The one main focus that I’ve had these last few months is opening my heart.  Opening my heart to my family, opening my heart to strangers, opening my heart and being vulnerable.

How can you expand your heart?

I think instead of worrying about how much weight I have to lose, I want to focus on what the condition of my heart is.

Am I protecting my heart?

Do I protect my heart from people who don’t care about me? Or people who want to see me fail?

Previously in my other business I didn’t have to open my heart up at all. I focused on “business talk” and stuff that I was interested in but I never actually had to open my heart to anyone I didn’t want to.  Actually it’s not really appropriate to even share your heart in the work place — is it?

I was just thinking the other day that for the first time in my life — I feel ALIVE. I’m actually a part of something bigger than myself. I’m part of an incredible group of women who are making real changes for themselves and their families and in some small way I’m a part of that.

I’m a part of something that makes my heart happy.

What is the condition of your heart today?

How will you look to expand, nuture and support your heart?

How will you love yourself this next year?

Can you believe that we’re at the end of our challenge?

AND it’s Christmas next week?

I’d love it if  you could share here what you will do to avoid slip ups or a complete MELT DOWN.

I had the most wonderful week even though it was highly stressful. I’ve been feeling much better since my transfusion but my daughter has been in the hospital this week herself. I’m so thankful her CT scan came back normal (which means she is still cancer free!!!).

They were looking for a blood clot in her lung but it wasn’t there. Thank the Lord!

I knew because I was pretty upset about living across the country and my daughter having to deal with the doctors and everything in between by herself, it was tough! So I decided, we need to go and do something to pep me up — we jumped in the car and off to Grouse Mountain we went (here in Vancouver BC).

This is the FIRST time I have ever gone and it was a huge step for me.

First off, this is a huge mountain — my husband climbed almost 45 times this season and I have never done it once!

The only way to get up is a gondola ride that takes you above the trees and up the mountain. It sways and I have
to admit I was super nervous to get on, but I did it!

Here’s a clear video I found going down the mountain on You Tube:

Oh how thankful I was that I got on, because when we got to the top, the trees were glistening with snow and the sun
was shining down on us. I felt like I was in a story book and it was SO breath taking!

At the top of the mountain the kids enjoyed ice skating, we had hot chocolate, watched the sunset and ate dinner
at the top. Then it was back into the gondola and back down the mountain, it was so beautiful to watch the trees
and the city view as we were descending.

The kids had the time of their lives and I conquered a fear of heights and had the most glorious time of my life.

All in a highly stressful week!

How are you doing?

How do you take in the wonders of what God has given us?

Next time you feel stressed, combat it with something that you know you’ll create a memory for a lifetime.

Well that’s it from me today, here’s the latest tracking report, We’re on Week 9! I can hardly believe it!

- Vera
(currently digging into the Bible)

PS. I’m working on something that is pretty exciting for you, I can’t wait to share — I know it’s going to help us all in our journey together!

PPS. I can’t seem to get my pictures loaded but will add pics of the kids here in a bit.

YUCK! Imagine how well you’ve done if you’ve lost 5lbs!

Vera Raposo

Starting Weight: 222.8
Goal This Challenge:  15 lbs

Measurements:
Neck: 15.5″
Arm: 13″
Bust: 47″
Waist: 50″
Hips: 51.5″
Thigh: 21″
Calves: 16″

Here we go trackers!

You’ll be able to follow along with my own journey and know how committed I am (or not) to this process.

It’s certainly NOT easy to post your before pictures and share them with the world like this but I know it’s necessary to — it’s almost like a kick in the pants to get going already!

The fact of the matter is, I’m so horrified about posting this for people to see but ya know what? People SEE  me every day! This is what I look like every single day!

So why wouldn’t I want to kick myself into gear, face it and get ‘er done?

Here’s a bit nicer a shot of me in Vancouver when hubby and I took a night away at the Westin Bayshore.

A Number I’ll Never See Again!