Weeks 47-49

A few hours after I posted my last blog, I received a phone call from Briana. She called to tell me that her mom had passed away at 3 p.m. My heart sunk as I told Briana how sorry I was to hear the news. She told me she just wanted to let me know about it. I asked her how she was doing and she simply said, "I'm fine." Needless to say, things have been a bit inconsistent these past few weeks. The good news is that Briana is maintaining her weight and has come to call her host family "home." She has many people in her life that love her and will continue to look out for her. She says that she has an angel in heaven now, and she knows her mom can always see her. I am dedicating this blog to Lorrie Carrey, Briana's mom. She was born August 4, 1958 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She died September 3, 2012 from liver cancer. Lorrie was 30 years old when she gave birth to Briana. From the beginning, she loved her with all her heart. She made sure that Briana was able to attend mainstream schools and receive a good education. Friends say that in high school, Lorrie was always at the school helping out to make sure that Briana stayed in school. Because of Lorrie's dedication, Briana is a high school graduate. After high school, Lorrie made sure that Briana remained active in social and educational programs. She signed her up for dozens of events and activities and made sure she got her there. When I met Lorrie just over a year ago, she knew that Briana was severely overweight and was happy to have the help to turn it around. I credit Lorrie for having both the strength and the courage to manage Briana's diet. It is not an easy thing to do, changing your eating habits. I know that Lorrie had to be the one to say no many times to help Briana stay on track, and I am grateful to her for that. For the short time I knew Lorrie, I am touched to have had her pass through my life. She reminded me that regardless of how much we may or may not have, at the end of the day family matters most of all. Because of Lorrie, I now remind myself each day to put my children and family first and provide them with unconditional love regardless of circumstances. Lorrie was memorialized on Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m. at a beautiful ceremony. Briana sang her favorite song and invited all of the special people in her life to say something about Lorrie. Briana was able to grieve and celebrate her mother's life surrounded by all of the people who love her.

Week 46

This journey is about more than just weight loss. This journey is about quality of life. I am amazed when I watch Briana in our sessions together. Her quality of movement, her strength, and her endurance are so far ahead of what they were nine months ago. Nine months ago, it took Briana five minutes to get from the car into my front door. Now when she gets dropped off, she is out of the car and in the door in less than two minutes. Nine months ago, I supported fifty percent of Briana's body weight to help her down the stairs to work out. The journey down took us five minutes. The journey back up took almost three minutes. Now, Briana is able to walk down the stairs on her own. It takes her less than one minute. As part of her work out, she goes up and down the stairs three times. The entire set of three takes her five minutes. Nine months ago, I had to help Briana take off her shoes and put them back on at the end of her Pilates exercises. Now she can do both all by herself. Nine months ago, it took a lot of work on my part to help Briana lay down for her Pilates exercises. She was very weak and complained about her back hurting and her stomach hurting all of the time. Now, Briana can lay down and get herself situated without my help. Occassionally, she will complain about her back when I increase the intensity of her workout. She never complains about her stomach hurting anymore. Nine months ago, I had to use all of my strength to pull Briana up from a lying position to a sitting position. Now she sits herself up quickly and easily without my help. Nine months ago it took Briana a full hour to get through a handful of exercises. Now she does two complete sets and several different rotations of different exercises in one session. Her rest time has drastically decreased, and she works hard in every exercise. Nine months ago, Briana would call me to ask if she could have a cookie, or pizza, or cake. Now she makes healthy choices when they are available, and she is beginning to understand the importance of moderation with "treat" foods. So, this week I celebrate Briana for all she has learned and all she has gained on this journey. The value of her efforts is priceless.