEKEND pt. 2!

so i posted on FB [last weekend] that i was in DIRE need of some pampering and my good buddy hit me up and had the AWESOME idea of during natural facials. i remember doing these back in the day in COSMO class and my wheels started turning again. the facial concoctions we used during this session are different from the ones used in COSMO class but the BENEFITS weren't LESS AWESOME.

[sidenote: before you try any of these treatments, please keep your allergies in mind. and if you are allergic to any of the following ingredients, please check out ehow.com for facials to suit you.]


**************


***started off with a GREEN TEA steam facial***

let the tea cool down some, from a rolling boil to a steady steam. steam with a towel over your head 10 mins or more. don't get too close! i got carried away and burned my chin! lol not bad tho! you will SEE and feel the difference!

[benefits: opens pores. deep cleans. antioxidants in the green tea protect skin from free radicals! *POW!*]

i even dropped in a sleepy time tea bag! and i slept like a log. haha! [didn't have lavendar]



***cooled down with a PLAIN yogurt facial!***

simple..just put it on your face like a cold cream [noxema for example]. let it set 5-10 mins and rinse.

[benefits: refines pores. exfoliates skin.]



and for my fellow diva-in-crime, i mixed this facial up for her:


***half an avocado [i took the other half with me]***

[benefits: moisturizes skin. smooths fine wrinkles.]

a few drops of lime juice,

[benefits: helps mild acne. cleans. refreshes. clarifies. fresh lime is best.]


and i also added some PLAIN YOGURT. same as in the pic above! [next time we'll add honey]




looks like guacamole to me! hehe!

[easiest to spread more effectively if you have a blender!]

***then i finished off with a pedi***

soaked my feet for about 15-20 mins. felt brand new!!

used avon footsoak [can't remember the other soak right off. will repost an update.] finished with Miracle of Aloe's MIRACLE FOOT REPAIR [awesome stuff!!! it has 60% ALOE] then some polish! i aint postin my toes tho! haha maybe next time!

[benefits: look at those BUBBLES and you tell me! hehe! this almost knocked me out forreal!!]


**************


i was SOOOO needing this! can't wait for the next one!


PROJECT TAKING DIVA BACK IS IN FULL EFFECT!!!!!

Diva WEEKEND pt. 1!

me and a buddy of mine had so much fun last weekend. we did a lil shopping and pampering. we went around to different stores, found some products to create a home-made retreat. so while in the midst of that i found this cute lil number i've had my eye on. funny thing is, i FIRST saw this on Ross's fanpage on FB and i was like I HAVE TO HAVE THIS! and LOW AND BEHOLD as i went to ross I FOUND IT!

and what else is so cool..it's not even my size! check the label!

ya gurl wears a 26-28 [FORMALLY 30-32]! and i tried this on! i will definitely update you on this dress! i'm gonna post pix of how it looks ON. TO BE CONTINUED...

I've come THIS FAR by FAITH [progress SO FAR on this weightloss journey PT 2!]

Yes! I still have my setbacks..but I WONT give up!

And Yes! I have the NERVE to share what I did to help me get to this point. And I say that because I'm at a standstill right

now! So that wasn't directed towards ANYONE but the inner-me! Because I will NOT let guilt or fear of failure or fear of

success keep me from reaching my GOAL! I don't care HOW LONG IT TAKES! Just as long as I don't get back to where I WAS!!! I'm

learning more and more about me and that's what REALLY matters!

Now...let's touch base on the eating:

1.DRINK YOUR WATER! You just don't know what good this does for you. Especially when you're feeling hungry! YUP...that's

right! I've read on a weightloss website to drink water when you feel hungry, because you may actually be dehydrated, bored,

etc...mainly dehydrated. Plus if you drink a glass of water BEFORE [about 10 mins], and another during a meal you get fuller

quicker. So the key to that is when you start to feel those hunger pains, DRINK WATER...then, if 10 minutes later you're

still hungry..then eat something. And boredom..yall know how some of us get when we're bored...OOH COOKIES..lol!

OK...techy side. HALF YOUR WEIGHT IN OZ's of H2O a day!

2. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day! PLEASE take this into consideration, especially if you're trying to lose

weight! Now I know it may seem strange because so many people are so used to people saying STARVE to lose the weight but your

body actually goes into STARVATION MODE and what little you do eat WILL be stored as what you're trying to get rid of! So

please eat breakfast yall! You're doing more harm that good by starving yourself! FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY!

3. Eat 5-6 small meals a day! This really felt weird to me because I would eat 3 times a day like I was told growing up. I

felt even WORSE, like I was eating up EVERYTHING. First I have to eat BREAKFAST in the morning..now THIS?! These were just

tricks in my mind. Even sometimes being at work and feeling self-conscious about snacking on my breaks, but I noticed when I

did I wasn't MISERABLE by lunchtime.

Breakfast. snack. lunch. snack. dinner. very light snack.

That's how it worked for me. AT FIRST...I didn't eat ANYTHING before bed and I was miserable, starving...then I had to adjust

somethings. For instance, instead of NOT eating before bed I would grab an orange, carrot sticks, crackers and cheese,

yogurt, a slice of lean meat, or something to hold me over til the morning.

4. Add more fruits and veggies! Yup! Just like Mama said!!! They fill you up! AND help your digestive system...I won't get

TMI with yall BUT..you WILL notice a difference! Raw veggies are the best, but if you don't have any at the moment, work with

what you have! And add whole wheat and grains to the list as well. (I'll have to get more specific later.)

5. Portion control! Make it a gradual thing with making portions smaller along with adding better foods to meals each day,

week, whatever to develop good habits. and Nope! I refuse to deprive myself of the goodies! I just won't have them everyday!

And when I do get whatever I'm craving I get a FEW cookies...NOT THE WHOLE SLEEVE! Well..I was almost doing half..but not in

one setting!

6. Don't wait until you're about to PASS OUT to eat something! Use the methods in #1 and #3 to help you. They will be a GREAT

benefit for your lifestyle change.

7. Have a set LIST of items for you before you head to the store. And it WILL be hard the first few times, until you get in

the HABIT of buying better things. And make sure you check your labels! Just because they say LOW FAT doesn't mean they are

ALL THAT! Sometimes you'd be better off sticking with the regular stuff. Because what they lack in one area, they make up for

in another. Like SURE they could be low in fat..BUT the sugar content could be THROUGH THA ROOF!

8. Don't do EVERYTHING at once {refer back to #5}! You have to make small changes to see big results. Even if you just START

with changing your eating, you'll notice a GREAT difference in how you look and feel. Like I said before.. 50 pds for me w/o

exersize! Because it was what I could do at the time. And what I couldn't do..I gave it all to God! Little becomes much in

HIS hands..

FOR INSTANCE: I had an injury (in constant pain), hadn't been too mobile in a while..what do I look like running up a flight

of stairs?! On top of being an emotional eater..my crutch! It was HARD to break that! One GIANT at a time! So I was like

'it's either THIS or I DIE!' And if you read part ONE you know what I mean by that! I want to LIVE!! And I refuse to let this

take me before my time!

And EARLIER instance: Before my accident I went on a weightloss journey before. I didn't change MUCH of my eating habits but

I went to workout TWICE a week (got up to an HR tops) for a few months and still saw MAJOR results!

So NOW I have to combine the two! And make it work!

9. BORED? Find something to do BESIDES watch tv or get on FB...that's a HARD one right?! lol!!! But yeah..get up and dance,

do your nails, paint, write, read, crochet...do something to stay occupied! You need HEALTHY DISTRACTIONS.

10. Stressed?! Take it to GOD! Same applies to this as with #8. And finding a good confidant doesn't hurt either!

Particularly someone who's on the same track or has been where you're going! A nice massage wouldn't hurt either! I refuse to

live the rest my life as an emotional eater! Meditate! Pray! Trust God that HE will see you through and NEVER put more on you

than you can bear!!!!

11. Happy?! Excited?! Find OTHER ways to celebrate than with FOOD! Yup! I had to add this one!

12. Feel like giving UP?! DON'T!!! And it's best to not focus on how far you have to GO but how far you've COME! Just give

thanks to your HEAVENLY FATHER that things are much better for you! Even if it's just your outlook, your way of thinking.

Maybe you haven't taken your first step yet, but you have a plan of ACTION! Even the HEART and the THOUGHT of wanting to do

the right thing should be looked at as much better than NOT TRYING AT ALL. And if necessary, rewrite the plan, update your

vision. Do inventory, an assessment of everything in your eating and your life...and revamp somethings from there...


And I know that might sound like something I've said before but this must be a constant reminder for me! 'MISS PERFECTIONIST'

*NOW I JUST GOTTA GET BACK ON TRACK!!!!!*

[If i missed something let me know! This may need to be a series!]