Life lately

So...I started Weight Watchers! I've been doing it for a week and love it! I still eat yummy food, but I am paying WAY more attention to what and how much I am eating - and I never feel hungry which is great! I'm doing it online, so I don't go to meetings or anything - and I have to weigh myself every Sunday, so Sundays will probably become my new blogging days and I'll include an update on the weight loss! Setting a goal weight was a little tricky b/c what used to be my goal weight was "pageant weight" but that is not a weight I can maintain - so I think I set an attainable goal. I've gained close to 30lbs since Miss TN (which is really scary for me to actually say out loud) - and my goal is to lose at least 20-22lbs. I've also worked out everyday this week - doing at least 30 minutes of cardio, and I've realized 2 things. One, it sucks to start over! Two, I forgot how much I enjoy working out! I have had way more energy, slept better, and just felt better about myself all week long! So, I'm on a roll! If anyone wants to join me in getting healthier, I'm happy to be here as an encourager or just extra accountability! I can use it too!!

On a pageant related note, I heard a story this week that really touched my heart and got me thinking about some things. A lot of people assume that girls who compete in pageants have a lot of money because it is a very expensive hobby..lol! But that's not always the case! I for one, certaintly don't and never did have a lot of money - a lot of sacrifices were made by my mom for me to be able to compete for so long. And the generosity of other people made a huge difference in the wardrobe I was able to afford. But think about it, girls compete in the Miss America SCHOLARSHIP Organization for many reasons: they want to win their state title and go to Miss America, they enjoy pageants, their mothers encourage it, they truly desire the job of the state title holder, OR they need the scholarship money. It's funny how needing scholarship money is normally not the first thing on the list for most girls, because it is a SCHOLARSHIP pageant. But think about this, a lot of girls who compete in the Miss America system are incredibly intelligent, well-rounded, talented women - they already earned scholarships for college. Yes, many of them use what they earn to further their education - grad school, law school, med school, etc... but a lot of girls already have full paid scholarships to the University of their choice. But, there are girls who NEED the scholarship money. There are girls who pay for every piece of wardrobe on their own. There are girls who choose to compete in the Miss America Organization because it is the largest scholarship provider for women - and with out it, they might not have enough money to cover their books one semester, or their meal plan. The opportunity to earn scholarship money by being well-rounded, talented, intelligent, and service-oriented young women is an incredible thing. What other organization offers this to young women?

So, after all that I have several points. One, support the Miss America Organization because they are giving out scholarship money to girls who not only need it, but they've earned it and they deserve it. Two, don't assume all girls who compete in pageants have a ton of money - it's a really bad assumption - and 9 times out of 10, I'd bet you'd be wrong. Three, appreciate the blessings in your life instead of dwelling on the negatives. Be thankful for the life you've been given, and if you don't like it, do something about it - because I bet there is someone out there who would be willing to change places with you.

Ok, I'm off my soap-box, just really felt like I needed to share those thoughts!

Here is my last thought  - it's more of a challenge to myself and anyone who reads this - at the end of the day today and everyday, ask yourself this question: "What did I do for someone else today?"