Still Standing.......Stronger Than Ever!
"How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it."~ Jim Valvano
Well, well. Has it been awhile, or what? That's okay. In case you were wondering, I am still in the game. I'm in it to win it! It has been an interesting year for me, to say the least. And despite the ups and downs, I have managed to keep on doing what I set out to do. Have I been behaviorally perfect? Nope. Oh, sure, I have slacked off here and there with workouts, and I have eaten a few too many things I shouldn't have. But you know what? I didn't beat myself up for it. I got back on top of things, and continued on. I always tell myself that this journey isn't easy, but it's worth it, so I keep on pressing toward the goal. In the process, I am still trying to encourage others to take charge of their own health and fitness. Sometimes I have to be brutally honest with them, but if they ask for it, then I have no choice. I mean, think about it. What kind of sense does it make for so many young people to be dropping dead from things that are entirely preventable if a better diet and exercise were adopted? It makes absolutely no sense at all!
So, what's next for me? Well, I am currently studying for my NASM fitness trainer certification. I want to take this thing to the next level, and be well qualified to help others along the way. Boy am I learning a lot, too! I also am still toying with the idea of competing one day. One thing at a time though. I am still developing mentally, spiritually and physically. Something that will never end, at least not until I take my last breath.
This bring me to you guys. What are you doing? No, not in general, but for your health and well being? Are you making wiser food choices? Are you getting in exercise(both cardio and resistance training)? Are you drinking more water, and less of the junk drinks? If so, good for you! If not, why not? What's holding you back? Aren't a better quality of life, feeling good, looking good, and being around for your loved ones worth it? Aren't YOU worth it? (If you said no, consider this: YOU were created for a purpose, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made!) I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions, but, with this year winding down, and the new one upon us, I would like to challenge you to work on getting healthy, if you haven't already begun. Do your research. Ask(qualified people) questions, and just do it. You will be glad you did!
Know that patience and perseverance pays off, and, as always, peace and blessings, y'all!
Still Standing
Yes, I have been M.I.A. for over a month, but I am still standing. Ever challenging myself, and working hard to reach my goals. I don't have any updated pictures yet(aside from the one added, which does show a thinner face), nor do I have a story or anything really outstanding to say today. All I really want to do today is send out encouragement to those who are struggling, doubting themselves, dealing with issues, pain and any other thing. Trust that if God brought you to it, He will bring you through it. Doesn't matter what it is. Just don't check out or give up! That's it. That's my thought for now. Peace and blessings to all of you, as always!
Hanging on Despite Setbacks
We all set (or should set) goals and outline ways to execute them. This is the only way to be truly successful. I'm sure you have heard the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Right? But what happens when 'life' derails you? I set out a long time ago to get fit and healthy, never giving up, even through pregnancy and the issues I have with my under active thyroid. To be honest, I has not been an easy road, but one that has brought much satisfaction and success along the way. Realizing this, I am determined not to give up, no matter what. I have, however, been having a fierce battle with my mind lately. You see, I have issues with chronic pain, and there are days when I just can't do it. Can't get to the gym. Can't even think about working out. It frustrates the life out of me! But, I must listen to my body. So, I rest. Then, usually the next day or two, I am back at it, giving it 110%.
I have told you all these things for one reason. I want you to realize, as I have come to realize, that there will be things along the way that will cause set backs in life. No matter what you are trying to achieve, this is just a fact of life. But, despite your setbacks, HANG ON! Never give up on your dreams and aspirations. No matter what you set out to do, you must open yourself up the notion that you may have to adjust your pathway to that goal. The time frame my become longer. The methods may have to change. There will be mad frustration involved, but keep the faith. I believe that God did not bring me this far to drop me on my face and have me fail. I must have faith, and do my part to be successful, no matter what. Setbacks and all. Am I still working on transforming my body? Yes! I still have the goal of having a physique worthy of figure competition by the end of the year. I just have to be diligent in fighting the battles in my mind. I have to shut out the voices that try to bring me down and defeat me. The ones that say to me, "You couldn't work out today, so no way are you going to make that goal." Other things go through my mind similar to that thought, but I am learning to release them and focus on the fact that I have had a measure of success, and if I re-adjust my methods, there is no reason at all for me to not continue to have success. Hang on, and keep the faith!Peace and blessings always!Keep On Keepin' On!
We need to learn to enjoy where we are while we are on our way to where we are going!~Joyce Meyer
Wow! The New Year is upon us! How did that happen? Where did the year go? Funny how time flies, isn't it? There have been ups and downs, victories and defeats, losses and gains, some of everything under the sun, this past year. Looking back, I can honestly say that I have learned many valuable lessons form each experience, pleasant or not. Most importantly, it has been affirmed over and over again that God has got me, no matter what! So, I am closing the door on 2010, and looking forward to the new year with all its challenges. Speaking of challenges, I have finally decided to train for figure competition in 2011. I am allowing myself the whole year to sculpt and craft my body, with God's help and blessing. I have thought about this off and on for years, and finally decided to just do it. I have been inspired by women, similar to myself, who have take the plunge, and have been met with great success. This is not a New Year's Resolution. I don't make resolutions. I set goals for myself throughout the year and reevaluate them at the end of the the year to see how my progress toward reaching those goals is going. Since I decided to take control of my health and body long ago, this is just a natural progression. Now, I know many of you will be making resolutions and setting goals for the 2011. I admonish you to be realistic with your expectations. If you are, chances are you will be more successful in accomplishing what you set out to do. What's more important is that you keep on keepin' on with what you plan to do. Don't quit. Don't give up! There will be obstacles and challenges, but look a the big picture, and don't get lost in the small details. No matter what you set out to do, be it getting fit, school, new career, whatever it is, trust God with it. As always, peace an blessings to you all, and a very Happy New Year!
True Confessions
True enough, I have not posted a new blog in about a month. That's okay. I confess that I have been going through some things. This should be no surprise. I am, after all, human, and humans go through things. My thing has been a real mental battle. Seriously. It's amazing how the mind can play all kinds of tricks on you. How it can cause you to become filled with doubt and self pity. How it can cause you to second guess your decisions. You know what I mean, right? I'm sure you do. I confess that the process of dealing with all these 'head games' has just worn me out. I have been not only mentally exhausted, but physically exhausted as well. So much so till my workouts have suffered greatly. Of course, I am not going to give up or quit on this journey. No way! Not after coming so far. So, with the help of lots of prayer, and the book, "Battlefield of the Mind", by Joyce Meyer (Thank you Karen Nichelle for hipping me to this book!), my faith is growing, and I am winning this battle! Not only that, I have also come to a few decisions during the process. Interested in hearing about them?
Well, the first decision I have made is to take my body to the limit. Like the gorgeous Bugatti Super Sport in the picture above, I want to see what this fine tuned machine I have been blessed with will turn out to be. True confession: My gift to myself for Christmas 2011 is having a body that is figure competion ready, whether I compete or not. I have thought long and hard about it. Didn't know if I wanted to work that hard, to make those sacrifices. But, if I don't, I will never know what I am truly capable of. Plus I have some great friends who I know will support me all the way. The second thing I have decided is to obtain some more certifications, not only in fitness, but in other related areas, such as nutrition. I want to be well rounded as a trainer. I want to give those I train every tool possible to be successful. Ideally, I would love to return to school for different degrees than what I already hold, that focus on fitness and nutrition. This is not a possibility at this point, but that is not going to keep me from getting the education I need in other ways. I have more things brewing in my mind, but those are not ready for sharing. I will share those things as they come to fruition. For now, I just wanted to give an update, and let you guys know that I am still here! As always, peace and blessings to ya'!
My First Interview
http://therestoftheweigh.com/2010/blog/videospot-light/interview-janel/ This link is to my first interview refgarding my weight loss journey. When I was in Nashville last week, I had the opportunity to spend some thine with my friend Karen Nichelle to both workout and be interviewed. I hope you find some motivation here. Enjoy!Patience!
So I'm back from my trip, and boy am I worn out, still! Is that age catching up with me, or my extreme dislike of un-packing that's making me so tired? Lol! Regardless, I do have a few thoughts to share.
First, I was so honored to be able to see my dear friend Karen Nichelle and work out with her. From the above picture, you can see that we don't play around! I have not seen her since I left Nashville in 2003. Her transformation is nothing short of amazing! Please visit her spot at The Rest of the Weigh for some REAL inspiration! Second, I want to share some thoughts on patience. Oh boy! This is a doozy! I realized a long time a go that I am not as patient a person as I thought I was. The first time I lost weight, I was not patient, and wanted everything to happen right away. It's not only in the situation of losing weight though. It's most day to day situations and activities. After my ordeal with my thyroid and the regaining of the weight I lost, I was still impatient. Moreso because I didn't know what to do in order to get my body back. Oh, sure, I worked out and watched what I ate, but pretty much nothing was happening. MAJOR frustration set in. One day it hit me that I needed to develop patience. Okay. Now we are talking major challenge! Well, I said a prayer and made the conscious effort to work on developing patience on a daily basis. Once I started to be more pateint with myself, I started to see changes. Small ones, at first, but changes never the less. Very small changes were happening. Frustratingly small changes. But, I reminded myself to be patient. I had no choice. Learning to be patient with the process has made all the difference. Am I what I consider a patient person these days? Actually, no. I am still more impatient than I would like to be, but the thing I have learned, and am learning is this: Pateince is the key. Without it, you set yourself up for failure. Is the scale not moving fast enough for you after weeks of dieting and exercise? Re-evaluate your program, step back, and be patient with the process. I know. Easier said than done, but we don't gain 50lbs over night, so it won't come off over night. Get in the habit of practicing patience, and soon you will see and appreciate even the smallest of changes. Remember to show love and appreciation not only to those around you, but to yourself as well. This goes hand in hand with practicing patience!Peace and blessings always!Greetings!
Hello everyone! I hope all of you are doing well. I am away for a few more days, but have a lot to blog when I return. I will 'see' you all next week! Stay warm (I'm not!)Peace and blessings, always!All About a White Bikini
I use to dream about wearing a white bikini. It wasn't a life long
dream, but a rather recent one instead. The dream came about when I
saw tennis great Serena Williams in Sports Illustrated wearing a white
bikini back in 2003, I figured I could do it, too. At the time that
issue came out, I was quite pregnant with my second child, and
actually wearing a bikini, or any swimsuit, for that matter, was not
going to happen any time soon. Still, I was pretty much obsessed with
the notion of me in a white bikini. I figured that I could get in
shape again after the baby was born, get my white bikini,and take some
pictures. Not so fast! If you read my first blog, you know that I
developed a sluggish thyroid on my journey to fitness. The fact that I
regained the 60lbs I lost on that journey pushed the white bikini
dream far into the background, but never out of my mind.
to blame for my weight issues, and a year and a half after figuring
out what works for me, combined with consistent workouts and a good
diet, I was finally able to realize my dream of wearing a white bikini
on my first cruise. That feeling of accomplishment was second to none!
Not only that, I learned several things along the way that are
invaluable. Although I might not always remember them like I should,
they are the things that help me focus, and bring me back to the
positive side when I am feeling defeated. I will share a few. One thing I learned is to love and appreciate my body regardless of
the shape it was in. I may not have the body I ultimately want, but my
body is a true miracle. It was the vessel to bring 2 lives into the
world, and nourish them until they ate solid food. Even though it has
its quirks, this body allows me to just about anything I want. For
that, I appreciate it. Appreciate yours, too. Look for the positive
things about it and focus on those things. Don't dwell on the
negative. Another thing I learned is to be consistent. I use to exercise once in
a while. I use to eat healthy one day, and like crap the next. Those
are only two things, but I think you get the point. In order to make
changes, lasting changes, you have to be consistent. Without
consistency, you will be turning your wheels, but going nowhere.
Consistency is key. I use to decide that I would do things on a whim. No plans or goals. I
learned the hard way that in order to have success in anything, you
must make plans and have goals. If you have a goal of losing 20
pounds, you need to research the best way for you to reach that goal,
and make plans to that end. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! The most important thing I learned is to have faith, and put fear to
the side. I had to develop my faith in God, and my faith and belief in
my ability to actually get fit. I was a chubby kid, and even though I
rode bikes and played tag, I never thought I could do anything more.
It wasn't until adulthood that I got up the nerve to start going to a
gym, chubby body and all. Of course I had to believe that I could
actually use gym equipment, and be successful. Believe in yourself,
and don't be afraid of what others may say. If you do, then you have
won half the battle. I'm still on my journey, and have a long way to go, but I know I can
do this! You can, too! Peace and blessings!
About Me
Chrissa FarrellI am a wife and mother to two wonderful elementary age children. I began my serious journey to fitness on, ironically, September 11, 2001 when my son was 18 months old. I was sick and tired of half trying to get fit and healthy, and losing weight only to gain it all back again. I have had successes and failures, but I have not quit.
I am a newly certified fitness trainer, and am in the process of developing my business. While I do that, I want to share thoughts, ideas and encouragement. Once my business is set up, I will continue to blog. I hope you will choose to join me on this journey.
Peace and blessings!
