Transformation Tuesday - Meet Angela

Today has been a good day!  A new friend from church came over for a visit.  She brought me lunch, a flower, and a great time of visiting.  I miss having girlfriends to visit with.  I definitely need to do that more often! 

Tomorrow is another post-op visit with an x-ray and hopefully stitch removal.  I am ready to get them out so I can shower without all of the hassle of keeping my incision dry.

Today is Transformation Tuesday and I have another great story to share with you.  I started reading her blog and then saw her and her husband on a TV show, AND then I got to meet her in read life at Fitbloggin last year.  Here is Angela's story:

1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

I'm Angela. I lost 200 pounds in 14 months. I've been maintaining for 2 years now. I blog at webeatfat.com and I LOVE to RUN!

2. What made you decide to live a healthier lifestyle?

My husband and I decided that it was time to live better so that we could live longer. He actually came to me first and said it was time to make a change. I decided that it was something that we needed to do together. We decided on January 6, 2011, four days before our first wedding anniversary, that it was time. We never looked back after that.

3. What changes have you made?

I've completely cut out fast food. There are no more of those trips to McDonalds and Burger King. The biggest change I made was eating and drinking frequently throughout the day. Before I would not eat breakfast and skip lunch and not have anything until I got off work. Then I would just be loading up on food and gorging on really bad and unhealthy foods. It was a bad situation. Now I'm always eating and drinking throughout the day.

Oh, I do always bring food with me too. Eating out is something I try to avoid at all costs. Yes, sometimes it's unavoidable but for the most part, I prepare my food at home and bring it with me. I always carry snacks with me because you never know when you're going to get stuck somewhere and get hungry.

4. How is your life different now?

I'm more active now. I've become a fitness instructor at our gym. I workout. I run which is something I never thought I would ever do. I run marathons. I travel more. There are moments when I am sitting at home on the couch, but not as many as I had before. I just have more energy to go out and tackle the world.

5. Any advice for others on their own journey?

Don't do it for anyone else, but yourself. Everyone is not going to understand your journey better than yourself. If you're doing it for someone or something other than yourself, it can get you into trouble. You will may be your harshest critic but you will by your BIGGEST FAN. There will be times when it's going to get hard, but you will get through it. Remember why you started. And most importantly, what works for one person may not work for you. Find your own way. Ask questions, get answers and make it work for you.

Read our weight loss story at webeatfat.com
Follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WeBeatFat
Twitter: @webeatfat
Instagram: @AngelaBeatFat

What an awesome transformation!  I love following her page and seeing all the places she is visiting for her runs!  I love that her and her husband are living this way TOGETHER!  

I am still on the search for more stories to share for Transformation Tuesday! If you would like a chance to tell your story, click here to fill out the form or e-mail me your story at klgoodman1976@gmail.com I LOVE seeing all of the inspiration and we have to lift each other up! We are all in this together!

Sending you all love and healthy wishes!!!

Keep Losing,
Kari

Peace

Happy Friday! This has been an extremely busy week, especially since I'm still recovering from surgery and having to take it slow and easy. I just keep waiting for things to calm down, for life to quiet down, to get back into routine, for PEACE!

After my quiet time yesterday, I think it finally occurred to me that THIS is my life. I cannot make peace, peace is given to me. I am reading the She Reads Truth study on the fruits of the spirit and yesterday's was all about peace. Here is a quote that stood out to me:

The closer we draw to Him, the more we see that peace is not something we make. Rather, Christ' peace He gives to us, not as the world gives us.

With 3 teenagers, a husband, 5 cats, a dog, 2 fish and a gecko our life is VERY hectic. I never feel caught up. There is always laundry, dishes, practice, shopping, homework, appointments, etc. I realize that this is life. I won't ever be caught up. I won't ever be finished while here on earth. And what would I do if I was done? I'd probably be bored!!!!

Even the anxiety and issues I'm going through are just a part of my life.

Time to embrace it and let my chaos remind me of my blessings!!! (Even when while I'm writing this, my youngest just yelled from the kitchen "the cat just blew chunks in here". Good thing I'm crippled! Lol)

I had my second post-op visit yesterday and unfortunately I was not able to get the stitches removed. It is healing, just slowly. At least 5 more weeks in the boot cast, but at least I can walk on it using crutches or my cane now. This pic shows what it looks like today 15 days post-op:

I am still having quite a bit of pain, but it is getting less and less depending on how much I do in a day.

Well, that is it for today! Sending you all love and healthy wishes!

Keep Losing,

Kari

Checking In and Happy Momma's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all ladies out there who are mothers or who are mother figures. We have the hardest, but most rewarding job in the world. 

I am especially blessed to have an amazing mother who has always loved me unconditionally and has been by my side through the roller coaster of my life. I love you momma, more than you will ever know!

Today was a great day. My parents, sisters, nephews, and brother in law all got together at my house. Hubby grilled and we enjoyed spending time together. 

Most of you know that I had a third foot surgery (same foot) on April 30. 

I had to have a fusion of the first MTP joint on the left foot. This comes after a surgery on the same area last February that just didn't fix the problem caused by severe osteoarthritis in my feet. Here is my post op X-ray of my robo-toe:

I had to spend the first week completely non weight bearing. I saw my surgeon this past Wednesday and got the bandages changed. I'm now in a walking boot and I can bear some weight just to go to the bathroom and such, but no more than that. 

Don't you love that Cash is with me in both pictures? He has taken such good care of me and so have my hubby and boys. 

This surgery has been HARD. Lots of swellng, pain, and the incision site is still bleeding a little. I'm a week and a half out and still taking prescription pain meds (which if you know me is rare). I have to sit with it propped up 99% of the time. 

I did make it to church this morning. Hubby and I worked in the nursery!!! I see my surgeon again Wednesday, where hopefully I'll get the stitches out. 

I'm getting along okay. I have some cabin fever, but I have rested a lot and read some good books. 

Just wanted to check in with all of you to let you know the latest. 

Sending you all love and healthy wishes!

Keep Losing,

Kari