15 years ago I was celebrating the loss of more than 300 lbs. of excess body weight!

How did I accomplish losing more weight than most any 2 healthy sized women weigh?

ENDLESS PRAYING, healthy eating, & consistently working out!

It took 4 years but it was more than well worth every sacrifice, tear, frustrating plateau and endless peeling away of the emotional layers I hid behind!

Eventually I became the healthiest I had ever been since childhood! And in every way, the happiest!

As a result I was living my dream of helping others through the sharing of my personal testimony and by developing a program I named "HUNGRY HEARTS"!

The name was chosen because every human being has a God-Shaped vacuum I label a Hungry Heart! It was designed by God to be filled By and with Him, to be used FOR Him. However, like multitudes of others, I found myself trying to fill that void with food and relationships other than God!

I have been a Christian since my youth, but did not really have a personal and satisfying, soul filling relationship with Jesus Christ until I stopped using food and relationships to meet my inner needs! Finally through the help of a dear friend, I began to understand what it meant to really have a relationship with Jesus. As a result of letting Him fill the inner hunger, the outer weight began to melt off! Of course, I had to change my behaviours to change my weight! (I'll share more about all this fun stuff, in future blogs)

I was successful that time after many frustrating years of failed attempts, because I was doing it the right way for the right reasons! I learned that the inner weight was the real culprit that led to my extreme obesity and that I weighed a ton more on the inside than I did on the outside. I lost 335 lbs of external weight and I can only imagine the hundreds and hundreds of pounds I shed from the inside/out! Thank the Lord for that!

In 1993 I started Hungry Hearts Weight Management Support Groups in 3 states with successful results (more than 1,000 members) and loved every minute of coaching, mentoring, inspiring, and educating others like me who struggled with eating and weight issues!

Then in 1998 2 car accidents wrecked much more than the vehicles involved. They damaged my health, finances, business, ministry, and my personal & spitritual life. For 7 years I battled Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Depression, Oppression, anger, financial bankruptcy, and the worst spiritual desert I have ever walked through!

The only thing other than my precious family and friends that kept me from totally going backwards was that I had an inner knowing that since I wasn't killed (and by all indications I ahould have been) I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God STILL was not finished with me and because I already knew His purpose for me (Hungry Hearts) I realized that I would someday be fit again to be used for Him!

I took myself off all the medications that weren't working anyway and fought to get my life back! I made myself get back into the real world in spite of my physical pain! To re-start my finances I took fulltime work as a retail sales merchandiser. The income has sustained me and I am very thankful for it but it is just that! Income! It does nothing to fulfill my purpose and passion! So it is only temporary....

Tragically just as I started to get back on my feet, my beloved Momma, was diagnosed with late stage Uterine Cancer and fought with everything in her to beat it! Her ultimate healing happened May 11, 2007 when Jesus came and took her home with Him. Since then it has been a challenge to accept and adjust to a new normal life!

Just days before leaving us, my Momma looked at me and said, "Teeney, you have to get back to doing your Hungry Hearts. It's your calling. It's your passion. It's your purpose!" I knew she was right and I would have to somehow get back on track!

Recently my precious and Godly dad has been urging me to get back into Hungry Hearts! I know this man of wisdom who knows me best, is right! Still I am a bit scared because I have re-gained half the weight and that is difficult to swallow! Still, I know I have a lot to offer. Plus, I can lose weight and get back in shape WITH those I am trying to help, rather than just telling them what and how to do it! That's a BIG positive!

So, taking a deep breath.... Here I go! This blog is the first big step of many! But reaching the finish line is only possible by taking the first step!

I am 46 with a goal of reducing 130-150 lbs. The main thing is to get healthy and fit! The number on the scale isn't the main focus!

I have always believed that God can turn the worst things in our life around to become the greatest blessings! If I can help someone else, then all I have gone through will have not been in vain!

Check back soon and often for "before, After, & Current" photos, journaling, and more! I will probably post a few menus, snacks, recipes, fitness info, motivational goodies and of course personal tidbits past, present, and future.... basically whatever is of interest....

I pray this blog touches and makes a positive difference in your life!

From My Hungry Heart To Yours!
Love,
Tina Maria