My How Time Flies...

I'm amazed that our 12 week journey has come to an end. When I think about the HealthQuest On The Homestretch these words come to mind ~ fun, challenging, hard work, new friendships, Debbie's contagious smile, 4:30 am alarms, pain, amazing and I can't forget...CARTER! This has truly been a journey and I'm so thrilled to have been given the opportunity by my sponsor (and employer) BLUE COAST BURRITO.

I want to say thanks to a few gals that have had an impact on me over the last 12 weeks. First to Julie Pierce, aka Juji ~ your amazing persistence and fight to succeed was truly an inspiration to me. Thank you for showing all of us that some things are worth fighting for...our health. Second, to Renee ~ I'm blessed to have been able to spend the few weeks we had together with you. I'm so glad we could reconnect after all these years. Next, to Julie D. ~ thanks so much for your encouraging smile and being my partner through many challenging tire pushes down the football field. Finally, to Debbie Alan ~ your vision for this HealthQuest journey has already blessed so many women's lives. Thank you for spending the second half of your life helping and blessing the lives of so many through your radio talk show. I've so enjoyed getting to know you and I smile just seeing your face on the website because I know just how genuine that smile really is.

I will update my results after all of the testing is complete this week. I also plan to stop in from time to time and blog a bit about life, love and my pursuit of health and joy. Until next time, check out www.onthehomestretch.com and plan to join the HealthQuest journey in January. I promise...it will be the best thing you done for YOU in a long time!

Many blessings,
Karin

I Can't Believe It's Been a Month...

Wow...the time is surely flying by. Carter reminded us on Monday that we have only 13 days left. That is amazing! I have such mixed emotions about this entire journey. I had really hoped to be so much further along but because of my knee issues I really had to scale back in order to finish the course.

I guess I could blame it on aging but I'm only 45 so I guess the only real thing to blame it on is myself and years of taking my body for granted. You hear it from many sources that you really do have to take care of the body you've been given; that it is a temple, but there are many other sources out there, i.e. the media, trying to convince us that eating all that wonderfully tasting food with unlimited fat grams and enjoying the 52" plasma TV's is so much better. Well, we can see where that has gotten us in this country.

As I finish the journey and attempt to continue on with some fitness plan, I want to be a example of what works and what doesn't. I'm keeping my eye on the prize and planning to walk my first marathon in April. That is something I know I can do and look forward to the rewards of success. I hope you will consider joining the HealthQuest team in January. It has been fun and very rewarding...even at 5 in the morning!!! Go to OnTheHomeStretch.com for more information that will change your life forever!

Blessings for you day!

Karin

Tough Week!

This week has been harder on me physically. My foot and knee have not wanted to cooperate with the rest of my body. I got past the foot pain on Tuesday and then after Wednesday's workout my knee was killing me. I could barely walk by Wednesday night. After a brief visit with a PT, we thought it was best to take a couple days off and let it rest.

I really hate missing the workouts now (although 2 extra hours of sleep is never a bad thing) but it feels like I'm letting myself and the team down so I hope it was worth the rest. I'll divide and conquer on Monday perhaps with a little less jogging and a little more walking so I can keep the knee happy!!!

Have a blessed weekend!!!
Karin

4 Weeks Have Passed...

It is incredibly hard to believe that I have been getting up at 4:30AM every weekday for the past 4 weeks. I truly thought this would be the hardest part of the Quest. That was before I met Carter, of course, and now I know that getting up is actually the easiest part of the challenge! Even though the workouts are getting much harder, it actually feels easier on my body which means I'm getting stronger and more flexible. When I described one set of exercises to my husband he said, "Can you even do 20 pushups?" and I said, "I can now!"

From the heart...
On my way home this morning from the workout God put two thoughts on my heart. First, I lost my sister this past spring at the young age of 53. She always struggled with weight and fitness. About a year before her death she was diagnosed first with PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) and then a few months later she was diagnosed with Schlerderma. Either one of these diseases is bad enough in itself but she was plagued with both of them. She fought hard and did everything she was told to do but ultimately it was just too much for her physical body to bear. I say all of that to say...her life gives me the strength to take on these physical challenges. I've been given a second chance for a healthier life...one that she didn't get. So this is for you, Deb. I love and miss you a lot.

Secondly, I realized how extremely blessed I am to be apart of this Quest to a healthier life. As Carter has told us many times, the battle is not with the bulge, the battle is in the mind. God tells we can all things through Christ who gives us strength. He made us to do incredible things. My body is doing things that my MIND never thought it could do...therefore it didn't! My mind is now being opened to so many possibilities and that is very exciting.

Well, enough rambling for the day. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

God bless your day!
Karin

This thing called Pain!

Well we are starting our 3rd week on this HealthQuest journey and I continue to be amazed at the small feats each day. The biggest feat to date, of course, is the fact that I don't have any pain anymore...at least not the "all over, all day for a week" sort of pain. Yea!!! The second biggiest feat: The "Planks" ~ introduced the first week compliments of Carter. I'm sure someone out there knows what that is but just suffice it to say I managed to put my body in that position for about 10 seconds. The goal was 3 minutes!!! I'm thrilled to say that by the end of week 2, I was able to stay up for 30 seconds!!! I realized then that I am making progress.

Week 2 also included LOTS of testing and along with testing means getting results. Even though I wasn't really shocked by any of the results I've seen so far there's something to the old adage "ignorance is bliss". However, knowledge is key to getting healthy and feeling like the person we were created to be.

Most importantly, I'm loving this journey and thankful for the opportunity to refocus some of my energy on myself that will only help me becoming a better wife, mother and friend.

Until next time...never give up!!
Karin

Week One at D-1

Wow…I’ve just finished the first 3 days of this thing called “HealthQuest” I’m amazed that I’ve actually been up at 4:30 in the morning three days in a row heading to D1 to endure a little more pain! I’m doing things with my body I never thought I could do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing them perfectly, but I’m doing them and that’s a lot more than I ever thought I’d be able to do. I’m looking forward to less sore muscles, being able to RUN a 5K if I choose to and building relationships with 20 other women, who like me, what to make the last half of this earthly journey the best yet! My hope for all of those reading this blog is that you will be inspired to set a course for which you can accomplish something that seems impossible. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time but I think this will be better than my wildest imagination! I can’t wait to see how God is going to use this new and improved vessel in just 12 short weeks!!! God bless!

Blessings,
Karin