Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - Jacqui's Singing a Brand New Song!

I have a confession to make...I REALLY, REALLY relate to Jacqui.  In a way, she could be my long lost sister.

No, I didn't start out at 355 pounds like she did, but I still know the feelings that got her there very well.  The feeling that you're letting people down because of your weight.  Being so scared you quit on something when you've barely gotten started.  Having setbacks earlier in your life that still haunt you well into adulthood.  And being frustrated whenever you try to overcome all of this.

Now Jacqui was assaulted as a teenager, and thankfully that's something I cannot relate to.  But I can see where that made her want to add layers of protection to her body.  I did that myself as I grew up, being hurt over and over again by classmates and trying to eat away the pain - even though that only made it worse.  Other than my parents, it seemed nobody believed in me or my dreams. I was shot down anytime I tried to stand up for myself.  And when it came down to it, my parents wanted to protect their only child from being hurt, so they urged me to get a "real" job and forget about singing and songwriting.  I know they were only trying to do their best to look out for me, but they projected a lot of fears onto me about doing the "secure" things in life to keep me "safe".

Now this path I've been on has led to many blessings, like meeting my husband and having my son.  I did my best wherever I was.  But something was always missing - something I tried to replace with food.  At one point I lost all of the weight, but when my mom got sick and then passed away I ate away the pain again.  And ever since then I've struggled...sometimes moving forward, sometimes taking a step backward.

So of course when I found out Jacqui was a singer who was too nervous to get on stage because of her weight I saw even more of myself in her.  You HAVE to pursue what you really love in life - your passions: not the ones of your friends, relatives, or anyone else.  It's taken me a long time to get to the point where that is what I'm doing.  Trying to follow everyone else's "rules" only made me anxious and depressed...which made me eat lots of sugar and fast food for temporary relief.  Until the point, that is, when I had to take charge, learning to balance family and personal repsonsibilities with pursuing my passions and pushing away the negativity.

Chris helped Jacqui overcome her fears - fitness and music wise.  She lost 207 pounds. She is like a whole new person; the person she was always meant to be is finally coming out.  And once she got started, there was no stopping her!

I know I still have my days when I struggle trying to balance it all and still have quite a bit of weight to lose...but I'm getting there.  I'm writing songs, singing whenever I can and writing articles, along with the novels I hope to soon have published. 

Nobody said it would be easy - but it will be worth it.  And with a role model like Jacqui, there's no way I can go wrong!

Biggest Loser Makeovers - Cinderella Style!!!

Makeover time!!! Other than finale, this is usually everyone's favorite week. The contestants still on the ranch get the royal treatment...haircuts, visits from family members, and a chance to wear something spectacular and see themselves in clothes that are not purely for sweating and treadmill workouts.

Season 11 did not disappoint. Even though a couple of the makeovers were revealed a few days early in US Weekly, seeing them on the episode surpassed that...because the picture is only part of the story. Seeing the reactions of the families and the contestants themselves is even better!

It was great seeing Austin finally get his hair cut...still curly, but now you can see the handsome, happy face under the mane. His mom and Jay's son had reactions that made me cry uncontrollably, as you could feel the pride they had right through the TV screen. Jay looks at least 15 years younger now! Hannah's dad also got to me. She looked gorgeous in her mermaid gown; it was strange seeing her as a blonde but it looks great on her.

Two makeovers got to me the more than the others. Irene looked amazing and very much like a princess. She told Tim Gunn that she had forgotten how much she loved the princess stuff and dressing up. When she got heavy she dressed for comfort and stopped bothering, and now her sense of style has been reawakened. Since I've started losing weight, my love of fashion has come back and I always try to look my best. If you've been in the same rut, try some new makeup and flattering clothes or jewelry. It will do wonders for your self-confidence!

The makeover that REALLY got to me was Olivia's. She is an opera singer, but always had the sidekick roles because of her weight. She never got to be the ingenue - it was always a witch or some other non-lead role. Well, not only does she look great in her BL makeover gown, she can wear beautiful opera gowns and go for those lead roles! (And how great does her husband Ben look? He lost a lot of weight too!) I am a singer who always let my weight hold me back. I don't sing opera, but Broadway/pop/country...right now kareoke is my stage, but I'm ready to get out there and belt some tunes on a bigger stage! I bet there are other singers out there who can relate! Then Olivia hit her 100 pound goal on the scale and sang as promised. What a gorgeous voice! Everyone cried, including Bob. Even now I'm tearing up, thinking about Olivia finally getting the roles she deserves. She has inspired me more than she can ever know.

My other favorite moment came when Fairy Godfather Tim Gunn waved his magic wand and made the yellow line disappear. Nobody had to go home! Makeover Week is such a positive experience, and it was nice to end it on a high note. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to send the Fabulous Fast Five to the Royal Wedding...but then they might have upstaged the bride and groom!

What was your favorite part of Makeover Week? Who did you relate to the most? Please share your thoughts! :o)

Christmas Fitness...and Caroling!

It's been a really busy week, but a lot of fun. I still kept up with my December plan, and hope I get extra fitness points for fighting the crowds on Saturday to finish my shopping. What a zoo! I usually am done well ahead of December 18th, but with money being tight we have to buy a little at a time when the funds come in. I'm finally done...even with my grocery shopping! I started baking already, but have more to do during the week. Luckily I love to bake, so I will crank up the music and have at it!

Speaking of music, I did something I haven't done in years...got up to sing in front of a bunch of people. You may remember that being one of the goals on my list from earlier this year. It was kareoke, but still it was all me singing. We did some Christmas carols along with other songs, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's time to get out there and start singing again...besides just at home or in my car. I will be back again next Sunday for more!

Today was weigh-in day, and I lost .8 pounds. Not quite a pound but still good for the holiday season. I've lost 4.4 pounds so far for December, when in the past I would usually gain, or stay the same if I was lucky. I have some other exciting news on the fitness front that I will share with you shortly, but for now let's all enjoy the week leading up to Christmas!