July 4th, 2015 Just, Fantastic

July 4th, 2015 Just, Fantastic

My Independence Day included making a trip to my hometown and picking up mom for lunch and the trip back to my place. The two of us always have a fantastic time together. Mom joined me at the lake for my annual 4th of July broadcast. We took some good food to the lake, enjoyed the event, laughed a bunch and watched the big fireworks display together.

I really wanted to grill some chicken with sugar free BBQ sauce but I ran out of time. Our alternate food plan included meats, cheeses and fruit. It was perfect.

I'd like to introduce you to Shirley from Tennessee. Her success is incredibly inspiring. 61 years old, MS, recovering from a stroke, being a caregiver to her 95 year old dad...AND still, during the most challenging and stressful times of her life: Choosing change to the tune of 200 pounds down!

Shirley's transformation is truly multi-faceted, mentally-emotionally-spiritually-physically. You're amazing, Shirley! Shirley expressed that she was really apprehensive about sharing so much on her personal facebook page and it took some bravery for her to share this incredible before/now side by side photo. I applaud your bravery, Shirley! And thank you for letting me share it here on my blog!
Your story is powerful!

photo A20Shirley_zpsgpp5yakg.jpg
"I am not at a healthy weight yet, but hit a 200-pounds lost milestone today, so I thought I would share this to encourage you that God can do anything. May He alone be glorified."

"From the age of 8, I have struggled with my weight and been on diets, only to regain the weight as soon as the diet was over. A few years ago I lost from 380 down quite a bit and then gained back to the 260s and stayed there. God changed a lot in me back then, but last year on my 60th birthday in July, I got a huge wake up call when I had a major MS relapse and was later diagnosed with MS and also had had a stroke. The words a friend had shared with me became my reality "Choose change before change chooses you." I did not need a new diet at that point, but a way to live my life that was healthy…for the duration. After a lot of prayer, I began a way of eating that both helped me to lose but also was something I was willing and able to do long term. During the most stress-filled year of my life, with declining health and while being the care-giver for my 95-year old precious dad, God’s grace has sustained and carried me. In the past, stress was my invitation to overeat, but God had other plans."

If you have a question or comment for Shirley, feel free to use the comments section below!

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Mom is staying a few days with me and will be here for Noah's 2nd birthday party! We're looking forward to it! Mom is planning to join me at the YMCA tomorrow. She'll get her walk in on the indoor track and I'll get my workout!

I'm looking forward to cooking for mom, too!

As far as maintenance mode goes, I have a feeling I'm losing weight. I suppose if I gotta have trouble with this part of the process, I'd rather it be a losing "problem" and not a gaining one. I write about this losing suspicion because I'm really in tune with my body and I can tell my metabolism is burning hot. The light breakfast from this morning--two eggs, over-easy and fruit, my metabolism scorched that quickly and I was clearly hungry within two hours.

I'm patient. And I will continue doing what I'm doing and we'll see what the scale shows in a week and a half. If there's a loss, I'll make some adjustments.

No complaints here. I'm blessed and immensely grateful in so many incredible ways for so many fantastic things.

What a fantastic day. Just, fantastic.

My Tweets Today:




























Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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