UNLIMITED

So as most of you know (if you have been reading this blog) that I have ventured on a journey of self discovery with Jillian Michael's through her book UNLIMITED. This post is basically book review.
First off, I give this book 5 stars. This book came to me at a time in my life that I had already committed to change. I needed something and now I know what it is.
Jillian breaks the book into 3 steps (can't remember what they are, sorry) but I broke the book into Seven Steps!
Step One: What do you want? (That's the G rated version). What are your goals in life? Be specific. And I am not just talking about weight lose here. BAD example: I want to be healthy. GOOD example: I want to lose 45 pounds, wear a size 8, feel sexy in my clothes, etc. Jillian makes a good point... Not having a specific goal is like saying I am going Northwest...instead if saying I am going to the top of the Statue of Liberty. If you don't have a specific goal how are you going to know when you have achieved it. BE SPECIFIC!
Step Two: Visualize what that looks like. This will help with step one. What will it look like when you have achieved that goal. Make a Vision Board to help you. (See my Vision board in a previous post).
Step Three: Idenify the things in your life that have been/or will keep you from achieving your goals. (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Pyscological,etc.) You need to go deep... Jillian give great advise on how to do this... so read the book.
Step Four: Develop a plan. How are you going to achieve your goals. How are you going to "beat your demons" (again see previous post). Start Long term then short term. Go hour by hour if need be. What strategies are you going to use when temptation comes a knocking? Have a Plan A, B,C..
Step Five: Share your goals with those around you. Gather people in your inner circle to support you and encourage you. Distance yourself from those that will keep you from achieving your goals. Find a mentor!
Step Six: Educate yourself! If you want to lose weight then listen to podcast (I listen to Jillian's) about that subject. If you want to be a better mom, read parenting articles. If you want to be a better teacher, then research teacher's who have recieved the Excellent Teacher of the Year Awards... and so on.
Step Seven: Make It Happen! Action! Go! Do it! :) You get the point.
If you like what you see then I really encourage you to go get this book. Jillian is much better at explaining all this than I can in just one post. I have taken all these things to heart over the last 11 weeks. My life, my outlook on life, has changed in big ways. I have lost 21+ pounds and about that in emotional baggage too. I haver come to understand myself better. Understand why I do the things I do... how to change the things I don't like about myself.
This journey is in no way over... it really has just begun. I love to hear your stories and if you have been inspired to buy book. (NOTE: If you buy the auto version... be careful... there is some "language" in this book.) Thanks for coming along!

Week 10

I have FINALLY reached the 20 pound mark. Yes, people I have lose 20 whole POUNDS! It was so good to see that number this morning! It is also the half way point on my weight lose journey. I am totally going to celebrate with a massage today! Yeah me!

Week 9

I did not lose any weight this week. I think there were several reasons for this.
1. I went on vacation over the weekend. I ate pretty healthy but it was alot of foods that I don't normally eat so my body didn't know what to do. I exercised seveal hours a day so I was alittle disappointed that the scales didn't show anything for that.
2. I seem to have problems losing at intervals of 10. I am close to losing 20 pounds nad I new I would probally platue again around this weight. This is a weight that I would lose down too several times and then never get any futher. It is a little scary but I am really motivated and reading UNLIMITED has helped me to see some of the mistakes I have made in the past so I am just going to keep going.
3. I struggled to exercise after the trip. I had such a good time down there I really didn't want to come back. I surfed 6 times in 2 1/2 days. Doing Yoga in my livingroom wasn't very motivating.
4. The weather finally turned HOT! It is so hard to exercise when it is as hot as it is here with the humidity.

Having said all that, I am not discuouraged. We all have bad days and weeks but I am not quiting... you can be sure of that!

Vision Board

One of the questions that Jillian Micheal's brings up in her book Unlimited is "What the hell do you want to do with your life?" (I know I used the h word.. I am just quoting here.) But seriously, what do I want? That's been a hard question for me to answer. She suggest making a vision board to help direct your thoughts and what not. The picture(s) above is my attempt at making a vision board. Some of the things already have or doing and some not yet. What follows is an explanation of what it means? (in no particular order)This is a working list... and is in no way complete.
1. I found out about Christian surfers a few years back when a couple of guys came on a scouting trip to Taiwan. It was such an encouragement to have other Christians around who encouraged us in our faith and had similar interest (aka. surfing). After returning to the States two years ago I went to the Newport chapter for CS. Immediately I felt accepted and encouraged. The bible studies were awesome and felt that I could be myself. I love surfing! (Just spent the weekend surfing 4-5 hours a day.) I want to be involved in Christian surfers ... somehow. Just found out there is a chapter in Northern Taiwan and hope to be working with them in the future.
2. I takes guts to surf. I want to surf like this girl. It challenges everything within me. I have to know myself better to be able to surf. (Half of you are shaking your head, right?) Ex. Every time I paddle out I know I could get hurt. (I almost died once.) I have to know what I am capable of. I need to know my limits. I gotta trust God to give me wisdom to make smart decisions. And at some point to have a take risks to get better. You have to push yourself physically and mentally and even spiritually. In Chinese surfing is 衝浪 (Chōnglàng). 衝 means to fight or do battle 浪 means wave... so to do battle with the waves. EXACTLY... surfing for me is a battle.
3.
4. This is a picture from the movie Every Child is Special . I want to be a teacher like this teacher. You just have to watch the movie to understand.
5.I am a volunteer hugger at a babies home. It has been such a learning experience and God has taught me so much. These babies are all up for adoption. One day I would love to adopt a child from Taiwan.
6. I want to find a husband who loves God whole heartily and it shows in every area of his life.
7. I want to live near the ocean. The ocean just makes me happy. I know that sounds silly but it does!
8. I want to be a light. I want to share my faith with others. I love the quote (from someone) "Preach always, use words when necessary." I want to see God in me just by being who God has made me to be.
9. I was asking the question, " What do I want"n for a couple of weeks and coming up with nothing. Then I was looking through a friend's photos and happened on one of them and their family on a camel ride through the Sahara Dessert. When I saw that picture I immediately thought, "That's what I want!" Not the camel ride, though that would be fun. The Sawyers are this awesome family who live abroad. They are passionate about their faith and sharing their lives with others. They have 2 beautiful children who even at a young age love God. The are always going on wild adventures (aka Camel ride in dessert). That's what I want. To serve God abroad (I actually don't even care where (if it's near the ocean :) ). I want to take adventures! I want a family that is knitted together in God.
10. I really respect Jillian Micheals as an expert on health and wellness. I love her "kick-ass" approach to life. I want to be healthy in all areas of my life which is what her books are all about... contrary to popular belief they are not just about losing weight.

Week Eight

Two months! I am down 16.4 pounds. I have lost almost 5 inches off my waist. Alot of people have been asking me if I can feel a difference. I can say ... a hesitant yes. I am able to get through a workout now without stopping. I have more endurance. I feel stronger. I can see that my pants fit very loose now (or pants that I couldn't wear before now fit.) I still have a long way to go but I feel more confident than ever. New habits have been formed. I am stronger in my resolve to ... just get it done. With God, the help of Jillian Micheals (books and DVDs :)) and the encouragment of my friends and family I know nothing is impossible.




These pictures were taken right before I was to go surfing. Hence the rash guard.