When they're right, they're right. . . .

One more day until the end of the month. May not make goal. . . .
It's ok, because I'm feeling great!


On Friday I finished my 6th Ignite cycle. I could probably move on to do a 29 Day transformation, but I'm not sure I'm ready to do that yet. I'm in the groove with this!

After each 8-day cycle, people on the program are supposed to have 2 days off. These days can be used to satisfy cravings--which I haven't had any (EVEN TACOS). It's also meant to kind of shock our bodies. It's been about 6 weeks, so I decided I would eat good and unhealthy, like I used to. I'm talking French fries with one meal, fried chicken for another. All of these fried foods that I used to crave.

Boy was it a shock to my system. I hope it's not too much info to say that my restroom habits for a couple of days were altered. (Ewwwww, gross. LOL) But by changing nothing else, other than food for two days, made me feel so tired and sluggish. People even remarked that I looked tired. Although I continued taking my Xyng, I did not have the energy that I have when I'm filling myself with lean, healthily prepared protein, green veggies, heck any veggies whatsoever. All of the doctors and fitness experts that we are inundated with on t.v. commercials and programs were right. It does make a difference! Who knew? Just thought they were trying to be tricky tricky! :) On top of that, I gained 4 pounds back, but I'll lose that again, no worries. The feeling different is what got me.

So, I'm day 2 of my next Ignite cycle, and I feel so much better. (Other than the cold I'm getting.) It's hard to explain how much these Xyngular products have changed my life! I know sometimes my friends think I have a one-track mind, but I'm telling you, it is truly incredible. I sometimes think I'm going to bubble over like soap that has been poured into a fountain. I know everyone of us is different. But when I hear people complain about feeling sluggish or tired all the time, I just want to jump up and down and yell, "I've got something you've got to try!" And I do sometimes. And probably should more. But I'm working on that.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Thanks for reading!

I'd Like To Thank The Academy

Day 26, I think. Oh, I can't keep up any more! Near the end of Month 2

I reported my results all over Facebook, but let me do it one more time.

Down 28.1 pounds, 37.5 inches, 2 shirt sizes. I'm super happy, even if by Feb. 28 I don't reach my 30 pound goal. 

I do expect my loss to slow down some, it is only logical that it does. I'm looking toward my next goal, which is to be down 50 pounds by the end of June.  I'm not ready to disclose my full goal to you yet, but I will. I'm on the first of my two days off today, but look forward to continued success and surprises from these Xyngular products.

I'm doing research to find ways to lose the amount of stomach fat I have. I am armed, this go around, with new information that I didn't have before. When I was diagnosed with uterine cancer this summer, my oncologist also informed me that I had PCOS. Part of this syndrome is gaining fat around the belly, making it harder than it typically is to lose that belly fat. There may not be anything different that I can do. But there may be some exercises that may help, who knows. I was hoping that I'd be rid of the syndrome following my hysterectomy. But, sadly, it doesn't look like it is so. This is within my endocrine system and still has different effects on me. I do like researching, so we'll see what comes of it. 

Gonna make this short tonight because the Oscars are on. 

Counting my blessings. . . .

Day 23--Month 2

No weight loss. . . . But there's still time to reach my goal! Not giving up!

I was kind of whiny in the last post, and I want to remain positive (while still remaining honest), so tonight, I will focus on the pluses!

Another list post. . . .

• I am thankful that my aunt, Karen, was blessed enough to receive a new (to her) kidney, and thankful that she is doing so well.
• I am thankful that my family, especially my dad, has decided to make a concerted effort to live a more healthy lifestyle
• I am thankful to have been introduced to Xyngular products, right now, at this time.
• I am thankful that I am having success with losing weight and getting healthy.
• I am thankful for friends to go on this journey with me!
• I am thankful for a great report from my oncologist.
• I am thankful for my job and that I'm now teaching theatre/drama.
• I am thankful for a wonderful cast for our spring production.
• I am thankful for a principal that supports me!
• I am thankful that I get to touch and impact students' lives and that my past students let me know this almost daily.
• I am thankful for the diverse group of students that I've taught this year that have challenged me to learn and grow and get better at my job.
• I am thankful those parents that support me and their child/children in the arts.
• I am thankful for colleagues that have become friends.
• I am thankful for my sweet Sebastian that loves me to death and that has been a sweet boy to his new brother, Scooter.
• I'm thankful for my three super sisters, two nieces, and two cool brothers-in-law.
• I'm thankful to be Drew's God-mother, and all of the Branham children's pretend aunt.
• I'm thankful for Rach and Isa.
• I am thankful for my "fake sons."
• I'm thankful that I get exercise climbing up the stairs to my third floor apartment, multiple times, everyday. Every. Day. LOL
• I'm thankful for my iPhone and iPad. They do keep me organized, connected, and creative,
• I'm thankful that my tax refund was deposited in my account today. :)
• I'm thankful for all of my Kindle Apps so I can always have the book I'm reading with me.
• I truly am thankful for Facebook and other social media apps that allow me to keep in touch with friends.
• I am thankful that I was able to get a reliable card this summer.
• I am thankful for all of the opportunities available to me in the Xyngular corporation.
• I am thankful for Nicole and Kellie that help and inspire me daily.
• I am thankful to believe in a God that lets me question his very existence.
• I am thankful for a faith that allows me to explore all options.
• I am thankful for opportunities to let my faith grow.
• I am thankful for my MAMA!!
• I am thankful for music, dragonflies, clouds, physics and other random things that confound and inspire me at the same time.
• I am thankful that I can write poetry.
• And--if you read to the end of this post, I am thankful for you!

This has been a fun exercise. I recommend that you do it. I just sat down and wrote the things out as they came to me. Not much editing. No critiquing myself at all. In fact, I'm not even re-reading this until I post it. Try it! Once you get going, it's hard to stop.

Count your blessings name them one by one!

Processing, Introspection, and Other Messy Stuff

Day 22--Month 2

Down--1 more pound! (5 pounds to go by February 28!)

I'm changing things up today and writing on my lunch break instead of tonight. Just want to keep all of you guessing.

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past few days. I am so completely thrilled with not only my weight loss, but also how great I feel. I love that Xyng helps me make it through and entire day of school plus two hours of play rehearsal and still leaves me with energy to do what I need to at home. I love that when I am not on LEAN shake day, that I crave the goodness and the vitamins, nutrients, and proteins that Lean contains. I love seeing the results on my friends old and new. When my friend, Heath, introduced me to Xyngular, he was really giving me a gift. I absolutely love this stuff!

Here's where I'm struggling. . . . not only did I order the products, but I signed on to be a Xyngular distributor, much like Mary Kay or Beauty Control--maybe Pampered Chef--but I'm not sure how all of those work. And I do want to be a distributor. What I am struggling with is the how. I'm working on, what my therapist calls, "owning one of my disowned selves." (She's a smart cookie!) In my focus and quest for creativity and art, loving people where they are, and championing for the marginalized, I've warped in my mind that selling, making a profit is "bad." I've disowned the salesperson part of me. My wires are crossed somewhere, and I own it and know it is something I need to work on. In my past I was a pretty good salesperson--earning my way to Girl Scout Camp, New York City, and Washington when I was much much younger. So what has happened? I may never know.(But I will let you know if I do figure it out.)

I don't think others in sales are doing anything wrong or that they are "bad people." It's another one of those weird things I have where I feel as if I am doing something "wrong." Logically it makes no sense. But we humans every now and then don't make logical sense. (Wink wink) I can so clearly see the big picture--me joining with old and new friends, offering each other support, growing, bettering our lives, becoming our own community of positivity. Helping each other. Helping others. Of using these products to make our lives healthier, but that's just a small part. It's more than just getting products in people's hands so I can make a bit of money. It is improving the lives of all of those who are a part. That's why I want to do this.

I guess I just need to get out of my own way. I guess I have to figure out how to do that. I know there is a bunch of fear involved--fear of failure, of ticking people off, or other's opinions of me. How to we re-wire ourselves? So you know what this means, blogosphere; I guess this is another area of personal growth for me. And I guess I'll be growing here in front of all of you--if you will indulge me! :) As always I welcome your comments, advice, help, kind words, constructive criticism, etc.

I'm baaaaack. . . .

Day 21--Month 2

Hey, y'all! (OK, I'm not quite that Southern.) I've got some results to report:

At the end of my last 8 Day Cycle--

24 pounds down

32.5 inches gone

My goal for the month of February is to lose a total of 30 pounds by the end of the month. I've got 6 pounds to go. I can do it! I hope. I've got to really get back on track and take not so many side steps. While I've stuck pretty much to the program, I've begun adding things. Light Sour Cream here, a handful of nuts there, snacks with no carbs, but empty of nutrition. When I think about it, it has probably been a whole 10 days since I've drunk enough water. Gosh, this reflection and reassessment is a buzz-kill. But one thing this journey has already taught me is not to judge myself so harshly, and I'm not. What I am is ecstatic about my progress.

I must confess, in full disclosure, that I'm falling into the same traps I usually do, and those traps involve my lack of--whispering--discipline. Ssssshhhhhhh. . . . I hate that word. D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E  I have a severe lack of it. Always have, but I'm trying to change the "always will" part. And that with my almost pathological inability to remain organized, and it's pretty bleak! Hahaha! But I will reveal more later--oh my gosh, could it be, GOALS?!?! Now, I want to tell you about my friend, Kellie. I've yet to meet her in person, but she is a marvelous friend and inspiration to me daily.

Kellie began using Xyngular products 1 year ago on February 14. In the summer of 2012, after she had lost so much weight that she needed to buy new capris for the summer. In her head she knew how much she weighed, and she also knew what size she should wear at that weight. When she tried on the capris of that size that should've fit, they fell off of her! She decided to put the scale away that day. See the Xyngular products are not products designed for only weight loss; they are health and wellness supplements. What happened to Kellie is the products were changing her body more than she knew. She was was building muscle as she was losing fat, and muscle weighs more than fat. This is why she was smaller than what she thought.

So, this past week, on February 14, 2013, on her 1 year anniversary using Xyngular, after one year of inspiring people like me to change our lives, Kellie pulled the scale back out. In 1 year, she lost 91.2 pounds! I'm so proud of her, her discipline, and the way she shares her story, her knowledge, and her love and encouragement. I'm proud to call her my friend, and hope that I can make her proud of me, as well!

Here is one of her pictures:

Way to go, Kellie! Keep up the good work!

Because I'm Impatient

Day 16--Month 2

Everything in Its Own Time

In my humanness and expansion

Of the divine declaration of

Dominion over the beasts of the land, air, and sea,

I mightily wrestle against reason and logic

Imposing my will where it doesn't belong,

Struggling to control and manipulate the now,

Bending it into the visualized perfection of the future,

Mourning results that failed to measure up,

Failing to remember what a thousand angels whispered to me,

"Everything in its own time."

I just can't get that through my thick skull.

Of Noodles and Wild Women

Day 14--Month 2

I feel like it has been forever since I posted. I have a good excuse. I've been on a retreat, a Wild Women's Weekend at Lutheridge in Arden, NC. 

  

It was much needed. As I work to transform many aspects of my life, I also want to keep myself in check, and keep vanity and narcissism at bay. It was a time for me to reflect, and evaluate. Our topic was leadership, and I felt that timely, as well!

It was interesting because, for the first time since beginning my new lifestyle, I was not in control of when I ate. But, I kept in mind that I was in control of what I ate. So, I jockeyed with meal and snack times, but I kept in mind my goal.

I thought Saturday at lunch I'd have a challenge. We had a build your own baked potato  salad, and soups. The salad was a given. Not eating a potato was, as well. When I got up to the chef prepared buffet, I was greeted by steaming piles of noodles (to put in chicken soup--which smelled heavenly). If I haven't expressed to you before how much I love pasta, let me do it now. I WOULD EAT PASTA/NOODLES EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE, EVERY MEAL UNTIL I DIE AND NOT GET TIRED OF IT!! Well, in the past I would've piled my plate with those noodles, forsaking all else. I didn't do that. And I did not completely pass them up. I put a tablespoon, at most, on my plate. Enough for two tiny bites. And I savored those buttery noodles, but I did not long for more. I didn't feel deprived. I tasted, enjoyed, and moved on to my salad. It ended up that my friend Julie and I had to go back to our room to get some more protein, but we were prepared!

I haven't yet processed everything from the weekend and its relation to me and my journey. I love helping and inspiring people, or at least making people think or laugh a little, and I feel sure that will remain within reach in my backpack on the paths of my journey. To be continued. . . .

Celebrating!

Day 10--Month 2

Results from yesterday--Down 2 more pounds, 1.9 of which were fat, making a total weight loss of 22 pounds! Woot woot! I've also lost a total of 28 inches. And if you have  children or students that say fractions do not matter, let me be the first to tell them they do! The 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 inches do make a difference when I do my measurements!   

The madness that was a week and a half ago took its toll. My experiment of eating the kinds of food I did before caused a gain of 8 pounds. I'm sure most of it was water-weight due to salt content. But I had to work it off. So I'm proud of the additional 2 I lost. But I move forward.

I'm learning so much about food. I've always been a "why" person. I do not believe things or do things because someone, even an expert, says it's good for me. I'm still waiting for the "why" of trigonometry! I've only used sine and cosine in word games.

So, I'm going to keep tonight's post short, and share an info graphic of some vegetable protein.

A Rose by Any Other Name

What's in a name?

You may have noticed that I changed the name of the blog, and the domain name of the blog itself. I really loved the names I had, but unfortunately the Xyngular company has asked that no name with the products or the company itself be in domain name, social web site name, etc. I understand. Although there are many of us out there that are ecstatic about the products, the system, etc., there is no way corporate could or should monitor what is said, proclaimed, etc. It's only logical for the safety and well being of the company. However, it was a pain in the derrière to find a name that I liked. I tried many things with journey, but they were already taken. So I opted to use path. The sunshine and rocks refers to the good times and bad, celebratory and struggle, happiness and pain. As for the name of the blog, "Walking the Path of Change," not only refers to the changes I am currently undertaking, but also the belief that I am coming to accept that growth means change, and to fear change, thus means to fear growth. So, I've chosen to embrace it, hence tying in with my word of 2013--courage

I feel like an adult! I am building a website to build my Xyngular business. (Well, I'm not Building it personally; I decided that teaching, directing an after school production, building a business, and  having some time for me, did not leave me quite enough time to learn to do this.) I'll post it when it's up and running. It's exciting! It's kind of cool to be in charge of this leg of my journey! In addition to the website, I've created a group on Facebook geared toward weight loss, exercise, and overall wellness--for people striving to be who they were designed to be. I hope for it to be a group where we share what works and doesn't work for us, inspiration, photos, videos and other media, etc. It is called Path to Wellness. I hope to get it kicking soon!

Today ends Ignite cycle 4! I'll post results tomorrow. Tonight I went to a local restaurant and sat in a booth. These booths are usually uncomfortable for me because it is a tight squeeze. not tonight! I did a little happy dance. Can't wait to measure tomorrow!

What's It Matter?

Day 8--Month 2

Down 4 pounds, but not quite where I was last Thursday. :(

Yes, the way I'm counting the days is confusing me, too. It is the 8th day of my second month of my New Lifestyle and Wellness Plan. (How long do I say new? I will be dropping that soon. However, I am on the 6th day of my Ignite cycle--4th cycle.  And it is the 3rd day of the second month--February 3. I must work this out. You may not care one way or the other, but I'm chronicling my journey, so I want it to be easy for me to follow, look up, etc. hmmmmm.....

Never doubt that you matter.

First, I love it when you all tell me that you read this blog and that it helps you, or inspires you, or even makes you laugh. It matters to me. I've had a pretty rough week. Though I received an extremely positive report from the oncologist, the appointment left me reeling, then my experimental madness caused me to gain back some of the weight I had lost, much more than I expected. Things at school were great, but I was in a funk. There was comfort in getting back to the structure of the eating plan on Ignite. Can you believe I'm saying that? Me? Structure? I don't know why. I'm pondering it. Anyway, I'm digressing. . ..

I was having a rough week. And I got a text message on Thursday from one of my former students. Now Jamie (leaving out his last name to protect him from being embarrassed) is not just any former student. He is part of a group of 90 students that I taught for two years, part of a class of about 30 that I commonly call my babies. (I do realize that I must stop that soon.) Part of an even smaller group that I call my sons and daughters. Jamie was the original of my children. My son. Added to my nieces and godchildren, the closest thing to a child I have. The change of having him in high school after having seen and talked to him almost daily is one of those changes I don't like! Anyway, he texted Thursday and wanted to meet me at school Friday morning to visit. Although I had to wake up 30 minutes earlier--uuugg--I told him I'd be there. We were able to visit and catch up for about 45 minutes before he had to leave to go to school. We talked about grades, how my other "babies" were doing, and caught up with each other. He looked and sounded so grown up. But he pulled outsome homework that he didn't finish the night before, and I knew that he was the same Jamie I knew. Those 45 minutes did more to lift my spirits and bring me back to stasis than the greasy, self-indulgent spree of the previous weekend. 

All of that to illustrate to you to never doubt that you matter. You never know whose morning, day, week you might make with a blog, a text, a visit, a hug, a smile. You, my readers and friends, matter to me. Thanks for reading and commenting.

And I hope that even when I'm a bit negative or digress a bit, my blog, my words, my-self matter to you!

I'm discovering on this path to wellness that wellness is more than just being physically healthy. It's mental, emotional, spiritual, as well. The true path to wellness is holistic. And I'll be exploring that in the upcoming days.