F2F Focus T25 Challenge!!

No, it's not New Years. No, I'm not on team two piece. No, I'm not trying to fit into a dress. Someone reason asked what I was traning for. My answer? LIFE!! My quest to lose this last 30-40 pounds is purely because I want to.

And then came Shaun T's Focus T25: 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 50 days. Dude!!

Want to join me? Order your challenge pack then connect with me on Facebook or Instagram (@jlawf2f). Order by July 31st and you save $80!

Starting August 1st, I promise to share my journey with you and I ask that you do the same. Whether you know it or not, your journey will inspire others to make changes in their own lives. And that's really the point, right? To be our best selves.

Let's do it!

Fueled by Victory

The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel, Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening:  “Stop, Sun, over Gibeon; Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley.”  And Sun stopped, moon stood stock still until he defeated his enemies. ~Joshua 10:12-13

Consistent. Relentless. Tenacious.



Some people don't believe me when I tell them that my fitness journey has helped me grow into a stronger Christian and a stronger person (mentally, emotionally). It sounds crazy considering I have battled with weight all of my life. But God used the one area of my life that had always been a struggle to be my ministry. Amazing...my purpose is rooted in my struggle. The principles and lessons I learn on my fitness journey help me along the other paths in my life. Principles, with their lovely selves, can be applied to anyone and just about any situation.

The other morning I was facing a personal crisis and wanted to crawl into a ball and just give up. I went through the motions of getting dressed and getting everyone out the door, all while fighting against the "take me now" screaming in my head. I got in the car and looked in the rear view mirror. I looked at myself and I look defeated. Me? Not Fit Girl? And then I recalled mile eight of the 2012 St Jude Music City Half Marathon when my ankle was on fire, my calves were cramping, and my pace was slipping. I remember telling myself, "It's not over. Finish strong." My gait changed. I was no longer whimpering. The only option I gave myself was to finish, and do it well. So, I fixed my form, stopped the whimpering and still hit a PR. But it doesn't' stop there.

With legs cramping and energy low, I changed and made it to my flag football game. I played a full game--offense (center), defense (defensive end), and special teams!! My very first play I dropped the ball because my hands were cramping. From that point on I told myself, "If you're gonna play, then play hard." No one watching that game would know that less than an hour beforehand I had done a half marathon. 

What point am I trying to make?

April 28, 2012

When you go into battle, you go with the hope of victory fueling you forward. If you don't have that hope of victory, why are you even fighting? And being Christian the fire is even bigger because I know with surety that I will be victorious--if only for the glory of God. 

Victory. I cannot even describe what it feels like to someone who hasn't tasted it. But once you know victory in any area of your life, it spurs you forward to the next conquest, the next challenge. I imagine the Israelites felt that way as they defeated thirty plus (32??) nations on their quest to claim the Promised Land. Joshua was so sure of victory that he had the audacity to ask God to let the sun stand still so he could keep whooping tail. What?! Ooooo weee!! When you know the taste of victory,you are not easily defeated.

As you gear up for your workout or preparing your meals, or even just facing your life, ask yourself if you are fueled by the hope of victory. Is that illustrated by how you carry yourself and go through life? Or are you limply fighting, awaiting defeat? Be fueled by VICTORY!

Tackling the Hills



View of capital bldg from Bicentennial Park



I live in Nashville, TN so I'm very familiar with hills. My neighborhood runs include hills whether I want them to or not, so I've learned to just GET OVER THEM. I didn't say that I run up those sons-a-snitches quickly or even that I look forward to them. I said I've learned to just GET OVER THEM. Standing at the bottom of one doesn't get me over it. Going another route just puts me at the foot of a different hill.

When I stop griping and complaining about the hills, I realize that they've made my legs stronger. And standing at the top of the hill can give you a great view (like the one from behind the capital, gorgeous!). The same principle applies in life. For the longest time I've wanted to obtain my primary group fitness certification but have hit one hill after another--money, car accident, not having the right study materials. But the biggest hill I've had to conquer is my FEAR. Yes, fear. The fear ranges from not feeling like I measure up to others, to not being able to pronounce anatomical terms, to wondering how others will judge the loose skin on my arms and around my belly. There is even a small inkling of a fear to actually succeed. Wow...

There is a scripture that says "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." If I believe that God's love is perfect and that he blessed me with gifts out of his love for me and that his plan for me is inked by his love for me, then what am I fearing? If I venture forth and fail, have I really lost anything? Or will I know to be better the next time?

Lots of people ask me about how to start running or working out or eating right. But not many actually follow through. The tendency is to shake your head and write it off as they weren't really serious. However, for some, I get the feeling that their reluctance to move forward is rooted in a form of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the work it will take. Fear of the diligence required. Fear of being freaking awesome (yes, it's a great responsibility). So, as I go through the battlefield and conquer my own fears I will lift up a prayer for all of them. I pray that they get a small taste of victory to power them forward. I pray that they take hold of the love that casts out those fears and leads you to an abundant life--all aspects of life.

Hills. Fears. Whatever. Just get over them.

Moving Mountains

". . .I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."~Matthew 17:20

Last night after Bible study I was talking to one of my Fit Club members and a couple other ladies. They were talking about working in a call center and how they sit so much and how hard it is to get their walks in since it's cold. And if you know me then you already know that I immediately offered some un-excuses for their "reasons." I quoted them the scripture about speaking to the mountain and telling it to move. We can move mountains if we believe we can.

I don't know that God meant that the mountain would literally move, but I believe that it's more about your faith and belief being so big that you no longer see the obstacle as a mountain. You no longer see it as this big, huge, insurmountable thing. Too often we encounter "mountains" and surrender all too soon. We see it looming in the distance and accept defeat. We decide that victory just isn't on the agenda for today and go back to merely existing.

Instead of seeing the mountain, I challenge you to see what is beyond it. I challenge you to come up with an un-excuse for every excuse that comes to mind for why you aren't practicing healthy habits. If you are honest with yourself, you may come to realize that you just don't care to remove the mountain; you want the results without the climb. Your faith has to be so strong that you believe nothing less than victory is acceptable. Your faith has to be so strong that you keep pushing even when the scale isn't showing you the numbers you think you want. Faith? Yes, faith.

While on an a hellacious 15k I learned a lesson in faith--I was literally on a mountain!! There were points during the race when I was praying for a bike or van or go cart to pick me up. There were times when I didn't think my legs could take me any further. Once I stopped crying and praying for an easy way off the mountain, I put my shoulders back, turned up my music, pumped my arms and step by step moved forward along the course towards victory.

Victory requires that you be courageous. Courage requires faith. Faith requires action.

Marshmallow Anyone?

 Today one of my co-workers told me about the Stanford marshmallow experiment (don't break out the hot chocolate) and I've reflected on that study a few times today. Basically each child was offered a marshmallow but was told that if they could resist eating it for 15 minutes they would receive two instead of one. The purpose of the study was to understand when the control of "deferred gratification" develops in children. The part of the study that has had me thinking all day is the follow-up analysis. In a nutshell, those who exhibited deferred gratification were more competent and had higher standardized test scores as adolescents. "A 2011 study of the same participants indicates that the characteristic remains with the person for life."

Why did this interest me? Because for the past few days people have asked me about quick fixes for weight loss and I keep coming back to the same response: there is no quick fix. Instant gratification is just that, instant. Once the instant is done, so is the gratification. What I need people to really "get" and understand is that no matter what method you use for instant weight loss, your gratification is only temporary unless you change your diet and exercise behaviors. This is coming from a woman who had weight-loss surgery. I've known persons who had liposuction and who pop B12 pills/shots and HGH shots only to gain back whatever weight they've lost. Had I not made an effort to change my behaviors I don't know that I would feel as vivacious, strong, and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. The behavior changes didn't just effect my weight, they effected how I live my life. Friends of mine have also had surgery and have lost the weight, but their lifestyles really have not changed. The only difference is that they are smaller versions of themselves. For some, that may be enough, but for us marshmallow defferers (yes, I made up a word) that is simply not enough.

If you are serious about changing your life and becoming healthier, then don't seek the instant gratification. When you step up to the starting line for this journey I want you to understand that the "win" is not the finish line, but rather in how well you travel along. Some may sprint out ahead of you and lose 20 lbs, but look around two months later and see if they have kept that off and if they are still losing. You are winning when you learn to navigate efficiently along the course. What do I mean by that? 

You are winning when you begin to see food as fuel and not this evil/Divine thing; it is amoral and has only the value we give it. You are winning when you can put off the instant gratification in order to bring your vision to fruition. You are winning when you use the other methods (surgery, supplements, wrapping, etc) as tools rather then "fixes." You are winning when you exercise because you're worth it and not because you hate how you look. You are winning when you enjoy the journey and exhibit grace with yourself because you know that you're in this for the long haul, not just some sprint to fit into a pair of jeans.

That is not to say that we should not have goals. On the contrary. Goals are milestones that confirm that we're moving in the right direction. Reaching goals gives us the momentum to keep moving forward, to keep practicing healthy behaviors. Those behavioral changes do not happen overnight. I've been at this seriously for about 16 months and with each day I have my "Es," "Ss," and "Ps"--for you non-kindergarten parents that's "Excellent," "Satisfactory," and "Progressing." I tell my team all the time, the goal is not perfection but rather consistency. When you are consistent in delaying gratification and practicing healthy behaviors, the reward is weight loss, increased stamina, increased strength and overall health. You will then notice that you view yourself differently; you begin to understand that YOU are worth the wait. YOU are worth the journey.