Inspiration

Last night’s weigh-in went very well.  I was hoping for a loss of at least 2 pounds prior to the marathon on Saturday and I this past week I did lose 2.4 pounds.  In fact, I wanted to lose 10 pounds from the time of my last marathon to this upcoming marathon and it looks like I have failed this small goal.  I knew it was a tall order so I’m not all that disappointed.  The good news is that I did lose 8.4 of the 10 I wanted and that means I will have that much less weight to skate with this Saturday.

How can I be upset about that?!

Last nights meeting topic was about exercise.  Exercise has never been an issue with me. I love to do it and always have done it despite protest from doctors. A part of me wanted to scream when I heard many of the members whining about the lack of time, energy and desire to exercise.  I don’t understand the mentality.

 I have never regretted getting my butt off of a couch and moving.  I have never regretted a smaller size pants or shirt because I exercised.  It’s something everyone can do no matter what kind of health they are in.  MOVE your body – it’s that simple.

I realize that having been told I CAN’T/SHOULDN’T exercise is probably the reason I push so hard to DO it but I honestly don’t believe that is the soul reason I make the time to exercise.  I have always enjoyed it – since I was young.  I love to move and be active.  A lot of times it’s just the challenge of seeing how hard I can push myself.  I love the high it gives me.  It makes me feel great inside and I have never found a way to replace that feeling.

Since I have started Weight Watchers I have lost a total of 31 pounds in 5 months (51 pounds since October).  I believe I have reached a point in my weight loss where people are unable to not notice it.  I have had more people stop by and compliment me than ever before.  It’s a great validation of all the hard work I have put into this and it motivates me to continue.

I have my Aunt M to thank for my inspiration to join Weight Watchers.  Despite me thinking about doing something for almost a year it was when I saw her at a family gathering after losing 80 pounds on Weight Watchers that I finally got up the nerve to commit myself to this.  I had never seen my aunt so happy.  I mean, yes – she looked fantastic but it was her smile that was permanently glued to her face that inspired me.  My entire life, I had never seen her so happy – ever.

This happiness had been achieved by me years earlier and I knew what she was feeling inside - pride, joy and feeling of accomplishment that no one else can take away. Those were the things that I wanted to feel again; the feelings that give you the confidence to be who you truly are inside all the time.

Every day it gets just a little bit easier.  Every day I get closer to my goal.  It’s wonderful and it’s liberating.

All of this because of one smile…