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| 2003, Round One | ||||||||||||
| I was first introduced to BFL back in 1997 when I watched Meredith Brooks and Lynn Lingenfelter being featured on a local news channel while I laid in bed, bedridden with my second child. Coming from a fitness background, I was immediately drawn to it, but because of my condition, was unable to participte. I called EAS that day and got information because I figured if I couldn't do it, my husband could. Well, he was uninterested and it wasn't until after the birth of my third child (born in 1998) and the passing of my Mother (in 1999) that I felt ready to actually give it a try and signed up in early 2000. Actually, my husband and I registered as a couple. Though he fell off the program, I kept going. By week 7 or 8 I had gone from a size 11/12 to a comfortable size 5 and was able to just squeeze into my old size 3 jeans. I was doing great until my first Mother's Day without my Mom came along. At first I just thought I was sick, but after time, I realized that depression had snuck up on me. I slipped behind and gained a lot of weight back. From then on, I tried off and on to complete a challenge, but dealing with the loss of my Mother and the loss of the friend I knew in my husband left me feeling totally disabled. My marriage was a mess. It was very volatile and I knew I was self destructing. My self esteem was at an all time low. I was angry, very sad and fat. I hated who I had become. After many failed tries and and a lot of heartache, I finally worked up the courage (it took two tries) to file for divorce this past December. I promised myself then that I was going to take care of me and recapture the life that I felt I had lost. To recapture ME! It has proven to be a challenge, but I have taken it day by day and have began a slow, but steady transformation in all areas of my life, of my whole being. I began the BFL challenge in January and this time I actually completed a full 12 weeks for the first time! It took me a long time, but the rewards are well worth it. I still have much to go, but think that if (and I will) stick to this next 12 week challenge, I will reach my goals. I have this deep and very powerful desire to change my life. I just can't give up! It is this desire and the support of those around me that have helped me to remain focused. I am so grateful to my God, my family and my good friends for all of their love, prayers and for just being there! I had so much come against me during this time. Things that could have made me run and hide, but this time, I found ways to take every negative thing that came against me and turn them into positive energy that pushed me harder and closer to my goals. No matter what life threw at me. A cancer scare, an ambulance ride with my daughter after her collapsing out of nowhere, a job loss, a move, my Dad having a heart attack ... everything that should have stopped me, didn't. And now, I will keep pushing on and continue to make all of my dreams come true! With the good Lord's help and the support of friends and family I know I will see a new and improved me. The me I have always wanted to be. These are photos of my last challenge. Please forgive me. They are blurry, but hopefully I will have my scanner up and running soon and be able to get better pictures on here. UPDATE: Aug. 2003 - My husband and I have reconciled our marriage and things are so much better! God is good! |
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| Sketched photo of my after shots from round one 2003. | ||||||||||||
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| Again I applogize for how unclear they are! | ||||||||||||
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| Another blurry photo of one of the after shots from round one. | ||||||||||||
| Sketched shot of me. (Taken same day as my after shots) | ||||||||||||