Check this out. My gym, Lifetime Fitness, has a blog...http://thehealthywayoflife.com.
And right now - guess who's story is featured?
Mine.
And I am SO excited. I know that reading and hearing success stories always helped give me motivation and inspiration - and I hope that I can now do the same for others. Even if it's just ONE person.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Incredible
The last couple weeks at Zumba has been a girl I can't help but notice.
She's a good 6 feet tall
Not that I'm any good at guessing, but I'd say she weighs over 350. Maybe close to 400?
She is physically unable to do some of the moves
She is surrounded by "skinny" or at least smaller by comparison, people shaking their booties.
Yet she tries. She has come twice in a row now.
She is incredible.
I'm sure she doesn't feel it. She might feel awkward and nervous and uncomfortable and self conscious. She possibly feels like people are looking down on her. Maybe she feels overwhelmed at the journey in front of her.
She is incredible, and she may not even realize it.
She has taken the first step towards better
health...even despite all sorts of factors working against her or excuses she could so easily make.
She.is.incredible.
I wish I could talk to her without coming across as creepy, annoying, pushy or crazy. I wish I could tell her how awesome she is and how great she is doing. I wish I could give her encouragement and hope. I just want to hug her and say "girl, you rock".
She is incredible. I hope she knows.
Let it be an example to all of us. You control your destiny. You choose your own choices. It's up to you to throw out the excuses and say "screw the world, I'm doing this for me and who cares what anyone thinks".
She represents so many...Obese. Overweight. 10 lbs to lose. Wanting to get fit and healthy regardless of weight. She represents it all. I may not have had as much weight to lose as she does, but she is ME. I am HER.
We should always respect and support each other. We have the same goals. The same fears. The same struggles.
We are the same.
She's a good 6 feet tall
Not that I'm any good at guessing, but I'd say she weighs over 350. Maybe close to 400?
She is physically unable to do some of the moves
She is surrounded by "skinny" or at least smaller by comparison, people shaking their booties.
Yet she tries. She has come twice in a row now.
She is incredible.
I'm sure she doesn't feel it. She might feel awkward and nervous and uncomfortable and self conscious. She possibly feels like people are looking down on her. Maybe she feels overwhelmed at the journey in front of her.
She is incredible, and she may not even realize it.
She has taken the first step towards better
health...even despite all sorts of factors working against her or excuses she could so easily make.
She.is.incredible.
I wish I could talk to her without coming across as creepy, annoying, pushy or crazy. I wish I could tell her how awesome she is and how great she is doing. I wish I could give her encouragement and hope. I just want to hug her and say "girl, you rock".
She is incredible. I hope she knows.
Let it be an example to all of us. You control your destiny. You choose your own choices. It's up to you to throw out the excuses and say "screw the world, I'm doing this for me and who cares what anyone thinks".
She represents so many...Obese. Overweight. 10 lbs to lose. Wanting to get fit and healthy regardless of weight. She represents it all. I may not have had as much weight to lose as she does, but she is ME. I am HER.
We should always respect and support each other. We have the same goals. The same fears. The same struggles.
We are the same.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Still strange
I still am not used to seeing myself look "normal" in photos. It is foreign to me that I finally am okay with the way my pics turn out, rather than being forever mortified at how awful I look and UNphotogenic I am. I still can find things to "pick at" about pictures of myself...who can't...but at least I dont feel disgusted and embarrassed anymore.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Commitment Day 5k!
I live in Minnesota. It gets cold in the winter. Today was one of those days...about -8 when I woke up. So what did I do? What any insane person might do. I went out and ran an organized 5k fun run, called commitment day, through my gym Lifetime Fitness. I wasn't planning it, but things just worked out that I did it, and I'm glad. It was fun! Cold, but fun. Not timed...which was fine, as it was so cold and crowded anyhow.
I'm glad to have started out 2013 with a 5k under my belt already!!
Bonus-who doesn't like race goodies (swag bags)? I got a shirt and a cool hard covered 2013 commitment day journal out of the deal. You wrote your commitment and keep track of your progress in it. I'm totally going to use it. I wrote several commitments:
-To run 500+ miles in 2013
-To run at least 3 half marathons
-To run a sub-26 minute 5k
-To eat healthy most of the time
-To get to the gym 2-4 times per week.
And the mother of all my commitments- to lose the remaining bit of my weight. I started this journey after New Years 2011. Two full years ago now. It's time to finish what I started and officially move to the next phase...which will last forever...and that is maintaining.
I'm glad to have started out 2013 with a 5k under my belt already!!
Bonus-who doesn't like race goodies (swag bags)? I got a shirt and a cool hard covered 2013 commitment day journal out of the deal. You wrote your commitment and keep track of your progress in it. I'm totally going to use it. I wrote several commitments:
-To run 500+ miles in 2013
-To run at least 3 half marathons
-To run a sub-26 minute 5k
-To eat healthy most of the time
-To get to the gym 2-4 times per week.
And the mother of all my commitments- to lose the remaining bit of my weight. I started this journey after New Years 2011. Two full years ago now. It's time to finish what I started and officially move to the next phase...which will last forever...and that is maintaining.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
FAIL
Chinese food (okay, let's be honest - Americanized Chinese food) is so freaking good. Egg rolls, cream cheese wontons...DAMNIT. So good.
That is all.
That is all.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Damn work!
What the heck, I went back to working and suddenly I neglected my blog! Not on purpose of course - it has just been an interesting transition and added on top of that was a HUGE project my hubby had going on at his own work, requiring longer and sometimes odd hours.
But have no fear, I'm stillll here. Sometimes struggling (like with the chocolate at my office that calls my freaking name every.single.time I walk by it). But still seeing success (I am hovering between 142-143 lbs right now, which is my low weight and puts me at 85 lbs lost still. Sure, I really want to get into the 130's, but still I am THRILLED about how things are going, considering that last year at this time I had gained a good 10 or 15 lbs since Thanksgiving.
I was thinking the other day about my motivations. And I've talked about it before. There are things that are a BIG deal, like my health and being a good influence on my children. Being able to be active with them, having energy to do things, and being around as long as possible to see their lives play out. Those are the big motivators that continuously serve as reminders to get back on track when I'm faltering, or to stay on track when I'm on a roll.
But there are "shallow" motivators too. I like being a single-digit pants size. I've never experienced it before and it's amazing. I like that I can dress up and try on whatever, and not feel like I look like a whale. I love it when people who knew me long ago, see me or hear my story and are shocked. Random compliments or comments are always nice. Just the other day I saw somebody for the first time in quite awhile and he said he barely recognized me. And it is nice that I look and feel like a new person. I look different. I have different interests and can do things I never thought possible. I feel different and happier and healthier. I like it even more because lately, it has been corresponding with a big change in my family's life as well. My husband scored what was basically his dream job, and he loves it. We moved for this job...so we put our old house up for sale and started renting a new house in a new city. We got lucky and got a great offer in 2.5 months on our house, so that chip is just about off our shoulder assuming nothing goes wrong between now and closing this spring (which I am confident it will be smooth, because the buyers seem to have their heads on straight and be very set and financially able to follow through). My oldest daughter started Kindergarten. I'm in Grad School and my husband is about to start. I got a great new job that I love. We just traded our ol' mini-van in for a new vehicle which I ADORE, and best of all, it has AWD so I don't need to be as nervous on hills in the snow anymore. Seriously, I am a TERRIBLE worry-wart. I am easily stressed in some situations, and literally sometimes give myself headaches worrying about things that most people wouldn't dwell on. So when I got stuck on a hill in my van the other day (couldn't get up the hill after stopping at a red light), I was FLIPPING OUT inside. Crap like that just makes my heart pound. I handled it well, but still I was flipping out. Talk about an instant headache. But I digress...
My point is, or was supposed to be, I just really feel like a new, happier, healthier person, living a new, happier, healthier life. I feel like ever since I started losing weight, all sorts of extra good things have happened to me. Like finally getting healthy created a domino effect. I know that's not all true, that some of it was just a part of our path either way...but I still feel very blessed and thankful and happy that I am healthy now in order to truly enjoy this awesome ride called life. There are bad things and struggles too, of course. But I am determined to concentrate on the good and learn from/move on from the bad. Because when it comes down to it, my family is healthy and happy and our future looks bright. I love them so much and am so glad I will be around longer to enjoy them.
Now that I have written a novel and made up for some of my absence, I feel it only right to leave with a quick tribute to all of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, CT last week. All of the things I talk about above are trivial. My weight, my job, my husbands job, my fear of snowy hills...none of it really matters. I think this tragedy really puts life into perspective. My prayers are with every single victim, victim's family and friends, the first responders and emergency personnel involved that day, and the community members. Like parents across the nation, I have been heartbroken over this. I have been hugging my kids more often and giving thanks for them. I have honestly been thinking about it constantly, and I know I'm not the only one.
But have no fear, I'm stillll here. Sometimes struggling (like with the chocolate at my office that calls my freaking name every.single.time I walk by it). But still seeing success (I am hovering between 142-143 lbs right now, which is my low weight and puts me at 85 lbs lost still. Sure, I really want to get into the 130's, but still I am THRILLED about how things are going, considering that last year at this time I had gained a good 10 or 15 lbs since Thanksgiving.
I was thinking the other day about my motivations. And I've talked about it before. There are things that are a BIG deal, like my health and being a good influence on my children. Being able to be active with them, having energy to do things, and being around as long as possible to see their lives play out. Those are the big motivators that continuously serve as reminders to get back on track when I'm faltering, or to stay on track when I'm on a roll.
But there are "shallow" motivators too. I like being a single-digit pants size. I've never experienced it before and it's amazing. I like that I can dress up and try on whatever, and not feel like I look like a whale. I love it when people who knew me long ago, see me or hear my story and are shocked. Random compliments or comments are always nice. Just the other day I saw somebody for the first time in quite awhile and he said he barely recognized me. And it is nice that I look and feel like a new person. I look different. I have different interests and can do things I never thought possible. I feel different and happier and healthier. I like it even more because lately, it has been corresponding with a big change in my family's life as well. My husband scored what was basically his dream job, and he loves it. We moved for this job...so we put our old house up for sale and started renting a new house in a new city. We got lucky and got a great offer in 2.5 months on our house, so that chip is just about off our shoulder assuming nothing goes wrong between now and closing this spring (which I am confident it will be smooth, because the buyers seem to have their heads on straight and be very set and financially able to follow through). My oldest daughter started Kindergarten. I'm in Grad School and my husband is about to start. I got a great new job that I love. We just traded our ol' mini-van in for a new vehicle which I ADORE, and best of all, it has AWD so I don't need to be as nervous on hills in the snow anymore. Seriously, I am a TERRIBLE worry-wart. I am easily stressed in some situations, and literally sometimes give myself headaches worrying about things that most people wouldn't dwell on. So when I got stuck on a hill in my van the other day (couldn't get up the hill after stopping at a red light), I was FLIPPING OUT inside. Crap like that just makes my heart pound. I handled it well, but still I was flipping out. Talk about an instant headache. But I digress...
My point is, or was supposed to be, I just really feel like a new, happier, healthier person, living a new, happier, healthier life. I feel like ever since I started losing weight, all sorts of extra good things have happened to me. Like finally getting healthy created a domino effect. I know that's not all true, that some of it was just a part of our path either way...but I still feel very blessed and thankful and happy that I am healthy now in order to truly enjoy this awesome ride called life. There are bad things and struggles too, of course. But I am determined to concentrate on the good and learn from/move on from the bad. Because when it comes down to it, my family is healthy and happy and our future looks bright. I love them so much and am so glad I will be around longer to enjoy them.
Now that I have written a novel and made up for some of my absence, I feel it only right to leave with a quick tribute to all of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, CT last week. All of the things I talk about above are trivial. My weight, my job, my husbands job, my fear of snowy hills...none of it really matters. I think this tragedy really puts life into perspective. My prayers are with every single victim, victim's family and friends, the first responders and emergency personnel involved that day, and the community members. Like parents across the nation, I have been heartbroken over this. I have been hugging my kids more often and giving thanks for them. I have honestly been thinking about it constantly, and I know I'm not the only one.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
I am still here!
Work was good and I really think I am going to like this job and that it will present many great opportunities in the future. But anyhow...on to the reason I even have this blog. Weight loss. Health. Fitness.
I brought lunch every day...salad, grapefruit, raspberries...healthy stuff. I was very proud of myself. There is a Red Lobster very near my work and that might be challenging to stay away from sometimes. I love myself some Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Mmmmm...ok. Enough of that.
Yesterday I made some not-so-great choices...like cake. and cake. and cake. And wine. But I also hit up the gym and ran a couple of miles, walked, used the elliptical and best of all, tried out the stair climber. Which kicked my butt. I was sweating like crazy, which I LOVE. I think it was just what I needed. Just what I NEED. Something new...a change up in my routine. This morning I weighed in, just to gauge how my weekend is going, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I've lost weight, not gained, like in a normal weekend. If I can do good today, I might have a decent weekly weigh in to record tomorrow.
And I am very excited to start my 2nd week of work (my first full week). Hopefully I can continue to bring healthy lunches. And I can't wait for Monday night Zumba...it has become a part of my regular schedule and I love it. Again - something different to do.
If you are looking for something new and different, or you are in a rut...and you haven't tried Zumba, or the stair climber - do it! Do it do it do it!! *Insert more peer pressure here*.
I brought lunch every day...salad, grapefruit, raspberries...healthy stuff. I was very proud of myself. There is a Red Lobster very near my work and that might be challenging to stay away from sometimes. I love myself some Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Mmmmm...ok. Enough of that.
Yesterday I made some not-so-great choices...like cake. and cake. and cake. And wine. But I also hit up the gym and ran a couple of miles, walked, used the elliptical and best of all, tried out the stair climber. Which kicked my butt. I was sweating like crazy, which I LOVE. I think it was just what I needed. Just what I NEED. Something new...a change up in my routine. This morning I weighed in, just to gauge how my weekend is going, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I've lost weight, not gained, like in a normal weekend. If I can do good today, I might have a decent weekly weigh in to record tomorrow.
And I am very excited to start my 2nd week of work (my first full week). Hopefully I can continue to bring healthy lunches. And I can't wait for Monday night Zumba...it has become a part of my regular schedule and I love it. Again - something different to do.
If you are looking for something new and different, or you are in a rut...and you haven't tried Zumba, or the stair climber - do it! Do it do it do it!! *Insert more peer pressure here*.
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