Hey now, Hey now, my boyfriend's back!

It's been ENTIRELY too long since my last update, post, pic, etc. Things have been crazy around here. Everytime I want to blog, ten million other things have to be done. Well, thanks be to God, I am getting some things crossed off my "30 before 30" list. That is keeping me pretty busy! I finally have a good before and after pic to show, although my after pic isn't really finished yet. Did I mention that I have started my Master's Degree program? And I am teaching summer school? So yeah, like I said, it's been pretty crazy.

Where do I begin.....I know. I'll start with a weight loss update. I had a few slow weeks, but I am proud to say that I've hit all of my goals for the month of June already. No seriously, I set pretty conservative goals this time. I am OFFICIALLY out of clothes that fit...I can either go shopping or lose 5-10 more pounds. I have elected to lose 5-10 more pounds. I did, however, buy a couple of new sundresses to hold me over. THat's the one thing that you have to love about Texas weather; I may be hotter than (insert funny word here), but at least I can just throw on a pretty dress and hit the door. No point in wearing make-up. It just melts off my face anyway, lol! So here is the moment I think you have been waiting for. My total weight loss up to this point is exactly 29 pounds!! I am soooo excited I can hardly contain myself. Between that and all of the many things that God is establishing in my life (too soon to share, but just wait and see) I feel like I could do anything right now. Seriously, nothing is too hard for me or My God!!

School is wonderful. I am definitely still "Nerd Extraordinaire". I feel this compelling desire to do great on everything now so that if I run into any trouble later I have somewhat of a cushion in my GPA from all of the hard work that I did in the beginning. My professor loves me. She told me that she was "looking forward to having me again" in my 3rd class. She also told me "you will be very successful in this program because of your diligence". That literally made my day last week! =)

The boys are growing like weeds. I can't wait for them to get to visit my side of the family later on this summer. That is going to be the best present EVER! I have not seen my sisters in well over a year; they have never seen my youngest son in person. And to top it all off, my grandmother is even coming! This is big for me. I went my whole life, well the first 26 years, believing that she didn't like me and that she only loved me because she had to. Now that I have been delivered from that lie, I am super excited about the relationship we are now able to have, and I can't wait to see her and for her to see her great grandkids! Speaking of which, I have to go get them breakfast. We have a lot of moving around to do today. It's like they can smell me in the next room or something, lol. Now they're all crying for me. Gotta run.

Until next time.......

Update #2746378467348

I couldn't think of a catchy tune this week, but I feel like I have sooo much to share. For starters, I recently moved. With my ENTIRE kitchen boxed up, eating healthy was one of the toughest challenges I would face last week. I made it, though. Only because I was determined to do so much exercise that it would counteract all of the junk that I was eating. It worked....well kinda. I only gained 1 pound last week!! Who is excited by 1 pound of weight gain you ask? Me of course. Consider the following menu from my week o/gluttony: Saturday= CiCi's pizza, Sunday= Domino's Pizza, Monday= Domino's pizza, Tuesday= Subway AND McDonald's, and Wednesday= I honestly don't remember but I can guarantee it was something bad.

Through it all, running through the apartment complex, lifting weights (or boxes as they are commonly known), and consistently hitting 8000 plus steps a day seemed to really pay off. I am EXTREMELY proud to say to you that I am OFFICIALLY back in my old size 10 pants! I feel great, I look great, and I'm happy with what I see when I look in the mirror! What more can I say?! BTW, for those of you keeping track, I have re-lost that 1 lb from last week, so I am still at 24.6lbs of total weight loss. My goal this week, is to finally surpass the 25 pound mark. I know that I can do it! I know that you can too!!

Until next time.......

It's been a long time, I shouldn't left you...

Without a dope beat to step to..step to, step to , step to, step...baby girl! LOL. Okay so for those of you who didn't know me that long ago or simply have forgotten, there was a time in my life where I thought I was Aaliyah (Nesha can testify to that one, lol). I heard that song yesterday somewhere, and it kinda fit since it's been so long since my last entry.

I didn't write anything last week because I was so frustrated. I was almost ready to quit. It wasn't that I didn't lose any weight; it was simply that I missed my goal by 0.2lbs. I know right...who gets upset over 2 tenths of a pound?! Apparently me! Well, either way, it really bothered me. I wish that I could tell you that I decided to buckle down and work harder this past week...but I would be lying. As a matter of fact I did the exact opposite. I tried to eat horrible...but my body wouldn't let me.

I truly believe that I am starting to experience the change that I wanted to see. I wanted so badly to change my beliefs about eating, and now here it is manifesting right in front of me. Even when I wanted to eat junk, and lazily go about my day something wouldn't let me. Some of you may think that something was my will power, but I know that it wasn't. It was nothing but the Holy Spirit. The Word tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us, and I am living witness to that this week.

I am happy to report that since my last entry, I have been more successful in my weight loss endeavors. Last week (when I was complaining) I lost 2.4 lbs. This past week I lost an additional 4.6lbs. This brings my total weight loss count to 24.6lbs!! I'm so excited. All of my clothes are too big. In fact, some fortunate person is going to be rocking some new duds soon; I gave away everything that I could not fit!! That was really hard for me, but I am proud of myself for letting go of my "fat clothes". It means I don't have any room to gain any of this back.

On an even more exciting note......I will be starting graduate school in less than 2 weeks!! I'm so excited! All of my materials have arrived. This is it. I can't believe it's finally happening. But I'm glad that I got these good eating habits down before it was time to do this. Otherwise I may have ended up in a really bad place.

I'm now the weight I was after I had my 1st child. Next stop..pre-baby weight. Not too far past that though. That would just make me look kinda "cracky"!!


Until next time.........

Learning How to Fish

Well, I listened to all of my fans (all 4 of you, lol) and decided not to sing this time. Sorry to disappoint anyone. I can make arrangements for next time! Anywho, this weeks goal was all about healthy eating. Read on for more details.

So I'm trying out this new eating strategy. Instead of focusing on a weight goal, I'm aiming to eat according to the good health guidelines every day. You remember those right?? That little thing the FDA sends out every year...it looks like a pyramid?! That one! So far so good. I can't say that I hit an exact number EVERY day, but I'm getting pretty close. I have been doing this since last Friday, so today makes day 4. I wish I could say that it is becoming easier as the days past, but I find myself always missing something. I will say this: having 2-3 servings of milk, 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables, 2 servings of lean protein, whole grains, and 6-8 8oz. glasses of water everyday leaves little to no room for junk. Seriously! Even though I want something junky, I don't have time to eat it because I too busy counting fruits and vegetables. I'm too full from chugging water and working protein into every meal. On a bright note, my husband has fallen in-love with grilling again, so I get my lean protein AND he gets to have fun!

Right now, I am at a training for summer school. The group I am with is REALLY nice. As usual, everyone piled up and went out to lunch. But not me! No, frugal Fran packed a lunch. So when everyone else left, I decided to blog. It's not as fulfilling; especially as everyone comes back with food. The room, though, smells HORRIBLE; too many different mixes of smells. That's my consolation. Also, it's that when I get home, I can have almost whatever I want; it's that at the end of my road, when I reach my ultimate goal, I know that I will still be on this journey. I know that this is not a diet, but rather a life style change. I am praying that the longer I stick this out, the deeper the change will go. It will move from being behavioral and environmental; it will move from the surface and begin to change my beliefs.

I know that this can work. All of the principles of God work if you work them. God's word does not work because you are perfect. It works because He is perfect. II am reminded of an old proverb said by someone who was important, but obviously not famous because I can't remember what his/her name was (LOL):

If you want feed a man for a day, you give him a fish. If you want to feed a man for life, you teach him how to fish. This is what I am doing; I am learning how to fish!

Until next time........

I will survive!

At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Just thinking I could never live without you by my side. But then I spent so many nights, just thinking how you did me wrong; and I grew strong. And I learned learned how to get along......Oh now go, walk out the door. Just turn around now; cuz you're not welcome anymore!! Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with your lies? Did you think I'd tumble? Did you think I'd lay down and die? Oh no not I!! I will survive.....I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give. And I'll survive; I will survive! Hey Hey! (dancing around the room)

I didn't forget the words, lol! Anyone who knows me knows that I could sing that song in my sleep; but I didn't want my entire blog to be the song, so I had to stop there. Now by now you are probably wondering what I am singing about this time. Last week it was chocolate, then then there were the odes to my workout, Insanity. Now, I'm singing about my beloved Doritos. That's right ppl. If there were ever a potato chip that I thought I couldn't live without, it would be the crispy, crunchy, cheesy Doritos. Not the knock offs, the generic brand, but the big boys. I am proud to say that I have not had in in such a long time, that I don't really remember the last time that I ate them! I wish that I could tell you it was because I am eating so healthy that I don't have the desire for them at all. Sadly that is not the case. It's as simple as this: I don't liked the baked version. Sorry, I'm not as deep and wonderful as you thought. I simply made the decision to only eat baked chips, and the baked Doritos are gross!! I love the baked Cheetos, crunchy or puffed; but there not the same as my beloved Doritos.

Now all this talk about food has got to be making you look at me, or the computer screen, sideways. I know what you're thinking....or at least I'd like to believe so. You're wondering what this has to do with anything. Well I promise I am getting to my point.

Part of my decision was based on my goal to fit into my magical dress on April 17th. Well, on the 17th I forgot to try the dress on. But here comes the best part.....I tried it on on the 18th and

IT FIT!!!!!

It fit so well that and decided to try on all of the dresses that I had been hiding in the back of my closet and

THEY ALL FIT!!!

It's now official; my new dress size is a 10!! I worked so hard to get to this point, and I am soooo proud of myself. I would be remiss if I did not thank God for giving me the strength to get through and for placing all of the gifts on the inside of me that I would need to get the job done. For example, all that time I thought my stubbornness was a bad thing, but I have now learned to use my powers for good and not evil and look where it got me!! I have to thank my husband, Maurice, for his unconditional and unyielding support. I have to thank my dad; just by reading my blog and commenting on it I am able to feel your support and that to me is priceless. Thanks to my buddy, Karen, for giving me accountability to someone other than myself. Thanks for having me write my goals out plainly, and for making me email them to you so I couldn't change them later, lol.


I feel like I look like a million bucks. As soon as my personal photographer get on it, I will have a picture to post to update everyone.

I'm almost there everyone. 13lbs down, 37lbs to go. Now it's time to get to thinking about a new short term goal. I'm still open to suggestions!

Day 4...Cardio Recovery

Well let's just say even recovery is hard during Insanity. I definitely appreciate going lighter than normal today. My body is extremely grateful. I feel..I don't know, different I guess. My posture has actually improved in the 4 days since I began this regimen. I have stretched muscles that I did not know that I could stretch today. And for the first time, I may see some benefit in yoga (don't tell Maurice I said that, lol). Exhausted doesn't begin to describe how I am feeling. I worked a full day, stayed late for tutorials, called parents, drove home through traffic, cooked dinner, AND STILL DID MY WORKOUT! If you cannot tell, yes I am patting myself on the back. It takes a huge amount of inner strength, guts, and determination to do what I did today.

That brings me to what I see as one of the greatest benefits of the Insanity plan; I don't have to leave home to do it! There is no "going to the gym"; my living room is my gym. My kids don't have to have a sitter, and my husband is not left home alone. It is very important to me not to neglect my family during this process. While it is important for me to do this for me, it is not so important that I am willing to sacrifice my relationship with my family.

I have so much more to say, but even my forearms are sore so I must stop typing. Hopefully I can finish during my down time at school tomorrow.

And before I forget, special thanks to my dad who is now following my blog. You have always supported me unconditionally, no matter what it is I've wanted to do. Your support means more to me than you may ever know. Thanks for always being in my corner. I love you!!


Until next time.....

Day Three..The # of completion

I finished day three, and I can definitely say that it was beyond my wildest dreams. However, I secretly loved EVERY minute of it! It was challenging, but I was reminded of something my Bishop's Bishop taught us: You have to choose between the pain of staying the same or the pain of change. I am choosing the pain of change. I realize that I must wake up every day and make this same choice.

As for the workout, after the 3rd circuit I thought I was going to die! I pushed on..speaking of pushing, I realized that I cannot do more than 4 push-ups to save my life. You can then imagine the difficulty I had with the moving push-ups. Yes, I said moving, as in moving to the right/left while you are doing them. This workout was no punk, but I enjoyed the challenge. My muscles were begging for me to quit when my beloved Matthew came in the living room to check on me. He was so cute; and then he started trying to do the exercises with me. He even stretched with me afterwards. It was great, and very motivational. It reminded me of why I set out on this goal in the first place: to set an example for my children and to ensure that I would be around to see my children's grandchildren. You should have seen him doing his push-ups and yelling and grunting like mommy. It was too cute! I wished there was some sort of hidden camera that got it all on video...

This workout is allowing me to discover more about myself...to remember things that I did not know were still there...to pull on strengths that I forgot that I had....to put my confession to action, and watch God move to back me up. I could go on forever, but I must rest at some point. Its 11:24pm. I still have to make my lunch for school and get to bed. If you're reading this, thanks for your support and interest!

Until next time......

30 before 30

So, I was reading another blog...I can't remember the url right now; anyway she is like me, young mom in her twenties who has ambitions other than being a wife and mother. She wrote a list of things she wanted to do/accomplish before she turned 30. Now she is a bit younger than me, 25 I think, but I have been thinking about doing it also. I almost feel as if God is telling me to write this list...saying Prove Me. SO here goes. They are in no particular order; just 30 things I want to see happen in my life on or before my 30th birthday.

1. own my own home
2. go on a real honeymoon
3. let my hair grown past my shoulders
4. write/publish a book
5. lose 50lbs (hopefully I can accomplish this one soon!)
6. put together my children's baby books (better late than never)
7. be "teacher of the year"
8. join the praise dance ministry at church
9. learn Spanish
10. take a cooking class
11. have a dinner party
12. throw away my inhaler
13. keep my house in some state of clean for longer than 3 days
14. develop a routine for house keeping (trust me, I need one!)
15. have $15,000 saved
16. visit a foreign country (Paris or London are my #1 & 2)
17. develop a skill i can use to work from home
18. Praise GOD out loud and not care who sees me! (This should be #1)
19. help my husband learn to eat healthier
20. dedicate 1 day per month to spend time w/myself
21. have a REAL best friend!
22. buy new furniture
23. learn how to swim
24. Take a road trip and visit all my relatives (up north)
25. Attend a Maddox family reunion
26. Make six figures in 1 year (not including my hubby's salary)
27. buy a fully loaded minivan (corny, I know)
28. only work because I want to
29. send my parents on a trip
30. laugh so hard I literally cry

There. I may add to it later, but that was what I know i want off the top of my head. Once I hit 30, I'll guess I'll make a list of 35 things before 35. I still have a little time left. 2 years, 7 months, and 30 days to be exact! Go ahead God; show out! Show your Glory through me!! In Jesus' name, Amen

Until next time.......

JUST DO IT!

When God tells us to do something we should do it. Simple right? It seems simple enough, but more often than not we don't. I am included as a member of the guilty party. God has been telling me to start a page/group on the social networking site that I use for months. In the beginning, I kept telling myself that I was making it up. God wouldn't tell me to do that...or would he. About 1-2 months ago, He told me again; this time, I took it more seriously, but the fear of what other would do or say stopped me. Would they laugh? Would the join/follow the page? Well today, I finally decided to stop making excuses and do it. (That's my mantra for the next phase of my life...No More Excuses). I will admit, the fear was not completely subsided; it was more like a nervousness. But I have decided that I would rather God be pleased with me than my peers. It's funny, only because I learned that lesson (AGAIN) watching Veggie Tales with my children! Now I'm not saying that it is easy, but what alternative do I have. I am trying to set a good example for my children; trying to teach them that when God tells you something, you should worry or care about what anyone else does or thinks. Hopefully, they'll pick this lesson up along the way. And I can be an example for them along their journey.