My 9th Half Marathon

Hey there SuperStarrs, it’s Super Cool that I’m able to chat about My 9th Half Marathon!!! It’s hard to really tell ya the spiritual feeling I had holding my guitar bling, looking at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Pyramid & realizing, what was once a Dream & Desire, just happened!!! This trip was so full of Awesomeness that I can’t possibly write about it all in one post. It started with me picking up my race packet as soon as we got to Cleveland, Ohio.

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The Arcade in Cleveland, Ohio

While there I found a cool coffee shop called Rising Star Coffee Roasters. Of Course I love coffee & being a Starr I had to check it out, even though I already had Starbucks in hand. LOL!!!

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Inside Entrance 

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Coffee Break

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SuperStarr Coffee

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Outside Entrance 

Then we headed to check out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & meet up with my friend Cristy & her family!!!  I will make a future post with more from that visit because it’s gotta have it’s own. Such a cool place that every music lover should check out!!!

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Cristy & I With Our Munchkins!!!

We spent the entire day there before parting ways so they could head home & I could sleep. The next morning was the Half Marathon Race.  Now here’s some videos of this Amazing race!!!

 

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Start

 

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Finish

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Getting My Bling!!!

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Deborah Busy Bee!!!

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My Feet Hurt From Kicking My Own Butt!!!

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My 9th Half Marathon

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Miguel My Running Buddy This Race.

On the way home from the race we had to make a stop at A Christmas Story House . For years growing up I’ve spent every Christmas Eve watching this classic movie.  So when planning the trip to Cleveland, Ohio I knew this was a must stop.  It was AMAZING & the kids had so much fun.  I will post more of our visit on a later time closer to Christmas. Here is a few pics for now.

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Ralphie’s Red Ryder Rifle!!!

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A Major Award!!! Actually I’m Wearing Mine Around My Neck!!!

After having fun at the house we the headed home but stopped on the way to have dinner & ice cream @ Ducky’s Snowballs with Cristy & her family.

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Cristy & I

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Our Boys, Ethan & Kaleb w/ Melody!!!

It’s so Great that our kids get along so well & they never want to leave. So that was our time in Cleveland & we all agree that CLEVELAND ROCKS!!! 🙂

It’s AMAZING that my next race is gonna take me into double digits!!!  I will forever be able to say that I’ve ran 10 Half Marathons in 7 states in 3 years time!!!  And to think back that it all started with a Dream to finish just one.  God is so AMAZING!!!  Seriously SuperStarrs if He can take me from sitting on the couch doing movie marathons to running 9 half marathons, He can do anything for anyone who dares to dream!!!  I believe that the dreams inside us is there because He put them there!!!  So whatever you got stirring in you, start now going for it.  It’s Your life.  Believe in Your Dreams!!!  Ask God for help & put your faith in Him!!!

SuperStarrs What’s Your Dream???

What are ya doing to make it a reality???

Make Healthy Choices & Be Patience “In The Weighting”.

My 1st Belly Dance Performance!!!

Hello SuperStarrs!!!  I’m so EXCITED to share all about the weekend I had at the Old English Faire!!! So I know y’all are used to me chatting with y’all about running & my races but, today I am chatting about something Super Cool!!! Belly Dancing!!!  I’m sharing how I got started & all about my 1st time dancing in front of audience.

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Here are our performances in the King’s tent at the Old English Fairie.

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Celtic 

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Persian Gypsy

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Chicky

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Chicky (sleeveless because it got HOT!!!)

 

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My Teacher Pava is BEAUTIFUL!!! She just turned 73!!!  She proves that by staying active & healthy, it’s the BEST anti-aging EVER!!! So instead of buying $100 anti wrinkle cream, take a dance class!!!

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All the Lovely Ladies that I got to dance & share the weekend with!!!

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SuperStarrs is there something that you’ve always wanted to try???

Why haven’t you yet???

Has fear stopped you from starting??

What steps can you take to get started???

How would having fun & learning something new help you to stay active & healthy???

Has fear stopped you from even trying???

Remember that YOU are a SuperStarr & get going!!!

Make Healthy Choices while you are “In The Weighting”!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Can Ask

SuperStarrs, I want you to know that, You Can Ask God for whatever you are dreaming of!!!  Maybe you have Never heard that before and think it sounds selfish.  Maybe you have but you are just not asking.  In today’s video I am sharing all about asking and to keep asking!!!  This video is proof that God answers us if we take it to Him, ask and work towards what we are dreaming.  Us working towards it, is us showing Him our faith that we believe that He will help us to achieve it.   Whatever “It” is.

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God Loves You More than you could ever love yourself!!!  He wants you to do Great things. He wants you to have Peace, Love, Joy, & Success.  As I am putting this post all together I am being reminded of this truth!!! This video was recorded in July of this past Summer & as I was watching & editing it I realized that I am looking at the face of the old me. Even though it was just a few months ago I can totally see in my face that God is still moving me towards my end goal.  Step by Step, pound by pound. So incase you were watching this video & wondering if I have gained weight back, NO. I just had others that I wanted to share before posting this message.  However the Super Cool thing is that sometimes we can think that the progress we have made isn’t really making a difference. Then you see yourself in a video or picture & realize that progress is happening!!! I’m here to tell ya every bit is still progress & it IS making a difference.  Not just in your life but, in every person that is watching you!!!  Just the other day as I was going thru the Starbucks drive-thru, the baristas, two of them said “Girl you are shrinking so small. Your face is so different.”.  Of course it TOTALLY brighten my day, in fact today I’m still talking about it!!! 🙂  My point is that they see me every time I treat myself to delicious Starbucks. Which might be pretty frequent. 😉  They can tell that God is doing an Amazing Healing in me.  Another Super Cool experience of this happening was last year at Joyce Meyer Love Life Conference.  I’ll never forget talking with a couple ladies before a session & when they asked me my age.  I told them & they both responded with “Wow I though you were in your 20’s!!!”  That felt so Amazingly Super Cool!!! Especially since I’m 37 & getting closer to 40 than my 30’s. You can’t buy anything anti-aging like that!!!  An added bonus of losing weight slow & controlled is your skin has time to tighten up while it’s healing.  God used the healing of my skin to be able to show these ladies the benefits of drinking water, sleeping & eating from God’s garden.  That it’s not just weight loss, there is so much more to be able to enjoy on this journey!!! I was able to share with them my website & social media accounts so that they could continue hearing me share my story of healing.  While they all are watching this Determined Debbie do this Amazing transformation it opens the door for them to ask me how & what I am doing.  That’s when I am able to share Jesus with them.  Because I can’t share my story without sharing Jesus.  He Is my story!!!  My pray & hope is that they will be inspired of what God can do for them!!!  What God has done for me He can & wants to do for them too!!!  And for YOU!!!  Just start asking & He will lead & guide you where He wants to take you.  Who would of thought that God could use someone losing weight & getting healthy to share His message of Healing & Hope.  He did!!!

SuperStarrs Remember Matthew 7:7-12 Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking!!!

What have you been wanting to ask God for???

When are you gonna start asking???

Who will be effected or inspired from watching you on your “In The Weighting” Journey???

SuperStarrs, what are you waiting for???

Ask, Seek & Knock.  God is waiting & listening.  Just ask!!!

Be patient & make healthy choices while you are “In The Weighting“!!!

What I Learned From Forrest Gump!!!

Hello SuperStarrs, as you can see from the title, today I’m sharing what I learned about myself while watching Forrest Gump!!!  Enjoy!!!
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SuperStarrs, I am here to encourage you to Believe in Yourself!!!  Don’t allow any negative thoughts & doubts to keep you from what you want to do.  PERIOD.  If you have ever thought, “I wish I could run.” or “It would be so cool to run a race.”, then START!!!  Start with walking and keep adding as you get stronger.  As long as you don’t quit, you will eventually be able to run.  You will eventually run that race!!!  If you quit or never start then,  you are guaranteed to never run. However when you become determined that no matter how long it takes you will run, you will run that race, then YOU WILL!!!  Also don’t get so caught up in having to run the whole race.  There are a lot of walkers & run/walkers completing races. Whether they are 5K’s or Marathons.  Run or Walk your own race!!!  Just because someone else did this or that, doesn’t mean you have too.  We are all running our own race at our own pace in this life.  I Love to hang out with other’s who are faster & stronger than me, because it allows me to Dream Bigger!!! I don’t allow it to discredit what I have done or what I am focusing on now!!!  There is a Big difference between inspiration & comparison. Comparison will easily fill you with pride or discourage you because, they will always be someone doing less or more than you.  So Please don’t let that become a distraction that sets you up to fail.  We are all SuperStarrs who shine differently!!!  Just Keep Shining!!!  Becoming inspired by those around you, will get you dreaming, you feel moved to do something, and it allows your creative juices to flow.  You hear & see what others have done & you dream of how you can do this or that, your way!!!  Discovering new ways to use your gifts & talents.  Staying inspired keeps your momentum up during your journey!!!
If you are currently dealing with an injury or weakness that needs to be strengthened, stay patient.  Know that if you allow your body to heal & properly treat your injury, then in time you will be back to 100%.  Keep lifting & doing those exercises!!!  Every lift is making you stronger!!!
SuperStarrs, have you ever Dreamed of crossing a finishline???
If so, What’s stopping You???
Are you working towards a Race now???
Be Patient & Make Healthy Choices while you are “In The Weighting”.

Find What Makes You Get Up & Go!!!

SuperStarrs this video I took this past weekend when I was at the Love Life Women’s Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.  Which is always a great time of getting refueled and encouraged while hanging out with thousands of ladies!!!

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So if you are saying, “Debbie, I don’t have anything that make me want to get up & go.” Then guess what ya gotta find it!!!  You can start by remembering what you liked to do as a kid.  Did you dance, tumble, or play sports? Was it in a group setting or did you prefer going solo? Did you enjoy playing for fun or did competition help motivate you? Take some time to remember what you made you feel good, while having fun. Did you enjoy jumping rope, bike riding, swimming, or lifting weights? Do you like routine or constantly changing things up?  If you were never very active before you can start now.  Be adventurous!!!  Take a dance class or sign up for swim class at your local YMCA if you enjoy meeting new people. If working out alone is your thing, then stay home & push play on a workout DVD. Don’t have one, then YouTube whatever you looking for.  Anyone can grab your sneakers & music and get outside for a walk.  You’ll enjoy the fresh air, sunshine & be able to build up to miles.  Then someday start walk/run & then you’ll be running before ya know it!!!  The point is, just start with something. Try it, if you are not feeling it then move onto something else. Keep going until you find your thing!!! You will still be burning calories & sweating until you find it.

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You can check out more of my pics from St. Louis on my Instagram @debbierstarr!!!

For me I love to run for many reasons. Number one is I love to eat & I love to eat carbs!!! Running allows me to burn off & refuel with carbs!!! I also enjoy being outside, getting fresh air & sunshine all year round!!!  Smelling the lilacs in the Spring, getting some color on my skin in the Summer, watching the trees change colors & the welcomed cool weather in the Fall, & making footprints as I crunch in the snow in the Winter, all these changes keep my runs always fresh & new. It never gets boring & when I travel I get to actually see places that I wouldn’t if I was just driving. Another Love is I get to put music in my ears & drowned out the rest of the noise of the world.  This Mom needs her music & a break from the latest Disney Movie my Daughter is obsessed with. (Currently it is Moana.) Occasionally I’ll meet up with friends, but most of the time I run solo.  It works for me.  It’s my therapy a lot of days. Even on tough days, I’m able to run off stressed energy, while talking to God about what’s going on. I always feel better after my runs!!!  I’ve never regretted a run.

Whatever you choose, start by slowly adding that into your schedule. Start off slow and add as you can do more.  If you haven’t rode a bike in 15 years, don’t hop on and try to do a 10 mile ride.  The goal is to feel good afterwards, not struggling to walk for the next week. Even if you just did around the block, that progress from just sitting on the couch.  Remember to stretch & stay hydrated!!!

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This year was the last year to be held annually in St. Louis.  Next year it’s moving to Tampa, FL and then on from there.  With all change there is bittersweetness to it.  For the past eight years I’ve road tripped it down to St. Louis mostly with the same core group of ladies and one year solo. (I was prego with baby girl & knew it needed to be a solo trip so that I wouldn’t have to share a bed or bathroom & that I could nap & have quiet time when I needed it. True friends understand when you are honest about your needs & they’ll never try to make you feel bad.)  So this past weekend was a great time of reflection. Remembering where I was spiritually & physically when I First started coming & then where I am today.  It started with me healing spiritually then has progressed to physically.  Thinking back, I was so full of hurt & anger from things I was going through, but also past things I never dealt with.  Hurts & betrayal that I didn’t know what to do with.  Wounds that I never properly treated, so they never fully healed.  I didn’t know how to Love. I couldn’t Love others because I didn’t know how to even Love myself.  All that, created the storm inside me. I didn’t have peace or joy. I didn’t trust those who did. I felt if I couldn’t have it, then it wasn’t real & they were all fakers.  That’s where I was but, I also had this desire stirring inside me. That IF it was possible, IF it was available, IF others actually had Peace & Joy, then I was gonna do whatever & search out whatever until I found it & had it for myself.  So that’s what I continued to do on my spiritual journey.  I Loved Jesus & wanted to Love others the way He was asking me to but, I didn’t know how.  So I just kept asking God for help.  Asking Him to show me. Teach me.  Every year I’ve kept returning to St. Louis excited for whatever He had to teach me. Every years God would speak to me thru the Teachers about whatever I needed to focus on next. Then I’d go home & do it. One year was Love, another getting rid of angry, another finding Peace, another on living in balance, another Trusting God, another Discipline & on & on until now.  SuperStarrs  if you’ve been following me on my  “In The Weighting” Journey then you already know from My 1st Marathon post, that I was on the treadmill running, during a break at this conference, when the Holy Spirit told me, He would help me run a Half Marathon if I really wanted to do it. And the rest is Beautiful History of me sharing my story with SuperStarrs all over.  To give Hope & Encourage them to Start & Shine in their journey wherever God is taking them. To Dream Big Dreams & to know that God Loves them & has Awesome plans for them!!!  That’s YOU!!!  That’s this running ministry!!!  So Super Cool!!!  God is AMAZING!!!

That is why I had to share this all with y’all!!! I never want ya to think that I have it all together, it’s God who holds me together!!!  No mater where you are now, if you are not happy & want to make a change.  He will Help You!!! Just like He did me & you never know what God can do with your story!!!

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As I was eating at my favorite foods at my favorite restaurants, realizing this was the close of this season.  I was at peace & have joy for what’s to come.  Did ya hear that???  I HAVE PEACE & JOY!!! What I started searching for, I have today & have had for years. Just kinda forgot where I started, until this past weekend when God gently reminded me. I have unshakeable Peace & Joy now. So much that no matter what changes or losses come, I know in my heart, as long as I have Jesus, I will always have Peace & Joy!!! No one can take that away from me!!! 🙂 It IS Real & I’m not faking!!!

SuperStarrs if you don’t have the Peace & Joy of Jesus, I invite you to check out My Upper Management page for more info on how you can get it!!!

So what makes you want to Get Up & Go???

What adventure are you gonna go on???

Remember You are a SUPERSTARR!!!

Know that YOU are Love by God who has Amazing Blessings for YOU!!!

He is always there, waiting for You!!!

Be patient & make healthy choices while You are “In The Weighting”!!!

Two Things You’ve Gotta Have!!!

SuperStarrs, I pray that y’all are having a Super Cool Summer!!!  Or at least being able to stay cool.  It’s been very HOT here in Illinois but it’s not stopping us from getting outside while we can.  I really want to share with y’all two things ya gotta have to have long term success.  Remember  your time “In The Weighting” is a Journey.  Not a quick fix, so that’s why I really wanted to share this message with y’all today.

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Proverbs 25:28 tells us having self control helps you keep Your protective “City Wall” up. That wall is there for protection, just like our self control helps to protect us.  If ever I have ate too much junk then I’ve had a Food Hangover.  Some of ya know what I’m talking about.  You are feeling uncomfortable, sometimes miserable from your food baby kicking in your belly.  Heartburn wakes you up and interrupts your sleep.  In the morning you regret overindulging the night before and maybe even make a empty promise to yourself to never eat or drink that much ever again.  That’s what happens when you eat too much Honey!!!  Thank God I have become wiser and don’t have hangovers any more. From Food or Drink.  I finally made good on my promise to myself, to not allow myself to overdo it. That’s Self Control!!!  There really can be too much of a good thing!!!

Endurance is powering thru difficult or unpleasant times. In The Weighting you will have unpleasant times.  It’s up to you to decided if you are gonna keep going and be productive, or give up and stay the same without any change.  You Decided!!!

SuperStarrs how are you gonna strengthen your Self Control???

What are you gonna do to keep your focussed and be able to Endure???

Make Healthy Choices while you are “In The Weighting”!!!

My Morning Routine!!!

Hey SuperStarrs, today I’m chatting with you on how important your morning routine can be in helping you to be able to get stuff done!!! Seriously when you are able to get your workout done 1st thing, then you feel so much better, you will have more energy to be able to get more stuff done!!!  So I’m sharing with ya’ll what works for me and hopefully you’ll find a few tips that will help you out in starting off your day.

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I pray that you are having a Fabulous Summer and able to enjoy your family & friends.  Get outside and enjoy this Amazing weather and get some Vitamin D from the Sunshine!!!

SuperStarrs, how do you start your day???

What will you add to your mornings???

When do you get your workouts and Jesus time in???

Where do you get away to be with Jesus and refill your cup…yourself and coffee cup???

Make Healthy Choices while you are “In The Weighting”!!!

Sparkle

This Last weekend I was so Blessed to be able to share with all my SuperStarrs at Sparkle, The Ladies Conference at RockChurch in East Peoria, IL.  RockChurch is our Home Church, where Bob and I met, and where we are raising our SuperStarrs in church!!! Our kids have been dedicated and Ethan baptized here. In fact years ago when I graduated High School and had no clue what I was gonna do with my life, it was the same day RockChurch was started. May 31st 1998. Only God knew that a few years later I’d be looking for Church, the same time they’d be looking for Hair and Make-up Artist for a T.V. Show they were taping called KDOT.  My first visit was in 2001 and it’s been my home ever since.  Friends have now become Family and our kids are doing life together.  So you can understand how Super Cool it was to be able to share at RockChurch!!! Added Bonus was to be able to do the Conference with SuperStarrs, Maureen Gray and Annette Tate.  Chuck and Annette Tate are the Pastors of RockChurch and Chuck Tate is the author of 41 Will Come.  We had such fun weekend together that went by so fast!!!

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Annette Tate, Maureen Gray, & Me!!!

For those of you who were not able to make it, You are in luck because we recorded it!!!  The full Sparkle Conference will be available on RockChurch’s website http://www.rcpeoria.org and the RockChurch app, that’s free and available thru your app stores on your mobile devices.  Here is my session SuperStarrs.  Enjoy, comment, like and share away!!!  More people need to know how AMAZING JESUS IS!!!

 

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Ya’ll know my Bestie Michelle!!!

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SuperStarrs Jessica, Me & Michelle!!! 

SuperStarrs What are you rooted in???

Do you need to change the soil and uproot where you are planted???

What changes are you going to make in order to be able to maintain your garden so that you can be as fruitful as possible???

Do you have a Church that you are rooted in and call your Home Church???

If you live in Central Illinois area, I want to invite you to come be a part of My Church Family!!!

SuperStarrs, make Healthy Choices while you are “In The Weighting”!!!