I'm a survivor!

Just read a cool article on People.com on surviving the holidays and not eating yourself crazy! The blog is by Celeb trainer Harley Pasternak

Hellooo Harvey! Buff much?

He had some really great tips, a survival guide I will be using for sure! Check it out!

1. Never Show Up Hungry!

One of the most common mistakes people make is starving themselves all day and "saving their calories" for a big dinner and dessert. This can backfire on you in a number of important ways. If you arrive starving, you're going to eat whatever's in sight. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day helps you avoid showing up ravenous and actually speeds up your metabolism.

2. Our Eyes are Bigger than Our Stomachs

Studies show that the larger the plate or bowl we use, the more we eat. Using a smaller plate, like a salad plate, for dinner will really help you be aware of your portion sizes and help you eat less as a result.

3. Go Easy on the Alcohol

I'm not being a total Scrooge and saying you can't have a drink or two, I'm just suggesting that you be careful. Not only are alcoholic drinks loaded with calories that don't fill us up (and I mean loaded – 1 cup of eggnog can have 350 calories and 19 grams of fat!), but they also lower our inhibitions, which can lead to mindless eating. Good alternatives to traditional egg nog are Silk's Soymilk Nog (180 calories and 4g of fat per cup), or Vitasoy's Holly Nog (120 calories and 2g of fat).  

4. Be Selective with the Sweets

When it comes to the dessert table, stick to your favorites. Don't waste calories on those pecan sandies that you only sort-of like. Try to really savor each bite of the ones you pick.

5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Instead of standing by the table where all the treats are laid out, hang out in another room or farther away from the temptation. Better yet, bring the treats out for dessert only and then put them away. If they're not sitting out, you're less likely to mindlessly graze all night.

6. Keep Moving

Stay active during the holidays. Take a walk with your family to see the neighbors' decorations, or take a brisk walk around the block with your friends. Walking after a meal can burn calories and even aid in digestion. Don't, however, fall for the “I'll exercise it off later” routine. Going for a run today does not compensate for the three extra helpings you ate yesterday. In fact, sudden bouts of activity to compensate for extra calorie intake can actually increase your hunger while increasing your likelihood for injury. 

Back, Back, Forth and Forth...and forth, and forth

This can sometimes be the way of the weight loss...one step forward, two steps back. It's frustrating! Especially for us women! We bloat, we drop the water weight  and then we bloat some more.  But it is what it is. 

So how do we deal with this fluctuation roller coaster of pain and misery!

Well, first, stay off the scale! All that does is drive us nuts! As women, we fluctuate naturally for day to day. One day you will be down 4 pounds and the next day up 6! It's just part of being a chick! The sooner we come to grips with it the better life will be. LOL

Secondly, come to terms with the fact that your diet is going to cause changes in your weight. Even if you think you are not eating that bad, you need to evaluate everything you intake. How much sodium are you ingesting on a daily basis? Are you getting the accurate amount of water? Are you getting enough fiber? Enough protein? As much as exercise will help you drop weight, eating right, will help you drop even more. And the cleaner you eat and drink, the less toxins are in you system, making you look and feel better!

Know the importance of H2O! Because the body is about 60% water, fluctuations in your hydration levels can change the number on a scale. If you’re dehydrated or have eaten too much salt, your body may actually retain water, which can cause scale weight to creep up. Similarly, many women retain water during menstrual cycles, which is another thing that can make that number change.

Lastly, if you have been working out and eating right, remember, muscle weighs more than fat! Trust me, I have to think about that too. It's like, I look smaller, but I gained weight! WHAT! NOOOOOO....But what I fail to see is that by working out I am developing lean muscle, which though it weighs more, is good! This is the result you want, the conversion of fat to muscle! But this doesn't happen overnight, so if you want a quick fix, you're going to be sorely disappointed. 

The most important thing you can do is keep moving forward. Stresses of life, love, work, you name it, will inevitably come and get you off your game. But don't let it keep you off your game. Regain your focus and get back in it! You can do anything you set your mind to. Just keep going!

Hold it, don't drop...

As in don't drop the ball on your weight loss goals! It's that dreaded time of year for those of us who have dropped weight are fearing! THE HOLIDAY'S!!!!

(Sweet Potato Pie!!! OH THE HORROR!!!!)

I found some tips on The Organic Whey blog to help you not overdo it on turkey day....

1. Eat ahead of time. It’s kind of like the rule about never grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Indeed your eyes are way bigger than your stomach, but you can trick them easily by being full before they set their sights on Grandma’s sweet potato pie or cousin Ruth’s incredible gingersnap cookies. Eat healthy foods before the big meal like a green salad, steamed veggies and whole grains that will keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer and you’ll find you’re less interested in over-eating.
2. Drink lots of water. Our bodies are funny, and we often confuse hunger with thirst. Staying properly hydrated can keep you from feeling hungry. Drinking during meals can actually upset your digestion and cause gas and bloating, but drinking several glasses of water an hour or two before a big meal can drastically reduce the chances of you overdoing it.
3. Go Slow. The French take hours to eat, and they eat some of the fattiest, richest foods on the planet yet have some of the healthiest citizens. Their trick is no trick, really. They eat slow, which allows for the body to know that it’s full. So even though they’re eating calorie-rich foods, they’re eating moderate amounts of them and allowing the body to digest over time rather than getting several hundred calories all at once. If that means you’re the last one at the table, so be it. But you may find that if you’re eating slowly others may slow down too.
4. Start Small. Our tendency can often be to fill every conceivable spot of a plate with food. And on holidays like Thanksgiving, it’s easy enough to do with so many yummy dishes. But rather than fully fill your plate, try starting with just a biteful or two of each dish, which may be enough for an entire meal.

Week 2 - Kenya

Week 2 Review:

What I Did: Exercise - Not gonna lie...I did like maybe 2 days...Mid-terms! How do people fit this much stuff in and not die! LOL (Next week will be better!)

Diet - Doing the Tasca Clean eating with Mom. I made a shepherd's pie which was great b/c it meant I didn't have to cook this week. It was great, and it good for you! Even Quentin Liked it! Looking forward to making more meals. 

How I feel: I feel a little disappointed that I am not getting my workouts in like I should. I will do better! 10 Weeks to go! It's not over yet! 

Week 2 - Sharon

Week 2 Review:

What I Did: Exercise - Pretty much the same as last week. Though it was admitidly a little challenging this week. And I am sore! 

Diet -Still doing Tosca Reno’s Eating Clean way of life.  I did good until Sunday. Tosca says you make your next meal the right meal when you eat bad. 

How I feel: I feel pretty good. Still motivated and up for the challenge!

Weight Loss Challenge - Week 1 - Kenya (Me!)

What I Did: Exercise - I did Zumba a couple of times this week. I gotta admit, this was a hard week for me. I started two more classes this week also, giving me a total of 4 classes. Not to mention I work full time. Can you say tired? Whoa....

Diet - Still doing Terry Starks Clean eating plan. It's pretty much like my mom's. 5 small meals every 3 hours or so. Water, water, water....high protein, low carbs. 

How I feel: I feel pretty good, just a little bummed about my exercise. I have to schedule better this week to be able to get it all done. I also I have to figure how to fight my tiredness...I am very motivated though and ready to tackle this week full on! Mom, I see you...I'm comin' for ya! LOL 

Weight Loss Challenge - Week 1 Review - Sharon (Mom)

Week 1 Review:

What I Did: Exercise - I worked out every day except Tuesday.  I was not feeling well on Tuesday so decided to take care of myself.  I did muscle toning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday;  Thursday, and Saturday I did cardio. 

Diet - I have opted to follow Tosca Reno’s Eating Clean way of life.  I like the plan and cannot believe how much food you get to eat.  I eat 5-6 small meals a day.  The meals essentially consist of a protein and a complex-carb.  I am drinking at least 16 ounces of water with each meal, which helps me get my water intake in, and of course, I am taking a daily supplement as well as flaxseed.

How I feel:      A little sore, but overall I feel great.  It feels good to commit to something positive that will result in a positive outcome.  I feel more confident. Because I have a mesomorphic body type, I respond well to exercise and see results quickly; I am thankful for this as it keeps me motivated.  Eating clean and drinking all that water requires many trips to the bathroom, personally I think this should count as exercise.  Just saying…

Gotta tell ya...

Seems like everyone is looking to get their sexy back these days! And that's great b/c obesity in this country is pretty ridiculous! After posting on FB that we were doing the weight loss challenge I have about 4 friends/family ask to join in! AMAZING! 

It's so much easier to stay motivated when you have other people in the same boat as you, working toward a similar goal! I am even more excited to know that our little challenge is inspiring others!!!

Together We Can! 

AND WE WILL!

I wantcha so bad it's scary....

20 pound...off my body! That's what I want so bad it's scary! And by George (whoever he is...) I will have my way! And so will my mama! 

Yep, that's my twin...err...i mean I am her twin...she's the mama.

12 weeks! 20 Pounds! It's going DOWN! (And by down I mean our dress size!)

Starting tomorrow, the games begin and the challenge will go though January.

Stay tuned to see our progress!!! 

I know it's been awhile, but I'm glad you came...

♫ It's been awhile... I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting... But I'm here now♪♪

HAHAH...ok that was my one nerd moment of this post!


Anyhoo...so here is the latest on Weight Loss 2012:

Officially down  (DRUMROLL PLEASE.....)

34 POUNDS! 



(Aww, thanks Brit!)

Soooooo Happy! My body feels totally different now, and I can't go back to the aches and pains of being heavier. 21 pounds to go to reach my goal weight! But I am determined! I can do it! I will do it!  
Its so funny how your taste for things changes...if I try to eat something "bad" it either taste horrible....



or comes back with a vengeance! 




(Brit, that's not what I meant...ewww...)
My body tells me it's not accustomed to that any more.

So what now...Well, I gotta kick up my weight training which my wonderful boyfriend has agreed to help me with. He's so sweet! And keep eating right. 

TIme to get that nice toned stomach and arms going.

I'm also looking forward to Halloween...it's the first year I won't have to get my costume options from plus size! 

EXCITING!!!! 

I will be sure to post pics of whatever I end up being! Until the...Say goodbye Brit!

Old blue jeans...

Out with the old and in with the new...blue jeans that is. I had to break on down and come to terms with the fact that my old jeans (my 16's and 14's) weren't gettin' the job done anymore! So off to Old Navy I went where the sales girl and I had a blast with trying on all the jeans. It was the most fun trying on clothes I think I've ever had. 

Losing weight it great...but man, it's kind of a pain when the clothes you're used to wearing are to big, giving you that saggy butt look. Not attractive AT ALL on anyone! IJS...

No Bueno...

Just right!

It's important that you bite that bullet and go get clothes that fit and flatter, no matter what size you are. You gotta look good so you feel good. Fix your hair, wear your make up, accessorize! We as women, can wear our emotions...literally. When we're depressed it shows in our appearence. But I have found that no matter how down I am, when I look good, my hair is nice, my nails are painted (and my toes!), I put on a lil MAC...suddenly, whatever was bothering me, doesn't seem so bad. Look good feel good!

Buying new jeans helped me feel better, because since my pants now fit my new body, I can see the progress I have made, and it makes me want to go harder. I'm 32 lbs down! 22 to go to get to 150 lbs.! That's no small feat! So yea, I am gonna give myself a high-five! Well done!

Remember the motto of the day:

LOOK GOOD....FEEL GOOD! 

Bible Verse of the Day

1 Timothy 6:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


In this fight club, you talk about fight club...

100 Workout

I thought I'd share this...there are different versions of the 100 work out. This one is the most common.

But there are other versions you can do also:

Find one that works for you, and your needs, and give it a try! 

Hiccups....

This week has been...challenging...to say the least. Having school, a full time job, trying to workout, a boyfriend, church, and having a social life aren't the easiest things. I didn't eat like I was supposed to on my clean eating plan and I am so bummed out about it. I didn't workout either this week much. Like I said, this week has been challenging.

But this is just like hiccups, they suck when you have them, but they don't last long. (Unless you're that girl who had them for 5 weeks straight. No bueno...) But how to I balance it all out? It's gonna take a lot of planning and prep work. And as always, dedication and focus. I can't forget my goals. I need a game plan.

First things first....Food:
I think my best plan of action is to cook my meals for the week (yes, the whole 7 days!!!) on the weekend. This way I can grab and go. I also need to pack everything up the night before, put my bowl out for breakfast in the mornings, etc. I need a check list! And more plastic-ware, lol.

Next, even though I am soooooooooo tired this week, next week, I need to be on a better schedule. I need to force myself to get up in the morning, no matter what!!! And do my workout. I feel so much better when I do and a lot less tired during the day. It really does give me so much energy. I can do the 100 workout in the morning and something else in the evening.

I can do my workout when I get home, shower and hit the books (this includes the Word, I can take the first 30 minutes to study my word too.) This will give me a couple of hours a day of study time, which is perfect! (Still trying to make that Dean's List!) After I do homework for the day, I can prepare for the next day by packing meals for the day and getting the house in order to shut down for the night. (I think a major cleaning over the weekend will make it easy to keep clean during the week)

I also need to be in bed at a reasonable time. Even harder to get up if I haven't had enough sleep!

The moral of the story is, I really have to plan ahead to get the results I desire, not just weight loss, but school, church, everything. Balance is key.

Stay tuned...We'll see how I do next week. Hopefully I will have gotten rid of my hiccups...

Bible Verse of the day...

Romans 8:37

New International Version (NIV)

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Did that really just happen?

My friend Essence and I had the honor and privileged to have a conversation with Joe Clark. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with who he is, he is the man for which the movie Lean On Me is based on. Clark was played by Morgan Freeman

We were in complete and total shock! Is this for real! This is really happening! How blessed are we!!!
We had an amazing conversation with him! The man is wise! He knows his stuff! We talked about all sorts of things, from faith, to school, to church, you name it. It was truly an honor!

Mr. Clark left us with some sound advice. He said "Find you raison d'etre." We had an idea as to what it meant but weren't fully sure. So he gave us the assignment of looking it up and then determining our raison d'etre.

So what does it mean? "a French phrase meaning "reason for existence."  He said until you figure this out, your wasting time. You need to know why God has placed you on this earth and you need to fulfill his plan for you life. That make sense. No point in going though like like a chicken with it's head cut off.
You won't get too far.

That being said...I truly believe that I can do anything I set my mind to, I just have to believe and have faith!

So, I set my mind to getting on the Dean's list this semester! 

Oh yea, it's going down!!!!

That's one among a million other goals I have but I want it and it will happen THIS semester! I want to graduate will no less than a 3.5 GPA! Then I can transfer to the University of Florida (GO GATORS!!) and fulfill my Raison D'etre...to become a UF graduate (First one in my family!) To get a job in my field of study, Telecommunications! And to have the best life possible!

All things are possible to those who believe!
I'M A BELIEVER!

I might be a girlie girl but...

I loves me some football! Especially Gator football!

GOOOOOO GATORS!

This year I plan to go to at least a few home games to cheer them on, but I wanna look cute. I don't wanna wear a jersey and shorts and sneakers. Boring! 

So what's a girl to do? Well there are options out there. Check these out:

Super Cute, right! I will definitely be buying some of these cute items!

Ok, just wanted to share...lol.

Here is the link to the clothing.

Football Fanatics

Bible Verse of the Day....

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight

Keep the faith, God's got your back...(as Will would say...)

Step by Step....

I've had that Jordin Sparks song "One Step at A Time" playing through my brain for days now. So I decided to listen to it, since that usually helps get it out of my system. While listening, I realized I never truly listened to the lyrics....

♪♫We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's
Supposed to happen and we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time♫♪

Wow, she's so right...there is no need to rush, and it will happen when it's supposed to happen. Not just with weight loss, or getting past your past, but in everything in life. You have to take it step by step. 

This is something that I am learning going through my journey. I may be 30, but I have a lot to learn in this life. I will never stop learning. If we stop learning, we stop growing. And if we stop growing, we start dying. And who wants that!

Growing doesn't mean you're not where you should be. You are just where you (yes, you) are supposed to be. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't! Times will get hard, and the road will get difficult to travel on, but keep pushing forward and don't let go of your goals.

And above all else...Keep you faith in GOD!

Bible Verse of the Day

Romans 13:8

New International Version (NIV)

Love Fulfills the Law

⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Love can move mountains...love someone today!

Lovely Day...

Everyone has them! That day where noting goes right! It's raining, the dog chewed your shoe, you can't find anything to wear, your hair is a mess, and you over slept. Today is one of those days (Except the dog part...don't have a dog. But if I did, it probably would have!)

But, does it have to be a bad day?

This is the enemy trying to get you down. It's not a bad day, any day you wake up in the land of the living is a great day! So why complain!? Well, because we're human...simple as that. It's an easy thing to do but we have to see where our blessing far outweigh all the bad. The devil wants you to focus on negativity. Don't be a pawn in his game. Instead, fight against negative thoughts, fear, and anxiety. Encourage each other. Find a friend or family member you can talk to daily who uplifts you. This is how you keep the devil under your feet. 

Women especially, don't gossip and talk bad about each other behind people's back. Lift up your fellow woman. Help her reach her goals, help her build her confidence, tell her she's worth more than rubies. Because she is!

*GIRL POWER*

I wanna be this kind of woman:

Together...we can move mountains! 

Weekend Warrior...

Weekends are when you go out with your friends and live it up...unless you are dieting apparently. There will be no eating soup, salad, and breadsticks...there will be no cocktails with the ladies, no popcorn at the movies...you my friend have bigger fish to fry. (Oh, there will be none of that either! LOL)

That was the lesson I had to learn this weekend. Not that I do all of that anyway, but, I had plans to go see Sparkle (Which, btw, was really good, better than I thought!). We went to dinner, but I had to be good. That was different. No Queso dip for this one! No Honey Chipotle Chicken either...

I was texting my cousin, Mo, about it and she said something that made my initial disappointment vanish...

She said " When I eat clean, I don't partake in Girl's Nights, it's too tempting (Ain't that the truth!) I prefer to give it 100% in order to get the benefits. I tell myself, there will be plenty of gatherings with friends later when I 've earned a reason to celebrate." Man...she's good...she gets me every time! And I love it!

She is absolutely right, once I have mastered eating right, I will be more capable of eating right during these times out. And once I have reached my goal, I can celebrate...have a skinny margarita, or chips and salsa! But not until I get there. And buddy let me tell ya...i'm not there yet. So no GNO's for me for a while. That is a sacrifice I am willing to make to better myself! 

Besides....think of how hot i'll look when I do go out....

*Little Black Dress Bound...*

Bible Verse of the day....

Psalm 118:24

The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.


Oh happy day!

Everybody plays the fool...sometimes....

Ok, I have had Verizon Wireless for years...I mean YEARS! And I have always had unlimited data...that is until this month. Now I am on this stupid Share Everything Plan and I have to control my data usage which, if you know me, you know is not going to be easy. (UGH! Worst thing I ever did! Why'd I let them talk me into that!) I use my phone for everything! Well, thanks to this craptasticness...(yes, thats a word...in my world) I am 13 days into the new month and over half my data allotment is used up! Crap!

 Now mind you, I could have kept my unlimited date {and I should have}, but I have an upgrade and I wanna use it for the Iphone 5.  And if I had kept the unlimited, I would have to pay full price for it.

SAY WHA?

Uh...ain't happin'! But now I can't deal with this allocation of data! Is this not America...home of the free, land of the unlimited data plans? Give me my data plan back!!! To which Verizon said without hesitation...NOPE...you're stuck with it now!

*Insert Evil Laugh Here*

So...desperate times call for desperate measures! My plan is up in December and i'll be switching to Sprint. Yes, I am switching over to the dark-side in an effort to get back my freedom! (Well, my data usage freedom anyway!) Let's just hope I don't regret it...

Stay tuned

Bible Verse of the Day....

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Be careful of the company you keep...are they helping to build you up, or slowly tearing you down...

I get by with a lil' help from my friends....

It's great to have great friends...and I have some great ones! This morning, two of those awesome people came to work out with me at 5am!  That's pretty cool, right! Lithza and Jess, you're the best!

Not everyone would do that. But I have been lucky in having a lot of support! My boyfriend wakes up with me every morning to go to the gym! Having him do that really makes getting up so early a lot easier. And he tells me "Babe, I'm proud of you! You are doing so good!" *Blushing* Can you say "Best Boyfriend Ever..." LOL

And then, there is my cousin Mo...she is always sending me text that just make me feel like I can conqueror the world! When I feel like I can't go that extra few steps, she always says something that helps me keep going.(STAY FOCUSED!) She is da bomb! I love her! 

Between her encouragement, my mom's words of wisdom (because every mama has some to share!), great friends, a supportive and loving boyfriend, and my faith in God....

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Just call me K.L.A. the Conqueror!!!!

Bible Verse of the Day....

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.


I give myself away....

Oh BTW....

This was me at the start:
205 lbs

No Bueno....

This is me at 183

Now we're getting somewhere!!!!

I'm now 181...More to come peeps...

To quote  Christina Aguilera ...It keeps gettin' better....

Working out is hard to do....

Holy cow! I am so sore! I woke up at 4:50am for the past few days to hit the gym and do cardio and then hit the gym again after work to do some weight training...lemme tell ya...that's a hard task. And my body is so sore! My abs are hurting and I haven't even done any ab work...

*blank stare* 

How is that even possible?  LOL.

Then...there is the eating situation...I wanna eat this:

But I'm eating this:

So I can go from this:

to this:

Make sense? Good!

This is gotta be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but having already dropped 23.3 pounds, I'm so motivated to keep it going. I can look like that, it's not going to happen tomorrow, or a week from now, not even a month from now...It's going to take time and dedication, which I have! And putting my progress on here will help keep me accountable. So stay tuned...

Bible Verse of the Day....

Mark 9:23

 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”




I'm a believer...even though I've never seen him...I believe.

Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes...

Change is one of those four letter words for me...I'm not too fond of it but I also know that it has to happen. And so, it shall. For me that began majorly  before my 30th birthday. 

That pretty smiling woman, is me...K.L.A....

I know, looks like I have my fancy pink drink and not my sparkly dress and not a care in the world. Well, I'm pretty good at putting my best "Face" forward. I wouldn't want you to see the crack underneath it all. It's something I learned to do a long time ago, probably around age 7. I had to, I couldn't cope otherwise. 

Fast forward to age 29. Still wearing the mask of total happiness, it appears that I have it pretty much together. A nice place, a nice car, an amazing boyfriend, job promotions, good grades... But much as the case usually is, looks can be deceiving. My cracks were starting to show, I could no longer hide the anger that was growing beneath my happy face. I was not the happy-go-lucky person I pretended to be. I began to gain weight, getting up to 205 lbs. I was (still am sometimes when stressed) picking at my skin none stop, creating these horrible looking sores, even on my face. 

Having hit my rock bottom, and being an introverted personality, I went further into my shell. It's the only safe place I knew. I wasn't talking about these issues to anyone, not even my boyfriend, who (unlike most guys) actually wanted to know how I felt. It was driving a big wedge between us. And I couldn't bare that. He had mentioned talking to a councilor, even one at school. I didn't want to, I didn't like the idea that some stranger would be hearing all my deep dark secrets and judging me on them. But, I went. And it led me to finding the best therapist in the world (well, at least in my world!) She is just like talking to a friend, and we talk about everything...and I do mean EVERYTHING! By starting to get these feelings out, I am now working out, eating better (Down 23.3 lbs.!), I am working on  communicating more with the BF. I am recognizing unhealthy habits and relationships, and making changes for the better. I am even getting closer to God in finding the true me within. I was afraid of change. Truth be told, I was afraid of everything! But I am saying goodbye to fears and hello to life. It's a journey...and the road isn't always an easy one to travel...but I'm learning to really enjoying the ride....AS THE REAL ME!