STEPPING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

So much has happened since the last time I was here sharing with you. One of the biggest things to happen was that my 11 yr old son earned his 1st degree Blackbelt! I could not be more proud of him. My husband also earned his 2nd degree Blackbelt which is an incredible accomplishment. The dedication and determination the two them showed during this process amazed me. They went thru a lot to get to that point of completion, which got me to thinking. Martial Arts is alot like the journey I am on to get healthy again.

During Karate graduation, there was a video shown of an incredible pastor/speaker by the name of Francis Chan. He uses the reference of how as Christians, we tend to get content where we are. We crawl out onto a balance beam and we hold on tight and stay in our box. Our safety net. We don't want to step out because doing so might not be comfortable. We hope than we can just hang there thru life until we reach our destination and can jump off and throw our hands up like a gymnast does at the end of a routine. I could totally relate to that. I have gone thru much of my life staying within my comfort zone. I was afraid to step outside of that because in doing that, I might get hurt or something might happen. I have allowed fear to lead me for many years and keep me from many things.

I am happy to say that these days I am stepping outside of my box, in fact I don't even have any idea where my box is these days! I have now far exceeded any sort of weight loss expectations I have ever had...I am now 80 pounds down! I am sooo happy! I can not believe I am actually doing this. I sometimes think someone should pinch me. There is so much I want to do and I feel like for the first time, I CAN! In my last post, I talked about how I had started a weekly audio message call Coaches Corner. It is going really well sharing healthy messages, and a lot of people are finding the info helpful. But, the next thing I'm about to tell you is incredible news for me....I started taking karate classes and beginning my own journey to earn a black belt @ Al Garza Premier Martial Arts. Yes, I have REALLY stepped outside the box now. This is a 4 year or longer process depending on me, but I really gave it a lot of thought after watching it transform both my husband, and especially my son. If you have never considered karate as a way to get healthy, or a sport, please do. Not only has it helped teach my children about respect and discipline, it is far harder than it looks. I watched people during this process that truly inspired me. A pastor and his wife took on this journey, and his wife ran, and fought while suffering with Bronchitus. That's the heart of a Blackbelt and how important it was for her to complete the task. If you could just saw the determination on her face. My husband got his nose broken, went in the bathroom, let them pop it back, and never left. In fact, after resting a little, he finish the evening and never skipped a beat. I saw people give all they had in them, including my son. I too, want to reach that level of success with my weight-loss. A stop at nothing attitude.

In order for my husband and son to get their belts, they had to go thru years of belt levels and learning their skills... And then 8 final weeks of intense training that ends in a 3-day test where they are there from morning to night. Much like with losing weight, we must make choices to commit ourselves fully to the end of the result. It's hard work to lose weight and intake some consistency. I look at it this way, doing this continues the journey and the commitment I made to keep this weight off. Taking on a big task like this is just what I need to keep me focused. Wish me luck.... I am still incredibly scared and nervous about doing this. I'll be reaching deep and being taken from my comfort zone. I guess I'm more afraid that I won't be able to do it. I know that I will try my hardest, and being 80 pounds lighter will help me alot. I'll keep you posted on my karate journey as well. I've completed my first class this past week. I made my husband and kids take the class with me, just to make me feel less nervous. So far, my first day was running laps, learning the proper protocol for getting on and off the mat, and learning one of the kickboxing sets and practicing some boxing jabs and crosses, and bobbing (still learning the terms).

I just want to encourage others to let go of that death grip on the balance beam. You don't have to sit out there and miss out on God's best for your life. Step outside your box, and just go for it. It's scary but to have things you have never had, you gotta do some things you have never done. If I hadn't taken a leap of faith, and went and tried this weight loss program, I would still be eating bad, I wouldn't be coaching and helping others get healthy, and I would not be 80 pounds lighter, and starting my own journey to Blackbelt. What floors me right now is the person I am becoming, but it's a good thing and I'm excited to see what is next. I know the sky is the limit!

If you are looking to improve your health, don't wait anymore.. Visit http://www.GetSlim4Good.com to see what helped me get the weight off and turn my life around. You just don't realize how strong you are. You can do anything, once you set your mind to it. I can help you get there. I'm gonna leave you with two poems that I like. For me, they pretty much say it all...

My Comfort Zone
Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in a comfort zone,
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!


It Couldn't Be Done
By Edgar A. Guest

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

___________________________________________