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
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.
–

1. A Smart Woman knows she has the power to create her life the way she wants
She doesn’t rely on other people to get her needs met
She knows her self-esteem comes from within

2. A Smart Woman acknowledges that she is a spiritual being on a human journey
She knows she is connected to a power greater than herself
She contributes her energy to the betterment of the planet

3. A Smart Woman is in constant motion towards well-being
She resolves her unfinished business
She is committed to her physical and emotional health

4. A Smart Woman seeks understanding and alignment with her higher purpose
She embraces and expresses her authenticity
She knows that she has value and worth

5. A Smart Woman minds her own business.
She doesn’t gossip
She doesn’t get emotionally invested in the decisions/choices others make

6. A Smart Woman has a private profile and a public profile
She has clear boundaries around sharing her personal details
She trusts the people she lets into her private profile

7. A Smart Woman accepts that making mistakes is human 
She admits her mistakes as soon as she makes them and moves on
She does not apologize when she is not wrong

8. A Smart Woman radiates personal power
She makes her choices and decisions from a place of power
If she does lose her balance, she easily regains it through her sense of self

9. A Smart Woman knows that looking after herself:  ‘being selfish’, isn’t a bad thing
She knows that everyone benefits when she is healthy and well
She understands that she can’t give what she doesn’t have herself

10. A Smart Woman seeks balance in all areas of her life
She is aware of her work to home balance
She is committed to taking excellent care of herself in all respects

11. A Smart woman has excellent social skills
She is comfortable representing herself in a professional manner
She conducts herself with power and grace

12. A Smart Woman surrounds herself with positive energy
She chooses empowering and supportive friends
She seeks a career that affirms her passions, skills and intelligence

13. A Smart Woman trusts her inner self and her instincts
She doesn’t play little so some one else can feel big
She affirms her intelligence, skills and creativity and does not hide these qualities

14. A Smart Woman asks for help when she needs it
She humbly acknowledges her need for support
She is ready and willing to offer her support when appropriate

15. A Smart Woman knows that she is a work in progress
She knows that ‘perfect’ is an illusion
She knows that ’she will never finish growing and she will never get everything perfect

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.

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….

I am overflowing with anticipation for what is happening this afternoon! My Mom is coming for the Christmas holiday! Being a Navy family, we dont have the luxury of being with family members every holiday.  This year I made my feelings known to everyone that I felt they had not done their share in regards to putting forth effort on being with my kids for neither Christmas nor their birthday.. call it what you will- but frankly- in my opinon there is no excuse for my oldest who is  10 yrs old to have NEVER had a Grandparent visit for Christmas and that the last birthday anyone attended was at her 4th birthday.

Certainly NO excuse for my youngest who is 6 to have the same- no one for Christmas… but bless him.. never had anyone here for a birthday..

So this was partly my reasoning for letting mine and hubby’s parents know that I was disgusted.. hurt.. disappointed.. My father in law was to visit for Christmas, but has called at the last minute, and now is not coming.. my Mom called not too long after we found this out and I was in tears.. dreading telling the kids that he now would not be here.. again.. nobody is coming.. so- I cry and vent to my Mother.. who has always done her best, and is the one Grandparent who comes to visit the most- even though she is the only “single” one….living on only her income.. she manages to visit once or twice a year.. anyway- what I am getting to is I vent and cry my frustrations to her.. we hang up- she calls back less than an hour later and say- I am coming! I”ll be there Monday! OMG!!!

The kids have no idea.. they think we are heading to the airport this afternoon for me to find some last minute gifts at some of the airport shops.. little do they know who will walk up and say, “hey- think Santa will find me here” I am more excited for my kids than ever! They are gonna be crazy when they see her! Plan to video tape their reaction, and get some pics too.. I am so thankful for my Mom.. she values memories for kids like I do.. will post pics if I get some good ones!!

“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.”

Carl Jung

1875-1961, Psychiatrist

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..

.

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.

 Just a dedication to all of my wonderful friends who I see as “Super Women”, and make me feel like one too! I love you all!    

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK8t0gP4isE.