Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - Nyla Salsas Through Stress to a New Attitude

Boy, did Nyla ever have a rough year for her transformation. 

Luckily for her, she had Chris there to help...he gave her space when she needed it, pushed her as much as he could, and was there for her no matter what.  He even located her father, whom she had never met.

Chris himself even said that this was one of his toughest transformations, because it seemed to be taking Nyla such a long time to "get it".  She had so many mental and emotional blocks to break through that she still cheated with her food choices and didn't always work out to the best of her ability.  She let finanacial and other stress get to her on a regular basis.  Her fears and low self-confidence got her in trouble many times.  She even almost quit more than once.  But she finally decided that working through all of her issues was better than staying stuck where she was, and that staying in her comfort zone was getting her nowhere.

The biggest breakthough came when Chris got the information about Nyla's father.  Unfortunately he had committed suicide in 2010, but she was able to meet all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins - who all embraced her and told her how much her dad wished he'd had his act together so he could be there for his daughters.  This revelation made her feel less abandoned, because she realized he really loved her even though he wasn't present for her.  She also gained support from an entire set of relatives who were so happy to finally be in her life.

It does sometimes take some of us longer than others to "get it".  We are all unique individuals, so we are not all on the exact same timetable in our lives.  God has a plan for each of us, and He will get us there in His perfect timing.  And that timing may be different for me than you, or for you than your best friend, etc.  We all have issues and stresses in our lives that we have to deal with, and we will not all deal with them in the same way.  (And I can certainly say that from experience!)

Now, of course my favorite part of this episode was Nyla's salsa lesson with Tony Dovolani from Dancing With The Stars.  I couldn't help but smile throughout the whole thing for her. I know all about having a passion for dancing. (and, for me, writing about it!)  Nyla's come a long way from the girl who couldn't even open a dance DVD at home to work out...now she even teaches dance fitness classes!

Nyla still did an amazing job in a year's time...from 435 down to 278 is quite an accomplishment and she should be very proud.  And as she said - this is not just a year long journey, it's a LIFE JOURNEY.  There will be ups and downs, but as long as we always keep going and never give up we will get to where we are supposed to be.  Just keep moving forward!!!

Biggest Loser 13 - Comfort Zone, Schmomfort Zone

OK, tonight we're doing the condensed version of a recap - because my sinuses feel like crap and I only want to focus on the positive stuff this week. (Good luck, right? Maybe it won't be that bad!)

Alison took the teams out of their comfort zones by switching their trainers for the week. Jeremy and Conda actually had the advantage here, since they've been there and done that already. But I'm still amazed every time someone has to leave Bob and they totally lose it. I love Bob - but come on everybody...Dolvett is an amazing trainer as well. It's not like you're being told that you have to starve in the desert or train with Bozo the clown instead. Of course the trainers are going to get switched at some point. Deal with it! ;o)

The positives that came out of this switch were Emily's and Buddy's breakthroughs with their new trainers. Emily admitted she gets in her own way sometimes and is scared of change. Let's face it: most of us are. What is it they say about sticking with the devil you know instead of the devil you don't? Dolvett really got her to work through it. No matter what situations we find ourselves in, we have to deal with the change and get through it. It may take some time, but we will get there!

Speaking of situations, Buddy's story of his baby daughter dying broke my heart. I can't even imagine what that had to be like for his family. He opened up to Bob, who made him realize that he is being reborn now himself. Even when things are really dark - there is always light.

Now the ballet class was right up my alley. That was a hoot to watch! It proved that you can get out of your comfort zone and try new things, even if they look scary at first. You might even find a new pastime, or even a new way of life!

Of course there had to be some drama with gameplay and alliances and all of that. Plus there were some really weird numbers (and a very strange vibe) at the weigh-in. I just don't want to focus on that because I've had more than enough drama for one season.

Thankfully, this week there were more positive moments than negative again. (Hmmm...I think I notice a trend here.) See, it wasn't all that bad after all!

And though it stinks that Cassandra went home, she's in New York pursuing her writing dreams and down 90 pounds. You go girl - and you inspire me!!!

And here's hoping and praying that I don't have a sinus infection!!!

Speaking Sleepinese

The other morning, my still tired son got up for school and began to eat his breakfast. As he tried to ask me a question, he said something that made absolutely no sense. I repeated back what he said to me, which made him snap out of it and laugh...asking, "Did I really say that?" Itold him yes, and on the spur of the moment I said he must be speaking another language, which I dubbed "sleepinese". That only made him laugh harder.

As I've thought about my new word since then, I began to realize that many of us speak some form of sleepinese, even if we are wide awake. We continue to say the same things over and over to ourselves...things that make us think that we can't change our lives for the better and that we're stuck in the same place we've always been. We run on autopilot, doing what we've always done because it's all we know, and it's our comfort zone. It feels so much easier to sleepwalk through our lives and speak those words of mediocrity or defeat. We tell ourselves that it would take too much effort to change, we're too old now, or where we are right now is OK...even if deep down we are really sick of being stuck where we are and tired of being unhealthy.

Just as actual sleepwalking can be dangerous, so can speaking sleepinese and continuing in our life ruts. We need to step out in faith, speaking words of health, life, and empowerment. We must ask God for his help...not just praying our usual words without really listening to what we say to Him, but truly speaking to God from our souls and listening for His answers. When you catch yourself saying those words of sleepinese, change them immediately. Ask God lead you to the words that will get you on the path to living a full life, and the courage to put those words into action.

No more sleepwalking through life...it's time to shine, just the way God made us to do!