Me, 20 Years Later

I survived the reunion weekend, had a fabulous time with old classmates, rocked the dance floor for a little longer than my hair could handle and am looking forward to staying in touch with many of these friends.

Saturday morning the challenge was thrown out to change our facebook profile pictures to a picture from high school.  We ended up using our senior pictures.  This was a lot of fun – scrolling through the fb feed and seeing everyone as they were twenty years ago.

Before heading out on Saturday night, I snapped a picture of myself.  It wasn’t until this morning that I looked at the picture.  It is far too similar to my senior picture.  My hair even looks the same!  Incredible!

Having spent a few minutes playing with the pictures to create a side-by-side comparison shot, I had some time to reflect on the me of 1992 and the me of today.

In 1992, I didn’t know where I was going or who I was.  I was 17.  I knew where I was going to college and what I would major in – but that was just about it.  I was passionate about a lot of things, but was just learning how to express that and take a stand.

Today, I know who I am.  I know what I value.  I know where I am going – or at least have a plan…I’m always open to new options.  I am confident in who I am, what I believe, what I do.  I can express myself clearly and am not afraid to stand up for myself.  I go after what I want.  I take care of the people I love and stand up for them.  I try to make each day better than the one before – and to make myself better than I was the day before.  I focus on gratitude and being positive and don’t let other people’s choices pull me off track.  I work hard to be great at what I do and help others do the same.  I am evolving and am enjoying the journey.

The journey is an amazing thing.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 8

Last night was the second event of reunion weekend and it did not disappoint.  Class of ’92, we are one fabulous and good looking pack of Tigers!

We talked, enjoyed a great dinner, danced, indulged in conversations catching ourselves up, danced some more, and lingered around for more conversation.  Those hours flew by with promises to keep in touch and see each other more often.  Surely, this is what happens at reunions – but I hope it’s more than just the typical reunion chat.  It was so great to reconnect with many of my friends.  It would be a shame to go back to our passive facebook friendships. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 8: 1.  Spontaneous lunch & beach adventure dates.  2.  Catching up with all of the girls.  3.  Partying like it’s 1992 with the c/o ‘92.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

Gratitude, Day 7 - Reunion Weekend

Last night was event number one of the reunion weekend.  We had a meet & greet reception at a fabulous brewery/bar on the river and a great time was had by all.  I quickly slipped in with my girls that I spent my high school career going to pavilion dances and school events with and the time flew right on by.  It is amazing how 20 years can seem like the blink of an eye.

We’ve all moved on with our lives, gone to school, moved around, been married, started our own families, worked a job or two or ten, and have created our adult network – and still spending time together made it feel like little time has passed.  With the age of facebook, email (something we didn’t have in high school), and the ease of communication with all of our “new” technology it has been easy to keep up with some – or many – aspects of each others’ lives.  Even if we haven’t seen someone for 20 years, being their facebook friend has given us some insight into where they are now and what they’ve been up to.  Wow, how the world is changing and whisking us right along with it!

Tonight is a dinner/dance event at a local hotel.  It’s a very cool spot and I’m looking forward to it being filled with Tiger Pride.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 7: 1. Bridging the gap between old friends.  2. A fabulous gathering of ’92 Tigers.  3. The chance to do it all again tonight.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6

Well, it’s here.  Tonight begins my 20 year high school reunion.  I do not like social events with a lot of people.  I like things small and familiar and comfortable.  And sure, these are all people I know…who I haven’t seen most of for 20 years.  I’m not going to lie, there’s been some anxiety.  I just don’t like events. 

It’s funny, I can stand in front of a classroom of judgmental, smart-mouthed, distracted by technology adolescents all day and have the time of my life – but the idea of spending two nights with my former classmates makes my tummy twist.

As with everything else in the past year, I’m bursting through this self-built wall and dealing with it.  It would be easy to stay home and work on my homework, clean the closets or even spend the evening with the man.  That would be staying in the same place I am.  I’m stretching and growing and continuing to spread my wings every day.

So, tonight I will reunite with my fellow Tigers.  It will be fine.  And I’ll end up feeling better about tomorrow and enjoying the time with old friends.

Now, what will I wear?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6: 1. The opportunity to catch up with old friends.  2. Many packages at the door this morning.  3.  Stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Smelling the Roses

Yesterday I won my second Biggest Loser title in 15 days.  

The first was in a month long contest run by my health coach in our facebook group.  I was shocked to be the winner in that one, not because I wasn't dedicated to the program, getting in my exercise, drinking plenty - and then some - of water.  I was thrilled to win and to have won in the face of many others who are committed to their journey to optimal health.

Yesterday I was awarded the title in the contest at work.  The school nurse presented me with a notice of the contest results and then the secretary handed over some much-loved cash.  In this contest, I was pretty much certain from day 1 that I would walk away with my colleague's money.  It wasn't just that I am doing this fabulous program and am dedicated to reaching my goals.  I spent the past 8 weeks being tempted (and, I openly admit – succumbing to the temptations MANY times) by the tasty foods and snacks that were passing down the school hallway or being cooked up by my colleagues.  Even with this temptations and often-weakened resolve (tell me you could pass up on the offer of a corned beef sandwich), I kept on track with most of 95% of my plan and continued to guzzle my water and get my walk, bike, run game on.  These choices made the difference. 

Each victory is something that I am proud of - another feather in my cap on my journey towards my goal and optimal health.

Last night I was out with friends from high school at an event to recruit our peers for the reunion in August.  A year ago, I would have told you that I have no intent on going to a reunion.  Since November, I have been working with my friends to plan the upcoming reunion and have enjoyed many evenings out with this group and others that have been pulled into the fold.  Again, there were compliments on how "great" I am looking.  And the friend who said I look like I’m 28 (bless his exaggerating heart!) wins compliment of the night.  

As I was driving home last night, I was thinking about how I didn't feel like the fat girl and I didn't spend my night worrying about what people thought when I ordered a drink or food and I wasn't tugging on my clothes trying to cover up  rolls of fat.  On so many levels, I was experiencing my new normal - and it felt AMAZING!   To think that there’s more of this ahead of me as I move closer to my goal…make my head spin!

Even better, when I got in early this morning, my fitbit sent me a badge for flights climbed and I'd topped my daily step goal...without going for a run or a walk yesterday.

Friends, go out there and claim your life, move yourselves towards optimal health, and ENJOY your life!  There are great things out there for us!

Go get 'em, tigers!

This Week's Habits of Health Discussion

It's Tuesday and that means it's Habits of Health Discussion day in my health coach's facebook group. 

Today's challenge: The Habits of Health

Exercise- Visualize and write down how you'll feel when you're at your healthy weight and living the Habits of Health. Picture where you want to be three months from now….maybe riding a bike with your children, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, feeling great full of energy. The sun is shining, and life is good! Now write down your thoughts.

-See what's happening in your imagination
-Be specific and vivid in your description

Three Months from now
Three months from now I will be riding in my fourth Bike MS Wisconsin: Best Dam Bike Tour.  In the past, I have always been at a higher weight during the bike tour (where I am right now or higher - gasp!).  This year, I will be at least 25 lbs. lighter than I've ever been for the Bike Tour.  I will also be celebrating my 20 year high school reunion.  For this event, I will weigh less than I did most of my high school career.  And, I will be running the Dirty Girl Run with a team of friends.  This will be my first time doing this event.  By the time I participate in these events, I will likely be at my lowest weight since...MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!

Six Months from now
In six months, I hope to be at my goal weight or within 10 lbs. of that.  I will be preparing or already in transition.  Having met this goal, I will be able to increase my activity, as my daily food intake will be different from what it is now on the Medifast 5&1 plan.  I can't wait!  I will diversify my physical training to incorporate more strength training and to continue running and cylcing - something I've always struggled to maintain over the cold Wisconsin winter months.

One year from now
In one year I hope to have been at goal and maintaining for close to (or just over) six months.  I will be done with the transition phase of the Medifast program and will be working on maintaining my goal weight through healthy food choices, six small meals a day and regular exercise.  I look forward to running and cycling without the challenges and obstacles presented by carrying extra weight.  I would love to be planning for - or perhaps already completed - a half marathon.  It's always been a goal.  If that goes well, I'd like to aim for a marathon.  I've already completed four century rides, but would love to do one at a healthy weight!  I will be graduating with my Masters of Education in Reading Education and looking forward to a career transition from high school English teacher to reading teacher.