Two Year Celebration!!!

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Well kids, today I celebrate the two year anniversary of my 'Overweight... AND OVER IT!' blog and weight loss journey!  It's hard to believe how fast it's gone by.  God has continued to bless me and He's carried me through even more difficult times.  

In the spirit of tradition, I want to reflect on some of the things God has carried me through this past year.  Some serious high points and some low ones, but over all, I've kept my faith strong in Him and He has never left my side!  

• I've continued writing my blog which has kept me focused and motivated to not quit trying when life gets overwhelming!
• I've branched out on other social media sites such as Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Vine!
• My Facebook page/community has more than doubled since last year - and these amazing people have inspired, motivated, and encouraged me to keep going and never give up!  They'll really never know how much their support has meant to me.
• In March, I achieved my dream of becoming a licensed Zumba instructor!  I still can't believe it!  AND I was down close to 30 pounds and wearing skinny jeans with boots... two MORE dreams checked off my dream list!
• Two weeks later, I started having severe, debilitating pain that prevented me from exercising or moving a lot.  My endometriosis was back 9 months after surgery - even while being on Lupron injections with add-back therapy.  In addition to endometriosis, I was also dealing with excruciating pain from adhesions.  I wasn't able to exercise again from April 3 until August.
• On June 10, I had my second laparoscopic surgery in less than a year.  The surgeon removed more endometriosis, adhesions, and my gallbladder.  Recovery was a little easier this time than last, but it was about 4 weeks until I felt like a normal person.  I still struggled with the emotional aspects and gained weight again from lack of activity and increase of "comfort" foods.  
• I suffered another two miscarriages in 2013, bringing the total to five.  Although my heart feels like it couldn't break into any more pieces, I'm trying so hard to trust God.  It's brought me to a place of pure submission, being open to anything He has planned for me even if it doesn't fall in line with what I've envisioned for my life.  I have to trust that His plans are are so much better than mine because He knows what's ahead.  I won't lose hope, but am willing to be a vessel for Him and use my story to help others through similar heartache and pain.  I know that God would never bring me to it and not help me through it!

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• By the end of this summer, I got back into the gym and Zumba with Kinsey!  I participated in a couple of Zumbathons and started losing weight and getting healthy again! 
• God brought Plexus into my life in August and it helped me to lose 15 pounds in the first 6 weeks, I no longer take Metformin, my complexion has improved... AND I'm able to stop eating when I'm politely full, I'm not consumed by food at all times, and my cravings have diminished!!!  BIG HUGE WIN!!!
• Since becoming a Plexus ambassador, I've started bringing in additional income that has helped our finances in a big way... GOD IS SO GOOD!
• I created a second blog called 'Overweight... AND LOSING IT with Plexus!' to share what I learn about Plexus and other Plexus success stories!
• While making improvements taking Plexus and getting back in shape, my pain returned in full force.  I haven't been able to work out the entire month of December and the pain has really had an impact on my emotions and my weight has slowly increased.  I'm not freaking out about it and I'm not giving up on this... I know it's a temporary setback, so I'm keeping myself focused on God and positive things so I don't fall into depression.  I'm expecting another surgery sometime in January or February of 2014, followed by another recovery.  (Nobody ever said this journey would be easy!)
• The biggest victory for me again this year... I'M STILL GOING!!!  I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP!!!  Even when I messed up and felt like a failure, I haven't stopped desiring to see my dreams come true... and that's part of what's kept me connected on this journey.  The support of family, friends, and you - the followers of this blog, has meant the WORLD to me.  I can't thank y'all enough!

I still can't believe I haven't lost the amount of weight I expected to lose in two years, but I also didn't plan on three surgeries in less than that.  It feels like a victory in itself that I'm still trying and I haven't quit by now.  I know it's what Satan wants and that makes me want to prove him wrong even more!  I WILL get rid of this excess weight and keep it off, no matter how long that takes.  I'm still happy with slow progress because it means I'm moving in the direction of my dreams.  

If you're on a similar journey, please don't give up, even when it seems too difficult or overwhelming.  Just keep trying and moving forward.  Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you, too. 

Here's to bigger and better things in 2014!!!

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