Refuse To Lose

New Post!Blog <--- click="" here="" p="">

~ Stunned ~

Hey Guys...

The title of this blog pretty much sums it all up for me. I recently went down to see a dear friend of mine, Andrea and her little family. Of course, we both love photography and taking pictures... mainly, we love to take pictures of Bella wearing Matilda Jane (soo cute!). I had quickly asked Annie to grab a picture of me and I was really embarassed to be standing by myself and posing for a picture. After Andrea took a couple and I looked through them, I remember being speechless. I couldn't believe how different I looked after losing 41lbs, I could totally see the difference in the photo. I just have to say to all those out there who is fighting against being overweight, don't give up! Just do it! I can honestly say that a few months ago when I started, I never seen where I am right now - 41lbs lighter and a couple sizes smaller. Honestly, I was skeptical and at first I was negative about only losing 9lbs in the beginning. Here I am, a few months later and THAT much closer to achieving my goal weight. I cannot even explain what it did for me to see this picture and actually SEE THE DIFFERENCE for myself. I live with me, I see me everyday in the mirror. But, I've never really noticed the difference. So, I encourage all my weight loss endeavors to go out there and take an updated photo... you'll be stunned just like me!

A HUGE shoutout to Melissa Woolery... you look Gorgeous! I know the hard work and dedication it has taken you and I have to say that I am so extremely proud of you. You must know that over this past month, I've slacked off and have tried hard to regain focus. After seeing your recent photos, you have encouraged me again! Keep it up.. before you know it, your going to be at your goal.

Another quick reminder to all my beautiful friends out there, remember to love you for YOU. You are beautiful whether big or small. Be you regardless of your size and remember that your value is not based on your appearance, rather your character and your heart!

God Bless and I look forward to updating you guys even more as I continue... for now, check out the cutest little red-head EVER! My sweet little Bella, Suzie loves you!!!

Susan (-) 41 POUNDS!!!

Hey Guys!!!

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged and I've been dying to tell you my news! First, I just have to say that I was completely shocked today when I weighed in. I was nervous because since I've been back from vacation, I have not been able to get out of vaca mode (know what I mean???) I hardly went to the gym and even ate Mac-N-Cheese SEVERAL times. So, I stepped on the scale with my eyes closed and just when I looked up to my astonishment, I had lost 6 pounds! My total weight loss is now FORTY-ONE POUNDS!

I cannot even put into words how excited I am. For so long, three years in fact, I was in a rut. I couldn't get out of it. I fed myself complete negativity all the time and deemed this battle against being overweight to be impossible. I constantly looked at the past rather than the future itself. Since joining the clinical research, I have gotten the drive that I once had. I've worked hard and here I am a few months later and I'm 41lbs lighter! To be honest, I'm overwhelmed by everyone's support. Even from those who really don't know me as a person, you have no idea what it means to me to hear you say, "Susan, you look great" or "Susan, how much have you lost" and even, "Susan, are you losing weight?" One other quick story to share.. since my weight loss I have not bought new scrubs to wear to work... SO, you can imagine how awful I looked with my huge scrubs on and I really don't think my co-workers knew how different I really looked. So, one night, I was fed up with the large, over-sized scrubs and decided to buy myself this cute little blue dress that happens to be scrub! (So cute)... I remember that night. I felt like doing my hair... I couldn't wear a granny bun for such an occasion! lol, too bad I couldn't wear stiletto's to work! I'll never forget it, as I opened the door at least 5 or more people made comments immediately. I heard things from "holy cow", "Susan, is that you?" and "Wow, you look great, what are you doing?" Don't get me wrong... I am in no way bragging about this to say anything about me. But, when you have gained 120lbs and were fit at one point... your confidence goes straight to the toilet. It's an incredible feeling to know that my hard work has paid off. Of course, I have more to go but I'm enjoying this moment! To celebrate, I have bought a ridiculous amount of clothes and shoes!!! lol, I sort of shopping issues... It's pretty bad!

One other quick note, I wanted to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to three people of whom I am very proud. They all have expressed their desire to lose weight and join in the battle against being unhealthy. Without further ado, CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Melissa Woolery, Andrea Hutching, and Carly Justice. I couldn't be more proud!

For your viewing pleasure, below is a recent (taken tonight) photo of me and you can see my progress... To others out there wanting to do this... I'm behind you 100%!!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Progress

Here's a little update on my progress. I am now 20 POUNDS LIGHTER!!! Yes, that's right, I've lost 20lbs. On my last weigh in, I lost a total of 8lbs in two weeks! I worked hard though! Remember my last post? I was saying that I needed to hit the gym more... well, thats what I did! In combination of healthy eating choices and working out, I lost another 8lbs!

So, my dear friend Lydia has been encouraging me to take pics along the way to see the progress that I've made. Lydia Shannon is a talented photographer who has motivated me in this process and you can see her transformation on her website... go check it out! I now regret not taking formal before pics. However, I had a pic in mind that I took while on the cruise and trust me... it does not show my skinny side! =) So, tonight, I decided to take another pic wearing the same clothes in order to compare the results...

Check it out...

Yep, I feel great! I know I have more to lose in order to obtain a good healthy body. However, I'm so proud of my hard work during this time! Several of my skirts... yeah, can't wear them! They literally fall off of me when I walk... just walk! I'm excited and I hope this post is another one that may help to motivate others!!!

God Bless,

Susan

..What's New...

Hey guys!

Wow, it's been nearly a month since I've last blogged! Did you miss me? j/k =) I have made a commitment to myself that I will blog once a month. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I don't want to overcommit myself with my crazy schedule.

So, here's the deal... I've lost 12 pounds so far!!! I'm very proud of that, but I have to admit at the same time I know I could do a little better. I've tackled one of the biggest things - my eating habits. Seriously, a month ago I was a different person. I ate whatever, whenever, and as much as I wanted without even thinking about it. Now, I count my calories and pay close attention to the amount of total fat grams that I'm consuming. What's the other big thing to tackle? EXERCISE. Aaaaaahhhhhh... AAaaaaaaaahhhhhh.... The thing is, I know what to do. I've done it before, but for some reason I have not been exercising on the days where my schedule allows. For instance, out of the last month... I think I may have walked/jogged 3-4 times? The real key to loosing weight is eating healthy and exercise.

SOOOO... yesterday, I'm proud to announce that I got my butt to the gym and participated in one of my FAVORITE classes - Spinning! Seriously, if you work hard in that class.. you can burn anywhere in the neighbourhood of 800-900 calories!!! Now, thats what I'm talking about! Hard-Core! I love feeling bullets and bullets of sweat pouring off my face because I know the calories are going bye-bye! The crazy thing is, I don't ever wipe them off! That may be nasty to some, however, it's a reminder to me that I'm working hard for those sweat drops! Sometimes, that is what gets me through vigorous exercise, it's a reminder of how good i'm doing! I have to admit though... as I walked in and chose my bike, I was sitting there thinking about "How in the world am I going to last 45 minutes?" I immediately began negative thoughts. So, I quickly shut my brain up and started working at it. It's crazy, somewhere in the middle I had a second wind and I was killing it with heavy resistance, jumps, hills, and core (legs only.. very hard... but the burn is amazing!).

If anyone is reading this, I truly hope that somewhere my journey and fight for health will inspire someone. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! That is what I tell myself everyday. Yeah, I've only lost 12lbs at this point out of like a hundred or so that I need to lose. That may seem small in number, but it makes me proud to know that I'm working hard to be healthy - the healthy way! Even though the steps to loosing weight (amount weight loss/week) may be slow at times, it brings you that much closer to a healthier, happier you!

God Bless and BEST OF WISHES to you and your journey to become healthy!
Susan

Where is this Girl???

Hey guys! My name is Susan Justice and I've decided to blog my experience and post something very raw and expose me for who I am. Why??? Because I want a change. I want to put it out there to be accountable to myself and make the statement that I AM GOING TO CHANGE!

So, here's the deal... I've always been a big girl since my early teens. Susan and plus size, well, it went together. To make a long story short, I woke up one summer day and decided that I had had enough. I immediately went to a bookstore and purchased a book that changed my life... LITERALLY! I made a 360 degree turn-around. I went from eating all day and barely excercising to eating 5 small healthy meals a day, working out vigorously 6-7 days/week, strength training, and hired a trainer on multiple occasions. The book is titled, "The Body for Life for Women" by Dr. Pamela Peake and my trainer (who you can locate on FaceBook) is Linton McClain. I highly recommend both!!!

The results:

Although I had lost all this weight, felt healthy and had a ton of energy, I never felt like it was good enough. I was so critical and crucial all the time and was constantly worried how I looked. I never really took the time to appreciate all of the hard work and never really realized how far I had truly come. I didn't realize that I was shopping at Charlotte Rouse buying a small, or walking into Forever 21 and finding out that a medium was too big. NOO.. instead, I looked at what I thought were imperfections. The instant my scheduled changed and I wasn't able to hit the gym every day, I slowly started incorporating bad habits and before I knew it I had gained 30 lbs prior to Nursing School. Bare with me... I'm getting to the point! What's sad is that when I had only gained 30lbs, I really wasn't that big, however, I viewed myself as if I were 800lbs. Below is a pic of what I looked like after gaining 30lbs and right before I started Nursing School (i'm on the right).






What did I do? I.quit.plain.and.simple. I quit! Over the course of nursing school, my habits grew worse and exercising was the past. Every day that I viewed myself, it was negative. I was huge and wasn't making any changes to do something about it. I heard something not long ago while I was on my cruise. We were listening to a tape and a speaker said, "what you tell yourself ever day, you become." WOW, that hit me like a ton of bricks! I realized that after all this time I was negative and I told myself every day how fat I had become. I even cracked daily jokes and encouraged others to laugh at my expense.



So, here I am today, heavier and out of shape. I've lacked motivation for so long. NO MORE EXCUSES!!! I am literally sick of them. I'm sick of telling myself that I can't do this because I know I can. I'm sick of telling myself that my schedule is too hectic because where there is a will, there is a way. Third, I'm sick of not investing in myself because I want to live a healthy long life and be able to enjoy it without running out of breathe! I'm worth investing time into! Say that to yourself, it's empowering! So, thats why I'm being so raw. I've gained weight, I'm a big girl, but I'm wanting to make a change. Being healthy is worth fighting for, it's worth investing your time into. We can do this! My hope is that I can help someone else and say that you've NOT alone. I've already been making changes and I have so much more to do. Today is a new day!!! I'm meeting with a Registered Dietician today and I can't wait to get started! I can't wait to see results! I can't wait to kick butt in a gym again! I JUST CAN'T WAIT to be healthy again. Most of all, I just want to feel good about myself for me. Not for anyone else, but me! I'm going to be posting pics along the way. My biggest thanks to people like Lydia Shannon and Vu Bui who also have enough guts to be so raw about this subject. You guys literally inspired me to make those changes and I cannot say thank you enough!


So, here I am, weight gain and all! I know this will be a slow process, but I'm up for the challenge.