How our Friend Lost 75 Pounds
Barb: I was working on a project at my second home (otherwise known as "Hobby Lobby"), when I met an inspiration. Her name was Jill.
Jill works in the frame department...and as a photographer, I'm always needing to buy frames. We began talking one day, and discovered that we go to the same church. After that, I would frequently stop by to chit-chat with her when I was at Hobby Lobby.
Barb: I was working on a project at my second home (otherwise known as "Hobby Lobby"), when I met an inspiration. Her name was Jill.
Jill works in the frame department...and as a photographer, I'm always needing to buy frames. We began talking one day, and discovered that we go to the same church. After that, I would frequently stop by to chit-chat with her when I was at Hobby Lobby.
Each time I saw Jill, I noticed that there was less of her...and LESS of her. I had pulled out my copy of Miss Manners, but couldn't find any advice on “how to ask a person how they lost a ton of weight.” So I finally just came out with it. I said, "Hey, you look fantastic. What are you doing to look so healthy?” And then she told me.... And now she’ll tell you.
Jill's story, in her own words...
"I had "thought" of losing weight for a long time - and that was where it usually remained - in my head, and never resulting in any real effort. I knew my daughter had prayed for me to lose weight - and that didn't seem to be helping me to budge from my stubborn resolve to remain fat and unhealthy. But, God was doing his thing behind the scenes.
My sister Karen, who I don't normally do very many activities with and who was battling her own health issues at the time, asked me to go to Zumba. I went and was hooked immediately. It was as if something clicked. From that point on, I won't say I was perfect, but something had changed in me. All of a sudden I wanted to do good things for my body, to take care of it, to encourage others to do the same - and it has been quite a journey.
Along the way I have gone through several changes - I no longer use food as a crutch, I no longer live to eat, I think about putting things in my body that will beautify it instead of harm it. I think of putting living, colorful things in my body that will help it to repair itself and ultimately help me to live a life that will not only please God, but benefit my kids as well.
As long as God affords me breath, I want to be able to get around on my own, to continue to learn what it means to live life in the fullest, to run…to be in the midst of everything and not sitting on the side lines because I'm out of breath. I can remember being out of breath just walking across the room or even reading a book - and I never want to go back to being that way again. I have said goodbye to that person - and I welcome more of the person God wants me to be - which is literally less of me and more of him. I want to be that glorious sunset at the end of my life, not a fading plume of smoke vanishing on the horizon…
And…I am still running…until I reach the finish line one of these days…God help me to get there and finish well!
I have lost approximately 75 lbs..." ~Jill
 Jill (Right) with her mom (Left).  Jill, horse-back-riding. |  Jill's recent photo shoot at Barb's home. |
Barb: But the story doesn't end there...
Two years ago, Jill suffered a tremendous loss when her sister passed away. That day, not only did Jill lose a sister, but three young girls lost their mother.
In a hug tight enough that said "you belong with us," Jill, her husband, and their teenage son welcomed her sister's three daughters, 16, 11 and 10, into their home. Legal guardianship soon followed. And with that, a small family of three became a large, beautiful family of six.
As you can tell, Jill is an absolute knock-out. But her love for the Lord and her compassion for others shines even more brightly than her gorgeous smile.
It is an honor to call Jill my friend. She is so beautiful – and so Christ-filled. I am very proud of her.
When Jill came over for her photo shoot, I asked her to tell me more about her diet. She said, "It’s all about discipline. You have to care enough about yourself to have discipline. There’s no easy fix. It’s a journey; there will be ups and downs. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s worth it."
Two years ago, Jill suffered a tremendous loss when her sister passed away. That day, not only did Jill lose a sister, but three young girls lost their mother.
In a hug tight enough that said "you belong with us," Jill, her husband, and their teenage son welcomed her sister's three daughters, 16, 11 and 10, into their home. Legal guardianship soon followed. And with that, a small family of three became a large, beautiful family of six.
As you can tell, Jill is an absolute knock-out. But her love for the Lord and her compassion for others shines even more brightly than her gorgeous smile.
It is an honor to call Jill my friend. She is so beautiful – and so Christ-filled. I am very proud of her.
When Jill came over for her photo shoot, I asked her to tell me more about her diet. She said, "It’s all about discipline. You have to care enough about yourself to have discipline. There’s no easy fix. It’s a journey; there will be ups and downs. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s worth it."
Dear Friends,
If you'd like to leave a note for Jill, or have a story of your own to share, please feel free to enter a comment below.
We'll see you next week!
Love, Katie and Barb
To subscribe to our weekly blog, please enter your email address on the home page. The blog features recipes, health tips, stories, and more.
You might also like:
The Five Nastiest Foods in America (Our most frequently read blog post)
What's In Your Pantry? (Our Top 10 Favorite Pantry Staples from Walmart)
If you'd like to leave a note for Jill, or have a story of your own to share, please feel free to enter a comment below.
We'll see you next week!
Love, Katie and Barb
To subscribe to our weekly blog, please enter your email address on the home page. The blog features recipes, health tips, stories, and more.
You might also like:
The Five Nastiest Foods in America (Our most frequently read blog post)
What's In Your Pantry? (Our Top 10 Favorite Pantry Staples from Walmart)
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