Destroy What Destroys You

     August 18th, 2012.

     At this very moment, I'm watching Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. This is ultimately one of my favorite shows. I love being able to see people transform right before my eyes. I dream of being just like those people one of these days. It's so hard, like I've said before in a previous entry, to lose weight when you're not old enough to go on a weight loss show, to drive to a gym to workout, or to even buy my own good foods to eat to keep me on track. The youngest person I've seen on one of these shows was 18, and I know for a fact that I can't wait until I'm a senior/graduated to get some help!

     Because I'm the type of person who likes to have a plan (I'm so much like my mom at times), I wanted to know where I stand physically. I do a lot of research, because I'm on the computer all the time. Also, Health, Nutrition & Wellness I, and Catering I this year helped me out a lot with expanding what I know about my body.

    

     My statistics stand as followed:

I'm hopefully going to be joining the swim team this year,
and I pray for a change <3

Name: Jehna Hope Powell

Gender: Female

Age: 15 1/2

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 249 lbs.

BMI: 37.9

Body Description: Obese

Weight Percentile: >98th percentile

Body Measurements (roughly):

• Bust - 47.5"
• Waist - 41"
• Hips - 48"
• Thighs - 27.5"
• Biceps - 16"
• Calves - 18"

BMI - Body Mass Index

BMI Categories: Underweight <18.5, Normal weight 18.5-24.9, Overweight 25-29.9, Obese 30<
Weight Percentile - Weight compared to other Americans
Weight Percentile Categories: 15th percentile means you are close to average weight, 90th percentile means your weight is greater than 90% of others, and 20th percentile where 80% of others weigh more than you.
Body Measuring Techniques:

1. Bust: Wear a bra (like you normally would) and wrap the measuring tape around the largest part of your chest
2. Waist: Wrap around the smallest part of your midsection (above your belly button more than likely)
3. Hips: Wrap around the largest part of your midsection (below your belly button)
4. Thighs: Wrap around the widest part of each thigh
5. Biceps: Wrap around the midpoint between your shoulder and elbow
6. Calves: Wrap around the largest part of your calves (midway probably)

*Check out this link for more information! Sure, it's not an official source, but it definitely has some pretty great information on it!  http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmirefs.htm



When my chest, and body, are actually
fit, this is going to be the first thing
I put on <3

     Even though I did this to myself, I still think it's weird to look at these statistics about my body. Now these are a shock to me too, because I had no idea that my boobs were that big! Honest to blog, if you have small boobs and you hate them, I hope you realize that a big chest has very few benefits. I have neck and back problems because of my boobs. I have acne on my back and chest because I have to wear a regular bra and a sports bra daily just to keep my chest looking normal. It's so embarrassing to say that, because I know it's entirely abnormal to wear more than one bra, but I have to! I have to because I hate running with big boobs, I can never find just one bra that fits the size of my chest, and all these other reason. How about I don't go into any more detail. My goodness, I hope no guys are reading this! Anyways, my chest is a huge problem for me, and I hope I lose a lot of my midsection weight especially. I have never liked my thighs either. I don't think I have ever, not even once in my life, wore shorts that came above my knees. When my legs get toned up, I have the perfect pair of jean shorts that I am saving for that magical day! It's really hard to look at all these statistics above about "normal Americans" and girls my age, because I know for a fact that I've never been normal: mentally or physically! I've been overweight all my life. I can't say at this moment what my exact goal is for my BMI and other measurements, because I don't know what they exactly mean yet.



Motivation for Fitness Challenge, and working out in
general (courtesy of Pinterest)!



     I can't wait until school starts, just because Fitness Challenge is going to be the greatest thing that has happened to me my whole life I believe. I have high expectations for this class, so I hope Herring can really preform this year. Overall, though, I have to realize that my weight loss and all of this is an all day every day routine. I can't just workout for an hour at school and then come home and repeat my old habits. My mom, my siblings, my friends, and even my cat (inside joke) are going to have to change our ways in order to improve mine and their physical and mental well being. Aww, this is going to be golden. I have sincere faith in my sophomore year. You watch me. 

Footsteps

     August 10th, 2012
     Today was an amazing day! I love when friends spontaneously ask you to hang out! Emiy and Justice txted me today, while I was in the middle of tanning, and asked if I wanted to hang out with them and maybe go get ice cream. Knowing me, I never try to turn down my friends. Especially when they invite me to do something! I constantly feel like I'm always the one who has to plan things, and I hate it. I end up spending all my money on them and usually get in trouble for something stupid. Anyways, we met up at the high school, and it was a little awkward at first! These two girls just looked so pretty, and I felt like I looked sloppy. I barely had any makeup on, my hair was wet because I just got out of the shower, and I was wearing my usual crappy clothes. Here they are, swaggin' it up with their neon shirts, cute makeup, and golden tans. Oh golly! I felt so self conscience! I would give anything to be that thin and tan, you have no idea.

To the girls out there who need a friend. To the girls
out there who just need a hug. There is someone out
there who is just as crazy and hardcore as you. It just
takes a miracle, or Facebook, to find them! :)

     Anyways, we went to Eat'n Ice Cream and totally had a blast in there! We took pictures together, Justice couldn't figure out how to open the door, and so much more! These chicks are seriously the funniest and most outgoing people you will ever meet. I don't think I've ever seen them with a frown on their face, and I'm dead serious!
     Later on, we walked over to Justice's house, which is surprisingly just a few blocks away from mine! We took lots more pictures, watched funny and scary videos on YouTube, talked a whole bunch, watched Justice as she straightened her hair (ahhahaa), and walked around her backyard. It's so crazy, because they definitely know how to make the best out of any situation! I just feel really good, knowing that I've made some really sweet friends this year. I needed this. I needed to make some friends outside my every day friend group! Ariana and Jasmyn were my besties in middle school, and I'll never forget them. They will remain in my heart for eternity. Alyssa, Tiana, Amy, Abby, Katie, Sam, and Felicia were definitely my rock when I completely switched friend groups in 7th grade. They all made me into the person that I am today. They made me realize my purpose, and why I wanted to be a better person. Over the year, Amanda, Capreece, Miyela, Gabby, Clarisa, Mireya, Haley, Jenna, Emily, Justice, Lexi, Hanna, and so many others lifted me up and made me feel great about the things I was doing. And just recently, Wendy and Shyan really confronted me and influenced me. I totally want to be like these girls when I grow up, fo sho. I need support. I can only motivate myself so much. I like high school because we all get the opportunity to go out of our shells a little bit and meet different people. It sets us up for the real world, that's for sure. It's always nice to have a lot of friends. That is definitely one thing my mom and I can agree on. In high school, she knew everybody and was friends with everybody. I want to be that girl. I want to be that person that is supportive and understanding and friendly towards every single person, regardless.

Emily, me, and Justice!

     Speaking of which, I also went out for a two mile walk tonight with my buddy Felicia! She is also a very supportive and motivating person that I am lucky to have in my life. We've definitely had our ups and downs, but in the end, I know for a fact that she is and always will be there for me. We had a really great time tonight, talking about everything from McWilly to school to swimming to friends! It's nice to just get out every once in awhile. She just showed up at my doorstep, asking if I wanted to go walking for a bit! I love spontaneous friends, like I said before! I really want to post something on here that she said to me over txt message after I came home from our walk. I was talking about how I was nervous to go to Water World tomorrow, for lots of reasons, but mostly because people pick on me all the time for the way I look. I told her that it seems like people always judge me before they get to know me. In Felicia's words, she said, "If only they knew what a wonderful girl they are missing out on... I know how it feels to be insecure like you..." It really means a lot to me to know that someone I deeply care about thinks so highly of me. I feel respected, loved, and appreciated. Later on, I told her about how much I look up to her because she is so strong, and sweet to everybody. In response to that, she said, "I try to be nice to everyone because everyone is fighting a battle no one knows about... I try to make their day better if it's possible... even if it's just getting a smile out of them." In some ways, Feesha is a lot like me. I can see it, in her values and her thoughts. I respect you girl. And I respect anyone with this kind of positive attitude.



Oh you fancy huh?

     I titled this entry, Footsteps, because it simply explains a lot of things in my life. To me, my footsteps can change the dynamic of things. And all together, our footsteps can make a chain reaction. We can move things with our footsteps. Our footsteps can be our core, the reason why we are the people that we are. Our footsteps can be our motivation, our motivation to keep on moving forward. Our footsteps can be our reminder, that all is good when you push yourself. Footsteps can either make or break a person or thing. With a steady beat and strong stride, our footsteps can revolutionize.

Chocolate Milk

     August 9th, 2012
     I had a really great night. Hands down, I live for moments like these. Sometime around 4pm, former senior Shyan txted me. She asked me if I wanted to go walking or swimming with her tonight. I felt bad, because last night she asked me to go out with her too, but I was busy with family things. It's not that I felt obligated to go walking with her, but I felt like if I didn't go out tonight I would totally regret an amazing opportunity. I met her at her house, which is literally just around the corner, at around 5:30. When she walked out of the house, I kinda felt insecure. I've always thought she was really pretty, so working out with her intimidated me honestly! I have a really bad habit of comparing myself to other girls, so I definitely felt a little down on myself.
     Anyways, we walked over to the track, nearly getting hit by some J.A. in a truck who wouldn't stop for us as we were in the middle of crossing the street. As we walked over there, she explained to me how she usually walks on the track. She starts on the first lane and moves out a lane after every lap. I thought that was pretty cool, considering that each lap gets longer and longer without you even really noticing! All through the walk, we sincerely talked about some pretty cool stuff. We talked about the jerks throughout the school, what Fitness Challenge is all about, relationships, and a whole bunch of other things. It was so cool! Shyan talked to me like we have known each other for years, like she could trust me with anything. I feel like I just truly know her so well now, and I feel like she definitely is getting an idea about me. Around her, there weren't any awkward, silent moments where neither of us knew what to say. She is so outgoing and so understanding. I definitely see a lot of me in her. She is just so relatable, and I know she doesn't judge me. She knows what it is like to be made fun of because of the way you look. She knows what it is like to feel hopeless. She knows what it is like to feel insecure. I know a lot of girls struggle with body image and all the negative things that come with high school, but she is someone really different that I can talk to. She is a couple years older than me, so she has seriously been through it all and seen it all. It's nice to talk to someone who has a different perspective, ya know? We relate so much. She is someone I want to grow up to be like. I'm just in awe right now. It just makes me feel good to know that I'm not alone, and that someone truly cares about me and my well being.
     I'm not going to lie: I'm actually tearing up right now just talking about tonight. I needed her to push me to come out walking with her. I need this, more than I actually realized. It just felt so good to just talk. To just talk about life. To just vent! As time went on, before we knew it, we had walked over three miles! Time seriously does fly when you're having fun.
     This year, I'm going to take the girls-only Fitness Challenge class at my high school. And I'm scared to death. Shyan told me that she knows girls that were legitimately scared to go out for this class! Overall, though, she says it that it definitely is going to change my life. When she was in the class, at the beginning of the semester everyone sets goals. Goals can be as simple as drinking more water to lowering your BMI from 30 to 20! At the end of the semester, all the girls shared their progress. It made her feel really good at the end of the semester when all the girls clapped for her because she made so much progress. I want to have that so bad. Sure, people are proud of me now, but I want another person to sincerely be proud of me for losing weight! I'd like for someone to be like, "Damn, this chick can work out. When she sets her mind to something, she can actually accomplish her goals. This chick is her own hero, and it's good to see that this class was able to changer her life." Yeah, I want that. Anyways, she said that weight lifting was also a big part of this class, which is pretty good news for me. I've always really liked to lift weights, even though it is such a challenge. Anyways, I titled this entry "Chocolate Milk" because it came up in our conversation about Fitness Challenge. She was telling me about how after she would normally workout she would want to go and just scarf down food. She tried to drink milk after a hard workout, to ensure her body has all the necessary nutrients. And the chocolate is just to make it taste yummy! This was my most favorite advice that anyone has ever given me! :)
     This is to the girls, or guys, out there who need a little motivation. Whether you need to get motivated to workout, eat better, or even to just do your homework, always remember that you are not alone. Remember that there is someone out there who is struggling just as much, if not more than you are. Even by just starting this blog, I have met so many amazing people who really needed my words of encouragement to boost there own self esteem. There are definitely people everywhere who are struggling with something. You never know: your next best friend could be just around the corner (literally!). In cases like these, you can never have too many friends. And you can never have too much support! Someone once told me a good friend is like a good bra; supportive, comfortable, and always closet to your heart! It is completely true! So if you or someone you know just needs a little motivation, please don't be afraid to be a friend or find a friend. And if you need a friend, you know where to find me! I could always use a buddy to go walking with. Having someone to exercise with, like I told Shyan, is always a lot more fun than exercising alone. Sometimes, it's hard to motivate yourself. I of all people should know that.
     Thanks for reading this hun. My blog is still as popular as ever, and yal are the reason why I spent a half an hour of my night to tell you about my day! If any of you ever need anything, please remember that I am here for you. And let me know if you want to go WALKING! :)
     In less than a week, we have registration at EHS. I'm looking forward to the new year in some ways, but I'm not ready for my summer of relaxation to be over. This will be a good year though, I'm sure of it!