For a long time I didn't want to share that old "before" picture because sometimes people forget. And, I wasn't sure I really wanted to admit where I even came from! I mean, how on earth did I even get there?
Today I embrace the picture on the left, because she taught me that change was necessary. I had no idea how or what to do, but I knew I needed to do something. The girl on the left didn't know yet the willpower or determination she even had. She was taking medications for thyroid and cholesterol and heartburn. She didn't know the courage she would use to try out all kinds of new things for the first time. She thought she was trying, but nothing (in her mind) was happening.... But looking back at her, there was absolutely something happening, she was getting ready. She was preparing mentally for a change.... not an easily discarded New Years Resolution exercise; Not a fad unsustainable starvation diet. She was getting ready for a complete lifestyle change. She was building guts and determination and courage. She was about to discover and learn so many amazing things. She was about to re-acquaint with old friends in new ways and make so many amazing new friends.
I am still that person on the left and so much more. I now know what it's like to
- be totally scared to try something new.
- go to that new group exercise for the very first time and be so apprehensive that you hide in the back and hope no one will notice you are there.
- feel so uncoordinated that it's like a spotlight is shining directly on you and everyone is laughing hysterically.
- know people are just humoring you when they listen politely as you talk about running a mile or two
- get in the pool for the first time and totally freeze and want to crawl in a hole and hide.
- have someone say to you: you can do something when you have absolutely no confidence in yourself.
- actually succeed at something for the very first time and be totally elated and blown away that you did something you never thought you could.
- buy an entire new wardrobe at size 12 because you think you're done
- be sidelined by injury and be afraid you won't be able to do something ever again.
- modify when it takes every ounce of restraint to do so, but to know that at that point, it must be done.
- try new things like paddleboarding or ziplining or snowshoeing for the very first time
- donate that entire wardrobe at size 12 because you weren't done
- be able to discard medications that your new healthy lifestyle has made possible.
- break down in the dressing room when those size 6 jeans slide on you like a glove
- buy a pair of size 4 skinny jeans.
- be the guest speaker and share my story at the Triathlon Annual meeting
- run a half marathon -- three times!
- really want to try even more new things like a triathlon or climbing Mount Washington for the first time
- have so much energy that you want to go out on the weekends and just "do"
- realize that folks don't even bat an eye when you tell them you are heading out at 5:30AM to run the stadium stairs
- have the absolute honor to share in someone else's journey
- have an entire new world opened up to you because you decided to make a change
I've always felt that personally my own diet and food prep and dinners and healthy nutrition could be improved. I used to think that day care centers should also offer complete dinners as an option to busy working parents. Anyway, in my challenge to maintain, I have since found a nutrition system that I believe to be the best out there. It has truly made the "Magic" of Maintenance a breeze. It is so simple (Did I say I like simple) while at the same time properly fuels my body which absolutely gives me all the energy I need to do whatever I decide to challenge myself with. ..... So far this year my biggest challenges have been a half marathon (my third with a huge PR) and incorporating biking where I just did a 30 mile bike ride last weekend. And on the horizon this summer will be my very first triathlon.
The coolest thing about it all: It still amazes me every day the gift we have in our own body when we give it the exercise and nutrition that it needs. You actually get to a point where you want to eat healthy; you want to challenge yourself physically, and you feel absolutely amazing doing it all. I no longer fear sharing where I came from, because I know it is the foundation to where I am going. I am humbled and honored to all those who have helped me along the way or allowed me to help them. I've become an open book and am happy to share anything and everything about this journey. Here's to the next three years......wait, forget that .... Here's to the lifetime..... Here's to the journey!