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I've gotten so busy with my new life that I forgot to share! I'm in a new place (literally and figuratively) with so much going on. I finally found myself and I'm happy to say I really do like this new girl I've gotten to know. I have the most
amazing friends and family. The support I get from them has played such
an important role in getting me here, the exact place in my life I need
to be. To each of them, I will always be grateful. While I am still a
few pounds (15) from my goal, I have learned to balance my life with fun
and hard work.
For those who don't know, I am now divorced and living on my own in Midtown Memphis. There were lots of tears and dark days. But with help, I was able to see through it all and found this amazing girl I lost and forgot. I've learned, experienced and tried (with some successes and some fails) so many new things and found the confidence I needed to get here.
The biggest news since January...I completed my first full triathlon (the Dragonfly) in June and I couldn't be more proud of myself. It was a half mile swim, 18 mile bike ride, and a 4 mile road/trail run. The 8 weeks I trained for it was more of a mental challenge for me (Would I be last? Would I even finish? Can I live with myself if I quit?) then the physical training. I almost gave up because I just couldn't bare the thought I would be the last one to cross that line. But those supporters of mine kept telling me "so what if you come in last, at least you did it!" Those are some wise folks. One the day of the race I was so nervous. So much to do and so much to remember. Once I got to the start line all I told myself was "I just gotta finish, that's it." Wouldn't you know it, I had the time of my life. The only muscles that hurt that day were the ones on my face from smiling the whole time. I actually had fun and no longer worried about being last. So I'm on a training path from here on out. I have a few more triathlons and half marathons on my horizon over the next 6 months. This time last year, I never would have considered myself a runner or a triathlete or even just an athlete. I feel and look the the best I ever have since high school and I couldn't be happier. And in case you were wondering...I finished number 263 out of 287. I was 7th out of 9 in my division/group. And I beat a bunch of boys!!! I WASN'T LAST!!
For anyone that has struggled with their weight most of their life, you know what "one"derland means. Well, I finally made it back to "one"derland this month. It's been about 10 years since I saw a 1 at the beginning of my weight.
I wanted to get under 200 pounds before January 1st but realized that some things in life are worth indulging in like good times with great friends. And yes, it usually involved good food. But because of all the hard work I've done, I have finally found the balance I needed to have a healthier relationship with food. I don't deprive and go without, I try to moderate it and still enjoy myself. It just might mean an extra mile on the road or an extra workout in the day. Either way, I am comfortable with my choices thru the lessons and healthy habits I have learned and practice.
Having said all that, I am extraordinarily proud of myself that I still stuck to my same goal with a little time modification. I finally got under 200 pounds before my birthday (in two weeks) and I'm still losing. With a little over 50 pounds lost, I know it will never be found on me again. This puts me at half way to my goal weight.
So thanks to all of you, and a few new friends I have found along the way, you help to make this journey of mine more enjoyable, obtainable, and positive.
