The Verdict is in December 31, 2010

My current weight is 221.6 lbs. I have gained 18.2 lbs since December 15, 2009. What a shame. I have not taken care of myself at all. This what happens when you are not submissive and you don’t believe. I lied to myself and everybody else. No more lying. I trust God, i trust my Pastors and I have passion.

What a Difference a Year Makes!! December 30, 2010

It has been one year and 15 days since my last blog. Guess What, nothing has changed. Still overweight fighting the battle of the bulge. Why??? Because I really did not have the power, the belief and the will-power I claimed to have. It was all a lie. Winners win and losers are always defeated, even before the race. In just a few hours I am going to post my weight. This will allow me and all to see what a loser I was in 2010.SO check back about 7pm and you will see.

What a difference a year makes!!! December 15, 2009

Here I am 10 months later. Is there a difference? Absolutely!!! I am alive and healthy. I know what it takes to accomplish my goals. It takes me. If I am not willing to do the work then I won’t get results. This year has certainly been a challenge for me. I have not met my weight lost goal, not even close. However, I do feel really good about other progress that I have made. 

1. I know that without Christ, I would not be typing this blog.

2. I have achieved the power to say no.

3. I know how to set goals and how to plan to meet those goals.

4. I learned that every decision I make is a choice I made.

5. I learned to praise God even more for every situation.

6.  I learned from Leigh Ann Tuohy that we must love everyone. I mean really love everyone. Again, I said, Love everyone. I know you are puzzled, yes God did tell us to love everyone. But she carried out God command and truly made a difference in Michael Oher’s Life.

7. ……….. The Greatest of these is LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:13

8. You have got to make time for your family in order for it to last and give glory to GOD.

9. Build up someone daily. There is good in everyone, we have got to let them know that.

10.  If you are not giving God glory in everything you do, then it is all for nothing.

The year is almost over and 2010 will be the beginning of a new beginning for me. It actually started 10 months ago. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

Be Blessed 

Ouida

Gratification November 21, 2009

Goal: Not to gain any weight over the holidays, to workout more since I will be off work, to remember failure isnever and option

Weight: 203.4 lbs lost .8 lbs

Mood: Encouraged and Elated

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, we meet with Julie for our final Emory Session. This was the most encouraging session we have ever had. Everyone was able to share their success and challenges as we progressed through the year.  Losing weight is challenging, even if you have a made up mind to do the right thing. Something is going to get in your way and  people are not always going to be there to support you. But remember the reason you do what you do. If you are trying to please people you probably will never reach your goal. Julie encouraged us to think about the instant gratification of exercising, eating right and making healthy choices. She compared it to eating a bag of chips, brownie or making a bad food choice. The gratification you get from the chips or the brownie, etc. is instant and what keeps you going back to do it again is the instant gratification. After about 3 bites the craving has been satisfied until the next time. So what is  the instant satisfaction you get from exercising and making the right food choices. Consider that the next time you have a decision to make and what the gratification you will get.

Being a part of the challenge has been great. For the first time in my life I tracked my weight for an entire year. I was more conscious of my weight and the up and downs. I did not lose the weight I want to lose, but I gained so  much more. I was able to put my life in perspective and overcome many obstacles that prevented me from reaching my goals.  Through it all, I was my biggest hinderance. I put many limitation on myself and did not try to find other alternatives. Julie would not let me leave her office until I came up with definite plans to reaching my goals. Meeting with Julie was very gratifying and I hate for it to end. She is the one who helps me get through this year. It is because of Julie that I did not gain any weight this year. She consisted ask about the victories I achieved.

1. I did not gain weight.

2. I dropped one clothing size and toned up

3. Failure is never an option for me

4.   Planning is now a key factor in my life

5. Making the right decision and knowing to gratification behind the decision.

6. I have the nerve to say no positively and feel good about it. See past blog ‘ The Power of a Positive No’

Subway has also been a  great benefactor throughout this challenge. Subway gave me alternatives to making healthy food choices. I now am more conscious of my fat and calorie intake. I drink more water and read food nutrition labels, which is something I did not do before. I am thankful because I know I now have what it takes to reach my goals. And that is not just when it comes to weight but other goals I have set for my self. Having a plan and sticking to it will help me get their much quicker.  There will be times when the plan needs to be adjusted but not abandoned. For the holidays and year 2010, I have a plan and I am sticking to it. What matters more is what I do afer the challenge is over. The challenge afforded me many opportunities, I otherwise would not have, so I had to come up with an after the Subway Get Challenge Plan.

I am Grateful to have had this opportunity and look for to continuing a new me in 2010 and beyond.

Ouida

Exercising – It will make you or break you November 16, 2009

Goal: Continue a new lifestyle to take care of my body and my health

Weight: Find out Wednesday, November 18, 209

Mood: As always encourage, peaceful and successful

Exercising is no joke. From Boot camp to the Forum to Stone Mountain and back to the Forum. I have been challenge every way possible and never even images the variety of ways to get exercise and have fun. Well, not all fun. Exercising can be challenging and without proper assistance and encouragement, it is easy to give and go back to being a couch potato. Subway Get Fit Challenge has empowered me to know that reaching my weight lost goal is possible with the right tools. Yes, the workouts were overwhelming at times, but through it all, I Made It!! No I am not dead, if anything I am more alive than every and added a few more  years to my life. We don’t realize how important it is to take care of our bodies. Instead we put everything in it and on it not knowing to problems it will cause later in life. I am so glad that my later is now and I realize that not only must I be healthy for me, but it give God glory for Him to see that I care about the body He trusted me with. I want to live a long and prosperous life to be here for my family, to see my 3 boys grow up and to grow old with my husband. Thanks to Subway and WSB that is possible. I will keep working hard and challenging my self to go the extra mile, literally. The 2010 Subway Challenge is coming up. Try it you will be glad you did.

Ouida

The Countdown Is On November 6, 2009

The Subway GetFit Challenge is almost over. Much sooner than expected. We have 12 official days remaining. I did not get a chance to participate in an Opearion Boot Camp 30 day challenge, so I decided to take the last 30 days and try an at home boot camp. It won’t be the same, but I want to challenge myself to be even more consistent in everything I do. I have participated in enough Saturday Boot Camps to know the routine and get started. So far so good, but there is one thing missing, or should I say several: Marshall yelling words of encouragement, ‘ you got this girl, wait til you see those buns in the mirror’, Ben pushing me to know I can do it, Sandra saying ‘ Come on, Ouida. The team at Operation Boot Camp are always there with us every step of the way. No matter how far behind I got, someone was always right by my side, giving words of encouragement. Just writing this blog helps me remember that I can do this. I have come a long way in 10 months. I learned much more than I ever anticipated. I will continue my workout until November 18 and let you know how this Ouida Boot Camp is going.

Thanks to everyone

Ouida

What a View!! October 29, 2009

Goals: There is about 46 days remaining in the challenge. I will continue to work even hard at drinking more water, getting proper excercise and making healthy choices by just saying no.

Weight: 204.2 lbs

Mood: Excited and determined, full of joy.

I was born and raised in Georgia. I have visited Stone Mountain maybe 5 times. But never, ever, never have I ever walked to the top of the mountain. But then came Saturday, October 24, 2009 , 9:30 am. This was my day to try something different, catching a view from top of Stone Mountain. I was so excited I could hardly wait. But this was not the usual trek up the mountain,  there was a little surprise, OPERATION BOOT CAMP. Now boot camp is hard enough, who in their right mind would invite them to Stone Mountain. Let’s Guess, Brandi of  WSB-TV.

Just before beginning, we did our usual warm-up. Once done, up the mountain we went, one step at a time.  Along the way we took about 5 breaks from walking. Are you kidding, not to rest, to exercise. You would think the steep inclines would be enough, but not for OBC. When they bring it, they bring it strong. In actuality, the exercise bought about excitement and an extra challenge. This was not a boring walk. Had it not been for OBC, I would have quick. There is a fear of the unknown and the top seemed so far away. I did not have any idea how long it would take. Once to the top the view was breath-taking. I felt like being on top of the world. You know, I am on top of the world. This challenge and blessed me to make positive life long changes in my life and for that I am grateful. I am happy, my family is happy and this was worth every minute. I encourage you to try new things that are healthy for you. You will be glad you did.

Thanks Brandi, WSB-TV, SUBWAY and Operation Boot Camp

Ouida

The Verdict IS IN!! October 28, 2009

Goals: I have goals to continue working out drinking, plenty of water but only better and remember to say no.

Weight: 204.2

Mood: Still very much encourage, happy and full of joy. To add peaceful and blessed.

Yes, I know I gained 3.8 lbs. I know you expect me to be upset, But I am not. My life is going just great. I have learned so much more by completing the Subway GET FIT Challenge. Like I have said before, I thought it was about losing weight and to a certain degree it is, but that is not the ultimate prize. I have lost several inches and proud of that. My body is more toned that ever. I still have a ways to go and the best thing about that is I am getting there. And will get there. I may not be there by the end of the challenge, but it won’t be long after. That’s not all, I have the power to say no and not feel bad about it. Actually it feels great to say no to sweets and the foods that are not healthy for me. It also feels good to tell people no every once and a while and not feel guilty. I can’t save the world and if I can’t get it done today it will surely be there tomorrow. My life is far less stressful and now I am even happy. I have always been a happy, peaceful person, but now God has open a door to even more peacefulness and joy. My family is happier and my husband loves me regardless if I lose a pound or not. Don’t get me wrong I have always known that, but taking time out for others and not for each other, I somehow forgot to focus on that at times. We just celebrated out 17th wedding anniversary. What a great celebration.!! Julie has been a great inspiration to my success. It all started by weighing in after our visits. Once I discover my, victories and accomplishments, the scale is the least of my worries. Thanks Julie. Looking forward to greater victories.

Ouida

Happy 17th Annniversary October 19, 2009

Saturday, October 17, 2009 was our 17th wedding anniversary. God has truly blessed our marriage and I am so grateful. We spent a wonderful evening out with our boys and our Pastors, Alfred T. & Rosemary Lands. This may seem strange to you, but for us it was the perfect celebration. We are here today celebrating because of Pastor Lands and Asst. Pastor Rosemary Lands. Eight years ago our family was a complete mess. We did not know how to do family. We had all sorts of problems and did not know how to handle them. But on November 17, 2001, God led me right to Family Life Missionary Baptist Church in Morrow, GA. That day was a new beginning for my marriage and my family. If not for the prayers and spiritual guidance we received for Pastor and Rev. Lands our marriage would be over. We are now a family that gives glory to God in every aspects of our lives. We know that our marriage can not survive with Christ being the head.  We look forward to many more anniversaries and blessings together.

Our wedding was many years ago.  The celebration continues to this day.  ~Gene Perret

Ouida

Happy Birthday to ME October 15, 2009

Today is my 42nd Birthday. I am blessed to be alive. Being a part Subway Challenge means more to me now than ever. Within the last 3 weeks I have known 3 people around my age to die of a heart attack. They had no other physical problems as I know of  and they were doing ordinary things, such as watching  television, at the movie theater or just sitting on the couch talking to friends. Then suddenly, their life was snatched away in an instant. I am working hard at taking care of the body that God has given me and making choice that will hopefully keep me around a while. I think about the consequences of every unhealthy choice I make.  The last two weeks was not a good week for me. I ate more than my share of cake, doughnuts and cookies.  And I regret it, but I am still on track for doing what is right. Just think back 6 months ago, I could not say no. So for my Birthday I am celebrating, Life and the Power to say no. Next week I have my visit with Julie and looking for to a great visit.

Be Thankful for Life and take care of the body God has given you. You only live once. Well, twice, but once on this earth.

Ouida