I'm baaccckkkk!!!

I know, I know, you were probably wondering what the heck happened to me? No worries dear friends, I am back blogging again, but not without a few stories to tell my readers.
First of all, I was and still am in the hospital. The Sunday after I posted last I woke up with severe pains in both legs. I was diagnosed with onset Multiple
Sclerosis five years ago and it's not unusual for me to have joint pain. Hubby took me to the ER, and they gave me some pain meds and sent me on my way. That evening I fell asleep early because of the pain medication. The next morning I woke up with pains in my stomach that were so bad I couldn't stand up straight. Yup, you guessed it....back to the ER. This time the doctor told me it was not related to my MS, but to a blockage in my small intestines. I was immediately admitted, upgraded to a pain pump, and told that if I did not pass it naturally, I would be having surgery. After two weeks in the hospital, I finally passed it naturally.Though I am still in the hospital, the doctor was here not fifteen minutes ago. He promised that I would be released tomorrow....Easter Sunday! I am making plans to celebrate Easter Sunday with cooking ( yes I know I will only be released a few hours, but I am cooking dinner myself!), and to see my church family who I love dearly.I am honestly not sure if I could get through all the recent trials and tribulations without all those dear people! I can't wait to hug each and every one of them! Tomorrow is shaping up to be a super day! The Lord is making sure of that fact!
Unfortunately though, being in the hospital the last two weeks forced me to be disqualified for the Move it or Lose it Challenge :( The rules state that you must keep up with your progress every week. I was really upset about it, but then I realized something. So what if I am not eligible for a cash prize? I can still get my health in check and become a more fit me! That is definitely a prize in itself right? Because of this, starting on Monday....I will be posting as if I am still a participant! I was doing so awesome, I truly believe that being in the hospital should not deter me in the least bit. It will include everything that was mandatory in the challenge...including scale pictures as well! Watch out for that post on Monday :)
The last revelation I had while being hospitalized is in regards to the future. As this blog progresses, you will hear more and more about my health struggles. Briefly....I have a genetic disorder that has resulted in cancer 4X, Anemia, and many surgical procedures. I have been through a lot in my life, but I have always wanted to become a registered nurse. Many of those in the medical profession have told me that there is no way I could do this because of my stamina which is always extremely low. Honestly though, who are they to say what I can and can not do right? I do not want to live a life of "what if's" and wondering "what could have been", so I am going to apply to Midlands Technical School's registered nurse program here in South Carolina! Hopefully I can begin for their summer term. If that doesn't go as planned I will start in the fall. My hubby is all for it too! I have been asking the nurses that are taking care of me about the program and they say it's pretty tough book wise. I believe that 99% of all the people that complete the program pass their state boards on the very first try! Am I scared? Of course I'm scared, but hey I beat cancer four times....this should be a piece of cake ;)
Well, that's the update! More soon!

Hugs and Blessings!

Juli XOXO

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Move it or Lose it Challenge Begins!!

Well, the day is here....the start of the Move it or Lose it Challenge sponsored by Mamavation and Earth Footwear. I have been really trying lately to step out of my comfort zone and try some new things, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. Believe me, 6 months ago I would never have posted pics of myself bald and in a bikini. By the way if your wondering why I am sans hair, last Saturday I took part in St. Baldricks Day. This is a non profit organization to promote awareness for childhood cancer. About 80 men and women shaved their heads in an attempt to send a message that the hair is not what is important it will grow back. It is what inside that counts. This is my 4th year in a row getting shaved and I have to admit it is one of the most freeing experiences as a woman and former cancer survivor. If you ever have the opportunity to participate, I highly suggest it. Okay, back to Move it or Lose it. I am interested in losing about twenty five pounds and toning up. Each week until the challenge is over on May 23rd, we have to post an update to our weight and use our blog to let everyone know how the challenge is going. I will be incorporating the challenge with good ole Weight Watchers online to hopefully achieve the best results. The head Mamavation mom, Leah a.k.a Bookieboo graciously announced that she will give $100 to anyone who finishes this challenge and $500 to the one with the best results. Earth Footwear www.earthfootwear.com also graciously will give the winner a choice of their wonderful footwear as well. With that being said, here are my beginning pictures and starting statistics!

Well there you are....pretty scary huh? LOL I should have at least gotten a pedi! I am trying to focus on how great the "after" pics will look since these are so pitiful.Almost forgot to post my measurements! How could I forget to do that ;)
Bust 38.5
Waist 30.0
Hips 39.5 (Hey I'm Italian! it's expected of us! LOL)
Thigh 21.0
Calf  15.5
Bicep 12.0

More later...Love and Hugs, Juli XOXO

I need more!!

Yes it's true. Less than three posts ago I said that this blog was started specifically for Mamavation purposes, and at the time it was. Lately though as time goes on I find myself counting the days down to Monday when I can post my next Mamavation Monday post. Well today being Friday, let's just say I have had enough of that tradition. Now not to say that I am throwing Mamavation out the window. That is actually the farthest from the truth. My sistas are quickly becoming a more and more important part of my daily existence. It is just that I got to seriously thinking about the name of this blog.....Family, Faith, and Fitness. Three very important parts of my life. Three parts of my life that I want to blog about. Three parts of my life that I want to share with others. Due to this.....we are expanding. Monday of course will be devoted to Mamavation, but I want to be able to open my heart and my life up to my readers the other six days of the week as well. Whether it be about my husband, my kids, my dog, a particular Bible verse, or even the lady who cut me off in the parking lot at the Piggly Wiggly, I want to be able to share that with whoever is willing to take the time out of their busy day to read it. My Christian heart has told me that even though I am a novice blogger, maybe I can connect with someone out there. Maybe even make a difference in some small but meaningful way. Who knows? Only time will tell right? More to come....soon! Love and hugs! Juli

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad