2013 YEAR IN REVIEW.

" Let us leave behind sadness regrets and painful moments and have a new start full of joy this New Year."

I don't know about you but 2013 was one heck of a year for me.  Every so often I think it's important for us all to have life reviews. Looking at what you've achieved and what you want to achieve in the short, medium and long term, your hopes and dreams as well as your fears.

Weight Loss

 This was a tough year emotionally. The forces around me did not  help me get to my goal. In fact I gained some weight back. Being an emotional eater does not help my weight loss goals when I have so much stress. But who does not have stress in their life? This is something that this year I am willing to work at a little harder. Stress does not mean we need to turn to food, it means that I need to be more in control of my body. I am planning to work on my feelings so I will not turn to food.

My Marriage

This past year I learned that I have a solid marriage. No matter how much opposition and hurt people put Dean and I through, they won't brake us. I have the greatest respect and love for my sweet husband. He is an amazing man, with a heart of gold. The world may judge him, but at the end of the day I know the real Dean! He is always welling to turn the other cheek even when he has been betrayed by those who claim to be his family! I am glad we found each other and that our love was sealed for eternity.

http://www.lds.org/church/temples/salt-lake?lang=eng

Social Media

Facebook has been a real blessing in my life. I am able to connect with so many family members all over the world. Also I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people through my page "Fat talk. Losing 300 Pounds". I have now over 10,000 followers that at times have lift me up when I have felt like giving up. I have received so many beautiful heart felt messages, but at the same time I have also received some that are not so nice. Some people  think just because they follow me a week or two on my weight loss journey, that they know me! and they pass judgement  on me and  think that they have the right to do it!. However I know if I am doing something right I will always  have opposition!so I might be doing something right! If I can give hope to one morbidly obese  person  somewhere out there, my mission is complete.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Talk-Losing-300-Pounds/361956407216237

Education

Being back in university has been a real challenge for me. Specially when I am much older than some of the students. Some of these students can be my children!!lol. Getting my brain to work and my mind to think again has been tough. I find myself  lost in campus  and pretending to look like I know where I am going, but I know slowly I will get the hag of it!! I know with Determination, Persistence and Patience I can accomplish anything.

http://www.suu.edu/general/

Faith

 As most of you know I believe that with out God we are nothing! We need him in our lives. This past year I learned to exercise my faith. When I can't change a situation the best thing to do is leave my worries at the Savior feet! but that itself is hard. So many times I leave my worries at his feet and few days later I take them back. I need to learn to trust him and that is something I will work on this New Year.

Kasper

 This little furry friend continues to fill my life with so much joy and never ending love. He brings laughter, fun, wet kisses and tears to my life. I am so thankful for him. I see how the simplest things bring him joy. He is my anti depressant. When ever I feel down all I have to do is hug him and I feel better. He continues to be my ray of sunshine. I am so glad Dean rescued him.

My new goals for this new year are to love more, endure more, be thankful more. Have more determination, patience. And focus on my weight loss.

What are your goals for 2014?

Did You Just Say...Chris Powell?

“Before you can make a dream come true,  you must first have one"

I love this book by Chris

 

Almost one year ago at the end of this month I decided to start a Facebook page to give hope to those that are morbidly obese.  As soon as I posted my first weight loss tip I began to have followers . I became instant friends with some but with some not so much.
 I have met some friends for life on my facebook page but it was not always like that at the beginning.
Thomas was one of my followers that would always  leave his comments on most of my posts . I remember thinking ...“This guy thinks he is an expert on everything!”. That was then. I do not think like that about him  anymore, in fact  we have  become good friends and I think he is a great guy.  I know now that Thomas Yang knows a lot about fitness and Nutrition, and all he wants to do is make people  be aware of  it ! https://www.facebook.com/emergencyfit in fact Thomas Yang has a Bachelors in Physiology and he is working on his Masters in Kinesiology and he has a passion for fitness.
 

So you are probably asking yourself, how Thomas Yang and with Chris Powell are connected with this post?  It all began  about a year ago  when I shared with Thomas that one of my dreams was to have an autograph picture from the amazing Chris Powell.!.  Thomas told me that Chris lives in Arizona and he did too! One day  Thomas said to me…”You never know I might meet him one day!” I made my friend made me a promise..it went something like this....  “Promised me if you ever meet him you will get an autograph picture of him for me!” and Thomas being the caring guy he is ..he said “Of course I would !” I remember thinking “This will never happen. Who am I kidding!!
 

A year later I moved to Utah to attend university, and of course I kept thinking to myself.” I am closer that I will ever be to Chris Powell, he is in Arizona I am in Utah!!. One day I received a message from Thomas telling me, he had been picked to be in the Extreme weight Loss show with Chris Powell! I almost fell off my chair, but  he said  “I am not sure if I will get to meet him or even talk to him”. Few months later Thomas was off to California to be part of the show!!  I remember feeling excited for him but nerves at the same time!

 

My friend Thomas and Chris Powell

 One afternoon I got home from university and I turned my computer on and checked facebook  Thomas had sent me a message  “Haven’t you seen your facebook  yet?” I quickly clicked on my page and saw Chris face! Then I realized I had to click on play!!! I was wondering what in the world was going on?!!! And I heard Chris voice that  said "Marjorie!!...that is all I remember.. I started to scream  from the top of my lungs..my husband quickly came to my room that I use as a study room and asked  what was wrong,.! I could not even speak. I was crying, jumping, laughing, screaming all at the same time!! I pressed play again and began to listen to the video message Chris Powell had sent me..

OMG!I was in cloud nine!! I played the video over and over and over, I felt like a little girl at Christmas time!. I thought to myself. How many people would kill to have a personal video message from the amazing Chris Powell? I then realized that I  had worked very  hard to lose  190  pounds.  I deserved this gift!

 

 

 

 

       Below is the video message I received from Chris Powell!!!

 

I feel that Chris is one of the most compassionate and understanding  people in the weight loss industry. When I watch his show I see the emotion and compassion that he has for the people he helps. He always touches me beyond belief! and I still hope that one day I will get to  meet him.
I absolutely adore him!!

 

 Keep dreaming everyone...I know sooner or later dreams do come true!

Kasper has taught me life's greatest lessons!

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before us!"

~~~ Robert Stevenson~~~

 

Two years ago Kasper came into our lives... This little white furry friend has taught me the greatest lessons ever!!

On July 7, 2011 my husband( Dean) rescued Kasper. At that time in my life I was not happy with the idea of bringing him home  because, only few months prior to Kasper coming  to our home our precious   little Diego had passed away very unexpectedly and my life  had changed forever.

My father in law was found dead and Kasper was his dog. When the police told Dean that there were signs of a dog in the house, we started to look for him every single day. He was no where to be found! We came to the conclusion that Kasper had taken off. We thought that perhaps my father in law had left the door opened.

 We made trips to the house every single day sometimes twice in one day.

On the 23rd day of going to the house we saw kasper for the first time!. Yes this little white dog was alive! He survived  for 23 days without water or food and he was all alone.

 

He survived by eating paper and drinking his own urine.  He spent days hiding from summer storms all alone in the dark. He never gave up! He fought until he was found.

When Dean brought him to our house he was scared of his own shadow. Afraid of everything even the sound of a light switch. He would spent most of his time in his kennel and did not bark  all. He would cry a lot and had such sad eyes! It broke my heart:(

 I remember Dean telling me that "All we have to do is give him love and he will come around!" My husband was right! He is now a different dog, full of life and happy to be alive. He is not afraid anymore.

 I would like to share this video that Dean made of Kasper it was the  first time he experienced the rain. I can not help but to cry as I watch this video. He has come a long ways from the first time he walked into our home.

 

 

 The lessons that Kasper has taught me are many but the two things I have learned are no matter how I feel about my weight loss journey or what others think of me, I can't never give up and I need to continue pushing forward. I know there will be storms along the way, days that I will not make healthy choices, days that I will feel unworthy to take care of my body, but I can not let anything get in the way of a healthier me. Kasper has taught me to BELIEVE in me! Our little Kasper was a warrior an example of endurance and I will be forever grateful to what he has taught me. He is my miracle and he inspires me to keep pushing forward.

If you are ever feeling like giving up through your own storms of your life, just think of my little Kasper how he NEVER gave up. He fought  until he was found.

Lets all continue to believe that we are worthy of having a healthy and fit body.

 

"BELIEVE WHILE OTHERS ARE DOUBTING"

 

 

 

 

I AM BACK!

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

~Confucius~

197 POUNDS GONE!!

Hello everyone..It has been a long time since I was last here, but finally I am back. I had to deactivate my blog account due to some harassment I was receiving.  To say the least life has been very interesting.
All is well now...!! and I am happy to report to all of you that I am still continuing  on my weight loss journey.
It has been a struggle, but I know that as long as I don't give up I will be okay! You are all probably wondering how much I have lost.......(drum roll please..!!!) 197 pounds.
First of all my husband and hairy son (kasper our puppy) have move to Utah, USA to attend university!!! yes we are miles away from home...(a big no no for me).. I have missed my dear family so much and as you know I am an emotional eater!! so my weight has been up and down, however I will not give up!.

Dean and I left Canada, at the end of  December. We drove 21 hours with our puppy. To say the least our trip was full of excitement and trials, but after a week we left  our home back in Moose Jaw, we crossed the border! (hallelujah)!
When we arrived Cedar city http://www.utah.com/cedarcity/ 
Dean asked me .."So honey what do you think of Cedar city?"I looked at him and started to cry. I told him I miss home!!! Everything seemed so different from back home and just knowing I was so far from my mama,and family it just broke my heart. I can honestly say that I am starting to enjoy it here more each day.



 Here are my two boys 5 days after we arrived in Cedar city. We were going for a walk! January 2013.

Thank God for the Internet, face time, texts, phone calls, emails, oh and of course Facebook!!! I often wonder how people used to be apart from their families and not have the technology we have today!..Anyways Dean and I talk to my family everyday either on the phone or via Internet. My sweet mom came to see us in March for one week and that was the best birthday gift any girl could ask for!! My mom is not doing to well, she has Lupus and most of the time she is in a lot of pain, so having her here was an amazing gift to Dean and I.



 While my mama was visiting we did a lot of shopping. Here we are at Walmart..


 Dean and have met some wonderful people that have become like family already. Americans are very friendly people, at least here in Utah they are. 
 Well my friends I will continue writing this coming week. Hope you can visit my facebook page. I have over 8,000 followers! My page is "Fat talk. losing 300 pounds

                           Remember to think healthy!



" I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”

~Maya Angelou~

 It has been few months that I have not been here! ( I am sorry!) Life gets better and better as I lose the weight. I wanted to share with you all that few months ago I received a call from my Doctor informing me that 2 years ago when I began my weight loss journey my body mass was 78%. Can you believe that? That is crazy! And so sad! But he informed me that now my body mass is of 43 %!!! I was so happy to hear that and to know that each day I am getting closer to my goal and becoming healthier!. Honestly losing a lot of this weight has truly giving me my life back. Two years ago I had forgotten how it felt to be truly happy and to enjoy life. I was a slave to my own body.

At the end of July I flew to Vancouver, British Columbia and I did not need a seat belt extension (hooray for me!!) I was sooooo happy! I was able to enjoy my visit with my cousins since I have so much more energy. 

This past September my husband and I traveled to Edmonton Alberta and we visited the Edmonton mall, and amazing mall. This mall size is equivalent 48 city blocks with more than 800 stores it would take three 24 hours days to visit each one once. http://www.wem.ca/#/about-wem/facts Our first day there we walk with my husband for 8 hours only stopping for a break to have supper!!  Two years ago this was only a dream, now I made it a reality! We visited the mall for three days and we walked, and Walked and did some more walking.  I absolutely love shopping now.

I got a kiss from the Sea Lion!! Knowing that I was able to walk, for hours made me so happy!

 


 Last month my husband and I visited Calgary, Alberta. My body strength was tested to the limit. I learned in that trip that my body is capable of a lot, if I only believe that I can. Now in my life I feel like smiling more and I actually enjoy meeting people, something I never did enjoyed before when I was heavier. I would like to tell the whole world that hard work and determination pays off.

     

 This picture was taken at my favorite store. This day I had walked for about 6 hours.
 

My mission now is reaching out to those that have walked in my shoes, those that think there is no hope. I will like to show them that if I can lose almost 200 pounds so can they! I am looking forward to my next 100 pound loss.

I will like to invite all of you to join me in my facebook page that I started 2 months ago, to help anyone that is morbidly obese.

My page’s name is :
“FAT TALK. LOSING 300 POUNDS” all you have to do is click on “LIKE” and you will
 follow my journey closely.

I will leave you with thought. "I think I can, I think I can" Said the Engine that could!

Never give up!!! Almost 200 pound loss.

"2 YEARS= HAPPINESS"

" I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday"

It has been 2 years since I began my weight loss journey. When I look back I see a girl that was mentally, physically and spiritually broken. I had lost hope and faith in myself. I was dying!

Now after 2 years and losing 191 pounds I no longer feel a slave to my own body. This journey has not been easy but it has been so worth it. Not everything has been how I planned to be, and I have had some small setbacks; such gaining few pounds here and there but I also know that Rome was not built over night, and as long as I keep pushing forward and believing that I can do this, and never give up, that is all that matters and at the end of the day I answer to only Me “Marjorie” no one else!
Throughout this journey I have learn that each of us must take responsibility for our own bodies and stop blaming others for our own choices. I have also learn that each day, each breath I take is a gift that I should not take for granted  and that I will not have perfect weeks every week.
I have to take this time to thank all my blog readers for giving me strength and for believing that I will get to my goal. When all is set and done I will have lost 300 pounds!!!! I cannot wait for that dayJ
Through this journey I have met so many wonderful people that I would have never met if I would have not started this journey. Some have picked me up when I was having a bad day, some have just been there to listen and some have cheered me along my journey.  I must publicly thank my awesome husband who is my biggest fan, who celebrates with me no matter if I lose weight or not.



 I am the happiest I have ever been. I am finally getting my life back!

Let's work together and take control of our bodies. What are you going to do to fight and beat this obesity?

 Don't ever stop believing that you can not lose weight!

" The Truth But Nothing But The Truth"

“ Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth!”

On a few occasions I have heard comments like “ You have to be taking diet  pills there

is no way you can do this on your own!”. Another comment I have heard is that I went out of

the province and had Gastric Bypass surgery. These two comments are the furthest thing

from the truth! My weight loss has been driven by sheer determination and desire for a

healthier and happier life.

I personally do not believe in any type of weight loss surgery or diet products including

Pills or shakes.. I was taught that success comes through hard work and that is exactly what I have

done and continue to do. I still have a long ways to go but I know I will get there. I know and I am aware that there are people out there that will try to take me down or in other words will try to brake my spirit., But I say to those people... It will not work!!! Nothing and noone will stop me from getting my wings back. The harder they try the harder I will push myself forward!

 That was then ...this is now.. 191 pounds down.

Below are few reasons why I don’t believe in diet pills and having the gastric bypass surgery.

·            Incisions my become infected

·        Bleeding

·        Abdominal surgery may cause complications related to your heart and lungs

·        Hernias may result at incision site

·        There is a chance that sutures will be rejected

·        Adhesions may result in obstructed or blocked intestines

·        Leakage of fluid from the stomach or intestine through the staples Injury spleen.

·        The formation of ulcers in the stomach or small intestine

·        Sweating or heart palpitations due to low blood sugar.

·        Hair loss

·        Vitamin deficiency

·        Abdominal cramps shortly after eating certain types of foods.

• Insomnia
• High Blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision
• Profuse sweating
• Vomiting
• Stomach pains.

 This journey has been tough and very challanging but I would not change it for the world.. It has been so worth it. And I will continue to move forward! I leave you with a question... What are you going to do today to make your body healthier?

Are we still friends?

" Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact"

Hello, my blog friends! Or are you still my friends, seeing as how I haven’t posted here forever… To say the last couple of months have been crazy would be an incredible underestimate. Here is a brief summary of our time apart:

 186 Pounds down. Victorian Bridal Tea Party.

* I am only 14 pounds away from my 200 pound loss.

*I turned 44 years old back in March., and I had every reason to celebrate. I had 3 different birthday celebrations!!!

*I have discovered that I love Kasper has much, as I loved Diego. When Diego passed away I never thought I could love a puppy again, but I am goo-goo over Kasper. And he keeps me on my toes.

* We welcomed into our family our great niece, Sofia. She absolutely beautiful.

*I can actually walk 3 miles and not feel like I am going to die!

* I stop using food for comfort and simply use it to fuel my body.

* I have discovered that exercise is a vital part of my daily life.

* I have now gone from size plus 6x to 1x or 2x!!!!

*I love shopping and buying things for myself, something I never did  when I was morbidly obese.

*My parents renewed their wedding vows. I was able to dance with my husband and feel beautiful something I had not done or felt for over 17 years!!!

 I can honestly say that even though I have long ways to go, every time that I lose 1 pound or even half a pound I feel better and better… I know with out a question, that I am definitely getting my wings back!

 Is my dream once I reach my 200-pound loss, to have all my family and friends where ever they may be to celebrate with me.  I would love to organize a walk and have everyone walking to celebrate a healthier future!  I will like to invite you to join me that day.

Who will join me?

"Chocolate= The Sinful Treat!"

“Remember the days when you let your child have some chocolate if he finished his cereal? Now, chocolate is one of the cereals.”
    

Chocolate is one thing that very few people can actually resist and those who do it too, know very well how hard it is to keep away from temptation. Did you know that 99 of women love chocolate, as it makes them feel loved and special?. It tastes great as it melts in your mouth.

Just walk away!

 I used to look so forward to Easter sales, when chocolate is sold for less than half of its price. And when ever I felt unhappy I would reach for my chocolate that usually  felt like it was calling my name!.  Now I have changed my way of thinking., I think of chocolate as a "LUXURY TREAT"... I have always said that who ever invented chocolate is a genius! You might think the same way I do, but with that being said  it's important to remember not to overindulge in chocolate. It does contain high amounts of saturated fats and sugars that can cause obesity .,and will not help us move forward in losing the extra weight we are carrying. You might be wondering if I eat chocolate?!. I have now in my freezer chocolate that was given to me a year an half ago!!!. My sister was in Europe, and brought me a chocolate bunny from the Liddell's  chocolate factory, and my parents brought me a bar of chocolate all the way from my beautiful city in Vina Del Mar, Chile. I look chocolate with a different perspective now, and I ask my self this question. Is this piece of chocolate going to help nature my body or destroy it?.. You can answer that question and if is nature, then you should  have one little square and if the answer is destroy my body then you just walk away!



 I have now lost 182 pounds!!!

I still love Easter, for the simple reason that makes children and adults a little happier,. specially when they eat their chocolates! You are probably wondering if I will have any chocolate this weekend?. Yes... I will have 2 little Hershey kisses and then walk away!.The greatest feeling that I have in me this Easter, is  knowing I am in control of my body!!!. I will leave you with a piece of inspiration:
" The most important weight loss muscle is your brain. Change your mind you will change your body"

"LET'S BEAT THIS OBESITY!!"









"Habits Will Make You or Brake You"

“Habit is either the best of servants, or the worst of masters.”

How many of us have bad habits?

I am sure most of you have been   wondering where I have been! I am trying to be more diligent and get in the habit to write more often in my blog, but I guess I have not been very successful at it.

I believe that our habits can makes or break us.  We can get in the habit to be happy, nature our bodies make healthier choices or we can get in the habit to  feel sorry for our selves and find excuses not to take care of our bodies.  So many of us have spent or will spend money on gym memberships, workout equipments, exercise DVD’s, diet books and weight loss programs. But I believe that we must create new habits or none of these investments will last and none will give us the results we want.

I know from my own experience that learning how to create good habits is the first step in any life-changing journey. I am the first one to admit that some habits come more naturally than others. One of the habits that I am working on is to make my exercise routine a priority in my life. I absolutely know with out a doubt that if I get in the habit of inviting my favourite trainer Bob Harper into my living room every single day and go to the walking track at least 3 times a week I would be  more successful on my weight loss journey.  I know that by creating this habit at the end of the day I will be the happiest since I will become stronger and healthier.

I know that a lot of my new habits have helped me to be the happiest at this moment in my life and no longer feel like I am chain to my own body!. I too like many of you need to work in creating better habits but I am thankful for the onces I have created, which I feel they have giving me my life back. I have no doubt that someday I will be able to say I did it and cross the finish line!

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I finally got my hands on Men's Fitness magazine. My trainer Bob Harper was on cover!

I absolutely love Bob Harper..He has helped me get my life back!

I want to share with you my readers something  my husband shared with me from one of his books called “ Success for Dummies” by  Zig Zinglar.

“ I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward and upward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Ninety percent of the things you do might just as well be turned over me, and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed, show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do them automatically. I am the servant of all great people and, alas!  of all failures as well. I am not a machine, tough I work with all the precision of a machine, plus the intelligence of man. You can run me for profit or run me for ruin- it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. Who  am I? I am Habit.”

I believe that all of us are born to be the best we can be and make the best our of our lives. So lets all create new habits! Remember that good habits must be grabbed firmly and with strong commitment.

 “It’s not what you do once in a while, it’s what you do day in and day out that makes the difference”.