Fi & Me

Fi & Me

2012

What can I say?

This gal from down under has stolen my heart.

:-)

Big difference, eh?

Bootcamp is coming to a close again - and what I'm struck by the most - being on 'this side' of it as a Coach in Training - it's not the body difference - it's the difference I'm seeing in people's eyes.  It just chokes me up.  In all the before pictures, you just see this despair - this self degradation - and in the afters - it's this confidence - this light - sheer joy!

It's quite a gift to watch it.

She's videotaped practically the entire visit, and as soon as I can get ahold of them, I'll slap them up here.

Here's a teaser:

Gracious - we have been busy. 

You know - when you think you are going to pull off this awesome visit for someone and it all unravels after a few days of no sleep?

Ya.  That's what we've got going on.

I'm starving her half to death - so that when I do feed her - she thinks I'm an awesome cook.

I washed her sheets today and put them back on damp - so they still smell faintly of vinegar from the rinse cycle.  She should love that. 

It's the way we do things in America baby.

We've been camping, yard saling, we went and met the Coach for lunch.

That's all I can remember.

The rest of her time here is booked solid - but I honestly can't even tell you doing what -

that's how tired I am.

:-)

Aaron is working on a way to fit in her suitcase me thinks.

Till soon...

 

The Kiwi Has Landed

She made it here!

By no help from me I might add.

At one point, I thought I was at the airport on the wrong day.

I didn't know the flight #.  I thought I did - but when I asked someone at the airport - I was told there was no such flight.

And then it dawned on me that I'm such a goofball.

I mean - who comes to the airport with no information other than 'I think it's flight 9192 on United'.

Who??

Me.

With absolutely no way to get ahold of her I might add.

It was the makings of a long night.

Can I just talk about me for a sec?

My glasses.

Argh!

I had the no glare put on them, but then they always had this pinky purple cast to them - so I had them take it off - and now I lose my eyeballs in photos.

OK...thanks.

I got a coffee and decided to wait it out.  It's what you do at midnight at O'Hare International Airport.

Me at midnight is not good.

Me at midnight is deer in headlights, and 'you will be lucky to get home alive'.

Amazingly, we found her - and in fact - Aaron got so excited that he ran into a 'DO NOT ENTER' zone and I seriously thought they were going to take him to the ground.

I know we can send a man to the moon - but it STILL amazes me how we can fly around the globe.

Fiona - from New Zealand is sleeping up in my bed right now.

Mind boggling!

On the way to the airport - Aaron and I thought it would be funny to pull in the driveway of this completely abandoned, ramshackle home - and pretend it was my house.  I told him we had to totally go through with it - and actually start getting out of the car.

It was funny - but because it was so pitch black out - the joke was rather lost since she couldn't really see the house - and then I busted out laughing -

We got to bed at 4am.

I'm trying to figure out how long I need to let her sleep to be polite.

I'm thinking she's just about had enough.

I'm thinking it's time to roll the film and open the bedroom door.....

It's All Good.

Lord have mercy on us all.

It's been 12 days since I've blogged.

I'm in the throes of prepping for Fiona's visit.

Yes - she is coming!

Why is it that when someone comes to stay -  I feel the need to do things that have been needing done for years?

That danged obsolete Directv dish on the house had to go.

The dead ivy vines that have been dangling in the breeze for three years...a total priority.

I've been busy loving life and sucking the marrow out of it's bones.

Still living without a list - and dad gum it, I'm loving it.

Today I picked up 10lbs of locally, the way the Good Lord intended beef to be raised beef.  It was a clandestine meeting in a grocery store parking lot. The sweet lady that raised it met me on her way to work.  She was so proud of her beef!  I couldn't help but thinking that it was the only way to get really good food anymore - straight from the source. 

Go to your local farmer's market!

Yesterday I canned some strawberry jam with some berries from the farmer's market - it's been a few years since I've done that, and I enjoyed it so.

If you could take a peek in my head - you'd see a big fat broody hen sitting on a clutch of so many ideas.  Oh, I've got ideas.  I'm laughing at myself as I make them - because I know that my body will never be able to keep up.

Plant 400 blackberry and raspberry bushes and sell organic berries on the road side.

Become a chicken farmer for real.

Write a book.

Teach healthy cooking classes.

Stuff like that there.

It's fun to dream.

I'll leave you with a little story that I typed out on the Leanness Lifestyle forum yesterday.

It's a true story gals.

A Crown Point, Indiana woman reports a near death experience today whilst washing windows in preparation for Fiona Ashford’s visit – credits the Leanness Lifestyle for saving her life.“I was wanting to finish the window washing this morning before the sun came over to the west side of the house. I was feeling strong and sassy, so I went out back and got the 25′ aluminum ladder and carried it up to the house. I didn’t think there was any reason to summon the husband. I surprised myself at how I was able to get the 25′ beast propped on the house and as I was scurrying up the ladder with Windex in hand – I was feeling pretty awesome. All of those french presses had paid off.”

Goffin reports when it was time to move the ladder to the next window – she lost control of the ladder and was unable to leverage it with her 5’8″ frame and tendonitis riddled right arm.“The next thing I know – the ladder is taking me for a ride and I realize that it’s going to come down right on top of me. I didn’t know what else to do, I didn’t want it to crash through a window – I remember saying ‘Sweet Jesus’ and the next thing I know – the ladder is coming down, and it comes down over me – and I slide through one of the rungs. Thank the Lord I fit through the rungs.”

Goffin reports that the near 100lbs she’s lost with the Leanness Lifestyle in the past 16 months indeed may have saved her life, or at least prevented severe blubber impingement, contusions, sprains and various injuries. “My shoulder is toast. It’s been bothering me for a year now – and today I think I finished it off.”

Goffin reports that after bursting into tears and running in the house and asking her husband for help, she finished all the windows without awfulizing the situation, ingesting chocolate or being ungrateful for having to wash 27 windows in a 140yr old farmhouse. “We LL’rs are stubborn cusses” said Goffin, smiling like a fool.”

Checkin' In

Just a little check in.

I'm quite surprised at how busy I've been.

I keep thinking 'oh, tomorrow will be a light day' - and then it comes and it's filled plum full.

I've started working out in the morning with my neighbor again - and then the next thing you know it's supper time, and then bed time.

I haven't even had much swing time lately - but it's all SO incredibly good and wonderful.

I'm ENJOYING my busyness at the moment, and not feeling enslaved by it.

I'm still list-less, but not listless!

Started making the Bootcamp rug, like I did last year - all the Bootcampers sent me jeans that are too big for them - and I'm making the Coach a rug - I've forever thankful to my friend Jaimie for coming and helping me warp the beast of a loom!

It spurred me on to think about my own jeans - the ones that I'm saving for posterity to remind myself of how far I've come.

Size 26 y'all.

I'm in an 8 now - and will probably be in a 6 before all is said and done.

I'm just a few pounds away from my Fiona goal -

So much to tell you guys, and no time to tell it!

I'll be back when it rains!

Aaron is doing fantastic.

He may have his GED as early as July.

The boy is focused.

Driven.

Determined.

I'm so proud of him!

Alrighty - I'll be back as soon as I can - but for now I've got to get in the beehives while the weather is perfect for it.

Thinking of you all - have a happy day!

A Pointless Post

I'm a grown woman with what I always considered a lot of common sense - wise beyond her years some say -

Except when it comes to Toxicodendron radicans - aka -

Poison Ivy.

When it comes to poison ivy I laugh at it, and roll in it naked - or at least at this moment it appears as if I did.  I knew full well that I was wrangling poison ivy, a nice mature vine to boot - all tangled up in my weigelas.  I had shorts and a tank top on - and garden gloves.  I really thought those gloves would protect me.

Apparently I touched every inch of my body while wearing the poison ivy oil soaked gloves.

I'll spare you the pictures.

I'm just interspersing pictures in this post that make me happy and take my mind off of my scabbed flesh.

I'm covered and I do mean covered, head to toe - most of my torso has been spared, thank the Lord.

The oozing blisters have dried up - but I'm itching like a, like...well - there is no analogy that would do it justice.

Thankfully the weather is mild enough that I can wear long sleeves and pants, cause nobody needs to see the mess that I am.

This is not what this post is about at all - actually, there is no point to this post - it's just drivel.

My list-less honeymoon continues - yet along with my poison ivy itch this morning, I awoke with another itch.

The 'make a list' itch - the 'I gotta lotta things to do today list'.

The itch that 'well, that was a nice break from reality - but let's get back to it'.

The itch that is really nothing more than a habit.

Kinda like my every day bacon habit of yesteryear.

I loved this comment so much I want to marry it:

Kate said -

Yes! Lists... After years of following and feeling guilty when not following them I had a Mom Moment. My dear, nearly 80 year old mother who is European, quirky and blunt, looked at my Binder so crammed with schedules and lists, flipped through the endless reminders and to-do's all broken down into hours, days, weeks, months, etc... and she said, very calmly, "Um, sweetie? When do you fart?"
Huh?
"Yes, when did you schedule time to fart? This is insanity in a three ring binder. It's called a BINDER for a reason. Now throw this thing away and live your life, honey. Don't schedule it!"
LOL!
Now, I do have a very simple calendar and a mental to-do list, but nothing more detailed than that. You know what? It has never been so freeing to toss out the stupid binder!
Hugs to you on your Freedom Journey!
~Kate

How easy it is to fall back into our old habits.  My old habit of list making is trying to tell me that the cat will never be fed today, my teeth will never see a brushing, and that dinner won't make it to the table unless I make a detailed list today.  If I made a list today it would include 'teach the ducks to fly'.  I'm starting to think it's high time those fowl took flight - but I think they are too obese.  I actually picked one up and threw it in the air - it didn't end well.  I also threw one (now when I say 'throw' - I do mean 'assisted with gentleness') into the pond - where it promptly jumped out and ran as fast as it's obese body and webbed feet would allow it - right back to the pen.

They are eating me out of house and home.

Have you ever heard of neuroplasticity?

I wish I had the time right now to tell you all about it - but I really don't.

I'm speaking at a Garden Club tonight about making herbal vinegars and oils - and you see - I'm not entirely sure where the meeting is, or what time it is, nor do I have my handouts typed or printed out, and it's 7:26am and I'm still in my pajamas scratching myself.

Neuroplasticity can be your best friend (as it is mine) or your worst enemy (as it is mine).

Do you know that thoughts are things?

Do you know that by thinking things you make pathways in your brain?

It's utterly fascinating, and if you've got time, Google it.

I'm reading a book right now called 'You Are Not Your Brain'.

Really interesting stuff.

I do hope to talk more about it soon - but for right now - I have got to not make a list and do a bunch of things. 

:-)

Y'all rock my world.

A Lilies State of Mind

I be up in here considerin' the lilies y'all.

And can we just talk about the lilies for a minute?

Why are they already blooming?

Why are my black eyed susans in bud already?

It's a weird year - everything is so ahead.

My strawberries are about done already.

That reminds me of a story that I haven't told you yet.

It's a gruesome story of horror and woe and banty chicken heads.

I'll save it for another day - it's too lovely out to speak of such things.

as you can see, I like my beds FULL.  When I originally planted the garden - I put things much closer than they suggested, so that things would fill in faster.  I think this bed is about 8 years old now - I can't tell you how much I've thinned and given away - gardens, like most wonderful things - take time.  I like full beds cause you don't need to weed or mulch much!  I call it 'Square INCH Gardening'!

Glorious.

That's how I felt when I awoke this morning.

Excited.

Happy.

So looking forward to the day.

I don't even know what to say first - this post may not make a lick of sense.

Day six of a life without lists.

Guess what?

The house is clean - the laundry is done - the yard is coming along - I haven't missed any appointments and we are well fed.

And most importantly - we are all happy.

When Marmie is happy - everybody is happy.

Imagine that.

I realized yesterday how much I did things that really just didn't need doing.

How trapped my lists made me.

Grocery shopping on Thursdays.

What if I needed food on Tuesday?

I'd be so mad and frustrated that I had to go to the store on on 'off day'.

If I didn't mop the kitchen floor on Monday's - I felt a failure.

That sounds so ridiculous to me now.

Forcing myself to do sections of the garden each day - and then getting frustrated if the weather didn't cooperate and then 'I was behind!'.

Guess what?

All of my containers aren't even planted and I just don't give a hoot!

Lord have mercy.

I was one frustrated Coop Keeper most of the time.

I do want to interject here that my lists did serve me well years ago - when I was in utter chaos and never had food on the table or clean underwear in the drawer. My lists did train me - and got order up in here - now that order is a habit. The lists are no longer necessary.

I'll tell you a truth that my eyeball did twitch one time yesterday - and I almost got out the pen and paper.

But instead, I took my life in my own hands and answered a Freecycle ad for a box of size six and medium clothing that a gal was giving away.

I answered it "I'd love to have these clothes!  I've lost a hundred pounds and I need them!"

She responded kindly and gave me her address.

I was to be there at noon.

On the way there I realized that I could be going to pick up a box of cigarette smoke soaked, dog hair covered,

Walmart polyester mumus - but I was feeling reckless.

I picked up my box - thanked her - chatted a bit - and ran a few other errands on the way home.

Like groceries on a Tuesday.

Mmmhmmm.

Finally stopped and got my glasses tightened up - something I never felt I had time to do before.

All of the sudden - I feel like I have all the time in the world.

What's changed?

My mind.

Wow.

Got the clothes home - and girls - I hit the JACKPOT!

Gorgeous, expensive brand jeans - awesome tops - every season - super cute dresses.

A conservative estimate is about $900 worth of clothes.

What a gift that was.

I like adding garden ornaments (but not too many) and I like to use smaller, flowering shrubs to anchor the beds and fill things up.  I just planted those petunias in front of the goose cause there was a 12 x 24 inch patch of bare dirt.
Can't have that!

I think I'll end this post now by saying this -

If you feel frustrated alot - overwhelmed - I truly believe it's your spirit trying to tell you something isn't right.

Just like your stomach or your head hurts when you are physically not well, your spirit manifests pain by frustration, guilt, shame, anger and depression.

Sometimes - it's so easy to be blind to behaviors, attitudes and thought processes that do not serve us - but hinder us, and even destroy us.

Life is way to short for that foolishness.

You can change.

It's hard - but it's worth it.

Stop! In the Name of Love....

You know what I love so much about this picture? 

It shows me resting - with the wheelbarrow in the background.

To me it symbolizes the journey that I am on - learning to relax in the midst of it all.

I don't want to be dramatic - but this past week has possibly been one of the most important weeks in my little life.

Many of you may not 'get this'.  Many of you will think 'well gee whiz Coop Keeper - that's just common sense.'  Bear with me.  We all struggle with different things - and just as I can easily say to a smoker - 'why in the sam hill do you want fire so close to your face - just put it out' - you could say to me 'hey - calm down and stop this madness!'

Let me back track.

Remember Monday's list?

I finished it.

I worked from 5am to 9:45pm - pretty much non-stop.

I felt proud - and exhausted.

I woke up Tuesday swollen all over from work.  My hands ached, my body ached.

Tuesday was busy - Wednesday was busy.

I had therapy on Wednesday - and I was to bring in my 'list for the week' for the therapist to review.

Review it she did.

She had a reaction very similiar to yours.

We talked at depth about my anxiety over having a long list - or having a short list.

She tends to think that I've used busyness as a coping mechanism.

She tends to think that I tend to find my worth in work.

Not sure what I've been trying to 'cope with' - but it struck a chord in my heart - and I've been thinking about it since she said it.

And perhaps that is why I felt like NOW was the time to deal with it once and for all - cause it just wasn't working for me anymore -

Thursday, I was very near unwell - in the menstrual sort of way - and when I woke up Thursday- I had the thought - 'What if?'

What if I just stayed in bed all day?

What if I didn't cook dinner?

What if?

Would the world stop if I didn't cross off items on the to do list?

Deep feelings of guilt came across my heart when I thought of doing something as indulgent as taking a day off.

My body ended up forcing me to do just that.

My body may have not been moving much - but my brain was really going.

I made a decision.  The kind of decision that you know is important, the kind of decision that you know once you make it - you don't ever go back.

I'm stopping - in the name of love.

Before I break my heart.

I've thought it o-o-ver.

I'm opting out.

Are you seated?

Do you have a mouth full of something?

Sit.

Swallow.

I'm not making lists anymore.

Just a grocery list.

No more 'to do lists'.

No more expectations.

No more demands.

I'm opting out of the madness.

I'm opting out of what every one else expects of me - and even of what I expect of myself.

I have had quite possibly the most beautiful four days of my life.

I have inadvertantly accomplished alot - but you know what?

I enjoyed every minute of it!

I felt zero stress.

I napped on the swing every day.

I felt as if I had all the time in the world.

I moved in slow motion when I did things - fully present in the moment - enjoying my chores - taking the time to see the beauty around here every day.

The most important things got done.

Every time I looked in the mirror I said 'Girl - you are fabulous!'

Soon, I'll believe it.

I just know it.

I stitched up this little pillow - and have it in my bedroom where I see it first thing every morning.

I showed it to Aaron this morning, and was telling him 'I'm a brand new Marmie' and then of course I had to tell him 'When I'm dead - please don't put this in the dumpster or garage sale - keep it - cause it means a lot to me' - he assured me that the house will become a living museum when I'm gone.

I love that kid.

I feel new and reborn.

There is no going back.

Think it o'o ver.

The Change

The seasons change.

Our moods change.

We as women, go 'through the change'.

We want to change.

Our President promised 'Change'.

We try to change - we beat ourselves up over the things we do that we don't want to do, and the things we want to do that we don't.

Are you as exhausted over it all as I am?

I'm trying to love myself to change.

I'm not even sure what that means at this point - it's a new thought to me.

When I think of change - I think of taking up arms - fighting the good fight - forcing - discipline - lists - and a general boot camp type mentality.

Getting this last ten pounds off has been tough.

Not physically tough - but mentally tough.

I'm trying to love it off of me.

If I ever figure out what I'm even talking about - I'll fill you in.

I'm trying to change alot at once - maybe that's why I'm pooped.

That's why I'm going to therapy for now - for some accountability.

My homework for the last two weeks was to take one day for myself and do what I wanted to do.

I haven't done it yet!

I read all of your comments and absolutely agreed with each one.

Yep, yep and yep.

What we put ourselves through, eh?

I know that change is more than possible - and if we really focus on changing - it happens.

And that my friends is the key - focusing on it.

The list of what I want to change is long - but right now I'm focusing on not expecting so much of myself.  I set the standard way too high for myself - and even my Coach said 'you try to bat 1000'.

Well...ya.

Here's my "To Do List" today.

Try not to laugh -

It's in no order - just wrote it all down as it came to my mind at 5 this morning over tea.

Make egg rolls for cooking club

tend the chickens - morning, afternoon

feed cats

finish garden section C

go to the Poultry Auction (Phyllis needs a man)

Cooking Club 12pm at Terry's

Call Terry

Upper body weight training

one hour cardio

do laundry

finish deep cleaning the kitchen

do coaching reviews

write a blog post

make dinner

get Aaron to ALC at 5pm

plan my week

take a jar of honey to Debby

pay cell phone bill

varnish the kitchen floor

Paula's Birthday!

call re: pavilion rental for the beekeeper's picnic

go to Sunrise Farms after Cooking Club and pick up rest of annuals

I'll be quite frustrated with myself if all of these aren't checked off.

Six of them already are.

As you can see I have no time to blog - and really shouldn't even be here.

:-)

In my mind - each and everyone of those if the most important thing to do.  I have trouble prioritizing - my mind says "get all the little things done first - and then you'll have time to focus on the big ones - but that's just bass ackwards - I have to get the big important things done first!

Like - making the egg rolls!

I gotta go!

I just wanted to let you know the winner of the serum!

Tracy said...

For today...I have once again found myself thinking I MUST have everything perfect before an event...and then I am so exhausted that I don't have the great time I should. That is where I am today. If everyone would please just say out loud to the universe, "Tracy- it's all good, stop already!", I'll be able to really enjoy the Coop Tour and share my love of chickens! Jamie- you look amazing- and are such an inspiration!!

May 16, 2012 12:47 PM

Tracy - email me your address ok?

And Jan?  Yes, you can stop by and get some - email me, k?

We ain't done talking about this.

It's important.

Life is Short - Be Moisturized

Another giveaway!

And a sale.

:-)

I am just so grateful for all of you - your support and concern towards me is just humbling.

Thank you.

Spring Chicken Skin Serum!

I'd love to give a bottle away - let's see - what can I ask you this time?

Got it.

If you could only change ONE thing about your behavior - what would that one thing be?

For me?

Stop overbooking myself.

I'm working on it.

The lucky winner will receive a free Chicken Skin Serum and a 'Beak Balm' Lip Balm!

If you haven't tried the skin serum yet - do it now.

I'm getting so many testimonials from people about how it's truly giving them amazing results.

Hopefully I'm my best advertisement - do I look like I've lost 90lbs?

I think the serum has really helped my skin recover well.

I'm slathering it all over my stomach now!

Get a bottle of serum and a lip balm - for $12.50!

While supplies last.

Life is short.

Be moisturized.

Order yours right here!

Shut Your Mouth!

The winner...so much for announcing it at the end of the week!

Better late than never.

Comment #17

Peacemom

first, we missed you during screen free week, so glad your back!

Hmmm....my summer bucket list includes gardening (we doubled the size this year)...raising organice meat chickens (25 in all, some for us, some for my folks and some to donate to needy family), some kayaking and camping in our little pop up. Lots of family time!...that little chicken sure would look cute next to my computer while I work (I work from home 30 hours a week on my computer for an insurance company)...yep, sure would be cute! Peace to you, Jayme! ~Vonnie, NH

Email me your address at jayme.goffin@yahoo.com

I trust you all had a lovely Mother's Day.

I know I did.

I had a whole feast planned.

A gluten free feast.

Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Mashed Cauliflower, Green Beans with Bacon, White Bean and Tomato Salad, Flourless Chocolate Cake with berries.

The groceries were purchased, the plan was set.

However - I had some 'spell' that knocked me flat on my shapely behind.

I thought I was sick - like fever, cold, flu sick.

But I'm over it now - so it couldn't have been that.

Sisters
Glenda, Jayme, Cindy
Nicknames -
Chippy, Helga and Scrambles.

I got really, really hot.

I got really nauseated, faint, dizzy,weak, shortness of breath and chest pains.

It lasted two days.

Did I go to the Dr.?  Um.  No.

Should I?  Ya.

Will I?  It'll have to get a lot worse first.

I happened to be ovulating at the time - so I'm thinking I'm starting to deal with some hormones here.

So.

I cancelled dinner.

I did.

It was realllllly hard to do.

I also had to cancel on visiting a friend - which was extremely hard to do.

I abhor disappointing people.  I really do.

I had plans of honoring my sisters and mother-in-law with a lovely meal.

Genevieve, Glenco and Mwa.

We ended up eating out.

Here's some pics of the event.

I'm starting to think that it might be impossible to get a picture of me being serious, or with my mouth shut.

My poor gum to tooth ratio is seriously bothering me.

I'm ready to get the hot glue out.

I think my mom had it too - and it would explain the awkward smiles she has in most of her photos, kinda like this one.

Just another way I'm like my mom, and that makes me pretty danged proud.

Aaron and his 'Otha Motha'

Well gals, the weather is glorious and the to do list is long -

Have a happy Monday!

(ps - pics edited at www.picmonkey.com)

My Friend Fi

I'm so excited to introduce you to my friend Fiona.

I call her FiFi, Baby, Gorgeous, or Darling.

She has no idea I'm doing this blog post, and it's the middle of the night in New Zealand so I can't text her and ask her if it's OK.

:-)

I don't think she'll mind.

I met Fiona through the awesome 'club' Leanness Lifestyle University, and my Coach, David Greenwalt.

We became fast friends.  She is a gift. 

Fiona and I have grown to be close friends ,Skyping with regularity, and we met face to face for the first time last July at the Bootcamp graduation party.

She's coming back to America for this year's party as well, and the exciting, awesome news is that she's going to stay with me from June 19th until July 1st.

It's gonna be like this - except without the gruesome ending.

I reckon I'll be Louise, since I'm older and all.

And I wear glasses, and have been known to sport a headscarf.

We have a camping trip planned to my favorite spot - Turkey Run State Park - and - on June 29th - get a load of this....

We are doing a 5K race called

It's a mud obstacle course.

I'm so excited - and nervous - I have nightmares that I get trampled in the mud, only to be found after it all dries up.

That or I get strangled on the rope wall.

Please pray.

I have all sorts of crafts lined up for us to do - stitching whilst drinking tea and listening to Clare de Lune - lots of working out - lots of vegetables, lots of laughs.

With Fiona - there are 'lots of' everything.

Laughs, love, deep thoughts, and shenanigans.

We might pierce something.

You never know what might happen!

Fiona and I are twins.  We weigh the same, we are the same height - we eat off on the same days, we start our periods on the same day.

We've both been struggling lately to reach our ultimate goal.  We both want to lose another 10 lbs, but have been a bit ambivalent about it.

There's something we do in the Leanness Lifestyle called 'leverages'.

Once a week we are to set a leverage - for instance - mine this week was -

'drink a half a gallon of water a day for the next six days out of seven - or you don't get to watch Mad Men'

My Coach recommends three 'takeaways' and then one 'reward'.

So - my leverage could be - 'drink a half a gallon of water for the next six days out of seven - and then get that green nail polish you've been eyeballing'

(I'm rather all about my nails right now - surprising, isn't it?)

Well guess what we've got going?

My stomach gets in knots just thinking about it.

We both must weigh 150 lbs by June 19th -

OR

Fiona doesn't come to America.

I know alot of you are thinking 'that's RIDICULOUS'.

But ya know what?

It's knocked that ambivalence right out of me.

I'm working out more consistently - I'm eating cleaner -

and I WILL see my ultimate goal of losing 100lbs with my Coach, and weighing 150lbs.

Can you imagine if I let MY addiction or slack attitude cause Fiona to pay $2000 for a plane ticket that she can't use?

Can you imagine the disappointment of all the other Bootcampers that are anxiously waiting to meet Fiona?

Can you imagine the butt kicking I'd get from my Coach?

Me either.

Fiona is amazing, and I'm excited to share her visit with you.

For now - give this video a gander, and you're sure to fall in love with her, just like I did.

Fiona blogs occassionally at

www.fionaashford.blogspot.com

I'm sure she'd love any encouragement you could offer her - we both have to lose 10ish pounds by June 19th.

I wouldn't mind a little encouragement too.

:-)