Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Body for Life, wedding showers, & an EXTRAordinary life

Have you heard of Bill Phillips? If you're involved in the fitness world, you HAVE. :)  Recently I had to opportunity to meet Bill Phillips of Body for Life, EAS, and Transformation.  Then only a few weeks later, I was able to help decorate and attend his pretty fiance's wedding shower.  Yes this happened!! lol pinnnch me! 





My best friend said it best when I told her about this situation.  She said,  "it's good when you get EVEN a little bit more than what you wish for.".  Yes! How true that is!  Life acts as a big perfectly wrapped package with a shiny bow when you wish for something for a long time and then you get EVEN MORE than what your wish was!  That doesn't often happen, so when it does, I tuck it into my cataloged memories of blessings given.

It all started when I was a teenager and my Mom bought the now super famous, New York Times best seller fitness book that revolutionized fitness as we know it today, Body for Life by Bill Phillips.  After she had an incredible physical transformation, which turned her adorable body into solid muscle, I picked up the book and read it too.  He taught me a lot about weight lifting, something revolutionary for women at the time. No matter what I weighed throughout the years, I've been able to benefit from the solid knowledge I learned from Bill Phillip's books and been able to feel comfortable with weight lifting.  I continued to read the book off and on throughout my young adulthood.  Bill Phillips' words have always been completely captivating, energizing, and everything he said just.made.sense.  He knew his stuff, and more than that, he knew how to motivate people.

Fast forward to a few years ago.  I decided to commit to his 12 week challenge and I got involved with an online Body for Life community.  I was solid and determined, never made one mistake on my diet and I didn't miss one workout and I lost 35 pounds in 8 weeks.  I gained so much strength in such a short time too!  Yes, it was true...all of the countless success stories were true!  His plan worked.  During those days, I fostered in my heart a desire to meet Bill Phillips someday!  I was grateful for the knowledge he shared and the motivation he spread.  In addition to that, his generosity and lifestyle of "giving back" was truly admirable, and he became a role model in life.

Since that challenge a few years ago, I did that THING that people who are successful at something aren't supposed to do.  I gained back the weight that I had lost. I stopped committing to the lifestyle that worked and put my passions of good food first again.   My bad (wink).  More on all of this on a different post!  Regardless of my physical failure, I still had a big desire to meet Bill Phillips. And this year, I got the chance to meet him!  To read more about that  lil dream coming true, you can read here:  Aweekend with Bill Phillips, Bucket List Dreamin'!

And then this is the part that I got a little bit more than what I wished for all these years! I was privileged to attend his beautiful fiance's wedding shower a few weeks ago and even help decorate for it. And, you all know how much I love decorating for events!  Whaaat? Who would have ever guessed all those years ago as I read his book that someday I would be lighting candles at their wedding shower?!  Life is a funny thing.  And I like it! 


So this is my little wish that came true...with extras!  The wedding shower took place at Bill Phillips' Transformation Fitness Center. Because where else would the mega fitness pioneer host his bride's wedding shower than a gym filled with iron and exercise bikes? ;)

Classy high heels and iron weights = a Bill Phillips wedding in the mix



Looks like a wedding SHOWER!



Sparkly hugs and kisses






Bill Phillips' beautiful bride to be, MARIA.





Maria and me 


The cute end of the shower! 



 In summary, besides taking the chance to show off my opportunity (!!!), what I desire to express is how life weaves in and out and side to side to create beauty at different turns.  I have failed at weight loss over and over but God hugged me and said, "hang in there", as He helped another wish come true instead.  Instead of meeting Bill Phillips because I had a successful weight loss, I was able to get to know his fiance Maria, and attend and help decorate their PARTY.  And you all know that beautiful parties are more of my thing anyways.  Dreams come true, just colored in differently than we envision them sometimes.  And I still don't know where my physical journey will take me, I'm actually learning more and more about that each day as I grow within.  I'm learning a lot of forming new direction.    I hope to share more on my fresh findings with you in future posts.  In the meantime, hang on to your wishes, blow the dandelions over the grassy fields and watch them come true.

It's an EXTRAordinary life. 



Maria, it is a true blessing to meet you and get to know you.  I appreciate your smile that lights up a room and your captivating and intelligent eyes.  You're a treasure!  I wish you and Bill tons of married B.L.I.S.S.  Thank you for letting me share in your special time girl! 




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This post is linked to: Under the Table & DreaminNifty ThriftySeasonal SundaysMade by You MondayMet Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and TipsHOMEWORK: Be InspiredTasty TuesdayTip JunkieGet Your Craft OnWorks for Me WednesdayOrganize and Decorate EverythingCelebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday,Tablescape ThursdayStrut Your Stuff36th AveFoodie Friday, Frugal FridayI'm Lovin ItTickled PinkFriday Flair, Design Dazzleeighteen25Be Different Act NormalFunky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up sew many ways Six Sisters Saturday

4 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

This is such a beautiful post...dreams do come true! I applaud you on your weight loss, it's a never ending journey, one step at a time.

XO,
Jane

caveman said...

Who is the hot blonde, standing next to Maria, with the orange shirt on? I want to get to know her a little better, if you know what I mean! ;-)

Jane said...

This is a beautiful post. You're right. You never know where God is going to lead you...rarely is it in the direction you expect.

I'd love to know what foods were served at this shower. I imagine they were "healthy". As you know, I am always looking for healthy recipes that TASTE GOOD and LOOK GOOD. Anytime you discover one (or create one), please send the recipe.

Hugs to you!
(Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. We've been traveling...and teaching. A lot!)
J

b. said...

Cute post!! I like that you have this great memory documented... It's a fun one. By the way, I don't remember saying that quote lol!