It's my birthday, friends! Today I turn a quarter of century old and I am no longer allowed to say I am in my early 20's. It is bittersweet I guess, but I enjoy growing older. Age does not matter to me; how I feel does! I feel 35 and depending on who you ask I look it too, hehe.
I love giving to my readers. You guys keep me going and have grown to be such amazing friends. What better way for me to say "thank you" than to give out delicious Quest Nutrition products for you not only to enjoy, but to assist on your weight loss journey and/or keep healthy.
As I reflect and think about my "birthday wish and/or wants", I find myself not craving material things like I usually do. Purchasing my new car was both exciting and incredibly needed. Since that stress is off of my back, I feel happy and content.
-- Continue to lose weight: I am down 62 pounds since 11/25/2013 and I have 25 more pounds to go until I am "satisfied" and transition into the "maintaining" stage.
-- Finish my first fictional book titled "Pretty, Lies". I am about halfway finished and then the intense editing and changes will begin. I think if I stay focused big things could come. There is already something in the works. I would also like to send it to 10-15 of my blog readers to read review -- I would like to receive honest feedback on it. If any of my bookworms are interested, please let me know!
-- Stay true to myself and not focus on negative things people say. It is a known fact that not everyone will like you. Sometimes a person will not know a thing about you and still not like you. Sometimes people will not understand you or anything you stand for, which makes their "assumptions" completely wrong. There is a quote I like; "“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” That is something I want to focus on more. Growing a blog, trying to make a name for yourself, and chasing a dream that is not considered "normal" is both very rewarding and hard. As I have been on this wild ride, I have experienced wonderful opportunities and rewards, but also some negativity and hate. However, I am hungry to be more than I am, so I will never give up.
-- My father's cancer to not spread so aggressively and more cancer treatments become available. (My fingers are crossed; we have been informed by Duke that there are really good medical treatments that should become available soon.)
-- My mother to receive her monthly MS medication (it is $6,000 a month). This wish has been granted! An organization has helped my mother and she will now be receiving her infusions. She gets her first one Friday. Thank you, God! Unfortunately the treatments cannot repair the flares she has experienced the past few months, but they can prevent new lesions, so we're praying for the best.
-- My words to help and inspire other men and women to live their best, healthiest, and most fearless life possible. Knowing that I help other people gives my life meaning. I want to see everyone be successful; and whenever I can help, I want to do it.
Now on to the fun stuff about the giveaway:
- You must be 18 years are older to enter.
- This is open worldwide.
- All entries will be verified -- if a submitted entry is found to be false, the person is immediately disqualified and other all entries submitted by the person will be void.
- The giveway runs from Wednesday, July 30th at 12PM EST to Wednesday, August 6th at 12PM EST.
- Winners will be chosen at random via Random.org.
- Winners will be announced via blog post on Friday, August 8th.
I love how you show your life, honestly. Just keep that up :)
ReplyDeleteI love your realness...the ups the downs the struggles the successes :) LOVE!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday gorgeous!! have the best day :) your words always inspire me, and 100 times yes to this: Stay true to myself and not focus on negative things people say.
ReplyDeletefingers crossed and all my good thoughts for your mother + father lovely. xoox
Happy birthday! I too want to write a book, but I haven't even started yet. I was thinking maybe a non-fiction memoir. :) Hope it's a great year for you. I'm almost 27 now, but I can honestly say 25 was the best year of my life and I hope it is for you too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful birthday!! Enjoy every single second of it! Cant wait to read the book, sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing yor personal life posts and piss on fitness and weight loss! --Mint Clare Dew
ReplyDeleteI love hearing yor personal life posts and piss on fitness and weight loss! --Mint Clare Dew
ReplyDeleteI just starting getting back to being healthy. I have a lot of weight to loose. I'm inspired by you, so please keep up the type of posts you are already doing! :)
ReplyDeletemore about your life - dating, self esteem, friends, etc.!
ReplyDeletesending thoughts for your parents <3
I want to see more of your recipes.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read your book, if you still need readers. I was an English major and I am a stickler for grammar so I would be able to help with that side as well as the readability factor.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Look forward to seeing more of your recipes! I would also not mind reading the book you have wrote! Keep your good work up!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday :) I would like more fitness routines and recipes or meal plan ideas. I am an avid fiction reader and would also be happy to peek at your book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday girlllll!!!! I hope you have the best day ever the best week ever and the bestest year! I love your wish list and I think it is such a great idea for a birthday list. I love your fitness posts and would love to see more workout routines that you do at the gym. I know you mentioned it depends on what machines are available that day but I would love to see what you use and what it looks like!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I would love to see more fitness routines and meal ideas -- preferably those that don't include protein powder!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!! I hope allllllllllllll your wishes come true!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday sweet girl!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, gorgeous! Love the baby pic hah - priceless ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!! I really like your blog and it always makes me smile when you say that you started your weight loss journey on November 25. Thats my birthday and always a great day! But awesome blog fo reals I read every post! anddd HAPPPY BIRTHDAYYYY!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday girl!!! I wish you the most incredible year yet! I am so thankful that I have "met" you through blogging. I love how inspirational and real you are! I would love to write a review on your book for you! I have really gotten back into reading this year and love a good read!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Lady! That's really exciting about your book progress. I'd love to read your book. What is it about?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!! I love reading your blog and would love to read your book!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to one of the most beautiful, dedicated, and inspirational woman I know! I truly hope that every single one of your birthday wishes come true because you deserve it ♥ Congratulations on losing 65 lbs so far! That is so amazing! My thoughts and prayers are with your father - it is apparent how much he means to you and he is so lucky to have you as a daughter. Not to mention, I would be honored to review your book for you! That is SO exciting! I would love to hear more about it - the title is catchy!
ReplyDeleteI 100% love your blog girl, can't think of anything I'd want you to change. I think it's a great mix!
ReplyDeleteYou keep doing what you're doing awesome lady!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I love this post. I am also trying to live outside the norm, create a name for myself, and grow my blog. I would love to hear more about your process in doing this. Will be praying for your dad and mother, and also for continued support for you as you take this journey :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! That baby photo of yours is soooooo sweet! I wouldn't change anything you write about, I love the variety of posts you have. My favourite are your posts about your feelings because you are always so real and honest with us and I just adore that about you. Keep up the godo work! We love you ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday hope its amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love you and your blog! Happy Birthday. Also, totally willing and would love to read and edit; you know I'm an English teacher and adore reading!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I love your blog the way it is! You're real and honest and that's totally refreshing for a health blog! I would love to see some more recipes! I get in such a funk with meal prepping/planning.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I think your birthday wishes are great and the fact that you are writing a book, AMAZING!!
ReplyDeletexo Krissy @ Sneakers and Sequins
Happy Birthday Liz!
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ReplyDeleteKeep doing what you're doing! I love your blog! And Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!!! :-) I love your honesty and personal life posts.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book...let me know if you need someone when the time comes :)
WhatTheHeckWhyNot?
oh and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! WOOHOO YIPPEE!!! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!! YAHOOOO!! WHAT A DAY!! OH MY GOSH!! CELEBRATION!!! :) :) :) Enjoy a quarter of a century! It's going to be a great year!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to review your book :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday girlie!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear your mom is getting the treatment she needs and keeping your fingers crossed for your dad! My dad survived cancer twice but it's still nerve-racking when its in the family. But keep on fighting and staying in good spirits!
And is it bad I set my alarm on my phone to make sure to enter this giveaway? XD
Hoping this year is the best ever. Praying for your Mom and Dad to get better. You know I would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteI love how real you are--there are so many "fake" fitness blogs out there and yours is a breath of fresh air!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I would love to proof your book! I'm a major bookworm and I've proofed for a friend who's had a couple books published:)
ReplyDeleteI know I said happy bday but I want to say it again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Congrats on your continued weight loss. U r da bomb.
ReplyDeleteYour mom and dad will be in my thoughts and prayers!! My heart goes out to them as well as you.
I would love to read your damn book!!! LOL. I hope I am lucky enough to be one of the 10-15 you choose.
I just entered the contest and it asks to leave a comment with what I want to see more of. I was thinking I would like to hear your thoughts on why you think your weight loss journey has been so successful. There are many others on the same journey who struggle but you are consistent and I was wondering why you think that is?
ReplyDeletePlease explain the title - is it lies that are pretty? If so, you don't need the comma. I guess I don't understand why there is a comma between the words....
ReplyDeleteIt is there for a reason :-)
DeleteOk, you are going to HAVE to let me read it now...! mariaross1@cox.net - I can't wait! And happy birthday!!!
DeleteOk, you are going to HAVE to let me read it now...! mariaross1@cox.net - I can't wait! And happy birthday!!!
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DeleteHappy birthday! I love seeing the food side of your weight loss - recipes, etc. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou got it babes. I know you will definitely give an honest opinion ;-) thank you <3
DeleteHaving issues, sorry if multiple comments end up posting!
ReplyDeleteI love how you always respond to those who reach out to you. We all appreciate how you share not only the accomplishments, but also the setbacks.
Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday pretty lady! I posted on your other post as well but double the birthday wishes is never a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, more posts if possible about the protein foods !
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should change anything! I think you have a nice mix of your life happenings and your weight loss journey. If it ain't broke, don't fix it I like to say :)
ReplyDeleteI will read your book!
ReplyDeleteI check out your blog every day; you're so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteMore meal ideas :) happy birthday
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and thanks for chance!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this- I too love quest! Happy (belated) birthday! 25 is a fabulous year!
ReplyDeleteI love your goals! I love when you share your delicious recipes with us!
I'd love if you'd write about Raspberry Ketones in slimming process, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove me some Quest. YUM.
ReplyDelete