365 Project Day 177: Susan’s Joy

Glamour Girl

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8 L, focal length 175mm, 7.1 aperture, 1/160, 100 ISO. Alien B800 at 45 degree angles in soft boxes, the one to her right at 1/4 power, and to her left at 1/16th power.

This is my stunning friend, Susan. I have known her for nearly 24 years now. We became friends shortly after Chris and I were married. We have brought each other meals when our babies were born, and prayed for each other during dark times. She is so encouraging and I am grateful for her friendship.  I asked her if I could photograph her because she has a wonderful story. After approximately five months of hard work and determination, she is finally realizing some life long dreams for herself. She has lost a significant amount of weight and gained a new perspective. She looks amazing, but more than that, she feels amazing.

Weight loss has been a struggle for her for as long as she can remember. She has always been beautiful, but she didn’t feel that way, and worse, her health was at risk. She says she got a wake up call when at her last physical, the doctor told her she was on the brink of Diabetes. He warned her strongly that she needed to do something to take care of herself. She says she sat down at her kitchen table one day and prayed, being as honest with God as she knew how. She expressed her hopelessness to Him, and asked Him for help. Not long after that, she felt prompted to call a personal trainer. She didn’t want to, but the voice inside her head wouldn’t go away. She knew God was throwing her a lifeline. Still feeling like nothing would ever work, she dialed the number. She was so glad when she got his voicemail, and she left him a nervous-sounding message. That was the beginning of her journey. She now meets with him three days a week, and follows his directions to the letter.  She lives on my street, and I often see her pounding the pavement when the sun is going down. She has worked very hard, and it has paid off.

The biggest difference for her has been inside, though. ” It’s like the weight was a cage around my heart”, she says eyes shining. ” I am finally seeing who I am coming to the surface, for the first time in my life.” She says she went to her class reunion for the first time in years, and found herself engaging with everyone.  ” I used to be afraid to talk to people, but now I feel so free!” She says she feels so loved by God for how He has helped her in an area that she deemed hopeless. She now knows anything is possible with God.

I am so proud of her and inspired by her. Congratulations, Susan. I love you, dearly, my friend. You are a knock out!

Philippians 4:13 ~ ” I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Class Act

Confident and Happy

Free

Sassy

Cutie Pie

Addendum:  If you live in the Atlanta area and are interested in Susan’s trainer’s info, here it is. Dr. Alex Roig. His email is dralex12@hotmail.com.