From Couch to Triathlon

Who would of thought 2 years ago that I would now be 60 lbs lighter and a triathlete!  At that time if someone would have taken bets, I would have laughed and laughed and grabbed a beer and maybe some chips and laughed again!

Well here I am from 220 to 160 and from couch to Triathlon:)

August 2011

June 2013

Don't might if I do pat myself on the back:)

There is no crazy diet thrown into this mix....believe me, I have tried them.  And have always gained back as many of us have.  This time I decided that the key word in the journey was going to be "fit," not "skinny."
So about 2 years ago I started.  I joined a gym and very painfully stepped onto the treadmill, plagued with embarrassment of my current weight, wearing spanx under my workout clothes, and pressed "GO."  I hired a fantastic trainer, Jesse Johns, and worked out with him once a week.  I decided to set physical goals for myself that would force me to train.  My first accomplishment was last spring when I competed in the Warrior Dash.  It was the first competitive race I had ever done and it was awesome.  I was hooked.

Best.Pic.Ever.

Lynn & I

I proceeded to compete in 2 additional mud-runs last year.  One being the Muck Ruckus to benefit MS, for my friend Shannon.

Team Red Hot Mama!

Me & Gina

I actually made it!

And also conned my husband, Brett, into doing the Gladiator Rock and Run with me!

Brett & I

He may or may not have been channeling his inner Old School's "Frank the Tank" (love you ,Brett!)

Do I go to the gym everyday?  No.
Do I eat perfect all the time? No.
I do what I can each week putting forth as much effort as I can depending on work, kids & Brett's travel schedule.  I make working out a priority each week and pre-plan as to when I can fit it in.
And I always tell myself that a 20 minute workout is better than no workout at all.
I eat better.
I feel better.

So coming into 2013 I began the search for a new challenge and in February I signed up for the "My First Tri." I got my friend Nicole to do it and another friend, Erin, had registered as well! We gave ourselves a little over 3 months to train and on Saturday, June 8th, we did it!

Erin, Me & Nicole

I still can't believe it. I became a triathlete.

I'm a purple hat somewhere up front on the right. I came out 3rd in my age group for swim!

cycling

Nicole & I coming in to the transition

start of 3 mile run

almost done!

And I can't wait to do another one.  Actually, I have already scouted one out for September!
My time was 1 hour 40 mins and I am super excited to see how I can beat this now knowing what to expect.

Of course, there are always a few lessons learned.....

• In that quarter mile swim I couldn't help but wonder where that wall was that I so graciously pushed myself off  during practices into each lap went.  Note to self, practice more open water swims. There is NO wall to propel yourself forward.
• When you are kicked in the head, don't freak out.  Lifeguards are everywhere....you are not going to die!
• Must figure how to grow gills to flush out gallons of consumed water. Lake water. yuck!
• Must practice cycling on hills. Period.
• And why, OH WHY, is running so boring to me????  Seriously, I get annoyed with myself and how I can't get over this.  Must learn to sing and run so that I can entertain myself although others might find my mix of Jay Z, Maroon 5 & Gotye confusing and a bit psychotic.

And my favorite part crossing the finish line was my cheering section!  Super thanks to Brett, Braxton, Wyatt, Ken, Barb, Caleb, Maddie, Leigh Anne, Shannon, Jason, Jack, Dawn & Riley for the support.  It was an awesome feeling crossing that finish line and having you all there!

Nicole & I....mission accomplished!

Me & My Boys

Wyatt, Ken & Barb

Sweet Jack

Me & my Red Hot Mama (Shannon)

Beautiful Things

What an amazing service today!

If you live anywhere in the Atlanta area you should run (not walk) to check out North Point Community Church.  We attend the Alpharetta Campus off of North Point Parkway and have for about 10+ years as a couple but there are quite a few more campuses in the surrounding areas.  And if you are not in the area, you can always listen online (like my mom) every week.

http://www.northpoint.org/

The service today was amazing, to say the least. They tend to always be on target with me but today's topic especially related to the creation of my blog.  About taking the "authentic you" and empowering yourself to embrace the gifts given, no matter how sad or ugly they are and choose to turn them into good.
We all come from a past, from troubled times, from sin, from loss, from regret, from heartache......we ALL do!
It is our choice to sweep the past under a rug and present ourselves "picture perfect" or we can acknowledge, deal and allow God to work through the mess and create it as a gift that can be given to others. People have told me that they don't know how I did it, how I came out of this with such grace and peace, how strong I am, how accepting I was of what I was given and moved right along......

I can't explain it and not sure if I ever will but I can tell you, when I hear those comments I am completely honored and overwhelmed with the thought that little ole' me has made an impact on someone's faith. Like I have said before, I may never have the answers to the “why” questions of the past but what I do have answered is that my life is forever better with the trust that I put in Him and His plan for me.

 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4


They closed with a wonderful prayer in song that I had heard before, but never quite hit me until today.

Beautiful Things

original song by Gungor

All this pain

I wonder if I’ll ever find my way

I wonder if my life could really change at all

All this earth

Could all that is lost ever be found

Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new

You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

As Jeff Henderson said today, "It's not about you......It's all about God's grace and power in you."   

So what are you going to do with it?