An A-Ha! Moment

I posted this earlier tonight in an online forum on the Medifast site. 

For about 5 seconds I felt I was about to be in a situation that moved me backwards - but I've got to learn - just like on this journey - that I can't always have what I want NOW. I have to work through the process, learn some lessons, put in the hard work.

Holy crap...there was an epiphany! I just wrote my way right through this.   

Can't even delete it because I will need to come back to this.

That's right I need to come back to this.  It is true for every avenue of life.  I want things and I want them NOW.  Anyone else feel the same about things?

And, as much as I may try to get everything I want at the exact time I want it, sometimes it just is not possible.  Maybe it is impossible.  Maybe it's not a good idea.  Maybe it is one of those things that you just should not rush.

Some things take time.  Many things require hard work.  Many things include lessons to be learned.  Life is a process.

Well, I'll be!

I've spent the past year working on getting myself healthy - inside and out.  Mentally, physically and emotionally.  It's been hard work.  I've fallen a few times.  And I've picked myself up, dusted myself off and continued on my journey one more time than I've fallen.  And, if I fall again, I'll pick myself up again.  So it has been going on this journey to a healthier life.

And, so it goes for many other things.

Sure, when I decided that I was going to finish my Reading Teacher license, I wished it could have already been done.  But, I'm going through the process and now, it's almost done.  Just my practicum left and it's over.  

This is so true for many things in our lives.  Maybe it's school, learning something new, picking up a new activity, losing weight, changing careers, moving, a relationship...  Whatever it is, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.  And if it's worth doing well, there are going to be things that need to be done along the way to keep the train rolling towards the finish line.

So, I'm in.  Taking the journey.  Enjoying the ride.  Putting in the work.  Learning the lessons.

Go get 'em, tigers!

 

So, It Was Just About a year Ago...

Today the family is heading to Serbian Fest.  This is an annual family tradition and it completely centers around food and catching up with family.  And there is an abundance of food to be had.  Chicken and lamb, salads, sausages, tortes, pastries, and many other tasty Serbian dishes.  It's the very same festival I was at last year when I had a life-changing conversation with my dad's cousin about Medifast.

It was one of those moments where everything snapped into place like finding the last piece of the puzzle.  I was in the midst of a major life change and was ready to make things happen.  My cousin had been on the plan for a while and was at or close to her goal.  I'd never asked about the program she was doing, but knew the name and saw what could happen.  Finally, I was in the mental place where I could HEAR what would be said - so I ASKED the question.

I went straight home and placed my first order. My life has not been the same since that day.

Friday night I completed The Color Run, my 8th 5k run event of the past year (started those in November).   Last weekend I completed a 5k mud run - The Dirty Girl...yeah, you know it!  Yesterday I registered for The Glo Run that's in town in 4 weeks.  I also registered for next year's Dirty Girl!  I've got both of my bikes up and running and they are making daily trips out and about.  I was up early this morning, so hopped on the bike at 5:30 am for a little 90 minute spin to the lake, along the lake, and back through town.

A year ago, I was barely walking.  I was bloated and puffy and heavy.  I didn't just look it - I felt it.  A year ago today I was out with friends for a night of movie and dinner and came home to incredibly swollen feet and ankles.  I was scared.  I didn't know what was happening to my body.  I didn't know if I'd re-injured my foot or if something serious was happening.  Two days later I placed my first order.  I haven't looked back since.

Yesterday morning, my cousin Hunter (he's 8) looked at me and said, "You used to be a puffy balloon. Now you're skinny!" Oh, children! I love that boy!!!

No More Stay-Puff Marshmallow Girl

Just under a year ago I began a journey.  I was freshly separated and on a path to take back my life and my body.

Some time in October, I got my running groove back.  I ran a series of five 5k races over the cold, snowy winter months us Wisconsinites love so dearly.  I jumped into Lake Michigan on New Year's Day with all of the other Polar Bear Plungers.  I took a "Freedom Trip" to Austin, TX and ran and biked to my heart's content the week after my divorce was final.  I've returned to road biking recently.  I'm off to another change with a new teaching assignment this fall.  I returned to grad school and will be finishing my masters degree in May.  I have made countless friends through this program - friends that have supported me through my personal evolution and continue to cheer me on, while I do the same.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet three of them live and in the flesh - what a great Friday and Saturday we had.  I am in a relationship where I feel valued, appreciated, treasured, and respected.

Life is good.

This morning, I ran the Dirty Girl Mud Run with a team of my former colleagues and other friends.  Many of these ladies I haven't seen in at least a year.  They have seen pictures and posts on facebook, but no face-to-face contact.  It was an amazing experience on so many levels.  Just awesome!
The before picture is from my cousin's wedding last May.  I thought I looked fabulous.  My mom received this picture from my cousin's wife a few months ago.  My mom pulled me aside, with tears in her eyes, to show it to me...to "show me how far I've come."  Of course, my mom is a mom and tells everyone she can how amazing I am and how great I have done over the past year.  Moms...they're the best!

The after picture is from before this morning's Dirty Girl Mud Run.  We were Team Tutu Dirty.  The Tutu is in a trash dumpster somewhere, the shoes were donated to a worthy cause, but the feeling in my heart - and the pain in my body from climbing, crawling, jumping, running, slithering - is with me.  The pain will go away in a day or two.  The feeling of accomplishment - that's one of those things that sticks with you for a good long while.

I have a bit to go before I reach my weight goal.  However, the goal I told my health coach when I started was to be able to run and bike and take part in the events that I love to participate in.  Friends, I'm there!

To all of you just starting out - you CAN do this!

To my friends that I have gathered into my arms along the way - I LOVE each and every one of you.  Thank you for your unconditional love and support.

Go get 'em, tigers!!!

Gratitude, Day 9

I can go on for a good long while about how I’m looking forward to this school year.  I get to work in a school with a focused and enthusiastic staff – I just can’t wait!  I am going to spend the year working with a first grade student every day after school on reading – that is going to be fabulous!  My journey to health and wellness is ongoing and on track!

Today, I’ll be spending the afternoon with my grad school colleagues as we spend the week training for our reading practicum.  I’m so excited for this!  The practicum is our final course(s) requirement in our program and we are on our way to doing better by our students.  How lucky we are.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9: 1. Education  2. Books  3. Music

Go get’em, tigers!

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!