My personal fitness journey

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It’s taken me years to get to where I am today and I still have some weight to lose; but every time I see an old picture of myself I’m reminded of what I’ve accomplished!

I was pretty obese after my last pregnancy-over 250 pounds-and I didn’t know what to do to lose the weight. I was so depressed and miserable and fat! I had always been skinny in my teenage years so I knew nothing about exercising or nutrition.

After my baby turned 1 years old I started getting more involved with exercising by reading up on things in magazine and online. I joined a local boot camp but failed miserably because I couldn’t run and I couldn’t do any of the exercises without being in pain. It was so discouraging. I even tried to walk a local 5k race and couldn’t do that either.

My mom told me about Leslie Sansone fitness walking DVDs so I started doing those. My goal was to do 15 mins a couple of times a week without being in pain or having asthma issues. I knew I needed to start somewhere and I kept wanting to do big things but failed because I wasn’t consistent.

So I started with 15 mins and kept working up to longer minutes at a time and more days a week. I would set personal weekly and monthly goals. I would follow a fitness calendar so I always knew ahead of time what workouts I would do.

That’s why I’m so big into helping other moms and why I try to encourage small, consistent types of healthy behavior. I’ve been there! I know what it’s like!

Since that time I’ve lost over 85 pounds, I’ve done a half marathon, a 10k, several 5ks, obstacle races, I lead a weekly local noexcusemom fitness group, and I can exercise for more than 60 mins at a time 6 days a week doing intermediate and advanced programs.
Currently I’m trying to really focus on my nutrition so I can lose some more weight and have better digestion.

I never share any of my pictures or experiences to brag. I share them in hopes that I can encourage and inspire other women and moms! I always want my online friends and women’s group to know they can come to me for any support or questions. I never want another mom to feel hopeless and discouraged as I felt.

I appreciate all of you! I love chatting with all my online friends and finding encouragement and support from you as well!

Just remember as we continue through this holiday season, to make smart healthy choices. Continue with your exercising and eating smaller portions. And if you haven’t been doing that I encourage you to start today. Start small and be consistent! And let me know how I can help you!

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Save up to 60% on select #OrigamiOwl Customized Jewelry on Black Friday Nov 27th!

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We’re putting the “YAY” in Black Friday this year with some sweet savings!

Save up to 60% on some of our BEST deals EVER!

Available Black Friday ONLY (Friday, November 27) from 12 a.m. (CST) until 11:59 p.m. (CST)!!!!

Plus, customers will get FREE {standard ground} SHIPPING on orders $50+ through Monday, November 30 at 11:59 p.m. (CST)!

SHOP HERE: https://rdevaughn4.origamiowl.com/

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Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) free advent calendar & more!

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What’s on your children’s Christmas wish list? As excited as they might be about that new toy, as every parent knows, the thrill of the gift will eventually wear off. Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey have created the perfect gift for those who want to give their children or grandchildren a present that will provide year-round fun with eternal impact.

The Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) offers families 24/7 access to 25 years’ worth of Adventures in Odyssey (AIO) episodes in a safe online environment where children can explore and learn. Christmas really is the perfect time to tap into your children’s imagination while infusing faith and fun into their day . . . and every day of the year.

To celebrate the holidays this year, the OAC is offering free content for everyone, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:

  • Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
  • On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
  • 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
  • A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
  • A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

In keeping with AIO’s rich heritage of teaching children about biblical principles — such as the importance of giving — a portion of each OAC membership benefits Focus on the Family partner organizations. Here are a couple of examples of what has been accomplished through Odyssey Adventure Club members:

The Odyssey Adventure Club wants to reach beyond fleeting entertainment this Christmas, partnering with parents in helping their kids grow deep in faith and find their place in God’s story.

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Speaking of the holidays, you can prepare for Christmas with Thriving Family‘s 2015 Advent Activity Calendar — Tales of Christmas Past: 25 Inspiring true stories of the season. Assemble a beautifully designed Advent poster to help your kids focus on Christ this Christmas. Then read Scripture passages and stories that relate to individual flaps on the poster. You can also create easy-to-fold booklets for each story. Get more information about this year’s free Advent calendar at ThrivingFamily.com/Advent, or sign up to download it.

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Julie Klassen’s ‘The Painter’s Daughter’ Coloring Contest

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Grab your colored pencils because Julie Klassen is hosting a coloring contest! Stop by the contest page to download and print The Painter’s Daughter coloring page and channel your inner artist. One master colorist will receive a signed copy of The Painter’s Daughter, two grown-up coloring books (Enchanting English Garden and Live Loved), and a set of 24 Prismacolor colored pencils.

Scan and email your entry to Amy Green with the subject line “The Painter’s Daughter Coloring Contest” to enter the first round of judging by December 8. Then stop by Julie’s Facebook page beginning December 10 to vote for your favorite (and tell your friends to vote, too)! The winner will be announced at Julie’s Facebook event on December 15 at 7 p.m. CST. Ready? Set. Color!

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“21 days before Thanksgiving” Leslie Sansone fitness walking challenge – day 9-21 recap

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I completed the “21 days before Thanksgiving” walking challenge with Leslie Sansone this past Saturday! I didn’t do as well during the second and third week, but I completed most of the days.

I’ve posted below the daily walking assignment and what DVD I used that day for the challenge. I thought it would be fun to use a different Leslie Sansone dvd for every day of the challenge since I have a pretty large collection of them. 🙂

Day 9-Monday, November 9:
4 Mile Walk / 60 min walk / 8,000 steps
I did the 4 miles punch up your walk dvd with the hand weights
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Day 10-Tuesday, November 10:
2 Mile Walk / 30 min walk / 4,000 steps
I did 2 miles from the Miracle Miles set
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Day 11-Wednesday, November 11:
3 Mile Walk / 45 min walk / 6,000 steps
MISSED

Day 12-Thursday, November 12:
1 Mile Walk / 15 min walk / 2,000 steps
AND
Day 13-Friday, November 13:
2 mile Walk / 30 min walk / 4,000 steps
I combined two days and did a 3 mile bootcamp dvd with 2 different bands
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Day 14-Saturday, November 14:
5 mile walk / 75 min walk / 10,000 steps
MISSED

Day 15-Sunday, November 15
1 mile walk / 15 min walk / 2,000 steps
I did 1 mile from the Miracle Miles set
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Day 16-Monday, November 16
4 mile walk / 60 min walk / 8,000 steps
I did 4 miles from the Miracle Miles set
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Day 17-Tuesday, November 17
1 mile walk / 15 min walk / 2,000 steps
I did 1 Happy mile from Leslie’s youtube channel
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Day 18-Wednesday, November 18
2 mile walk / 30 min walk / 4,000 steps
I did 30 min Big Burn segment from this dvd
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Day 19-Thursday, November 19
3 mile walk / 45 min walk / 6,000 steps
AND
Day 20-Friday, November 20
1 mile walk / 15 min walk / 2,000 steps
I combined two days together and did 3 mile calorie blast dvd with walk belt, and then 1 mile mini walk
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Day 21-Saturday, November 21
5 mile walk / 75 min walk / 10,000 steps
LAST DAY! I did the brand new 5 Boosted Miles dvd
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Details about the walk challenge-read here:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/10/leslie-sansone-21-days-before-thanksgiving-free-walk-challenge.html

How did you do during this 21 day challenge? Were you able to complete most or all of the days?

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