Fly High Drew

Drew Ferrandino

February 1, 2002- September 30, 2014 

For the past week or so I have been trying to find the words.  The words to say to Drew in the days after he passed.  The words to say to my dear cousin who just lost his brother.  The words to say to my aunt and uncle as they mourn the loss of their son.  The words to say to my mom as her heart breaks for her younger brother.  Or even the words to get me through this.  The thing is, there are no words.  My heart just hurts.

My heart hurts for my Aunt Katie.  Drew was her world.  Her days revolved around taking care of him.  She knew his needs and his comforts like no one else.

My heart hurts for my Uncle Tony.  He would have done anything for Drew.  He is a human encyclopedia (my aunt is too) about the disease and spoke at many conferences about finding a cure and what it's like to raise a child with special needs.

My heart hurts for Gavin.  He was the greatest big brother to Drew.  He included him in his baseball tournaments where Drew was an honorary mascot.  He was also so gentle, caring and loving to Drew.

And my heart hurts for us as a family.  What will life be like? Holidays? Birthdays? Trips? And all the other get-togethers?  How can we ever call it a "cousins" picture again, because we'll forever be missing one.

Though to most of us 12 is way too young, for Drew it was a full life.  We celebrated his 5th birthday a few days early because doctors told us he wouldn't make it until then.  Then he was given a life expectancy of 8-12 years.  With a number of scares, Drew lived a full seven and a half years after being diagnosed with Batten Disease.  He did live a beautiful life- full of love and memories.

Drew was an inspiration to all whose lives he touched.  From his first seizure to his diagnosis to his stem cell trial to his spinal surgery and every hospital visit in between, his strength never wavered.  Drew inspires all of us to defy the odds and keep smiling no matter what is thrown our way because that's what he did until his very last breath.

Though I'm sad for us, I'm happy for Drew.  I'm happy that he gets to run and play and jump and laugh and be a jokester- all things he loved to do before the disease took them away from him.  I'm glad he no longer has limitations.

My heart may hurt forever, but the comfort of knowing he's with Jesus and at peace takes the sting away just a little.  I'm grateful for the years we had with Drew and the countless lessons he taught me about strength, fight, courage, hope and faith.

The coming weeks and months are going to be hard, for all of us, but I know we'll get through it and live each day with Drew in our hearts.  His inspiration will live on forever.

For more information about Drew or to make a donation to help find a cure for Batten Disease please visit www.drewshope.com

  

Path to a Healthy Life

I dont like to call this a "weight loss journey" because my story is so much more than the pounds I've shed.  It's a new lifestyle that I've chosen.  One that I love and am so happy with.  I hope you'll be inspired by my story and join me on this path to a healthy life!
I've always struggled with my weight.  I've always been chunky- self conscious of my double chin, muffin top/love handles and thunder thighs (even though my legs are my favorite feature!).  I can honestly say that more times than not I was trying to suck it in- worried about the rolls or bulges that might form under clothing.

Obesity tends to run in my family and though I never considered myself to be obese, I refused to let that be an option for me.  During high school and college I didn't have enough self control or motivation to make a lifestyle change since binge drinking and late night pizza were a higher priority.  I looked at members of my family and knew I didn't want that to be me.  I was determined to take control because I knew I was the only one who could make the change and be proactive about my health for later in life.  Enter AdvoCare.

When I left Louisiana I was the heaviest I'd ever been- and I was probably the heaviest I'd been when I got there too.  I needed a change.  My life was finally heading in a direction I'd been wanting and working for since I was, like, 20.  I was following my dreams- for me.  Finding happiness- for me.  I know I needed to make a health change- for me too.  I had success and felt great with the 24 Day Challenge before but just wasn't in a good place in my life to make it a permanent change.

I knew now was a better time.  I ordered the products, meal prepped and started following the meal plan.  I started the challenge on the Monday after 4th of July.  I lost 7.5 lbs and 11 inches after the 10-day cleanse phase and felt GREAT!!!  I continued through the burn phase for the next 14 days and wound up losing a total of 14.5 lbs and 18 inches in 24 days!!!!

I was sooo excited, felt great, and loved the results I saw throughout the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge, which I completed at the beginning of August.  I was still not near my goal weight and was looking forward to more results.  I have continued on to the 72 Day Challenge and I'm currently down a total of 19 lbs and I'm sure a bunch more inches (I haven't measured).

I'm not going to lie, since finishing the 24 Day Challenge I have had a few "cheat meals".  But I love that this program is easy to get back on track with.  If I have a slip up, I don't lose too much sleep over it and just keep going as planned the next day!  It's a lifestyle change, not a diet.  I'm changing my lifestyle and I'm completely happy with having 1-2 cheats a week.  I don't feel deprived at all.

I've bought a few things that are 1-2 sizes smaller than usual (I'm sometimes between 2 sizes).  But don't plan to do too much shopping until I hit my goal!  The pants I have that usually give me a little muffin top are loose even after they've just been washed!

An added boost of motivation came last week when I realized a noticeable difference in my face... before and after pictures don't lie.  But this isn't an after picture, it's a progress picture! :)  (And let me tell you, it has taken a lot of convincing to post this picture on the internet!!! yikes!)

But seriously guys, I FEEL GREAT!!!  There's no other way to put it.  I'm exercising, eating right/healthy/delicious meals and seeing great results.  If you're intrigued by my story I'd love to help you feel as great as I do and find your way to a healthy lifestyle.  I can provide lots of information about AdvoCare and the 24 Day Challenge Program as well as a complete grocery list and meal plan (complete with day-to-day schedules) and even personal coaching!  :)

Join me on my path to a healthy life!

September Goals

Because I need to be held accountable for reaching these goals.  

1.  NO SPEND SEPTEMBER
I've been spending more money than I should on things for my apartment and just in general.  I need to take a step back.  If I want/need something- add it to the Christmas List.  Notice I said add, because yes, I've already started one!

2.  Blog at least twice a week.
Sometimes I don't know how you guys do it.  Between classes, work, and life-  I really want to show up here everyday and write about something I'm doing, loving or just anything really, but I usually struggle to find the time or the right words to say.  Enough excuses, I just need to do it.  I have a bunch of half written posts that need to be finished-- they're coming for ya!

3.  Lose another 5-10 pounds.
I can't wait to share the results I've already obtained in my Path to a Healthy Lifestyle (yes, that's what I'm calling it).  I've never felt better or been more motivated!  I'd love more people to join me!  More coming soon, promise!

4.  Read a book.
Not a book for school, but a book for leisure.  I have 3 that I've been dying to read and one that I've started and need to finish.  I hope to finish that one and maybe read another!

5.  Continue to Explore Athens.
I've been loving my new town and I want to see more of it.  I hope to continue to explore all things Athens throughout September too!

Do you have goals for the month?  Or for the rest of the year?

Dear College Football

I can't believe you're coming back to me SO SOON.  I've really missed you.  I've seen you a little bit lately with spring practices, media days, and camp, but you know that's not the same as actually having you here in full swing.  I may actually explode with excitement before we're reunited next Thursday, like seriously, I'm so excited to see you!

I'm not the only one though.  Stadiums have been renovated, fields are manicured to perfection, mascots have gotten their preseason makeovers, uniforms have been updated, cleaned and are hanging in the locker rooms just waiting for the blood, sweat and tears you'll bring.    

I know things are going to be different since I last saw you.  You got rid of the BCS and have moved on to bigger and better things with the Playoff.  I'm totally supportive of this and know we'll all try our best to embrace your change with open arms.  Sure, I'm going to miss seeing the polls week after week, but I can still quiz my mom on which schools are in which conference.  And we both know the day she stops saying Michigan State is in every conference will be a win for everyone involved.  Fingers crossed she gets that one down quickly.  There will be some people that are nay-sayers about the Playoff system, I'm sure they just need time.  I know these changes won't affect who you truly are though- full of pride, tradition, competition, and classic rivalries.  You really are the full package and this year you're gracing us with your presence for an extra 2ish weeks, so we thank you for that!

I know there are others like me, professing their love over and over, but we all have different obsessions and experiences with you.  That's what makes you so wonderful. You're so good to so many people in so many different ways.  We root for different teams, in different conferences, all thinking that we're right, but really you're the one that's right.  You give us something to discuss, to feel passion for, to share with ones we love and to take with us wherever we go.

I can't wait to see what you have in store for us- the hearts you'll break and the memories you'll make.

You'll always be my first love.  I'm sooo excited you're coming back to me in 6 short days! :)

xoxo

Linking up with Erin and Sarah today!