Today is the one year anniversary of the day I made a spur-of-the-moment decision that changed my life. Yes, my friends, it has been one year since I joined the Y and started exercising and eating mindfully. Since that day I have lost over 50 pounds. I have dropped 3 sizes. A year ago today I was able to run on the treadmill for 10 seconds. Now I can run for 30 minutes or longer and I have finished two 5Ks. I no longer feel like a big fat slug. I don’t sit on the couch and watch TV on my days off – I go for a run and I do stuff around the house and I get so much accomplished that when I do sit down to knit or watch TV I feel like I have earned the right to do that.
In the past year I have learned amazing things. I have learned that sleep walking through life is no way to enjoy it. I have learned to do burpees and planks, squats and dead lifts and lunges. I have learned that indulging in a cookie or two doesn’t make me a bad person and I have definitely learned that the things I do consistently matter much more than the occasional mistakes I make. I have learned that I am stronger than I ever thought and that I can push myself to do more and more and more. Mostly, though, I have learned that hard work and determination pay off.
And in that spirit of hard work and determination, later today I have an appointment with my awesome personal trainer, Bizzy. I’ll tell you plain, I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for her. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She encouraged me and made time for me and never let me down. Sure, it’s her job but she has gone so far beyond what that job requires that . . . well . . . I get all verklempt when I think about what she has done for me.
Finally, I just want to say that although today feels momentous in the sense that’s is been a whole year, it’s really just another step in my journey – a journey of health and happiness and personal fulfillment. I tell myself daily that it’s a marathon not a sprint and I truly believe that. Thank you to each and every one of you who has reached out and encouraged me along the way. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and I’d sure appreciate it if you all keep doing what you’re doing, too.
Go you! Change is hard. After a year, though, you must be feeling like you don’t just know you can do it, but you KNOW deep down that you can, because you have. Awesomesauce!
Wow! Your story has inspired me to get off my butt! You look great but even better you feel great! Congratulations.Your hard work has paid off in ways I’m sure you could never imagine.
You look fantastic! I definitely know that feeling I lost about 60 lbs a couple of years ago by starting yoga and then eating right. I then expanded to running and boot camp. I’ve slipped a bit in the last six months although I never once stopped exercising but not running as much as I was but I’m starting to get back on track. Really trying to focus on the good nutrition. Next Saturday I’m in a Women’s Half of a Half…not totally sure if I was sane when I signed up but I’m pretty sure I can finish the distance although I am pretty positive part of it I will be walking. keep up the happy lifestyle…it’s certainly better than a sedentary one.
50 pounds and amazing breakthroughs mentally and physically! YGG!!!!!!!! Gotta say it again Y!G!G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m on a similar journey and it’s hard! ive been on a journey for years and feel like i never get anywhere. since feb i do feel ive made some leeway and then i just recently feel like ive taken a big ol’ belly buster flop. but i’m gettin back up again. keep up that awesome work and attidtude that i always see when i come over here/
hugs!
Yay for you!! Today is National Running Day so I will get out & run then come home & knit! keep up the amazing work – you inspire me to learn how to do those dang heels on my needles & finish my first pair of sock..