Big Bridesmaids, Dancing Queens, and Java Chip Frappuccinos

I HATE physical activity. Like, hate with the fire of a thousand suns (40 points for whoever caught that reference). Mostly, I hate it because physical activity usually means being outside, and Missy and the outdoors have never really mixed well. My idea of outdoors is a pool and a sweet tea with a shade umbrella.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

This journey really started in March of 2011. I was in two weddings last year, which meant two bridesmaid dresses…which meant two fittings in which I would probably have the biggest dress. Now, if you know me well, size has never been anything but a number for me. BUT, I KNEW I had gained weight. I KNEW I would probably be “the bigger girl” in all the wedding photos. So. Not. Cool.

So, I signed up for Weight Watchers. It worked for everyone else; surely it would work for me?

Wrong.


I just didn’t care. True, I didn’t want to be the “big bridesmaid,” but that didn’t mean I was willing to do anything about it. Besides, I rocked those dresses – flabby arms and all!

Me and Em at her wedding in May 2011. Look at that round face. Woh, baby!
Thank you Simpi Photography (Angie Herrington-Mertz)

Me literally dancing down the aisle at Heather Dawn's wedding in April 2011
Thank you LP Photography (Lyndsey Portell)

I continued the summer like I was trying to lose weight and get fit, but nothing happened. (Duh, Miss!) It wasn’t until I was shopping and had to buy a size 24 that I realized how “unfit” I had gotten. I hadn’t been in a 24 since 8^th grade, and I was a Butterball in 8^th grade…and I was back to that?

So, last August I started counting points religiously. I still had no desire to go on a walk or really even move, but at least I could watch my eating habits. When I went in for a tonsillectomy in December, I realized I had lost 10 pounds (Yeah, I never weighted myself while counting points…probably why it didn’t work, haha). The 10 pounds was exciting! And I thought, “If I can do that without thinking about it, what can I do if I actually try this?”

Well, I don’t know if you’ve had your tonsils out, but it SUCKS! Seriously…nothing but popsicles and juice for two weeks? Let’s say, the new weight loss got a jumpstart! It was great! It was the boost I needed to really focus on a new me.

By mid-January, I had hit the 25-pound mark, and I was feeling great. I couldn’t help but think that I could be doing more. Then, one glorious day, I got an Add Sheet Daily Deal in my inbox. “10 Jazzercise classes for $18.” I didn’t really know what it was, but it was cheap (considering one class is normally $15), and the jazz part probably meant dancing. And this chick LOVES to dance! Like, loves to the point that if I were to stop dancing, my limbs might fall off, and I'd melt into a little glob of sadness. Abba's Dancing Queen? That's me. For real. 


So, I bought it with my friend Kim, and started going. I LOVED IT. I’ve been going since February as much as I can. I’ve also started changing what I eat, too, not just staying at my PointsPlus count.

That brings me to today. As of today, I’ve lost 39 pounds, and I’m in a loose fitting size 20. I feel amazing! But, it’s time for a new challenge. That “50-pounds lost” mark is just around the corner. I will get there, and in the mean time, I’m starting phase two of “The Best Missy I Can Be” – Run a 5k by Labor Day.  Why? If I’m being honest, I really don’t know. Considering walking up a flight of stairs use to exhaust me, a 5k sounds just ridiculous.

No bother, though, today I did Week 1 – Day 1 of Couchto5K. On the 60 seconds of running, I could only do about 45-50 seconds of it, but hey, I started somewhere!

And, starting somewhere is just the beginning (obviously, or it would be called ending somewhere, hehe). The totally awesome thing is that this is not just affecting my heart rate and weight – my whole life is changing! See, this journey would not be possible without prayer. The basis of getting fit wasn’t just a jean size, it was a “If God calls me to Africa tomorrow, could I go?” feeling. I realized that I kept praying, “Lord, wherever, whenever,” but there was no physical way I could go anywhere that involved walking a lot.

I promise to get into the whole spiritual side of transformation soon. Today is just about the start. Today is about looking at your life and honestly seeing what needs to change. Is it physical? Is it spiritual? Or, maybe it’s emotional.

Or, maybe, this blog is just something for you to read while waiting in line at Startbucks, and that’s totally cool. Get me a tall, light Java Chip Frappucino with no whip. I’ll make up the 7 points on my run to get it from you. ;o)

Peace Out, Home Fries!

(But, don’t eat the fries…not worth the points.)

Missy :o)

Me with a girl I mentor in May 2012.
Not the best pic, but you can see the difference!