Sundays are just GREAT days!!!

I hope you guys aren't sick of the obnoxious "picture in the mirror" shots that I ALWAYS have going on! =) I am just a poor college student with an I-phone that I've had for so long that I am very surprised it is still kickin'. But I will continue to use it until the day it dies. 

Anyway, I bought this dress last semester at Old Navy. It was on sale but they didn't have my size. I was super bummed because since I've been loosing weight so quickly I have had to get rid of a lot of my church clothing. I mean, t-shirts and such you can make those work for awhile by just pulling off the "big, comfy t-shirt" look but dress clothes you just cant.

So, I decided to buy a size too small (Medium) and just wear it when I lost a few more pounds and toned up some more. Today, I was getting ready for church and I saw that little beauty hanging in my closet and I snatched it up and tried it on and lo and behold, IT FIT!! And even better, I felt comfortable. Best feeling in the world! 

Oh, even better feeling in the world, a sweet girl (I wont say any names because I want to respect her privacy) from my fitness challenge, added me on Facebook and sent me a message that absolutely made my day! She was able to relate to me, when I spoke about my weight loss journey and even expressed to me some emotions/thoughts of her own. It is the best feeling to know that I went through this not only for myself but so I can help some one else who is going through the same thing. Because it is HARD and sometimes you just need some one that you can send a message to on Facebook at 3am when there are so many thoughts going on in your mind that you just need to get them out or someone to just give you a hug. 

That is what it is all about! I knew from the moment I met her that she was strong! We also have a class together and I noticed one day that she was snacking on something. At first, I thought it was candy and I was like "WHAT?! Candy is not on our diet!!!" hahaha but I quickly realized that she was eating carrots! 

You go, girlfriend!!!!! 

Moving along.......

Today is National Nurses Day! 

I am not yet a nurse but it has already become one of my passions! I love anything pertaining to the medical field. I will hopefully begin nursing school in January and I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!! I just dream of the day that I can rock those scrubs and use my education to care for patients of my very own. I am excited to continue to learn as I meet and work with different people. I am excited to fight for those who are sick and may not be able to fight for themselves. Sometimes, I wish I could just fast forward time and be a nurse already but now is the time for me to prepare myself for that calling. Now, is the time for me to strengthen myself because nurses need to be strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

I just love life. I mean, it is still so hard and there are some days that just suck but there are also days that are so good that you are reminded oh why you are here and what your purpose in life really is and THOSE are the days that matter! Those, are the days that you live for! 

One last thing...

My mother is the cutest person alive! 

She has been a great example of strength to me in my life! She has had a VERY hard life but she has made it and she continues to overcome obstacles every day! I was talking to her on the phone earlier and she said, "Emily, dont buy any books. I bought you a book." I was kind of confused at first but then she went on to say, "Its a book of inspirational messages for runners and I just knew I had to get it for my baby girl!" That seriously made my day! To know that she supports me in training for a marathon means the ENTIRE world to me! And the fact that she saw that book and thought of me makes me so happy! Love you so much,  momma! =) (She also reads my blog quite often!)

Well, I am off to a birthday party for a new friend of mine. Oh, and she is from MISSISSIPPI! =)  HOLLA! 

-Em

Sharing my story

Tonight, I was able to speak at the opening social for the fitness challenge on campus. It was incredible! It was such a rush to be able not only share my story but to be able to hear from the other speaker and relate to them. Being able to have that moment where you realize that you are not alone is AMAZING!!!! I do not think of myself as a good public speaker but I was so excited when people came up to me after and thanked me for sharing my story. My speech will actually be on the internet in a few days. So, I will post a link on here and I hope you guys will watch it! =)

This is a picture of my best friend, Aly and I in January 2011. I had lost some weight then. I was about 2 months post-op. 

This is us again in March 2012. I just love her! =)

Anyway, that is all for now! 

-Em

IM BAAAACKKKK!!!!

I decided I was gonna be adventurous and try Tumblr out.....

But I gotta say...I really missed Blogspot....SO IM BACK!

I havent blogged in awhile and I kind of feel like there is a lot to get caught up on.

So, I am about 2 weeks into my last semester here at BYUI. I will be moving to Provo in July. I am looking at attending either Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University or Provo College. We will see.....but for now I am just focusing on "right now". I joined a fitness challenge on campus called The Biggest Winner and basically it is the same concept as the tv show The Biggest Loser. I am on a team (The Red Team) and we have 2 fitness trainers and a nutritionist. We work out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and then Tuesday and Thursday I will be running on my own. For those of you who dont know, I am training to run marathons. I will run my first 5k on June 9th at the Teton Dam Marathon and on June 22nd at the school's Midnite 5k! I am also planning on running the Provo Halloween Half this upcoming October! I am so excited!

I have been really lucky to have some amazing people around me this semester. I mean, I always have wonderful people around me and usually there is like one person that I know for a fact I was meant to meet for some reason. But I feel like I have met multiple people who have given me advice, support, and just inspired me to be better and to not give up on myself. It is incredible how much the Lord blesses me and most of the time I dont even realize it.

Ladies, I have a question. I bought this today...

Has anyone tried it? or heard anything about it? Does it work?

I thought they would be great for me to use after going to the gym. I love that they are organic too!

Also,

Im thinking about doing this to my hair....

It is the "ombre" look....im kind of diggin it...but I more than likely wont do it if it costs a ton..lets be honest...I change my hair up way too much to drop tons of cash on it every time I turn around.

OH!!! One last thing before I end this post, I was asked to speak at the opening social for my fitness challenge. They want me to share my weightloss experience this far in hopes of encouraging the other participants. I am so excited/nervous!

Well, I have tons of homework that I should be doing right now...

Thanks for reading! And please feel free to comment!

-Em



Peace out, YO!

Well, i am creeping up on my ONE YEAR mark!!!! Yep. Its been a whole year. CRAZY!

So, in honor of this celebration, I am giving my blog a little "face lift".

Ok.......im moving to Tumblr.

Dont judge me.....

Anyway, wanna follow me on there?

AWESOME!!!

Here is where i'll be.

Thanks for following along with me during my journey!

Please stay tuned!

-Em

p.s. the new site is currently under construction.....so dont judge the mess, yo!

"Emily was fantastic!"

Oh, well... I'll just avoid the fact that its been like FOREVER since ive blogged and jump right into a new post.

Well, I recently got a job at Old Navy here in Salt Lake City, UT. I am a sales associate but I do everything from cleaning to operating the cash register.

It has been super super super hard. I have never worked in retail before but I love to shop. So, of course, I figured it would be the perfect job for me!

Hmmmm......not sure about that.

I mean, it has definetely taught me that I DO NOT WANT to do anything other than nursing. I had been deciding between Business or Nursing and now I am definetely dead set on being a nurse.

Anyway, even though its been hard I have enjoyed it so far. I havent received my first pay check yet though. Maybe ill love it even more after that??? Maybe not for 8.25/hr but than again I cant ask for much more considering im still a college student without any form of degree.

I never realized how much hard work goes into stores like Old Navy. I used to go shopping and leave my fitting room a disaster. NOT ANYMORE!!! Those people are so lazy and rude! Dangit, just put the shirt back on the hanger! ....Moving along.....

Its also really cool for me to be working in retail and being able to assist people find the right size in something. I remember not asking the sales associates for help because i didnt want to tell them what size I wore. Well, ill be honest now...I wore a size 24...and they were tight!

Now, i wear a size 14 and most of the time they are pretty loose. I should be moving into 12's soon.

This sounds really mean and alittle weird but its exciting to see people who are bigger than me. When I was at my heaviest, I thought I was the biggest person in the world. Sometimes I still feel that way....but im reminded that I am not 340lbs any more. I am not "that" person anymore. I am no longer trapped. I am free to be whoever I want to be.

Its an amazing feeling!!!

So, to explain the title of this post....

I had been feeling really overwhelmed with work. I felt like I wasnt doing a good job. I wasnt connecting with the customer enough.

We have this little online survey that we mention to every customer at check-out. It prints out with their receipt and you just tell them how you would really appreciate it if they could score us at 9 or 10, in order for us to get our C.E.S. (Customer Experience Score) up. Well, we had been at 10-11 for ever but today we were scored at 12! Which isnt fantastic but atleast were moving up!!!

AND the best part is, someone included a message that said "Emily was fantastic!"

Im the only Emily that works there!

YAY! THEY LIKE ME!!!

-Emily

Before and After

 

Eventually, I am going to realize how embarrassing this picture is and I will stop sharing it with everyone but until then I will because you will never understand who I am without knowing what ive been through. You will never know why it takes me 10 minutes to pick what kind of bread i want to buy because im deciding if itll be healthier to get multi-grain or whole wheat. Youll never understand why I am sick alot. Youll never understand why I get SO excited when I cant wear a pair of pants that I bought a week ago because they are now too big for me.

In 9 months, I have lost 140lbs. I went from wearing a size 24 to now a 14 (but that wont last long because im still dropping weight like crazy...) I went from hating my life to dreaming of adventures with my best friend. Im not gonna lie and pretend like everything is ok now. Because, honestly, its not. I worry about my health. I have a hard time getting enough to drink and eat everyday. Im worried that I may have gall stones and will have to have my gallbladder removed. I still think of myself as the overweight girl. Im still awkward and shy sometimes. I still pick out my flaws and over analyze everything about myself.

The only difference now is I have hope. I have hope that tomorrow will be better. I have hope that I can still become the person I want to be. I have hope that I will reach my goal weight. I have hope because I have come so far. Sometimes, I still need to be reminded of my journey. I have kept a pair of my "fat" jeans and every time I start to think mean thoughts about myself I put them on.

Seriously, i could fit another person in them with me. Its CRAZY! I should really take a pic in them and post it on here. I dont think I am a completely different person but I am better than i was. I am healthier and stronger. I trust myself more and I love myself more.

I workout now because I LOVE it and it makes me happy. I dont look at other girls working out and think mean thoughts or say something rude under my breath about how they should go eat a twinkie. I am proud to see other women taking pride in themselves and working out. They are healthy. They are strong.

-Em

To Write Love On Her Arms

    

IM BAAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!!!! Sorry i havent blogged in awhile. I moved from Rexburg, ID to Salt Lake City, UT and just now got wireless internet. Anyway, the meaning for this post is to share with you a blog post from an organization that is near and dear to my heart, To Write Love On Her Arms.  If you have never heard of it, please take a minute and check it out here. I just know you will fall in love with these amazing people and will have to pull yourselves away from their site. They're amazing!

Anyway, I came across a blog post that reminded me of my fight. My journey. It is about a guy named Ben and his fight with obesity. Please, Please, Please check it out and check out his blog!! You can read the blog post from TWLOHA here.

Well, thats all for today! Going for a swim with my sister. Gonna enjoy the day!

 -Em