Get Fit Challenge Monica's Blog

I Had A Blast

gfcmonica29 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:59:38 +0000

Tonight I went out with my husband to a Christmas party that my office had. Initially he was a little reluctant because he thought it would be a bunch of real estate agents talking about the market. At first is was a little like that, but as the night went on we had fun! I danced, laughed, party my heart away! I really enjoyed my husband and friends and I was so glad to share my husband with my friends and share my friends with my husband. (I know that sounds funny but you know what I mean). Life it toooooooo short and we have to enjoy it. Tonight I did not worry about bills, family,work, I just enjoyed it and had a blast. I danced so hard and so much I think I lost a pound or two. I just want to say as the new year come, please lets take time to let our hair down ans enjoylife and lets love and have fun with each other.

Happy Thanksgiving

gfcmonica29 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:30:55 +0000

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. As we all sit at our tables and say our prayers and give God our grace for our food, let us remember those who do not family, friends, a home, or a pot to (you should know the expression) So instead of bragging or complaining about what you do or don’t have let’s remember our brothers and sisters that don’t have. Let’s give thanks for them and lets pray for them, and invite them into our lives. Let’s not just think about ourselves. Saying all of that I want to let everyone that I will be celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary. I thank God for a 10 year adultery free marriage. There are so many things I can thank God for in my marriage but most of all I am thankful for is the way my husband treat me. He makes me feel like I am the only woman in the world. He makes me feel like a Queen. He adores me and I love him and thank God for that. I don’t want to be long but I just want to say thank you Lord for all of your Blessings!

Trying New Things

gfcmonica29 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:43 +0000

I went to a dinner party at one of my girlfriend’s house. When I got there, there was some ladies I already knew and there was one that I just met. Being that I sell homes that should give an indication that I love homes. I like everything that make up a house, from the exterior to the home decor. My friend gave us a grand tour of her home. I already know the home but for a couple of other friends that was there they never saw the home. I enjoyed the tour because as you know I love looking at homes and I love to see how people decorate their homes. We went into her closet and it is huge. It could be a mini boutique. Automatically I am looking at all of the shoes, bags, clothes, and accessories. I started picking shoes up and matching it with outfits and purses. No one asked me to do this but, styling and fashion is a passion of mine. I love Real Estate and I love being a Realtor, but I am IN LOVE WITH FASHION!!! I worked retail all my life. I worked at one of Banana Republic’s premier flagship store and I sold almost 75k worth of clothes in almost 4 months as a part-time worker. I worked in the men’s department, and the women’s as well. I did so well that the store manger asked me to become a stylist for one of their departments. I did not take that position because my real estate business really took off. But as I was putting outfits together I really didn’t notice anyone watching me because I was in my zone. The young lady asked me how did I put one particular outfit together and I kind of didn’t know how to answer that question because I don’t have a formula. It is just in me. I told her I am just creative. Then my friend whose closet we were in said, ” Monica always have style and can dress anyone” I blushed and said thank you. Then the young lady told me that her husband is an up and coming entertainer, and he is getting ready to release hid debut CD but he really don’t know how to put his image together. And she asked me to be his stylist and gave me his number. I said Ok but I was nervous as heck. I was approached by someone else about helping them get an image. I said okay and I took their number as well. A friend of mine works in the medical field and she had to wear scrubs, but recently she was promoted and she has to wear work attire. She asked me can I style her wardrobe. I did. We went shopping and I put all of her outfits together. She wore it to work and gets endless compliments. I can not tell you how many times I have and still do get stop about my outfits that I wear. Most people ask me how do I coordinate my colors, or they ask me about a particular bag that I am wearing or shoes, or accessories. I always tell them. Then I thought to myself, hey I can turn this into a business. That is what I am in the process of doing. I was a little nervous at first because I did not know how much to charge, and then I said I do not have any “big name” or “celebrity” clients, but then I said who cares. All of those men and women I dressed at Banana Republic or any of those retails stores I worked at could have been entertainment executives. Who knows. I started my business and I am selling accessories, jewelry, purses, scarfs, and my services to people. I am still a little nervous, however I want to stay a little nervous because often I perform better when I am a little nervous. So I have to continue to lose weight because of my health and my image too. There are so many clothes I want to fit in that will allow me to represent my new business. So here I am about to try something new that I am passionate about, and I am not going to stop until I reach the top!

Motivation

gfcmonica29 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:17:18 +0000

Over the last couple of weeks I really needed some motivation. Of course it would be great to rely on others to help you support your dreams and goals, but what I have to often do is encourage myself. Sometimes my hubby don’t want to walk or jog with me. Sometimes my daughter don’t want to do the dvd workouts with me. And my sister, poor thang, does not have the time or strength after running behind and looking after a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 2 month old. My mom is back home in NYC so it not like I can say hey mommy meet me at my house in 10 minutes; so I have to come up with ways to motivated and encourage myself during this challenge. So what I did today was put in my two Subway Get Fit Challenge television shows dvd’s part one and part two and I watched both shows. I saw me and what I said I wanted to accomplished during this show “season” but in my life in general and I got refocused. I remember the life style I said I wanted in part one of the dvd. I said that I wanted to maintain a healthy life style and to stop eating potato chips late at night. I mentioned my 10 year wedding anniversary that is coming up next month and how I want to have longevity in my marriage by being healthy. I made a promise and said that this was my year. On part two of the dvd, I was so proud of my accomplishment of climbing Stone Mountain. I was glowing and so vibrant and full of life. So what started out as feeling a little down today about being focused and diligent about my workout regiment suddenly turned a complete 360 just by watching those dvds. I had to remember what the goal was and still is. The race is not over. I am still here and breathing, so I can jump back in the race and come out in first place if I chose to. Sometimes we have to go back and reread our goals, or revisit our visions and keep ourselves encouraged, accountable and motivated so that we can finish what we started.

Blame It On Me, Say It’s My Fault

gfcmonica29 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:03:29 +0000

A lot of times people believe they are in a particular state in life because of someone elses doing. Well I will speak for my self. There were and still are a lot of things that I have and am dealing with. Pick a topic. Just joking. Lets talk about weight. I can say that I am over weight because of the injections that they put in chicken. I can say that I am over weight because I only have time to eat at night because I am busy during the day. I can say that I am over weight because my husband does not pressure me to be “thin”. When my father died 11 years ago on May 28, 1998, two days before my birthday I was devastated. My world literally ended at that moment. My grandmother use to always say that I would follow my father to Hell if I could. He was my dad, my hero, my everything. When he did I instantly became depressed. I was a size 9/10 and some clothes were 11/12. I say that is about average and I am 5’10. I was in the gym and I was working out, I was in college, and I worked at a retail job, not because I had to but because I chose to. Within a year that my dad died I gained 100 lbs! I was scheduled to get married in November 1999. When friends and family saw me they didn’t say oh you got fat, but they would sugar coat it and say baby you gained weight because your father died and we understand. It took me 8 years before I started to go to therapy to deal with the real issue. To be honest I do not remember binging and over eating. I do not remember any of that. But again it was not until I dealt with why I was eating the way I was that I realized that I was over weight and need to work out. I had to look at the situation for what it was. I was eating bread, bagels, cream cheese, potato chips, pasta, alfredo, extra mayonnaise to help me deal with my dad not being there. Once I went through my therapy I realized that weather my dad was with me or not that I could continue to live life and be successful. My dad did most of my encouraging and now that he wasn’t here, how was I going to make it. Like I said after dealing with years of therapy and changing my mind set and stop living in denial I realize that I could not blame anyone else but myself for my weight gain. So with the help of others, but most importantly myself I have lost a total of 30 lbs. ) I am proud of myself! I have 60 to 70 more pounds to go, and I will get there. Sometimes I do not want to be accountable for my actions but I have to be because it is a necessity for me to complete my journey. To those of you that blame others or things for stopping you, do what I did and still do… Pick up a mirror, check yourself, encourage yourself and love yourself and say that you can make it.

I Am 1

gfcmonica29 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:36:33 +0000

I am one is the title of Chrisette Michelle’s first album. I think that is one of the greatest albums out. I also think that she is one of the best singers period! (Of course Mary J. Blige is # 1) The last song on the album is called (Untitled) / I am one. The song talks about different situations that people are faced with. She talks about how she can lend a hand and help and together they make can be one. Here is the lyrics to the song.

“I Am One”

Hello my sister
Did you make a mistake?
There’s life in your belly
And it’s too much to take.

Hey there my friend
I heard of your Dad.
He was a hero
when the towers were crashed.

I am one
And I’m reaching for you
I am one
And together we’re two.
I’ll be your strength and I won’t let you fall
And together we’ll find one more

Hey little girl
Little Indian girl.
Can I give you some bread
And a piece of my world.
Look to my fingers
There is hope in my hand
Come to my pocket and I’ll give what I can.

I am one
And I’m reaching for you
I am one
And together we’re two.
I’ll be your strength and I won’t let you fall
And together we’ll find one more.

If one can do anything
Then two can change the world.
If one can make a difference
And together we’re so much more.

There was a flood not long ago
It took my people and it tattered my soul.

I am one
And I’m reaching for you
I am one
And together we’re two.
I’ll be your strength and I won’t let you fall
You may not have much
But alone I am one without you.

I absolutely love this song. I love the meaning and the concept of this song. We are all faced with challenges everyday. Some things we bring on ourselves and there are consequences to be paid, however we are suppose to be here to lift each other or extend a hand to someone that might have fallen down to help them up. So once we help each other it is not about two individuals or two separate problems. When we help each other we become as one, because now with the two of joining we become one. Take the Subway Get Fit Challenge. Subway did not have to extend it’s hand to help me or us to lose the weight. It could have been 17 individuals who are struggling to lose weight, that might have not really starting eating right or exercising, but Subway extended a hand and said come on lets be one and help each other achieve this goal. They have changed lives literally. Last week I went to the beauty supply store with my sister, nephew, and two nieces. On our way out to the left of me I saw a guy sitting on the little level against the wall. I spoke to him and kept on walking. He looked at us and he looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t. I heard him ask a couple of ladies for some money. And they told him no. When we got in the truck I told my sister that I knew that he wanted to ask us something but didn’t because he saw us with all of the the kids. He got up and preceded to walk up the shopping center and he we pulled up and rolled the window and I said hello and asked him how he was doing? He said he was OK. We engaged in conversation and found out that he was 19 and was homeless. He told me he had his own apartment and lost his job and lost his home. He is from Seattle and his mom is back home in Seattle and he is out here in Atlanta by himself. Both my sister and I offered him our husbands #’s so that he can call for a job. I gave him my business card to call me if he need help. ( When my husband and I moved to Atlanta in 2001 we moved here with $198, no home, no job, no family. All of our family was back home in NY.) So I know how he felt being all alone. I asked him was he hungry and he said yes. Ironically the whole conversation was taking place in front of a Subway store. I told him to come with me. I bought him enough Subway sandwiches to last him for a couple of days. I let him know my situation when I first moved to Atlanta and told him to keep the faith and don’t give up on God. I let him know that he is not out here alone that we are in this together because we are 1. I shook his hand and said our good byes. He told me that often people may give or throw him money but no one ever take the time to talk to him or even touch his hand because they feel he is contaminated. He really said he felt like we really care and are really there for him. See with out knowing Subway put an effect on someone else life. It is not Subway, me , and him, it is us. We are one, and because we are one, I am 1.

I APOLOGIZE!!

gfcmonica29 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:01:00 +0000

I think apologizing is one of the hardest things people can do. Some people can bungy jump off of bridges, some can jump off a cliff and dive head first into water, some can pierce and tattoo their faces, some can speak in front of thousands, others drag race up to speeds of over 100 miles per hour, but it amaze me well not really amaze but sadden me that saying something as simple as I apologize or I am sorry frighten most people to death. I think that it can be a couple of reasons why some people will not apologize. First, is pride. Pride can be an extremely dangerous thing. Pride is spoken about all through out the bible. People can do things and or say things that hurt other people and because of titles, status, or feeling superiority, arrogance or even thinking that another person(s) is inferior to them or unworthy, some are too prideful to apologize. Let me make myself very clear. I am not talking about the pride of self worth, dignity, or self respect. I think that sometimes people believe if they say sorry that they are belittling themselves. Another reason some do not apologize is fear. Fear is another thing that can hinder your growth in life. Fear can literally paralyze you and stump your growth. You can know that you need to apologize but fear of rejection. You can feel that you want to say sorry but what if that person does not accept your apology. You can have fear that it is too late to apologize. You might think that because you waited so long to apologize that that particular person(s) will never accept or acknowledge your apology. People do not apologize because it might mean that they have to admit that they were wrong about something. We all know how people have to be right about everything. I call those people know it alls! You mean to tell me that I am wrong, incorrect? I am not in conformity with the fact or truth and I have to apologize? I think another reason some people do not apologize is because of confrontation. For some they get really nervous, their hands get sweaty and they have to look that person in their face (preferably their eyes) and say sorry or I apologize. I will be the first to admit that there have been times where I did not want to apologize because of pride, shame, fear, and feeling that the person just plan out did not deserve an apology. There have been times where I had to apologize not because of what I said but because of the way that I said something to some one; the tone, body language, etc. But I sucked it up, pulled up my boot straps and apologized. At this stage in my life I have humbled myself a lot. It does not hurt or take away from me to say I am sorry and I was wrong and do you forgive me. I have had to humble myself and apologize to my daughter, husband, my mom, or even my dog. But I do it. Let me tell you about pride and fear. If you did something wrong to someone else and feel too cocky and you allow that ego (spirit) to come in and take over, I have news for you, you will be alone for many a days! You can lose out on some many great relationships, friendships, business opportunities, and so much more because you feel too big headed to apologize. Fear and procrastination can hold you back as well. The fear of rejection. You are more worried that the person will not accept your apology or will stop talking to you. Or fear of not knowing what to say. If your intentions behind the apology is sincere then apologize and face the consequences (if there are any) Fear in general will stop you from accomplishing things in life that you dream of, but that is another topic. Sometimes you can have all of this fear and anxiety built up and when you say those two words, that person would instantly forgive you, give you a hug, or say okay that is all that I wanted and we can now move forward. If you are reading my blog and you are one of those persons that I am talking about, stop reading this blog and get up and tell that person you apologize or you are sorry. If they are not there call them, write them but tell them you are sorry now. You never know what a simple apology can do for some one. Please DO NOT TEXT AN APOLOGY! THAT IS SO TACKY AND COWARDLY! If you are sitting here and say well I have not done anything wrong to anyone then look in the mirror and apologize to yourself. There are plenty of times when we are too hard on ourselves and call our selves names and we do not apologize. Again if you feel you do not owe yourself an apology, then get on your knees and apologize to God for the sins you may have committed. Apologize for the ones you know about and the ones you are unaware of. On that note I am going to take my own advise and start to pray.

cLiMiNg MoUnTaInS

gfcmonica29 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:10:45 +0000

: Climbing Mountains

Current Goal: To get out of the 250′s

Current Struggle: Time

Current Weight: 258

Current Mood: Motivated

I finally broke the 260′s. I now weigh 258. I was initially 289lbs. When I started this challenge I was 273lb. I lost a total of 31 lbs. A total of 15lbs since the challenge. It seems like I struggled for the last month and a half to get out the 260′s. I changed how I was eating, I was jogging and doing and my walks. So I decided to climb a mountain. I started climbing Stone Mountain out here in Ga. A friend of mine, Lolita said she was climbing it every morning and it was something I wanted to do for some time. The first day that I climb the mountain I literally thought I was going to die!!!!!!!! The mountain is 1.3 miles. It is beautiful and has granite, trees, plants and it is also rigorous, and steep at other times. When I first climb the mountain at the bottom it is OK. But towards the middle it has a lot of boulders, rocks. Then there is the midway where you can sit down at some picnic tables. Once you pass that and continue to climb there is a part where there are railings and that is steep! At first I said OK let me get ready to climb these stairs and as I walked up on it I realize it is all rock and no stairs. The railings are there so you can hold on to it and don’t slip. Some people do not hold on to the railings and jog, run and walk up. (Hooray for them, I will be there one day) When I started off I felt like I was holding on for dear life and I had to stop in the middle to rest and catch my breath. Once I finished that I had to sit at the rock at the top. Then the next climb for me is the most challenging. It is challenging because it is very steep, and that is where my endurance, prayer, self motivation, and drive have to really kick in. I have to literally talk to myself and say that I am going to make it. So far it does not matter how many times I climb the mountain when I get to that particular point of the mountain I have talk myself into not quiting. The pain and the climb takes and challenge the very essence I am made of to get past that part. But I have never quit and have made it. It was not until I climb that mountain that I have continue to lose the weight and broke out my 260′s. So now I use that mountain as a metaphor. There are many obstacles I face on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly bases and I want to quit. When I get to that point where things are hard, people or mean, conniving, viscous, or finances want to act up, my career want to test me, and I want to quit, I think about the results if I don’t quit, rewards if I don’t quit, the consequences if I do quit, and I say Monica stick in there. Often when I was going to give up or give in I look at the top of the mountain and see that I am almost there and say to myself Monica you are almost there just keep looking forward and you will make it. So to those of you who are at that point of the mountain when the pressure is on and life feels like it squeezing the life out of you think about how a diamond is made, think about the strength you will have from challenges and keep pushing and know that you too can climb your mountain and reach the top no matter what or who your mountains are! I especially want to send this message to my sister who is my best friend for life. Keep climbing that mountain, you have a lot of people cheering for you and to all of those who think you can’t make it don’t waste any more energy on them cause you need all your energy to conquer this mountain! I love you and I will see you at the top!

TRUST YOUR INSTINCT

gfcmonica29 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:40:59 +0000

Current Goal: Lose 5 lb by 8/20/09

Current Struggle: Maintaing a consistent work out time

Current Weight: 264

Current Mood: Hopeful, Optimistic

A week and a half ago was an extremely emotional week for me. I think I have one of the biggest scare in my 9 years of being married to my husband. I grilled Salmon for dinner one night and we all ate. (My husband, daughter, and I) The dinner was quite healthy and delicious. Later on that night my husband said he was not feeling that well. I did not think much of it. Maybe he ate too fast I thought. Then the next day my sister was over to my home and when he came from work he told me he ate the lunch which I prepared for him the night before and he think that I was the Salmon that was causing him to feel a little sick. I asked him do he think that it was food poising, or maybe something was wrong with the fish but he said no because we all ate and we all should be sick. He proceeded to go to the bedroom to lay down because he was feeling tired. Well by the next day he was he still wasn’t feeling well and by this time I notice he started to run a fever. So I did the typical thing and made him some tea with lemon and hope he felt a little better. But as the day progressed he became a little sluggish and he started getting really hot. I told him I think we need to go to the hospital. He told me no that he did not want to go and just to pick up something from over the counter and he will probably feel better. (My husband is very stubborn and can be extremely strong head) I went to the pharmacy and got a thermometer, some flu medication, chicken soup, tea, and lemon. I took his temperature and it was 101.8 and again I suggested that we should go to the hospital and convinced me that if I give him the flu medication that it would help. I went against my very own instincts and agreed to what he said. The flu medicine did bring the fever down. But he stayed on the couch and wouldn’t eat. He was very quiet and slept most of the day. That night his fever rose again and I gave him the medication and it brought his temperature down again. The next morning was Sunday and I already decided that I (we) were not going to church because of my husband’s illness. I went into the kitchen and something told me (instincts) said to go into the bedroom and when I did my husband was sitting on the edge of the bed and I felt his head and it was burning up hot and he looked funny. I asked him is he OK and he said no he can’t really breath. I told him get up and lets go, we are going to the hospital. He tried to go against it but he knew I was serious and not playing. I took him to the emergency room and the took him in right away. They put us in a room and the doctor came in and checked his vitals and she said we are going to have to give him some breathing treatment. (My husband has Asthma but normally it is not chronic) So they put the mask over his mouth and gave him the treatment. The doctor came back in with another Dr. I thought to myself why do they need two Drs? They said to me we want to check his breathing not that he had his treatment. They came back in and when they check it they told me well Mrs. Howell we are concerned because he is not breathing correctly on his own. We want to give him some oxygen to help him breath a little better. Again I say OK do what ever it takes to help him. They monitored him some more ant then they said well Mrs. Howell even with the oxygen Mr. Howell is not breathing correctly, we want to draw some blood. So now I am getting scared. They draw his blood and once again they come back and they said we can’t see what is causing his breathing to be this low.The check his breathing and noticed on left side of his chest he is wheezing. So Mrs. Howell we want to draw blood straight from his artery We want to see how the oxygen level is coming from his heart and we want to have an x ray of his chest. We want to make sure he does not have Pneumonia. Pneumonia what are you talking about, I thought he had the flu, and maybe his asthma acted up, not Pneumonia. I tried my hardest to contain my tears. I had to talk myself into calming down. They had the respiratory nurses come down and take his blood. They back and said he does not have Pneumonia but his oxygen in his blood is extremely low. They said that the average person is between 88-100 and my husband’s was at 44. They are going to admit him in the hospital to run more test, to observe him with his breathing and they were not going to release him until the doctors felt he was better. By this time they had 3 Drs., an X Ray specialist, 1 Phlebotomist 4 Respiratory nurses, along with the regular nurses. By this time I started crying. I really did not want to boo hoo cry in front of my husband. He did see me crying and he pulled his mask off his face and said don’t cry baby because you are going to make me cry. ( While he is telling me this he has to suck air in and out as he saying every other word to me) (I am literally crying right now as I am typing this in) I stayed with him and I had to leave in the morning to shower. I went by sister’s house and we prayed and she encouraged me. My niece and nephew who are 3 and 1 came running out asking where is uncle Bernon? ( My 1 year old niece does not know how to say Vernon yet) They kept asking where is he. I told him at the Dr and I was on my way to go get him. I left out and on my way to the hospital I cried and I cried out loud) I am a very spiritual person and I live by the word of God according to the Bible and I talked to God. I let him know that it is not my husband’s time yet. I let him know about the promises he told me and all of the visions and dreams he showed me that my husband and I would have and they have not been fulfilled yet. So I just let God know that it could not possible be my husband’s time. While this is going on I had my husband co workers calling me asking about him. My husband mom and dad wanted to know if they needed to take a flight down here to Atlanta to see if he was ok. My daughter (I let spend the night with her best friend) she was calling and her friends, I had my co workers (Realtors) calling. I had clients my very own clients calling me telling me that they were praying for my husband and family during the night. So I pulled my”boot straps” up and went in that hospital expecting nothing but great news. When I got there they said Mr. Howell improved significantly.They wanted him to walk around the hospital without oxygen and when he got back he had to perform another breathing test to finally determine if he could go home. He passed the test! My husband was back to quoting from his favorite movie Training Day with Denzel Washington. I knew he was back. They did prescribe a particular asthma medication, along with rest, and some exercises. They told him that he was lucky because most people don’t get to walk out. I call it blessed. They told him at 32 that he was too young to go through this but if he take better care of himself that he would probably be back. I just want to say I have to always follow my instincts. We have to care for our selves no matter what age we are. MEN listen to your wives, girlfriends, we know what we are talking about. I want to say thank you to God because you are awesome! You do not have to do what you do for me and my family but you do and I am forever grateful. My clients are wonderful and and understanding. To the love of my life I love you and I need you along with me on this journey. Now he is working out with me again and eating all of the healthy food that Subway and the Dietitians at Emory provided us with.

My husband had Flem (cold) on his chest and because of the asthma it was blocking his breathing and that helped cause some his breathing problems. Once he took the medication that was prescribed it allow his chest to open up or his breathing passage to open up it allowed him to cough up or purge the Flem on his chest out. (sorry for the gory detail )

PS. JULIE OUR DIETITIAN FROM EMORY HOSPITAL YOU ARE TRULY GOING TO BE MISSED! THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME CHANGE MY LIFE! YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You

gfcmonica29 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:49:22 +0000

How many times do you say thank you. Probably not enough! Well let me start. Jesus Christ who is the head of my life I want to say thank you for everything you did, do, and will do in my life. I thank you for all of your countless blessings! I thank you for favor! I think you for dying on the cross for my sins! I thank you for forgiveness, mercy, and unconditional love. I thank you for second chances. I thank you for allowing me to get my act together when you could have exposed me to the world. I thank you for my family, my husband, daughter, parents, sister, nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws. I thank you for life. Thank you for the air, trees, water, and the endless sky. Thank you for an imagination. With out an imagination I would have never dreamed of all of my endless thoughts, and goals that I have. GOD there are too many thank yous but I am forever grateful. Thank you to my husband for being the AMAZING husband, father, son and brother you are. YOU ARE AMAZING!! GOD put you in my life for countless reasons. Thank you again. Thank you to my daughter for teaching me patience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for pushing me even though you don’t know it. Thank you to my parents you all are wonderful. Thanks Daddy (RIP) for teaching me the type of man I need to marry. Thank you Mommy for teaching me what not to and what to expect and from a man. Thanks mom for your sense of style that you have passed on to me. Thank you to my sister. You are the epitome of a BEST FRIEND. L Daddy always said, we have so many secrets among each other, we can build mountains. Thank you to my favorite girlfriends Jackie, Sandra, and Aris. I would not be able to function with out you. Jackie and Aris I will see you all in NYC, this summer. Thank you to my niece Madison and my Nephew Christen for your innocence, and genuine love. Thanks you to the guy who held the door for me at the gas station when my hands were full of stuff. Thanks to the gentleman who offered to help me down the mountain @ Stone Mountain when I twisted my ankle on my way down the mountain. Thank you to the female sales associate in the store the other day, your kindness was needed. Thank you to the garbage men who could have left my trash on the side of the house when my husband forgot to take it to the curb, for pulling it out and dumping it. Thank you to the Police officer who did not gave me a ticket because my tags were ” 1″ day expired. Thank you to the endless people who get up every day and night and perform the endless jobs that we need them to perform to make this world go around. Thanks Lolita for encouraging me to go up the mountain. Last, but definitely not lease Thank you WSB TV Subway for all the many gifts you have given me through out this challenge. Although the gifts and the services are perks, I really want to thank you for allowing me to reconnect with myself and aiding me to make this a life style change and not just a 10 month challenge. Thanks again.

PS I did not spell check so thank you in advance to all of you who will point out all of my incorrect grammer