Inspiration - Courtesy of Kellie Pickler

Inspiration comes in many forms - people, music, dance, writing, and more.

For me, it arrived as all of the above...in the form of a sweet, hard-working, determined Southern lady who faced her fears and insecurities on Dancing With The Stars.

If you've followed Kellie from her early days on American Idol, you already know that she's a sweetheart.  You also know that she didn't have the best childhood growing up - not even close.

Her mother abandoned her.  Her dad was in jail.  Her grandparents raised her, but her grandmother passed away from cancer when Kellie was 15 years old.  She lived in a beautiful small town, but her family did not have much money.

But Kellie persevered, even with all of those possible obstacles.  She rose above the challenges and went for her dreams.  She didn't let the things that life threw at her stop her.

I was reminded of Kellie's heart and determination as she took on Dancing With The Stars this season.  She always has a joke, word of encouragement, and ready smile for everyone watching.  She worked many long hours to learn and perfect all of the dances, including Derek's amazing but challenging choreography.

By the time the finals came around, Kellie also let us see her vulnerable side - the part of her that still felt the pain from her past but wanted to overcome it all.  And I could relate.

I've always been the one who encourages others, finds the humor in a situation, and smiles to get through my challenges.  But I still have a vulnerable side.  I'm learning to show that side a little more often - some people can't handle that I'm not "perfect"  (whatever perfect is supposed to be!) and decide that I'm only good enough for them when I help them.  That's OK...not everyone you meet is supposed to stay in your life forever.  Sometimes they are there just for you to learn a lesson.

Thankfully, there are still plenty of people who understand that we are all human and have issues and challenges to face - that we don't have to be "on" all the time.  That love and friendship is a two-way street and we should support each other through the good AND the bad.

I cried as Kellie and Derek performed their Freestyle.  I could see that she was being very real with all of us.  She let us all the way into her world, and we love her for it.  This is why she is a true champion!

Thank you Kellie, for sharing your heart and soul on the dance floor along with the proper technique.  You taught me (and countless others) that it's OK - no, VITAL - to be yourself  and share who God created you to be. And that hard work and prayer will get you far, no matter what life throws at you.

I'd love to be in the physical shape that Kellie is in...and I'm working on it.  But it's also important to work on that inside beauty, which she has in spades.  This is one lesson I will carry with me every day!

Extreme Makeover or Olympics? No Brainer!

Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition aired a new episode this past Sunday, but I didn't watch.  Yes, I know...I usually don't miss an episode but I had good reason.

The Olympics.

By now you know just how addicted I am to the Olympics, and since they only come around every four years I decided to watch them instead of EMWLE.  I know ABC will re-air the episode; the Olympics only air once and they're done.

Besides, I'm being inspired on a daily basis by determination, perseverance and good sportsmanship.  Athletes coming back after having children, losing 50 pounds and performing better than ever.  Runners competing without legs.  People who fall, yet get back up and keep going.  And athletes who honor each other for their efforts, no matter the results on the scoreboard.

These athletes show us just how much the human body, mind, and spirit can do if we let it happen.  We all have that greatness in us, as the commercials that run during the Games keep reminding us.  We can be motivated past the point of reaching our goal weight - we can go beyond what we ever thought possible.

Thank you to all of the athletes participating in the Olympics for giving us hope and courage to do our own personal best.  Whether you win a medal or not, you rock for showing us what we can be capable of if we put our minds to achieving it. You all deserve an award - just for being the best you can be!

Biggest Loser: Determination To The Max, and Never Giving Up!

This week's Biggest Loser had an unusual twist...everyone was given the chance to be the first one to lose 2% of his or her body weight to win immunity for the week. Whenever someone felt ready to weigh in early and claim that prize, they had to press a red button to sound the alarm and give them access to the scale. Some of the players were determined to be the one, and worked extra hard to get there. Sam, Koli, and Melissa all got up in the middle of the night to work out in the gym in order to reach their goals.

Victoria was the first person to press the button, but she did not reach her 2% goal. Sam was the next one to go for it, and not only did he reach his goal...he surpassed it! He needed to lose 6 pounds for the immunity, but found that he had lost 10 pounds, and it was only part way through the week. He got immunity, which was extra sweet after being below the yellow line the week before.

When the rest of the players got to the regular weigh in, there were a few surprises as some of the contestants registered small losses for the week. They all knew they worked just as hard as they always do, and in some cases even harder than before. Andrea was especially despondent, wondering aloud why she was even bothering to try when she only saw a 2 pound loss. Jillian and Bob told her that they would not allow her to get into that frame of mind...she should be thinking about how far she has already come, and that some weeks are just like that. You never, ever give up!

Melissa also had trouble with the scale, even after all of her extra gym sessions. She wound up being sent home, but took away all of the positive things she learned on the ranch. Her marriage and family were stronger now, and she lost a lot of weight...and is continuing to lose more at home. She ran a half marathon for her 40th birthday, and she looks fabulous. One bad week does not define a person; it's what you do after a bad week that makes you who you are.

I know we can all learn a lot from this. I myself have had some weeks that have been a struggle, but I have to look at how far I've come on my journey so far. I'm down over 30 pounds, which is a great accomplishment. I'm becoming healthier through all of the struggles, and will continue to get stronger as I go. I'm starting to feel a little better after being sick earlier in the week, and I'm determined to do everything I can the rest of this week to make up for it. No giving up for me...I will reach my goals and there is no stopping me!

Biggest Loser: Determination!

*photo courtesy of NBC.

This week on The Biggest Loser, there was all sorts of drama as usual, but I came away with 2 very important lessons. First of all, Stephanie had a rough week because a few of the others in the house were speculating about her. They questioned whether or not she threw a weigh-in a couple of weeks ago, and it hurt her deeply because she knows she is not that kind of person. I'm sure we all have had people question our character at some point in our lives because of misunderstandings or just plain meanness. If you haven't, it will happen at some point, because we are all human. Stephanie taught me that even when this happens, you have to stay strong as the person you know you are, and keep on being you and moving toward your goals in life. It's going to hurt, but you can't let it affect the way you live. You have to move on and stand tall, because you know who you are, and so does God.

My other lesson came from Melissa, as she came back into the game. Two players got to come back. Victoria was voted in, and the other person would have to win a 1,000 step challenge. Melissa was determined to get back into the game, as everyone should be. She focused on what she had to do, getting ahead of everyone with her steps. She felt pain as time went on just like the others, but she was not going to let it stop her from reaching her goal. She won the challenge, and taught me that you must keep your focus and determination in order to succeed. It was just the extra kick in the butt I needed this week!

I have to add here...how awesome is Wayne, the man who was inspired by Biggest Loser and lost 418 pounds at home? He weighed well over 600 pounds, and he was determined as well to get back to living his life and regaining his health. We can all learn from him...and think about his success as we reach for our own goals!