"I'm going to see Evan."

The wonderful world of social media, right!? Well, yes, when you see your son writes something like this about you; and for you! 

My wonderful mother joined the gym I work at (Planet Fitness) this past week to begin her new journey to become a healthier and more confident woman and mother. I am incredibly humbled to have her allow me to help guide her as her personal trainer. This has been a very personal decision for my mom and she's finally ready.

As of March 8, 2016 at 6 a.m. when I clocked out, my mother came in to begin her training. I will be there for you every step, every rep and every set; because You've always been there for me. I am so proud of you for being able to overcome your fear this morning and to be able take those first few steps inside. 
"The hardest part is just walking through those front doors." 

"I'm not going to the gym...I'm going to see Evan.
I am going to see Evan who happens to work at the gym."
(repeat as needed) ) 

Thank you for being you, Evan! You made it a great first day. ♡

Support System!

I can't do it alone! 

I don't want to do it alone. 

I need a community of people that are striving

  to be healthy, well and strong.

The closer I stay to them, the more they rub off on me!

I am thankful for my support system. 

A Dinasour with Tiny Arms

This is what obesity feels like to me

A big dinosaur with tiny arms 

Tiny arms that struggle to tie my shoes

Tiny arms that have difficulty playing piano

Tiny arms that struggle to bump a volleyball

 Tiny arms that can't reach much of anything

This is what obesity feels like to me

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

Summer 2015

Honestly loved 

Sincerely esteemed

Never criticized or shamed

Regardless of size, health or fitness

But, wouldn't it be nice? 

To be the cute one on the boat

To keep up in physical activity

To ride the roller coasters

Wouldn't it be nice?

Joan & Brian
Est. 1985

Presidential Fitness Award

Minimum Fitness Requirements for 10 Year Old Girls


45 Curl Ups in 1 minute or less
35 Partial Curl Ups in 1 minute or less
Shuttle Run in 10.3 seconds or less
V-Sit Reach 4+
Sit and Reach 30 centimeters +
1 Mile Run in 7.57 minutes or less
Push Ups 6+
Right Angle Push Ups 22+

At the beginning of the school year Lora was under on every requirement. She set a goal of improving her fitness level by the end of 4th grade. She began incorporating more exercise into her week - jump rope, walking, soccer in the back yard, exercise class once a week with mom and occasional hiking. 


Today she was honored with the Presidential Fitness Award! Lora set a goal, worked her plan and accomplished her goal! She's 10 years old. 


Fitness and good nutrition is for every age!

You need a piece of chalk to hug her.

My Grandpa Uptain had many sayings.  "Don't wade no dry branches. Don't take no wooden nickels. Hang a snake in a tree and it will rain. Rub a wart with a penny and it will go away before morning." One of his sayings above all others stuck with me and settled deep in my soul. "You need a piece of chalk to hug her." He meant you had to have chalk to mark where you left off so you could hug all the way around. He meant you were fat. Huge. 

Spring 2004 with Lora (3) Evan (11)

Obesity is not merely a food issue. It is not simply caloric intake and burn. There are emotional and mental factors that cannot be overlooked if we are to find true freedom. And obesity is a family issue - family of origin as well as those we live with now. 

Let me ask a few direct questions. 

• What is your wounding that contributes to your bondage of obesity? 
• Are you making statements "in fun" that are inflicting deep scars on another's spirit? 
• How are you helping the person in your house fight the battle? 
• Could you be the catalyst to serious change in your home and family? 

My daughter, who is now 10, looked up at me in church several weeks back and had tears in her eyes. Her arms were wrapped around me. "I can touch my fingers together!" she quietly whispered. We both cried. Sunday after Sunday she hugs me and measures how her hands touch. She now can lock her fingers tight when she reaches around me. For the first time in her life she can hug her mother all the way around and she doesn't need a piece of chalk to mark where she left off. 

Sunday Hike Replaces Nap

This time last year I took a two to four hour nap on Sunday afternoons. The Sunday hike has replaced the Sunday nap! Today I hiked three miles at Ruffner Mountain. It felt great! In January the trees stand naked and you can see Irondale off one side of the mountain and Birmingham Airport off the other. The leaves are softer under foot from rain and age so the walk is quiet enough to hear birds and train whistles. 

There were several folks on the trails today - families, couples, runners, meandering toddlers and dogs on leash. It was a bit muddy thus I brought home a good deal of Ruffner clay in the grooves of my hiking boots. But I like having dirt from various trails on my boots. You'll often hear me say which trail a certain stain or scuff mark came from.

Two weeks from today - another hiking trip on my calendar. What about a hike?

Ruffner Mountain

Veteran's Park Nature Trails

Vulcan Trail Association

What's Your Weak Spot?

As the legend goes, Achilles was held by his mother by the heel and dipped into the river Styx so that he would be invulnerable. His heel wasn't covered by the water, thus his weak spot. He was later killed by an arrow wound to his heel. 

What's your weak spot? For as long as I can remember my Achilles heel has been my weight - my body image.  I came to a realization during a season of prayer that the very thing that has kept me down, that tender spot that Satan continually pokes to hold me back, could be my crown and glory. 


My goal is that hope shines through vulnerability: that healing occurs through transparency: that victory is won over obesity!