Hello Again.... After 5 years.... 

Today is January 9th 2017. To try and catch up these past five years in this new journal entry would be too much to write, let alone read. So, I'll just jump right in with what's on my heart at the moment and along the way throughout the daily (I hope) visits, I'll fill in the blanks. 

Break out the champagne. I worked out tonight. LOL. Now, WHY is that significant to mention? Especially since it was a teeney tiny workout. BUT STILL.... it was a workout. I was sitting and feeling quite lethargic with a sudden case of the blahs, when it dawned on me, WORK OUT. I didn't give myself time to talk me out of it. I decided that I should put on Gilad and see what I could do. It's been YEARS since I've worked out. Probably at least 5 years. Prior to my injury in 2012. (Much more on that, later) Anyway, I made it through the warm up and you know he does a pretty vigorous and intense warm up for a 54 year old 300plus size woman who has been so sedentary the past year I hardly even recognize who I am anymore. So, I was very winded but not sweating, and my muscles were popping and cracking like Rice Krispies on a loud speaker, but I gave it all I could give it and then I rested. A few minutes later, I did a different warm up with him. Now, these were only 3-5 minutes each but they got my heart rate up big time and they stretched muscles in both upper and lower body and I was focused on posture, breathing, core strength and balance. It wasn't pretty nor was it pleasant and it sure wasn't easy! BUT I DID IT.

So, I'm thinking that from here on out, I can just work to increase stamina, strength, and endurance, 1 minute at a time. I made a commitment to also not compare this to the good ole days when I could hike 5 miles and do a complete workout with crazy lady Susan Powter and her "Stop The Insanity" step aerobics workouts. They were awesome and fun and challenging at first but I got through them and eventually an hour breezed by. Sometimes I would do 2 a day. Morning and evening. I loved it. Today I just loved that I got up and moved for 3-5 minutes in an intentional exercise routine that left me feeling energetic and happier for myself. And tomorrow, I intend to do the same, only several times throughout the day. 3-5 minutes each time. I am not going to try and think too far ahead like I have been prone to do. I really just want to take as it comes!

27 years ago when I embarked on that 335 lb weight loss journey, which took 4 years to achieve, I always said to people who asked how I did it....

"I took it one day at a time.
One minute at a time.
One meal at a time
One workout at a time
One snack at a time
 One bite at a time
One lb at a time
One ounce at a time
One prayer at a time
and One positive affirmation at a time"

That's all I've got. Other than to say that this is my last 2nd Chance to get healthy and in good shape again. It's got to work this time because I have such a sense of urgency to do it now while I've got this One last chance.

Hungry Hearts Weight Management Support Groups LAUNCHED

HUNGRY HEARTS Weight Management Support Groups was launched very successfully this past Saturday, at my home here in the Nashville, TN area. It was AWESOME! To respect the privacy of those involved, there will be very limited photos of the event and of the already planned future events. The next planned meeting is Feb. 18th Saturday morning starting at 10:30.

The NEW Hungry Hearts is much different from the former H.H. meetings held back in the 90's. before my devastating and life-changing car wrecks (1999-2000) that put me out of commission until NOW! I believe this time around God has even more in store! It is AWESOME!!!!

We had a delicious and healthy, gluten free and organic brunch consisting of the following menu:

Gluten-Free homemade Pumpkin Pancakes,
(a variety of both healthy and semi-healthy toppings were made available)

Organic Maple glazed Chicken Sausages lightly fried in healthy grape seed oil,

Scrambled eggs also with healthy Grape Seed Oil in one of my Momma's big ole black iron skillets,

A smoothie bar with healthy coconut milk, yogurt, and fresh organic fruits
(Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, Bananas)

Bottomless cups of organic coffee.

And a big jug of filtered alkalizing water with organic lemon slices!

The decor theme was WILD & ZANY ZEBRA! It was SO much fun!

                                           Photo of our Wild & Zany Zebra Smoothie Bar

Everyone joined in when they arrived and cooked all the foods together here in my big ole kitchen and we had a fantastic time bonding over the stove and griddles. Almost everyone that came were strangers to each other at the beginning and bonded like old friends by the time it was over.

For some unknown reason, the photos I took of our big food table, didn't save in my phone so the only photo I have is the one above! Will get more and make sure they save, next time! Different menu, but I am sure we will re-visit this menu again! It was DELISH.....

No one wanted it to end and we didn't realize the morning and afternoon went by in a flash. so before we knew it, it was almost 4:00 P.M. Seriously! It was THAT GOOD!

There was a lot of laughter, a few tears, heart warming hugs, bright smiles, encouraging words, uplifting testimonies, enlightening and refreshing help and hope from the good news of God's word, and the beginnings of something VERY SPECIAL.

We each set a simple goal or 2 or 3 to achieve by our next get-together and mine are as follows:

1. Reduce 10 lbs of excess fat weight
2. Workout consistently 5-6 days each week for a minimum of 30 minutes each day

3. Take my vitamin supplements every day! (I hate taking ANYTHING. even meds.)

So, those of you reading this and you want to join with us online, let me know! Or if you are anywhere in the middle Tennessee area or anywhere, for that matter, and you want to be here in person with us for our next brunch, just let me know. It is set for Feb. 18th, 2012. Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m.

You should think about a few simple and realistic goals to set between now and then and if you want accountability and support, let me know about your goals and we will pray and work together to reach them! WE ARE WINNERS AND WE ARE WORTH IT!!!!

Wonder if you can tell I am just a TEENY WEENY TAD BIT OVER THE TOP EXCITED! :-)

It's all about FREEDOM and we are breaking free to live our best life ever! You deserve THAT too!

I am here for you and I will do anything I can to help you in everyway to rise above where you are to the next level of where you long to be! TOGETHER WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND OUR HUNGRY HEARTS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS, WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT!

Blessings, HUGS, and LOVE,

From my Hungry Heart to Yours!

Tina Maria

Saturday's Coming & I Can Hardly Wait

If you have followed my blog posts for a while and my Facebook page, it is no secret that I LOVE TO ENTERTAIN! I take it honest. My Dad loved entertaining but of course HE IS A REAL ROCKABILLY MUSIC ENTERTAINER as well as a Minister and INCREDIBLE Daddy! Whether it's performing on stage or in house or just telling jokes around the table with friends and family, THAT MAN LOVES TO ENTERTAIN. He was born to make people smile and also to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Like Billy Graham, my Daddy, Billy Adams, was destined to preach and teach the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, OUR HOPE. Sometimes, he can be quite entertaining in the pulpit, too. He just can't help himself.

Neither can I.

However, for the most part these past few years, I have found that my entertaining has gone from the stage and pulpit (singing & playing piano & motivational speaking anywhere I could get an audience) to the kitchen and great room of my house. I LOVE ENTERTAINING PEOPLE IN MY HOME! Fortunately, there seems to always be a reason to celebrate something or someone, and if not, I will invent a celebration reason to get a few or a bunch of folks together and have some great food, fellowship, fun, festivities, and of course there is usually always music and faith involved. Always uplifting and encouraging and bring out the best in each other. Recently it has gone from a few a year to at least once a month. Seems like I am having some party type festivity at my house or at least planning one, all the time, now. I LOVE IT!!!

November 2011 - A breakfast get together with a few girl friends. It was so good we vowed to get together the next month for lunch and we did.

Christmas 2011 - Lunch with both guys and girls. My friend Mel brought homemade Zuppa Tuscano Soup that was better than Olive Garden.

Saturday we are having a girls brunch and Pajama Party and it looks like my table is going to be full of friends and great food. Special Pancakes (gluten free and full of good flvaors like pumpkin and chocolate and bananas and berries and anything else we might want to throw in there. We are having a PANCAKE BAR, so each person can create their own pancake before, during, and after cooking it) And a new friend is bringing Sausage Balls. I want to do a smoothie bar too. Where we can create our own healthy delicious and fruit smoothies. SO EXCITED ABOUT SATURDAY THAT I JUST HAD TO SHARE THE NEWS TODAY, THURSDAY!

I am not telling you what the decor and theme is going to be. I will keep that a SURPRISE until you see the photos on Saturday.

Also on Saturday night, the Miss America Pageant is on and I can hardly wait. Did you read my post last week about Miss South Carolina? If not, scroll down now and read about her and look at her AMAZING photos. I hope she wins!!!! Sorry Miss Tennessee & Miss Kentucky. I hope you both are top 5 finalists though!

So much to do today, so I am off to get it all done!

Hope you all have a FABULOUS and HEALTHY day.

Blessings, HUGS, and Love,
Tina Maria

Getting over the Hump Days

Yes, it's Wednesday, typically known as Hump Day, but there are plenty of other days of the week that feel humpy too. Days you just  feel less inclined and find yourself on the border of do or do not! These are the days when we have to REALLY GET OUT THERE AND PUSH OURSELVES TO GET OVER THAT HUMP, Whether it be on a Wednesday or a Monday, for that matter. Some weeks it can seem like every day is a Hump Day. Those are the days when we have to rally ourselves and rise and shine and FAITH IT TIL' YOU MAKE IT!

These are the days when it is easy to overeat or eat foods you normally would not eat when you are working hard to improve the quality of your health, lose, weight, and to get fit. The fat feeling or what's the use attitude that ends up putting unnecessary and totally preventable excess pounds of both fat or water weight on our bodies and lbs of shame, blame, and guilt on our hearts and minds.

These are TURNING THE CORNER DAYS.

I learned that if you will FAITH IT TIL' YOU MAKE IT through these Hump Days, you will turn a corner in your life. You will advance yourself to the next highest level. You will rise above the adversity and the Hump that threatens to easily offset your success and thrust you right back into the throes of wandering around in tomorrow town (AKA, Will start over again tomorrow) or worse in someday city, (AKA Someday I will do it) or even worse, never ever land, (AKA, I am never ever gonna get what I want in life)

We all have days when we are faced with these HUMPS and it is how we deal with them that makes the difference between winners and whiners! A WINNER gets up and Just does what needs to be done in order to get through it the very best possible and do the least amount of damage. In fact, a WINNER will often take the hardest or worse days and outdo their previous best efforts, just to break through and get over that hump! Talk about feeling VICTORIOUS!!! There is NO GREATER FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAN THAT!!!!

Whiners, well, you know what happens to a Whiner! Most of the time a whiner loses because the defeat is in the whine and the whiner seldom, if ever, wins! In facvt, I think if a whiner wins it is because a winner is behind or beside pushing and encouraging and inspiring that whiner to win! Or a winner is in front of the whiner urging them to come on with words and actions of encouragement!

Which are you today? Are you a whiner or a winner? Are you having a Hump Day? GET OVER IT!

Choose to WIN not WHINE!

Whiner's lose their faith!

Winner's lose their weight!

Whine or Win!

Whiner's usually throw in the towel and go pig out and end up feeling more fat and frustrated.

Winners get over themselves in a hurry and get over the hump days and go after the win even harder!

In other words - Whiners whine to dine while WINNERS ARE IN IT TO WIN IT!

Whine or Win! It's up to YOU!!!!

As for me, I am over it already and on to winning it! Hope to meet you at the Winner's Circle!

Blessings & HUGS,
Tina Maria

~ Not Just Any Ole Ordinary Dream ~

Last night I had a dream I was power walking somewhere in Tennessee in a pretty place like a nature trail or park (not in a sweat stinky gym like the photo above) but more like the photo below. Aah!!!

I happened upon a beautiful and enticing steep hillside that had a footpath to the top where obviously many had journeyed before.

The photo below is not the view from my dream. It is however the view from Mount Sinai where I know I have journeyed from my own spiritual Egypt toward my Promised Land. I'll take the hillside in my dream anyday over this mountain.

 I stopped and considered the climb and thought better of it as I didn't have the faith I could do it. (Did I admit that out loud?) I also felt the taste of fear in my heart even as I contemplated the idea. (Early morning confessions are good for the soul) UNTIL, in my dream, three women, which appeared to be 3 generations of a family, Grandmother, Daughter & young adult granddaughter, all came up behind me and never gave that hill a 2nd thought as they took right to it. Their shouts of glee at the site that greeted their arrival to the top were enough to get the best of my curiosity and all of a sudden I mustered up my Kentucky Mountain Girl Courage, and said, "If Granny can do it, I can do it"!

So, I did it! I took that hillside which was rugged, rocky, mossy covered, slippery at times, and a workout on both my upper and lower body and I just kept hearing the voice of my best friend, Jack, telling me, "You got this"! "This is nothing for you"! He was right! I MADE IT TO THE TOP!!!!

And when I did, I was SO AWED and WOWED by what I saw. Look below at what I would have missed if I hadn't overcome my fears and pushed myself to do more than what I thought I could do.

I have searched online this morning to find examples of the views in my dream and I found it! Not only is the place I dreamed about actually a REAL PLACE that I never knew even existed until my dream, but it is within 15 miles from my home. HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS! Unbelievable!I believe I had a God-given dream. WOW! Look at this AWESOME place!!!

There is actually a better footpath to take to it than the one in my dream. Shewee! Thank God! See, when I overcame my fears, I found out the thing I feared wasn't as bad as my fears had made it out to be! Below is the actual photos of the path to jackson Falls.It is a great pathway BUT it is A 900 FT. STEEP CLIMB!

I did it in my dream and I believe I can realize that dream and LIVE IT!   DO IT!  Not just Dream It!

900 ft. CLIMB, People! 900 ft. For some that's nothing! For me? IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL!

But, I'm going for it! Whole Heart and Happy About It! So, plans are already underway this morning to scale the trail to Jackson Falls as soon as we have another pretty weekend. This weekend I'll be out of town. So, hopefullly next weekend my friends and I can LIVE MY DREAM. Will keep you posted! It might not be easy, but WITH FAITH I'LL DO IT!

What's YOUR dream?
Dare to Live Out Your Dream With Me?
If I Can Do It, YOU CAN DO IT!

Oh, by the way, Ever since I woke up and said to a couple of friends, "I Had A Dream"... I can't stop singing that great song by some other great Tennesse but former Kentucky Girls, THE JUDDS, "Had A Dream"... Now that song will be in my head all day! (Click on the link & listen to The Judds)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1WRepFD9Mys" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wonder if I could get Wynonna to walk this trail with me! ~ "Had A Dream"..... Not Just Any Ole Ordinary Dream!

Then again, I'm Not Just Any Ole Ordinary Dreamer!

Blessings, HUGS, Love & Sweet Dreams,
Tina Maria

Miss America hopeful, Bree Boyce, lost more than 100 lbs and gained a crown

Where have I been all this year that I am just now finding out about this Sweet, southern beauty queen and her inspiring weight-loss story that took her from over 230 lbs. to a sleek, slender, poised and confident beauty queen winning the Miss South Carolina Pageant this year. Now she will be competing for the grand title of pageants; MISS AMERICA, in just a few days. WOW! AMAZING!

I came across her photos and story in the irresistable annual edition of PEOPLE MAGAZINE "Half Their Size" that I picked up in the check-out line a few days ago while shopping New Year's Eve.

I was just casually browsing through the impressive stories of all the folks featured this year when I turned a page and there she was, in her gown, sash, & crown, a true southern belle beauty, with the caption reading, "I USED TO BE FAT". It came complete with before and after photos. YAY!

Now I can't wait to watch the Miss America Pageant January for the first time in decades. Seriously! It has been at least 20 years since I last watched a pageant. It used to be a family tradition with my sisters and my Mom and I. And even before that, with my Grndmother, Mammaw (Lena Rivers) Riffe, and my cousins. We would all dream of growing up and becoming pageant winners but I always had to prefece that thought with another more pressing thought; "If I would lose weight, I could enter a beauty pageant". I was even led to believe by very impartial grandparents, aunts, uncles, and parents that I was pretty enough in the face and had talent and communications skills well enough to not just compete but to win the whole thing! Crown, title, money, scholarships and all. Who ME?

I was a pretty baby! Healthy and normal size at sightly over 7 lbs at birth back in 1962. But that didn't last long! I grew up to weigh more than 500 lbs and a size 56-60, wearing this 80's skirt. I still have it.

Thank God the skirt no longer fits, in a good way! After reducing 335 lbs and still managing to keep half that weight off since 1994, I am not ready YET for a beauty pageant competition, even if I wanted to enter one, but I am determined that in the near future I will be able to fit into my own dream gown that makes me feel like a pretty princess all dressed up for a handsome prince. It will happen someday!

Until then, I will be poised and gracefull while eating my healthy lite snacks with some friends and watching the 2012 Miss America Pageant  in 2 weeks and CHEERING for Miss South Carolina. (I will also cheer respectfully for both Miss Kentucky & Miss Tennessee) whatever the outcome on January 14th, I hope she will continue her efforts to bring awareness to obesity and to spread the good news to those struggling with weight problems that there are healthier options than surgery, pills, rigid diet plans and other drastic ways to lose weight.

Not to say that I think less of folks who choose those other alternative routes. You all should know that I would NEVER judge you on your decisions. I am in SUPPORT of each of you and in whatever ways you believe BEST FOR YOU. I hope you all understand. I will always, always, always, encourage, educate, and inspire anyone to do everything you can to get heatlhy by getting excess weight off the same way you put it on. Eating and activity. It is usually a matter of eating too much or eating the wrong foods at the wrong times and not getting enough of healthy fitness conditioning activities that piles on the extra weight and leads us to becoming unhealthy. So, reversing that will reverse the weight problems. Just makes sense, doesn't it. Usually we all need no help in putting it on, but we all usually need help in getting it off. SO HERE IS YOUR HELP! ME!!!

And inspiring stories like Miss South Carolina, Bree Boyce. Like me, she lost her weight the old fashioned way, with healthy eating and working out.... and I love and admire that about her. It really helps to give HOPE TO ALL that it is totally possible to change your weight and change your life!

 To me, MISS SOUTH CAROLINA IS ALREADY THE WINNER AND SHE IS SO WORTH IT!

If she and I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!!!

REMEMBER! THERE IS A WINNER IN YOU, AND YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!

Blessings, HUGS, & Much Love,
Tina Maria

On the 9th Day of Christmas Tips

On the 9th Day of Christmas Tips - GET UP AND CLOWN AROUND!

I bet you thought I was going to say MOVE AROUND. Right? Well, Surprise! Sort of!

It is VERY important to add movement and activity that increases your heart rate and gets the blood pumping and fat burning and sweat clearing out those toxins and junk that keeps us from losing weight easily and from feeling energetic and happy. Exercise does all that, an more. But when we think of exercising, we tend to not think of it like that, in all the positive life building ways. We tend to dread it like the dentists drill.

HOWEVER, DOING SOMETHING FUN AND FUNNY that accomplishes the fitness goals IS THE BEST, EASIEST, AND QUICKEST WAY TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF WORKING OUT!

 So, in the interest of getting you interested in working out to help you burn fat and lose weight.... I am introducing to you this VERY FUN and FUNNY way to get Move it and Lose it. CLOWN STYLE!
Check THIS out!

How to Do the Hip Hop Clown Walk

 

Written by:

Jessica Jones (e-how contributor)

 

The clown walk or C-Walk, as it is often referred to, is a series of dance moves that include the Heel-toe, the Shuffle and the Snake. Many hip hop dancers enjoy performing the clown walk because they are free to use their creativity and individual talents. If you learn the basic moves, you too can use the Hip Hop Clown Walk to express your individual style.

Instructions

 

1. • 1
     The Hip Hop Clown Walk is a series of smaller dance moves that when put together create this dance move. Below are some of the basic moves and how to perform them. Once you learn these moves, you can combine them into your own version of the C-Walk.
   • 2
     To perform the Heel-toe, which is a popular move when doing the Clown Walk, cross one leg to create a semi-twist. The trick to this move is getting the angles of your feet in the correct position. Most people try to create 90 degree angles in order to perform a clean move. While the Heel-toe may seem easy, it can be difficult to maintain your balance, so practice it many times before combining it with another move.
   • 3
     The Shuffle is an easy step to master. All you have to do is move your feet frontwards and backwards to the music. (refer to the little guys shufflin at the top of this post)
   • 4
     The Snake is another popular move when performing the C-Walk. This move, similar to the Heel-toe, requires dancers to place their left leg on their right heel and move forward. The back leg is used for support. This move can also be tricky as you will have to learn proper balance in order to achieve it.
   • 5
     Once you've mastered these moves, you can combine them to create a C-Walk routine. Many Hip-Hop dancers use the C-Walk during longer routines.

Personal Note Here: I am not a fan of Hip Hop. I will be the first to admit that. But, I do love to clown around and have fun and really like the idea of it helping me to get off this weight and to get in shape!
So, come rain or shine, I am committing to GET UP AND CLOWN AROUND! You with me?