The Spry Article featuring me is out!

               Just wanted to share this with you all. I was contacted by the editor of Spry Magazine back in December. She is the author of “Memoirs of A Former Fat Girl”. Well her book was released at the same time that my business www.formerfatgirlfitness.com started so you can well imagine that we were each contacted thinking one was the other. This is how she came to know me and my story. She was doing a piece of everyday people who had lost weight on their own and then gone on to do something in the Health/Fitness industry. I agreed to do it and this is the piece in which is published.

I want to give a special thank you to Amber Craig of www.lafphotography.com. Amber is a great friend who helped me out by taking my after photo which is in the article. Thank goodness she has a way with a camera and people. I owe you Amber- Thank You so much! Anyway, as I said above, just wanted to share. Hope you enjoy the article.

Now, as proud as I am that this article is out. Let me say this. I  understand being misquoted now more than ever. First- the part of me having one poptart instead of two, a cheeseburger instead of a quarter pounder- well… this wasnt what I said in regards to me and my own weight loss.

She asked me what advice I had for folks who had never dieted. Where should they start? Sooo I said have one pop tart instead of two, have a cheeseburger instead of a quarter pounder with cheese, etc.. The next thing was my workout video- LOL! This cracked me up. The article says I still have this video on a shelf in my den! Whoooaaaaa… Number one, I dont have a “den”, and number two, I told her this video was somewhere on a shelf amongst the many Disney VHS tapes in the kids playroom.

BUT the biggest thing of all which had me spewing coffee on my laptop as I read it was the workout! Oh Dear God help me! Mrs. Delaney asked me to put together a 3 move basic beginner workout. Something for a person who had never picked up a dumbell in their life. There was limited room in the magazine so 3 blocks for photos was all I had to work with.. Ok- no big deal. I can throw something together, right? Ummm.. I didnt realize this would be labeled,”Kim Austin’s Secret Weapon Favorite Workout!” OMG!!!!  Ok.. its soo NOT a “favorite”  of mine.. nor is it a “Secret Weapon”

I get the jist of it all, however I just hope no one out there needing to lose 100 lbs thinks doing that workout, cutting back from 2 poptarts to one, and ordering a cheeseburger instead of a quarter pounder with cheese is gonna cut it.. It takes a whole lot more hard work, determination, blood, sweat, tears and yeah.. some discomfort to meet a physique goal such as a 100 lb weight loss. Can it be done? Sure it can. I’m proof.

http://kissmyglutes.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/kim-austin.pdf

Today I Will Make A Difference. by Max Lucado

Today I Will Make A Difference
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.

I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.

 I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.

I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble…I will get up. It’s OK to fail…I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.
–

Today is a gift…thats why we call it the present…. ( Kung-Fu Panda)

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.A great quote (and catchy too!). Yesterday  is over and finished with. Whatever happened, happened. Whatever didn’t happen, didn’t happen. Spending time and energy in the present fretting over things that are now history is a waste of your resources.

 

Tomorrow is a mystery. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Your life could change dramatically in the next 24 hours…or perhaps tomorrow will be much the same as today. Whatever plans you may make, the future is out of your direct control.

But today? Today is a gift. It is yours to have here and now. Right now you have control over your thoughts and your feelings. It may not always seem that way, but it’s true. You do. That was the great ‘secret’ discovered by Viktor Frankl in the hell of Auschwitz. You, and only you, have the power to assign meaning to your present circumstances and condition. And therein lies the chance for change and an opportunity for growth. Decide today what meaning you want to attach to events in your life. Do not allow yourself to be subjugated to alien meanings imposed on your from those around you. This is your present for yourself.

There are no accidents

Master Wugui (Oogway) is the fountain of wisdom in Kung Fu Panda and this is a great quote from him that hints at the underlying oneness of existence. There are no accidents…only events. What we see before us is the mind-bogglingly complex, but nevertheless real, interactions between particles that are invisible to all but the most powerful microscopes. These particles may cause apparent accidents to happen, but that is an illusion, as Master Wugui points out. It is us, our ego-driven selves, branding an event an accident that obscures the greater truth of unity from our perception. The Universe knows what it is doing. It is in control; perfect and beautiful in its harmony.

There are no secret ingredients

This is my favorite quote of the movie.

There are no secret ingredients. You don’t need any ‘secrets’. The ‘secret’, if that is what it is, is to harmonize with your true nature and maintain that harmony throughout your life. You are enough; you have everything that you need to live your life. You just need to be very sure that it is indeed your life that you are living and not someone else’s. Another one of my favorite quotes comes from Jung:

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”

Where are you looking for your truth: inside or outside?

The people around you are living their lives and following their truth. “My truth is not your truth”, as Bruce Lee said. Don’t confuse the truth of other people with your own truth. Exert yourself in finding your own path and follow it with your heart. There are no secret ingredients. Everything you need to be you – to ‘make’ you – is inside you already.

One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it

A lot of the first half of the movie is about the characters – including Po, the Kung Fu Panda himself, accepting that the overweight bear is indeed the Dragon Warrior. It is his destiny but only Master Wugui can see that.

You are who you are. Discover who you are and love yourself for who you are. Respect yourself for who you are. Banish influences that will ask you to do anything other than fulfill your own unique destiny. Taking your life off on a tangent may bring achievement, success, accomplishment and so on but how do you feel five minutes later? If reaching those goals has been contrary to your nature you will know it straight away. Despite the successes you will be left with an empty, hollow feeling, wondering why everyone was making such a fuss about this latest thing you have done. Now, you can see right through it and see it for what it is: an illusion. Sooner or later, you will be forced to take a long, hard look at yourself once again and consider the direction your life is heading in. Take a moment now and consider if your heart is telling you that your current path is your destiny. If not, you will save yourself a lot of time and effort to recalibrate your guidance system and head back in the direction you know deep inside you should be going in.

Let go of the illusion of control

Another great one from Master Wugui.

This refers to both internal and external control. Externally, Master Wugui is talking about overcoming the idea that you can control things outside yourself. The seed from a peach will grow into a peach tree. It is its nature. It can’t fight it and it doesn’t try. You may not want a peach tree; you may prefer apples. But you won’t get an apple tree from a peach seed. An attempt to control the nature of peach seed is delusion.

Internally, the quote again reminds us that we can’t ultimately control our true nature. Trying to do so is a temporary illusion, but one that can potentially cause tremendous damage to yourself if you are not careful. Do not reign in your true nature. Find it and harmonize with it. It is your friend, not your enemy.

__________________

Sometimes no goal is a good goal

havent had much in me creatively lately to write.. well.. I take that back.. alot of writing.. nothing creative.. just deep-

so 2009 is here…another birthday has come and gone.. and I, like many have been thinking about this year and what goals  

( if any )    I’d like to set for myself..

Normally for me- which by the way can be very abnormal.. Hah! would be to set some physical goals.. meaning.. drop some bodyfat..add some muscle.. hit a new PR on lifts. something along those lines.. not so much this year..

I mean yes I still LOVE to train.. it is my drug of choice.. probably will be forever.. but I lost focus on my physical goals somewhere around November.. not sure specifically why..

 I mean others in our family had committments which took away somewhat from theplan I was trying to execute at the time. I began to feel like the stress I was feeling trying to do this just was not worth it.. so I stopped tracking my food.. stopped weighing my food matter of fact.. and just ate what I felt like eating when I felt like eating it..and have had my share of alcohol as well.

I havent dropped off in my gym time though.. although I have gotten to the point where I barely do any cardio.. not on a schedule whatsoever-and as far as my weight training.. meh.. I dabble in a little of this… a little of that.. still always training heavy.. of course a deload now and then..

but when I train- I do it hard.. nothing like throwing around heavy shit..

Interestingly enough.. I’d say I’ve dropped about 5 lbs I think.. I dont weigh myself.. Just gauge with clothes, and nekkidness.  

But anyhow .. I’ve dropped some fat.. all in spite of many many treats, beverages and what not.. so in this sense.. life is good…. I hope to find my focus again someday but for now my goal is just to catch up.. 

Catch up?

Enjoy life…take some me time.. enjoy friends and family..I have felt twinges of new adventures in life here as of late, and as fearful as I might be at times-

I am just gonna enjoy the ride….

My Season of Reflection

This is a post of nothing grand.. just me putting some of my thoughts to a page.. For those of you who either have known me well, or know me now- one thing you would say about me is “she is a thinker.”

Sometimes this trait serves me well.. other times it causes a battle within myself. But- hey its “ME”… and more and more I find I am ok with “ME”

December has always been a month of deep reflection for me. Not sure if it is because of Christmas, or if it is due to the fact that my birthday is on New years Eve..- the start of another year.  But I think ALOT about deep stuff this time of year.. reflect on all that has gone on in the previous year. Some of my thoughts bring hurts or unresolved things to the surface and it causes pain, but this year seems somehow different. I have really learned things. Things about myself, about other people, and about life.

I have heard your “40’s” is a great time. Meaning that certain things in your life and mind ”gel or mold” if you will. After this year, I see it.. I understand it more.

Big losses in my life this year. No actual death.. but loss.  Atleast that is how I have looked at it up until recent months.. I have never really been specific on certain things, but in this post I will.. hell- its my blog.. why have I held back in being specific? Afraid of hurting people maybe? Who knows.. But one thing I have gained this year in all of my losses is this. It is OK and RIGHT for me to set boundries with people. I am too valuable to not be treated as such. I demand a certain level of respect now, and no longer see the need for people who cannot recognize what I have to offer.. finally… I am “OK” with it..  I realize in no way is any of it a measure of my worth..

My biggest loss was a best friend. A sister to me.. an Aunt to my children. Her children… her husband… a friend to my husband.. very difficult for my entire family.. it also meant the loss of my business- a business which BIG Dreams were built on.. 

Am I better because of it all? Absolutely. I have some wonderful memories of my time with this person.. as do my kids. Recently they have spoken alot of her and of her children.. just this morning Clay said- “Mom.. these muffins are just like Miss Amy’s- gooey inside.” I was shocked… I couldnt believe he remembered that.

Ellie heard a song a few weeks back and remembered a time of her singing into a water bottle, she also found a picture of the other kids.. she asked for the zillionth time- will we ever see them again?

My answer as always is, ” I dont know.” I have been honest with them.. told them as much as they would understand as children. Just said that she had decided to become very close with people that I knew some bad things about. And that some of those people had treated her poorly, and had bad judgment. I learned most of these things from her..and  That I didnt think they were people who would be positive in my life or in hers, and that she had lied to me.. alot.. and that it was time to move on..

Someone sent me this sermon by T.D. Jakes.. I am only posting the parts that really hit home with me, but these parts I have used in  helping my kids to heal from the loss that this all has left them too.   I have tried to teach them that in life so many things happen for a reason. Some things we will never understand, and thats ok.. our job is to trust that God will see us through, and that someday we will reflect on it all and say, ” It’s Ok.” If this is your season of reflection too- I hope you gain something when you read below..

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you, let them walk. Dont try to talk a person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.. I mean hang up the phone.

When people walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody who left.

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you cant make them stay. Let them go. This doesnt mean he/she is a bad person; it just means that his/her part in the story is over. And you’ve got to know when people’s part in your story is over so that you can move on. You’ve got to know when its dead.

I know whatever God means for me to have He’ll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat- I dont need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go! if you are holding onto past hurts, let it go!

if someone cant treat you right, love you back and see your worth- let them go!

you will be better for it, trust me… you will..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Thanksgiving with a different perspective on things to be thankful for.

Why not be thankful that your child is two years behind grade level in his reading ability? This struggling reader is giving you the opportunity to read to him regularly at night. This evening ritual will help build connectedness between you and your child while at the same time modeling your love for the printed word. Great literature like The Little Engine That Could or The Diary of Anne Frank can be shared as you simultaneously bond with your child. This opportunity is an incredible blessing. Appreciate it.

Why not be thankful that your daughter’s soccer team lost their last game? It is important that your children have experiences of both winning and losing. By losing, children have the opportunity to learn to handle defeat and bounce back next time. With your help, they can learn that winning or losing is not the measure of who and what they are as human beings. They can learn they are more than the score. They can learn that it’s effort, energy, and playing up to potential with good sportsmanship that defines a winner, not the scoreboard. Appreciate the opportunity the loss brings and be grateful for it.

Why not be thankful that your teenager received a speeding ticked for going 45 mph in a 25 mph speed zone? Getting a ticket is not a bad thing. Not if your teen learns from it and slows her driving for the next year. If she takes personal responsibility, pays the ticket, and is more cautious about her driving, the ticket may well save her life or the life of someone else in the future. Bless the ticket and give thanks for its blessings.

Why not be thankful that your 8-year-old shoplifted in the grocery store? This is the perfect time to teach your child about shoplifting. Better now than when he helps himself to someone else’s car when he is 18. Teach him how to make amends. Teach him what to say as he returns the candy bars to the storeowner. Help him learn to articulate what he learned and what he intends to do differently next time. Bless this perfect time to teach lessons about taking things that don’t belong to you. Be grateful for the opportunity.

Why not be thankful that your youngsters track mud and sand into the garage and house? The next time you stand in the garage furiously sweeping sand and wishing that your children were better behaved, quietly remind yourself that one day you’ll wish you had sand to sweep out of the garage. Love the mud. Love the sand. Be grateful for the signs of the presence of children in your life.

Why not be thankful for sibling rivalry? “He got more than I did” and “It isn’t fair” are common childhood refrains. Hitting, poking and teasing your sister are typical childhood behaviors. Bless these opportunities to help your children learn how to get along with each other. Use them as times to teach interpersonal skills and the importance of touching each other gently. Sibling rivalry is a call for help, a signal that your children need lessons on how to interact positively with each other. Bless their unskillful way of asking for help. Be grateful that you recognize it and help them grow in working and playing cooperatively.

Why not be thankful that you got to stay home with a sick child last week? You didn’t have to stay home. You got to stay home. You didn’t have to take him to the doctor. You got to take him to the doctor. You got to make sure he received the health care he needed. You got to show him you care enough to drive all over town to the doctors, the pharmacists and back home again. You got to be with your boy while he was sick. Not everyone gets to be with their children when they are sick. You did. Chalk it up as a blessing. Celebrate it this Thanksgiving.

Why not be thankful that your adolescent asked you about oral sex? This is a great sign. It means your child trusts you enough to talk to you about sex. It means she is not getting all her sex knowledge from the street. It means you have been taking your role as sex educator in your family seriously and that you have moved beyond “the talk” to having an ongoing, honest conversation about the important subject of sex. Congratulate yourself. It is a blessing that you are willing to fulfill that role for your child and that she is responding to it positively. Give thanks.

Why not be thankful that your 20-year-old has moved out of your home? Did you really want to raise a 30-year-old Nintendo player who sits around your house all day sucking up diet Pepsi and pizza? Hardly! Your goal was to raise a responsible, caring, confident child who would move away from home when the time was right for her. You have been successful. Pat yourself on the back. Yes, it would nice if she had chosen to spend this Thanksgiving with you rather than with her boyfriend’s parents. Maybe next year. This year give thanks. Your child is an adult. That is a blessing.

Why not give thanks that your child is spilling milk, talking with his mouth full, wiping cranberry sauce on his new pants, refusing to eat his vegetables, and interrupting his grandmother at the dinner table this day? It means you have more work to do as a parent. It means your job is not yet done. This is a blessing. You are still needed to help your child learn to pour milk more carefully, improve his table manners, learn to eat nutritiously, and show respect for elders. Give thanks for these opportunities.

Why not be thankful for your special-needs child? Do you have a child with ADHD? Is your son autistic or dyslexic? Does your daughter have Down’s syndrome? Is your child facing a serious health challenge? Your children are in your life for a reason. Perhaps they have come to help you learn patience, understanding, or commitment. Perhaps they are here to teach your family about tolerance, acceptance of differences, or unconditional love. Their presence is a blessing. Be thankful for the contribution they are making to the planet and to your family.

This Thanksgiving remember that parenting is a ministry. It is a sacred role that you are being called to perform. Give thanks that you have been called. Give thanks that you are willing to step forward and accept that call. Appreciate that you are being shown the way. Celebrate yourself and your contribution to healing the planet by helping your children evolve into the people they were meant to be. You are a blessing to the world. Give thanks that you are up to the task.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Feeling down? Uninspired? Get up, get going and be grateful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DivRJm65ADc 

( The recovery of Jamie Gillentine)

My Brother’s Keeper

This post is dedicated soley to the enormous loss my baby brother has had this week. His childhood friend of over 20 yrs was tragically killed yesterday.

His words to me were, ‘ For as long as I can remember my life has had Schmitty in it. ” “I cant beleive he’s gone.”

Schmitty’s last years were a struggle, but I choose not to focus on that. What I want to write about is the value of true friendship and how God puts people in our lives for a reason. Steve and Schmitty were like brothers. Many camping trips, days of fishing were done together. Schmitty was my brother’s best man.  Throughout their long friendship they carried one another when they couldnt carry themselves.

 Keep Schmitty and his family in your prayers, and of course my brother Steve as well. Here is a pic of them from happier times and one of their favorite songs  that Steve shared with me today as we cried and talked of good times..

I beleive Schmitty is at peace now, I just hope those left behind find peace themselves in knowing this.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95507108&albumID=2263081&imageID=33567201 ( Steve and Schmitty)

 

A song they loved- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYCdvtHEUl8

More good stuff

I had a wonderful weekend with a friend who came down to see me over her birthday. While here, she gave me a book. I am only on the 4th chapter, but have not only found words for myself in it so far- but words that apply to soo many people I know where they are in their lives right now.. so I wanted to share a bit of what made me think of so many people I care about.

We are all assigned a piece of the garden. A corner of the universe that is ours to transform. Our corner of the universe is our own life- our relationships, our homes, our work, or our current circumstances-exactly as they are. Every situation we find ourselves in- is an opportunity probably occurring to teach us something.

 

Sometimes it is to love instead of fear.

 

Whatever energy system we find ourselves a part of, its our job to heal it if it hurts. It is never really a circumstance that needs to change- it is WE who need to change. 

 

 Sometimes we don’t realize that the present is always  a chance to begin again- a light filled moment. We respond to the light as if it were darkness and so the light turns to dark.

 

Sometimes it is only  in retrospect that we can see that we were given another chance at life, at a relationship or whatever it may be- but because we get so busy reacting to the past we miss the opportunity at something radically new and more beautiful than before.

 

( excerpt from A Return To Love by MariAnne Williamson)

Self- Sabotage

Self-Sabotage ( written by Renee of Skwiggs’s World)
I recently had a conversation about distorted body image and that phenomenon that causes people to sabotage themselves whenever they get close to their goals. Otherwise sane people often get to within a few pounds of their healthy weight and then suddenly chuck all of the healthy habits and binge for months at a time. And it usually isn’t a one time occurrence. For a lot of people, the pattern repeats itself over and over again. We talked about my eating disorder, and BFL, and whether I’d ever had trouble seeing myself clearly or dealing with success. The conversation basically turned into an article, so I thought I’d post the whole thing. It’s a timely subject because so many people start with good intentions on January 1st and then disappear into a pile of candy wrappers by Valentines Day.

In my case, the eating disorder was so messed up that there wasn’t any success to deal with, I was never happy with my weight or appearance no matter what. When I started Body for Life I was already healthy and my weight only changed by like 4-5 pounds, so it wasn’t really an issue then either. Although, after losing quite a few inches, I do sort of remember an uncomfortable feeling like I was literally disappearing.

My particular hang up with food and weight is that I eat for 10,000 reasons other than being hungry. I’ll eat to reward, entertain, comfort, and numb myself. If I’m thinking about something I don’t like, all I have to do is eat a pint of ice cream and I’ll stop thinking. If food is your coping mechanism and you suddenly give it up, you’re left alone with all the icky emotional stuff. Bingeing dumbs it back down and takes the edge off.
In order to get past that stumbling block, you have to figure out what’s going on in your head and you have to find creative new ways to cope with it that don’t involve cheese, chocolate, and powdered sugar. You also need to think through the pros/cons of bingeing and regaining. There’s obviously some big emotional payoff when you eat out of control and regain all the weight, otherwise you wouldn’t keep doing it over and over again. Maybe it’s a relief, maybe it takes the pressure off, numbs pain, lowers the bar, confirms some deep-seated belief that you’re not worth it. Plenty of people freak the hell out over unwanted sexual attention or unsolicited comments from other people. On some level, regaining the weight makes them feel safely invisible again.

The majority of the emotional stuff is totally subconscious. You may sabotage yourself over and over again and never look closely at what’s behind it. In order to fix it you need to drag all of that dark goo out of the recesses of your brain, take a good look at it, and confront it point by point. Like, if some of your goo is that you’re “weak-willed and don’t deserve succeed” ask yourself:

Is this a true fact or is it drivel I made up?
Does this thinking help me or hurt me?
Did I come to this conclusion myself or am I clinging to hurtful words that some fool said to me years ago?
How could I change this thought pattern into something more accurate and positive?

Like you might turn the weak-willed notion around and say, “I’m a strong person and I’m determined to succeed no matter what.” And it’s not enough to just write it down and throw it in a drawer somewhere. You have to live, breathe and become your new thoughts. That way when things get difficult, you don’t start babbling the same old subversive crap at yourself. If you approach adversity and doubt differently, you get different (successful) results. At first it sounds like positive thinking hoody-hoo, but it’s really crucial to face the difficult feelings head-on rather than with denial and cookies. That’s the only way your brain and your body are going to sync up and be a true reflection of one another. Dr. Phil gives some tips on how to do it:

Dr. Phil’s Ultimate Weight Solution had whole chapters on raking up your goo. It was all about emotional eating and thought processes and habits and triggers. People gave him hell for writing a “diet” book when he’s no physical Adonis himself, but it wasn’t a diet book and he never claimed to be a fitness expert. Losing weight is all about your brain, and who better to help you change your thinking than a psychologist? Until you get your brain in gear, the best fitness advice in the world won’t help you.

I would also add that just because you have issues doesn’t mean you have to muddle around eating Doritos and being introspective until you sort it out. It’s important to address your emotional issues, but you don’t have to get all of that stuff neatly wrapped up before you take action. Eat clean and workout. The next day, eat clean and workout some more. Planning and analyzing is fine, but at some point you have to just shut up and do it. If you don’t feel all strong and determined and in control of yourself, FAKE IT! Get up and do what a healthy, happy, fit, totally together person would do even if you’re a pudgy sniveling basket case right at the moment. That old Aristotle guy pretty much nailed it when he said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

So, choose your daily habits carefully because, good or bad, they’re what you’ll become.
written by Renee of Sqwiggs World.