JAMIE CRANDALL-- EARTH, TX

The biggest lie I told myself was “I can’t”, when what I really meant was “I won’t.” 

I had heard about Foundations 6:19, however, I didn’t want to commit to something only to let myself down yet again.  This fear of failure enabled me to continue to lie to myself.

Then, there was Ida. I was helping at the school on a Thursday when she invited me to go work out. I asked everyone about it: “How bad is it going to be?”  “Can I do it?”  “Are ya’ll going to kill me?”  I knew I was unhealthy and didn’t want to make a fool of myself. ​

---

Although I had heard it before, Ida spoke some of the most powerful, life-giving words to me that day. She said, “The hardest part for you will be getting there.”  It really hit home that my biggest obstacle wasn’t my weight. It wasn’t my lack of exercise or bad food choices. It definitely wasn’t that I couldn’t do it. At that moment in my life, my biggest obstacle was me!  I needed to take that first step. 

So, I went. I am pretty sure I came close to dying a few times in that first workout.
In fact, I actually had to sit down during an entire circuit so I could catch my breath and stop seeing stars.  As far as I know, I am the only one who has had to do that. But, I made it through and I came back the next week and the next and the next…that was in September.

Although my goal was to get active and healthy, losing weight has been an added bonus.  The biggest changes in my body began to occur when I incorporated healthy eating alongside the workouts.  In January, Iris posted a 6-week Facebook challenge during which I discovered a lot about my eating habits. As I began to make healthy changes, the pounds really did melt away.  That being said, my focus is still on being active and fit, not losing weight. My goal is to RUN a 5k!

Yes, I thought I was going to die during that first workout.  Yes, there are still days when it is really hard. But, I am discovering that I am no longer controlled by my fear of failure.  We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!!!  Romans 8:37

Jamie became an F619 Group Leader to help inspire others to become healthy and honor God!