As they say in Weight Watchers, "This isn't a race it's a marathon"! I have learned a new meaning to that over the last several months. The first time I heard that statement was close to two years ago. At that time I was losing on average about two pounds a week and I thought, "Hey.. this marathon thing is really working for me! ;) " I carried on with that kind of weight loss for a good year and then I hit a few bumps in my road and it seemed to get harder and harder. Then as you all know I hit this brick wall. I haven't had any real significant weight loss in a few months. My "marathon" wasn't so much fun as it was frustrating! For a long time this motto, to me, meant that a slow weight loss is good and long lasting. No one needs to lose a huge amount of weight fast because it will cause a SLEW of problems. As of late, I have come to realize that this motto isn't just about the speed at which one should lose weight. There is so much more behind this meaning. When I think of a race, I think of something quick.. fast.. in the moment.. and then it's all over with. It's a sprint from the 50 yard line to the goal line. It's the rabbit trying to catch the carrot. Aaaahhh.. but a marathon. A marathon is slow.. paced.. long lasting.. something that you'll remember forever. It's winning the Superbowl. It's a lesson that will make you grow and will forever stick with you. My marathon has changed from my pushing so hard to make the numbers on the scale go down. My marathon will last me a lifetime. Just like a marathon runner, I have trained and trained. I have met new friends on my route. I have become weary and lost focus at times. I have had my cheerleaders cheering me on. I have learned new things about my life, about myself, about my strength, my endurance, my determination, my confidence and on and on. Being in a marathon gives you time to think and reflect on yourself and your life and I gotta say.. it's getting more and more exciting!! Don't get me wrong.. the numbers on the scale still matter and I still look forward to seeing them drop more and more, but I refuse to let it get me down. Instead I look at the big picture and the wonderful road ahead!
Breaking Boundaries
The numbers on the scale have bounced back and forth over a couple of pounds, but my body is ever changing. I have continued to have some pretty exciting breakthroughs! A few weeks ago I was able to fit into a size 6 jeans. I can't even explain to you how weird that is to even type that. It is an unbelievable feeling. Coming from the size 24 jeans that I started in.. just makes it unimaginable. Just this past week by a total accident I discovered that I fit into a SMALL t-shirt! I have such mixed emotions! Every time I step on that scale I am so frustrated that it just hoovers over the same mark week after week after week. But then great things are happening and progress is still being made.. just in a different way. How can I argue with that? Don't answer that.. I'm sure I'll find a way. I will continue to keep pushing forward in my everlasting marathon. Just because I reach my goal doesn't mean I've crossed the finish line. ;)
A Bright New Tomorrow
A couple of months ago, I was approached with an opportunity to teach a dance class. For those of you who don't know me.. I have always loved dance. It's my thing! I've danced since I was a young girl all the way up through high school. I had looked into being on the Lamar University dance team after I graduated, but unfortunately I didn't meet the requirements.. meaning I was too fat. At that point I gave up pursuing anything that had to do with dance. I was too fat and didn't want to hear anymore rejection so I just stopped. I didn't try to lose weight. I just went on with life. Well here I am 15 years later and a few pounds lighter teaching 6 dance classes a week and looking to teach more! But I'm not stopping there! This has opened up something inside of me that I've had buried for a while. I was too scared of rejection to go for it before, but now I am working toward getting a few fitness certifications and a personal trainer certification so that I can do what I love doing. I still want to go back to school, but baby steps.. baby steps. I believe there is a great opportunity for me out there, not only to support my family, but to have a gratifying life! I am very VERY excited about what my future holds. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead for me!
Wish me luck on my marathon! Are you sprinting? Or are you taking it nice and slow? ;)
