Thankful

Today, I'm thankful to God for giving me the strength, courage, and belief in myself to battle obesity. Battling obesity has been one of the hardest things I've done in my life. And, while I've yet to beat obesity entirely I'm so grateful for the progress I've made. Today, I'm healthier and happier. I know that I couldn't do it without God's Grace and Mercy.

For anyone out there struggling with your weight...YOU can do anything you set your mind to. Take it from someone who knows...I used to weigh 388 pounds and have lost 170 pounds with a change in my attitude, diet, and incorporating exercise.

PRAY to God
BELIEVE you can
LOVE yourself every step of the way
FORGIVE yourself when you stumble
SURROUND yourself with healthy, positive people

I have to be ME

Greeting September with a smile

Hello, September. I don't want to start you off on a negative note, but sometimes it's best to not hold things in. So forgive me for greeting you with negativity. Please be assured that there will be no more negativity on my part this month.

With that said, I'm on a mission to be the best person I can be. I'm fine tuning myself as I grow and learn. Again, I say this is a transformation from the inside out. By creating Farewell Fatso! I've put myself, my journey on public display. So I can expect from time-to-time to receive not so positive comments or feedback. That's just part of it. Lately, though there's been a monkey on my back and frankly I'm tired of carrying it around. I feel as if some folks really aren't rooting for me instead quite the opposite.

I have to be me. I'm a complex person with several layers. Sorry to offend, annoy, or make you feel less than for being me. Here's what I say to those not on my team: You don't have to be on my team. I'm going to make it with or without your approval or support. Please keep your negative thoughts and attitudes far away.  I was telling my dear friend about comments that have been made. Here's her touching response:


"...The rest of us get so much benefit from you that it doesn't matter. They just aren't ready to face themselves or the world. There's nothing you say that isn't worth hearing about repeatedly unless you're an ugly hater that doesn't want to face facts about yourself personally. DO NOT let that get to you.  I spent months watching, reading, hearing what you said and not being ready. But I am not a hater, besides I love the dickens out of you so I kept on. At any rate, my point is by doing so and with the blessing of you sharing...I am getting control of my life back. Baby steps all be it, but I'm coming back. I feel lots better. Not because I am thinner, but because I am just plain better and slowly getting more control back. I feel better that I control my food and it doesn't control me. I am slowly seeing me for who/what I really am and not all that negative talk all the time. What next? It could be anything. I could get out of this loveless relationship I'm in or maybe even find a way to bring love back to it. Who knows? But I do KNOW this....you my friend are so very responsible for much of this. I take credit for doing it myself. But IDK if I could have done it without you sharing your journey. It helped like flip a switch in my brain. I am not you by any means. But because of you I am a better me. I may not have articulated how I truly feel very well, but I think you might get it. So please girl, don't take it away from me because of some folks that haven't been saved can't handle the truth about themselves. I'm serious, and I can't imagine my life is the only life you've touched so deeply. Maybe our friendship has made your story hit home a little harder than if you were a stranger to me, IDK what ever it is.... You are amazing and you let me know I can be amazing too." xoxoxo ♥♥ 

There's lots of positive stuff going on in September and based on my already full calendar. I have a funny suspicion, dare I say, September may trump August. I'm so very excited about sharing my story with more and more people and inspiring folks to action.  September 2011 will be sensational!

Believe

People are going to say all sorts of things about you - good and bad. People will think what they think about you - good and bad. That's just life. It's human nature -- I guess. Throughout this journey and in life I've met plenty of folks who have had words of advice for me. Plenty of folks who have doubted me. Last summer, I was working with someone who told me that I was too worried about blogging and needed to focus more on myself if I wanted to get the weight off - read earlier post, "Do You."  Where would I be if I would have listened to her? Not on the front page of The Columbian, live on AM Northwest, and certainly not writing this blog post. Thank goodness, I believed in what I was doing and kept pursuing blogging.

When I was hit by a car and suffered a fractured Tibia in February of this year some folks around me gave up on me. I'm sure, they thought I wouldn't rehab my leg and doubted I could continue to lose weight. My physical therapist said it's unheard of to not gain any weight while rehabbing a fractured leg. Again, within 6 1/2 months I've completely rehabbed a fractured Tibia, remained positive, and lost 15 lbs. How? Because I believe in myself. No matter what others think of me or what they say about me. I know within myself I can do anything I set my mind to.  This battle is mine and mine alone so outside forces and people don't rattle me.

I'm not saying I don't take others advice. Surely, I do, but I take what folks say with a grain of salt. If the information or advice is reasonable, applicable I use it. Otherwise, it's just someone else's opinion. At the end of the day. Everyday, I believe in myself - that is unwavering.

Celebrating!

Tomorrow's my 39th birthday as I reflect, it's been quite a year. I have so many reasons to celebrate!

• A beautiful daughter
• Wonderful parents and family
• Positive, supportive, loving friends
• I rehabbed a fractured tibia and did NOT gain a single pound - lost 10 
• A successful blog with the best followers
• A bright future in public speaking or wherever the path leads me
• And, of course, my health! To date, I've lost 170 lbs. and counting... I feel great!

This weekend, I'm going to let my hair down. It's time to partay!

Lights! Camera! Action!

Wonderful people,

So much has happened since the inception of Farewell Fatso! -- just over a year ago. And, things have really picked up in the past month: My weight loss success story made front page of The Columbian, I made my motivational speaking debut, blog traffic has increased, and today I'll appear live on AM NW.

I can honestly say when I started blogging I never knew what it would become other than a place for me to rant and rave. Never did I imagine it would come to this. This has become about motivating, inspiring, encouraging, and helping others. This has been an amazing journey -- and, ironically it's not so much about what I've lost, but instead it's about EVERYTHING I've gained. In the midst of losing 170 lbs. I've become a confident, vibrant, fit, woman who has a huge network of supportive, positive people rooting for me. I'm honored, humbled, proud, and tickled pink.

Enough with the sentiment, I have to get to the studio. See you in a little bit.

Much love,

Chrisetta

The weight is over

Lovin' life!

Good news, at last! The weight is over I've finally broke the latest plateau. The scale is heading in the right direction - 2 lbs. Phew. It's been at least six weeks, I think maybe longer.  I'm ecstatic about the weight loss, but more importantly I'm happy about the way I feel! I feel freaking amazing.

Non-weight related milestones:

• Last week, I successfully made it to the gym five (5)days - first time since accident/surgery
• I OWN the bike
• I really, really dialed in on my diet 
• I didn't allow myself to become discouraged -- I stayed focused with a positive, this too shall pass attitude