BACK TO SQUARE 1 – B22

“Be Strong and Courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

How did our paths cross?  God had a plan is all I can say.  I call it a “God Wink”.  You see, I had no plans of being in Colfax, Louisiana on November 3, 2018.  This is the weekend of the Annual LA Pecan Festival in my home town.  My mother took my children to the parade that morning and unexpectedly asked me to come get them because she wanted to hang out with some of her childhood friends.  When I got there, I decided to make one stroll down front street to see if I saw any familiar faces.  Oddly, I did not.  I mean NOT ONE friend, not one family member, not an acquaintance… no one.  As I am headed to my car, I see Debbie Futrell and my mom talking.  Debbie begins telling me about this gym that has opened in the old Dry Prong Jr High gymnasium.  My ears perk and I am captivated by this story.  She told me of a local woman that had opened a gym in her garage free to others had now purchased this huge piece of history of the parish to open a facility for health and community awareness of fitness.  WHAT?  Debbie said, “Mitzi, I think you should call her.”

It wasn’t ten minutes later, on my way out of town, I had Bonita Preuett-Armour on the other end of the phone.  We clicked.  It was instant.  The next day, I was headed to DPJH to see what this lady had created.  OH MY GOSH!

That gym from 1986 (my junior high years) was transformed to say the least.  The equipment is incredible.  The social area is remarkably welcoming.  The children’s area is better than my kids’ rooms.  The bathrooms are completely remodeled yet with tons of character.   If you are an alumna of DPJH, you have got to stop in and check it out. 

Bonita asked if I would help her with a “Back to Square 1” challenge for the gym.  She wanted me to be the nutrition coach for her 6-week program to change these peoples lives.  I don’t think they really understood what was going to happen to them when they signed up. 

Before I go any further…

This chick, Bonita, that I met back in November is one gem herself.  This woman puts everyone before herself.  She puts her blood, sweat and tears in everything she touches.  She is 110% of pure go get ‘em.  She has a drive and passion for healthy living.  She has built a community of health, fitness, strength, love, friends and family, all while she has a full-time job as an attorney and a wife.  She gives all the glory to God above…  This gym is built on faith and certainty and worship.   I am blessed to have found a friend in you.  Mucho Love!

The challenge consisted of…

5 Points in each category

Exercise – prayer/meditation – sleep – diet – 10,000 steps a day – attitude – water

7 groups of 13 athletes – 2 groups (65+ age) of 10 athletes 1 team leader of each group

Extra points to be awarded for nutrition challenges and exercise challenges at any given time.

6 weeks of a Life-Changing challenge for so many of these people.

Meeting 1 – WELCOME TO MITZI’S WORLD

The do’s and don’ts of your next 6 weeks eating habits is earth shattering.  When I told these Grant Parish Athletes, they could no longer have gravy, fried anything, sodas, dairy, grains, sugar, imitation sugar, peanut butter…  and I just didn’t stop.  I saw them crumble in front of me and every positive thought of that challenge had come to a screeching halt with the nutrition plan. 

You mean I can’t have…?  Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.

I handed out my phone number to over a hundred people and said text me at any time with a picture, ingredients, menu, or whatever you need I will guide you through.

MY PHONE BLEW UP.  BLEW UP.  It was a beautiful sound.  It meant they wanted to learn, to be educated, to gain knowledge, to succeed, and to take their life back.  Incredible to say the least.

There were many people that became increasingly aggravated at me telling them no and no again and again and again…  Ya’ll there were times I just wanted to say YES, so I wouldn’t have to say NO again.

Let me say this… They never quit.  They kept going back to the grocery.   They began experimenting with flipping recipes.  They became comfortable eating clean.  Their bodies began to reflect and respond.  There was no turning back now.

I read every text in all group post.  It got difficult.  I heard, “I’m ready for this to be over” numerous times.  For every time I heard that, I also heard those same people say, “I AM WORTH IT”.

6 weeks – The last Sunday, it was time to scan those bodies again.  What did I actually do for this body for 6 weeks?  The results are going to amaze you.

Please take in to account that they walked/ran 10,000 steps a day, drank 64oz of water a day, exercised, and completely changed their dietary guidelines.

Here are some pics of our journey to a new, STRONGER B22 Community…

A huge thank you to each and every one of you for trusting me in this endeavor.  Your results speak for themselves.  Stay the course…  You are only beginning.

Stay Strong!

Mitzi

Lloyd Whitman lost 29#
Joe Poisso lost 28.4#


This dynamic duo
Audrey and Joe Poisso lost a total of 48.4# and over 30 combined inches


The winning team “Dry Prong Strong” list a combined total of 140#


The Winning Losers came in 1st Overall place with a total loss of 138.1# and winning overall points. 


The winner of the most pounds lost was Stacia Walker Carpenter with 30#.
These are some of the “Coffee Club” members.  There is no stopping them.  They had a combined step total of 3,148,631.  A combined weight loss of 60.4#.