Word of the Year "Stretch"

As I have been reflecting on others resolutions and what it means to make a resolution. This has been my conclusion of the week and how I came up with my own "Word for the Year." I am finally posting this blog that I began in Jan.

I was sitting with a friend the in middle of Jan. and she shared her word of the year with me FOCUS!! She says, Focus is my word for this year. She proclaimed it boldly and confidently. What focus means to her is that everyday she will stay present with each moment. I believe her Focus will be clear and her dreams and resolution for this year will come into being.

Why you ask? Because she is creating what she wants by taking everyday and being present with each moment. I want my word to be FOCUS:(I love it and how it just fits this amazing women.)

As I speak with people about what they want in their health. Most people are done with New Resolutions because they have made them for years and all fail miserably. But in asking them to pick a word, a lady I chatted with today. Right away she said I know my word it is "RENEWED"!!! Wow, she knows what she wants and is taking control of her life and renewing her mind daily to go against what the past says about her and walk with a renewed might fearless and equipment to accomplish her goals to go horseback riding again with her granddaughter, to be an example to her students in health and eating habits, to have energy and feel good about herself. I can now say she is down over 30 lbs and only a few lbs from her healthy BMI!! And Yes she has set an example all around her!!

I have been encouraged and challenged in the last few months from all of our amazing clients and health coaches that have joined us in this pursuit to get America Healthy One Person at a time. They are changing their orientation from being unhealthy to creating health and no longer letting food control their lives. One client in 9 months down 155 lbs simply amazing. They are learning to adapt daily habits of using food as fuel.

Even as a health coach of a year and a half. It is a choice daily to keep health at the center of my life. The days I fail miserable...I don't let it dictate my future I go after the next day with Purpose and find the person I can pour into and stop looking at myself. Health and fitness is possible for anyone. Thanks to Habits of Health System/Take Shape for Life and my go to fitness girl Tracy Anderson Method!!!

Believing and Structural Tension: You don't have to believe that you can lose weight and gain back that confidence. It is all about taking the first step and the daily steps to get you to where you want to be.

I am daily amazed at the life I am living out. Be on Purpose as Kevin MacCarthy would say. This man and his study has forever changed my life. Bible based, Centering your life, and learning your purpose statement. What is your burning desire and purpose on this planet? Learn it and Live it out Loud!!
http://www.on-purpose.com/

Here are some links for tips on starting fresh.. getting your thoughts and dreams on paper is a powerful thing that will launch you forward. Don't keep your thoughts locked up any longer. They are not doing any good staying inside.

Write out your Commitment
http://coachtofitness.tsfl.com/?page=blogs/view&BLID=1053 (read more of Dr. Andersen's Blogs at www.habitsofhealth.net)

Tracy Anderson Dancing on the Treadmill that I have been sharing with many of you:)Exercise is great for overall health but will not help you lose weight. I like to introduce a walking plan about a month into the weight loss phase of the program. If you like to dance and are close to your healthy weight. This is a fun exercise and you will see amazing results. Start at 10 minutes skipping and work yourself up into doing the other moves.Slowly upping your time up to 45 minutes. Again this is a great maintain exercise regiment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVLD5TOi6g4&playnext=1&list=PLDB56C952C45614B0

I know they both have the same last name but spelled different:)

My greatest Joy is supporting people to health. If I can assist you or some one you love to health. I enjoy equipping and empowering you in the process of getting to your healthy BMI (body mass index) along the journey adapting the daily habits to keep off the weight and thrive in our lives!!

I am so thankful that when I was in Master's Commission in 1999 that the leadership gave me an Ostrich as a symbol of what I allowed the Lord to do in me. I was always up for the challenge in those younger years. But as I became a wife, mom, and just got busy with life I shut off the switch of being stretched. We all need to grow and stretch to become who God has called us to be, and more importantly become the man and women you know that is deep inside of you. Stretching this year has not been easy, but I would not trade it for the world. I have that passion for life back. I am up for the challenge that our country is under with this crisis of Obesity and Un-healthy Habits.It is killing people way to young when we have a cure.

Whatever your challenge is in your health right now. If you are in the middle of your health and wieght loss journey, just starting, or have 300 lbs to lose. All you have to do is take the first step to learn and adapt new and healthy habits daily that will help you THRIVE in your life not just survive!!! I am here to help always.

Better Together-

Thea Wood




The Joy of my Life!!

2011 has come!!

Wow....I started this blog in another life time it seems. I still admire and stand amazed at the words I spoke then are what I live by today.

Connecting to the right people!!!

I believe this is the most important thing you can do for yourself. If you want to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Connect yourself to church or a small group that will keep you accountable in your walk and encourage you in your Faith.
I am so thankful for the Men and Women that have been a key part of where I am today. It would take forever to list them all:) Some of our great friends are pictured above for my 30th birthday party on the waterfront in downtown Portland and my best friends Heather(right)and Linsey(left). God has been so faithful in bring you both into my life.Your support and encouragement are always constant.









I am thankful everyday for my hubby Douglas M. Wood. Without our walk together and our pursuit of God individually and as a couple we would not be where we are today. It was the June of 2009 that Doug and I began "the health (weight loss) leg" of our journey to a new us. We had tried our whole marriage to get healthy in our body every time failing miserably on every diet out there.Both of us overweight entering our marriage, we began our marriage surrounded by going out to dinner. Food was our life and we were in a tail spin of unhealthy habits and wanted desperately a way out.



Along came TAKE SHAPE for LIFE.... The key is LIFE. In June 2009 we began a journey out of being what we call Food Addicts to a life of choosing what we really wanted in LIFE a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy finances. It has been quite the journey and a daily choice of living in recovery.Not going to food to escape, but choosing to deal with emotions and live an active life.
A person does have to eat to survive so we are daily adapting Habits of Health and supporting others on this journey of breakthrough and replacing old habits with healthy habits.

We take daily steps also called secondary choices to support our fundamental choice of Staying Healthy and Living a Active Lifestyle.


My cousin Tim McCollough rides his bike in Iowa everyday rain,snow or shine. This inspires me!! He does this to support his fundamental choice to be a active and fit daddy. Shout out to you Cousin!!!





My friend Molly started this blog when she began her weight loss journey and life of healthy eating for her whole family. Now down 70 lbs!!! Love you Molly you are inspiring so many people on their journey of health.

Molly and her adorable daughter Matilda


Check out this yummy lean and green meal!!
http://mypantrychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/11/cauliflower-pizza.html






Doug and I have learned that we need to use food as fuel. We now eat every 2-3 hours using the amazing tool of portioned controlled meal replacements. We are constantly on the go. This tool helps us maintain our weight loss and live an active lifestyle. Having these nutrient balanced meals to grab on the go keeps our metabolism going and helps us to not grab fast food being out and about. Being business owners, active in our church, and parents of two adorable girls there is never a dull moment and having these meals to grab is a lifesaver in maintaining a healthy weight and having the energy to keep up with our girls.




We are daily adapting healthy eating by preparing Lean and Green(Protein and Vegetables) meals and choosing healthier options when going out to dinner.Don't get me wrong we still enjoy our pizza once in awhile. Or join us for Sushi sometime. Shout out to Fugi's in Beaverton. But we know this can not be an everyday occurrence to support the the healthly body and life we really want.

Love this quote by Mark Twain- The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want. drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.

We are Health Coaches with Take Shape for Life and have the blessing everyday to call this our job and career to support friends and family on this journey towards health. One day at a time living the Habits of Health.We would love to support you to if it's 10 lbs or 100 lbs or more you need to lose.If what you are doing to lose weight is not working this program and us as your free Health Coaches just might be your answer.

Dr. Andersen's website has current blogs and a health assessment test to learn your current reality.Check it out @ www.habitsofhealth.net Let us know if we can assist you towards your health and weight loss goals.We are all in this journey together to live a healthy and active life.

Over this past year we've had friends lose over 100 lbs on this program.It is amazing to share in there successes!! Doug and I together lost 100 lbs combined. As I look over the past two years... the word that sums it up is Contentment. I am so grateful to be in this journey with the most incredible husband and papa on the planet.

Contentment:in a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction. ((content oneself with) accept as adequate despite wanting more:)

Taken from Bill Hybels Character study: Only when we have our hearts and lives filled with the love of God can we experience true contentment.


To have true contentment....you have to contend(grab hold of) of what you want. You deserve to have everything in your life exactly the way you want it. Are you willing to fight for it?


I will continue to contend for myself and those around me to have true contentment in there life.It is not a silver platter or cake walk..but it can be fireworks if you are willing to contend and pursue God and continue to reach out to those around you. Don't stop reaching. God is your defender and He has given you HOPE for the future.He never gives up on us!!!

Ps.35:1-2 Contend, Lord with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor arise and come to my aid.

I am blessed and content with my life, but I know there is more greatness in store. I desire others to experience breakthrough. I will continue to contend and run this amazing race that God has set before us.

Quote for this year "Someone is dependent on me getting breakthrough in my health, mind and finances." I must keep fighting and laying down my flesh.Daily Discipline creates a life of healthy habits.I am thankful that prayer moves the Hand of God. My God is faithful!!!!

May year "2011" bring Contentment in your Life and a passion to contend for those around you. The contending and daily discipline is worth the reward!!!Go after what you WANT in Life!!!



Love you All and Happy New Year!!!

T

Fall has come!!

Change is in the air. Leaves are falling out my window as I type my first blog. Seasons of life come and go. I am learning through this process of life you just hold on for the ride."Thea write and share it."

I wish you you could all see the leaves fall out my window. The beauty that comes from the fall. If we didn't fall we won't have to get back up. Each time something falls off of us pride, insecurity, the list goes on... God comes along side and grows new branches of love, joy, confidence, patience, kindness...

Be strong my friends.. Step up, live your dream now. Surround yourself with people who encourage that dream. You are great mommies and don't let anyone tell you different.

Check out this conference www.godchicks.com I am figuring out a way to get there. They have a Kids Conference for your kids ages infant to 12. Start saving now ladies. Christine Caine is a key note speaker. One of the most dynamic speakers I have ever heard. She challenges you to a whole other level.

The season is changing in the natural and in many of our own lives. Lets hold on, join together, lift each other up prayer. This is an amazing journey of life we are on friends. We all need each other!!

Love you All-

T