Here's to a Happy, Healthy 28!

On the eve of my 28th birthday, I am overwhelmed by the grace God has shown me this Summer, during this 19-month journey and in my 28 years. As of today, I am down 117 lbs. Wow! I can only say that it is truly the strength God has given me to endure this challenge. To think of this amazing gift that He has given me, it brings tears to my eyes.

I've completed my final appointments with the trainers and cardiologist and both were very pleased with my progress. During my assessment at Fitness Together, I was able to improve in all my physical fitness testing and most of my measurements decreased. I was thrilled to learn that I've burned off 20 lbs. of body fat weight, lowering it 20 percent, and I increasing my lean weight by 4 percent. My heart is in great shape and improving. I've decreased my heart rate 25 beats per minute and that adds up to a savings of 13 million beats in a year. So I know that if God continues to bless me in this journey of losing weight, that it will be a much happier and healthier year.

I'm thrilled beyond belief in these results because I know it will not only benefit me, it benefits all that matter to me. I will be able to have more energy to spend time with the ones I love: assisting Mom and Grandpa, chasing kiddos, taking run/walks with friends and just enjoying every breath that I take. It gives me new initiative to bring more excitement and activity to my 28th year. Thinking of the amazing opportunities God granted me in my 27th year challenges me to think of all I can do in the next year. I truly cannot wait to see where God takes me. Here are just a few that have already crossed my mind...

•  Watch Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves play against Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals. 
•  Speak at the Go Red for Women Luncheon as one of the 10 magnificent women who participated in the Better U Challenge.
• Watch "The Lion King" 3D on the big screen & relive some favorite childhood memories.
• Volunteer & "Just Be" at the 2011 Design for Life Conference.
• See my fantastic Floridian cousins in the STL!
• Take an amazing road trip to Tulsa to experience The 7  Tour (David Crowder Band & Chris August)  with my dear friend, Bethany Weatherly.
• Enrich my soul at Fresh Grounded Faith with family & friends.
• See the Kansas City Plaza at Christmastime.
• Participate in a 5K with the Heather Hansen!
• Stand up for some amazing friends, who are like family, as they begin their new life together... Love ya, Jessica & Justin! I'm so excited & honored to be a part of your special day!
• Volunteer/Work at Louisville2012 watching some of the brightest, most talented teens deploy their God-given talents.
• Achieve my weight loss goal and maintain a healthy weight.
• Continue to write content for amazing Christian publications using the gifts God has given me.
• Grow more and more into woman that God wants me to be... 

Thank you again to my amazing family & friends who have been a tremendous blessing & support. Thank you for being encouragement on the sidelines & in the race! I pray the Lord bless you all as you have been such a blessing to me.  Above all else, remember to Praise Him in every situation because He is Everything!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Many Blessings,
Jenn

Reflection

So much has changed in my life in the last few months that I have a hard time realizing the person staring back at me in the mirror is really me. I knew she was in there but to actually see her is... unbelievable.

The same is true, not only regarding the change in my overall health and looks, but also in my life as a whole. This week, a lot of change is coming as the 3-month Better U Program, the American Heart Association health challenge and heart healthy makeover, comes to end. Likewise, this is also my last week at my amazing job that I've held for the past 3 Summers. Little did I know, in both situations, how much I would truly grow.

When I started the challenge, I knew it would be a great opportunity as I had recently lost 100 lbs., and it could only help me come closer to my goal of becoming healthy. I would be under a doctor's care and receive additional training and nutrition. I had no idea how much the overall change would become a part of me. I love my workout times now; I miss them if I am not able to get them in, even though I did get most of the workouts in during the challenge. I crave the healthier foods and am pretty disgusted by the things that are not "good for me." I'm challenged and want those good numbers to reflect in my assessments next week, but I know I have learned so much more than could ever be shown in numbers and measurements. To top it off though, I have made wonderful friendships with the women in the program and learned so much from the fantastic trainers at Fitness Together. Although I know I will continue working and maintaining, I am going to miss this program.

Similarly, three years ago when I began working with the National Fine Arts Festival, I never could have imagined the blessed opportunity that had been given to me. I've had the amazing honor of helping some of the most talented teens in the country participate in a festival that encourages them to "discover, develop, deploy" the gifts God has given them.

Each year as I've watched these amazing young people perform, tears have filled my eyes. They are so inspiring and full of ambition. They know God has given them a great gift and they are eager to share it with others. At the same time, I've also been able to watch my passions, helping youth and writing, grow and come together. I've had the amazing opportunity to interview some of these amazing young people, write their stories and other great content for "ONCOURSE." 

Working for NFAF and writing for "ONCOURSE" is definitely a great part of God's will being unfolded in my life. I can remember it just like it was yesterday, the Summer night in Mexico when God called me to work with youth. Then, the afternoon sitting at a wrestling tournament chatting with my amazing youth pastor, Ron Hullett, about the dilemma I had as I loved writing and wanted to work for a magazine; however, I knew God had placed this great passion for youth in my heart. It seemed so unbelievably clear when he said, "Well, why don't you work for a Christian Youth Magazine." It's pretty awesome how God works out those things! Then, as if it couldn't get any better, I have made the most amazing, lifelong friends.

So forgive me if I've become a little emotional, I feel like I'm actually growing into the woman that God created me to be. I feel like I'm making myself an overall healthy person who is going to be able to complete every task that He sets before me. I know that even though there may be questions that He will never leave me. He will always provide for my every need. I know He has great plans and I am excited to see what He has for my future. I'm excited to see how He uses the challenge even more for His will and I'm excited to see where His will will take me.

Thank you for all of these amazing opportunities, God. Thank you for planting these desires in my heart. Thank you for all You have done and are going to do.

Many Blessings,

Jenn

Seven: So far, So good

Last week in Phoenix with my friend, Sarah.

Yes, 7 is what you read in the title & previous post. I am going to complete 7 workouts this week. "Oh. My. Goodness." That's what I thought when I originally read that in the weekly email. However, it is going well. I have already completed 3 workouts & have 2 planned for tomorrow.

What a difference a year makes. This was last year in Detroit.

It feels fabulous to be back in the gym! I'm so thankful for my time in Phoenix but I definitely missed being at the gym & I'm excited to get the group experiences in the next few days. Tomorrow, I will be doing a pack workout with Ginger & then I will workout with all the ladies again on Saturday! It will be wonderful to see them all again & hear how they all are doing. I love the fact that this program has brought us together in a great, healthy way. I hope to stay connected with them & hear more of their success stories past the completion of the program.

With so many things up in the air right now, I am so thankful to know that God never changes. He always provides for our needs & He has certainly given me the strength to get through anything. I'm still amazed how He has & is carrying me through this journey. I'm truly humbled & grateful for all He has done & is going to do. Thank you, God!

Many Blessings,
Jenn

Rebounding from Phoenix

One word clearly sums up my entire state of mind & operation right now: Exhaustion.

The week in Phoenix was Amazing! I love my job & was able to experience so much during this trip. I was blessed beyond measure as I was able to help in multiple ways throughout the week. My week included: watching the students perform, answering frequently asked questions, attending amazing evening services, and occasionally watching an absolutely adorable, baby boy.

So needless to say in the amazing 80 plus hours of work, including travel, I sadly was not able to get in my workouts. I went with the best intentions of working out, I packed for it & was excited to use the gym, but it was closed. However, since I did not have any transportation, except to & from the airport, I spent a lot of time walking, & also helped in the setup & tear down of the event. So I don't think I had a "bad week" per se, I just had a different type of workout regime.

I also ate pretty healthy most of the week, I ate healthy snacks, & made healthy choices. Probably the hardest obstacle was dealing with the time change, along with the late nights & early mornings. The blessing of that was that I did watch a lot of beautiful sunrises.

Now that I've returned, the challenge diet & exercise will resume. I actually received the weekly email before departing Phoenix & was pleasantly surprised to find that I will have 7 workouts this week instead of 6. So the rebound will take place quickly! Looking forward to getting back into the routine & making a strong finish in the program!

I never could have imagined all that God has blessed me with in the last 18 months. He has definitely given me more than I could ever ask or hope for in this capacity.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Many Blessings,
Jenn

The Heat is On...

I leave Saturday for Phoenix & my schedule is completely topsy turvy this week!

I did complete upper body & cardio sessions on my own Monday night. I’m pleased with the progress that I have made with the different workouts. I am able to increase the weights, time put in & calories burned. I am challenging myself more with each session & excited to see the final results at the end of the program.

Today, I’ll be doing a full body workout at Fitness Together. Although I know they’ll work me hard, I know it will be good & I always enjoy working out in the gym with the team. I thankful that they are working with me & my schedule so even though I will be away, my progress in the program will not delay.

Patti & I are planning to work out together on Thursday & I plan to use the workout facilities &/or pool that are available at the hotel in Phoenix. God is good & I’m so thankful for the many opportunities He has given me.

Many Blessings,

Jenn

Playin' Catch Up on Posts

From Saturday, July 23

So I’m a little behind on the blogging. Life has got super busy with work & working out.

Transitioning to doing most of the workouts on my own was definitely more of a challenge this week. I’ve been getting so busy preparing for Phoenix that it’s harder to get everything in as the countdown continues. The stress has also made it harder to eat as well as I should.

I really enjoyed the nutrition session information that I received. I know I will be able to put it to good use. I also really enjoyed our first group workout together. I was definitely sweating after the upper body session & then we had a lower body session. So by the end of our workout, I was definitely worn out. I felt great though & I’m looking forward to the future group workout sessions. However, I will be missing the next two sessions since I will be in Phoenix. I know the long hours & heat will be a workout in itself so I’m pretty sure that I’ll be a few more pounds down when I return in August.

Today I also enjoyed spending some time getting to know Patti during a window shopping trip to Macy’s & lunch at HuHot. We had a wonderful time talking about the challenge & I learned about another great, healthy restaurant. We’re also going to work out together this week & I’m really looking forward to it.

What a blessing it is to be a part of such a great program where I’m learning how to live a healthier life & making great friends at the same time. Thanks, God!

Many Blessings,

Jenn

Mixing Up Week 6

Week 6 has been a wacky one. To make sure we are not getting too set into our routines with the Better U Challenge, our workouts were changed up this week & we also took mid-way assessments.

My assessment took place Thursday and I was extremely excited with the results. The majority of my tests and measurements improved. Since this is a heart healthy makeover, I'm glad to report that my resting heart rate improved from 80 to 72 while my beats per minute decreased from 150 to 114 after the 3-minute step test. Weight was officially down 6 lbs. on Thursday; however, it was down 10 lbs. today. Even more exciting, my body fat percentage was down 10.4 percent, lean weight has increased 14 percent and fat weight has lowered 28 percent. My waistline was down almost 2 inches. Amazing results and an amazing blessing! So with these results, I am looking forward to the final assessment.

Workouts this week were switched up. As previously stated, Monday was my full body workout at Fitness Together, then we were supposed to do cardio, upper and lower body workouts on our own. I did cardio on Wednesday, Friday and today. The lower body workout was Friday and upper body was today. I know the switch up was good because I was sore sooner and possibly sweat more.

Although I wasn't able to wrap everything until today I'm very pleased since I had such a busy week outside of the Better U Challenge. Week 7 will also be a change as we will not have a workout with FT until Saturday and that will be a group training/workout session. Looking forward to seeing what's in store and how I am able to begin managing the workouts and routines on my own. I know it will be very beneficial to me keeping up the pace after the program ends.

Thank you all for your encouragement, prayer and support. You're very much appreciated!

Many Blessings,

Jenn