A New Me: A One Year Update
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.
This Post Has 55 Comments
Comments are closed.
Wish there was a *love* button. Great work, and very very very hard to do.
I KNEW you could do it! XOXOXO I am so dang proud of you. You are AWESOME.
I am SO PROUD of you.
Congratulations Carole for making the best decision in your life, to take care of yourself! You have shown such strength and determination that it has been contagious! Great Job on being true to yourself for 1 year and Best Wishes to you for a Lifetime of Health and HAPPINESS 🙂 You truly are an inspirtion!
Congratulations, Carole! We will keep positive comments, thoughts, and hugs headed your way!
Yay, cheering for you! It is so inspiring to read this and to see how glowing you look!
So fabulous! You should be so proud – I am proud of you! Xoxoxo
You should be so proud of yourself. Living a healthy lifestyle should be an easy one, but you and I both know it’s work, but work that pays off. Yay you!!
You have accomplished something unique and wonderful! You have become YOU! You have more guts and determination than just about anyone I know. Good work, grrlfriend!!
Such a reason to celebrate Carole! Congratulations 😉
You look so happy and healthy! VERY PROUD of you!
Congratulations, Carol. So proud of you, You are truly an inspiration to me. I know how hard it is. In addition to all the other benefits of losing weight, now it won’t cost as much to knit a sweater!
Congratulations, Carole! Way to take control of your life!
Congrats! I think your point about ‘what you do consistently’ matters most is so true about much of life. And a good reminder to us all. Best wishes for more good and consistent things in this next year.
Congratulations! Such a huge accomplishment! You inspire me to try harder to get healthier!
Congratulations! Wishing you the will to keep with it. The hardest part is continuing and keeping the weight off.
Congratulations! You’re an inspiration to me, too! I went to the Y this morning before work, but only to take a shower because we’re painting the bathroom. lol
Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration! I was going to skip my walk today on a hot, humid day when everything hurts, but instead I’m going to lace up my shoes and get out there!
I’m so happy that you made that decision one year ago … mainly for the selfish reason that it means I will get to enjoy you as my best friend for much longer 🙂 You inspire me, and I am so proud of what you’ve done (and continue to do) to be healthy and happy!
(Laughing at what Michelle Said.) Your transformation is so, so, SO fantastic and also an inspiration!
congratulations! you’ve accomplished so much and made so many positive changes – you are such an inspiration. keep on, keeping on 🙂
Hon, I am so proud of you!!! And you’re right today is another step in the journey! They healthy life feels great!
(((Hugs)))
Congratulations! You have given yourself, and the people who love you, the greatest gift. It’s been amazing to follow your progress. I’m going to go do my exercises!
Happy Anniversary and a wonderful one at that! Very well said!
Congratulations. You are an inspiration. You have a right to be proud of yourself!! Sue
What a wonderful post. I never viewed you as a slug, however. You have always been an creative inspiration. I look forward to having my cup of tea with you each day (though lately life has gotten in the way of that) and seeing what new thing you will tackle. You demonstrate such a Can Do attitude. Enjoy this anniversary. You have certainly earned it!
Lots of hard work. Well done!
Carole, congratulations for sticking with it and forging ahead! I’m so glad you feel better. I am inspired by your story.
Outstanding! Congratulations, Carole!
You look great, Carole!
Congratulations Carole! You are an inspiration.
Proud of you beyond words!
You look fabulous!! And, bonus, you’ve added at least ten years to your life by being so active and healthy -> makes all of us happy 🙂
You know, that’s funny, because earlier this week I went back and read the posts from when you joined the Y and when you ran your 5K’s and I was wondering how things were going on that front. There is so much to celebrate, it’s hard to pick out one achievement because you’ve done so much in only one year. I’m feeling inspired.
Great job!
Congratulations on all you have accomplished this year. Love living healthy! You’ve inspired me to take a try at running again. (I was on the path to running in 2010, when my knees inexplicably started hurting. Turns out it was my dear, sweet Ellie causing me those aches.) Well worth the hiatus, but it’s my goal to run a 5K by October. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
You are so inspirational. It’s interesting that this was a spur of the moment decision–sometimes it may be better not to overthink, but just plunge in? You look marvehlous, darlink and deserve all the credit for your success.
good for you! having tried over and over again (and still trying) i know what hard work it’s been. i’m proud of you! as if i had anything to do with it. heh. (unless seeing what a mess i am was a turning point for you in which case, don’t tell me 😉 )
You are very inspiring! 🙂
Happy Personal Achievement Anniversary Carole! You Rock! It is so fun to be in on what you have going on. I am moved by your expression on this colorful and energetic blog. I have sometimes even changed my life in ways due to learning from you. I wish you all the success you dream for yourself!
YAY you!!! I have loved watching everything you’ve accomplished (and so appreciate that you’ve shared bits of both the good and the bad here on your blog) and look forward to cheering on many more accomplishments in the coming years. life is better, truly, when you have the energy and enthusiasm to make it that way.
Congrats!! You look FABULOUS!!!
Congratulations! You look great!
You are such an inspiration! Congratulations on all your hard work!
amazing. you are beautiful
I have read your blog for many years and have never posted a comment- You are truly an inspiration!! What a great accomplishment ~ 50# = 50 # of butter – GONE! Keep up the awesome work! I am so happy for you!
What you’ve done is just fantastic – congratulations!
Happy One Year Anniversary! You look amazing and you must feel even better. Keep being an inspiration!
Awesome, Carole!! That’s just fantastic. You look MAHVELOUS!! And I know that you must feel even better.
Congratulations, Carole. You look great but you’re also healthy and loving life! I admire the changes you’ve made and the fact that you know this is a journey…you can still have cookies and not beat yourself up about it. You really do look beautiful.
Yay! Hooray! That is Wonderful! The happy part is the best part. 😀