Best Conversation of the Week #HAWMC

Today I get to write about the best conversation I had this week. This conversation happened while I was at the running shoe store.

Me: "I am sooo sorry for having your drag out every pair of shoes you have. I'm probably the worse customer you've ever had."

Shoe Guy: "Oh no, you're a dream compared to some of my customers. I have some stories to tell."

Me: "Whew, I'm glad, because I really hate to be a pain. I am so sorry I just have not found the "perfect" pair of shoes yet."

Me again: "I am so surprised that I'm putting you through this. When I used to buy shoes....well any sports equipment, I would always just pick the cheapest pair or the cutest color. No matter if they fit or felt good. I'm always worried about things costing too much or looking just right...then I make the wrong decision and sacrifice myself and experience pain because I've made a bad choice and did not get what was best for me."

Shoe Guy: "Well shoes are not an area where you want to skimp."

After a few more boxes and try on's and a couple quick runs on their running track. I found the perfect shoes. They are white and lime green....not the perfect color and they were definitely not the cheapest, but they were the perfect fit!!

Brooks Defyance 5

Today made me realize HOW MANY times I've put me on the back burner to save money or to look a certain way. I also know the number of things I did not do because I was not outfitted properly. I am so glad that I'm taking the time and spending the money, so I can get the perfect fit!!

How about you, do you sacrifice yourself to save some money?

Keep focused!

Health Activist Choice #HAWMC

I am really enjoying the The health Activist Writer's Month Challenge. Today I get to write about whatever I want! So here goes!!

I want to write about something that has been on my mind for a while! Way way back when I was kinda thinking about losing weight and getting healthy, I went to a personal trainer. Before we even got started, I let her know my limitations......I was sedentary, I had knee and feet problems and I reminded her that I was old.....She was a skinny 20ish woman, so I was quite sure she had no idea with what she was dealing with. So I wanted to set her straight!

After my speech, we set out and she had me doing all these weird things and pushed me in the areas of my weakness. Kind of ticked me off, because I had told her that I was not capable.

So guess what? I never went back......

Since then, and I think the Lord made sure that He put the right people in my path, I've been able to do things I thought I would never be able to do. These people have breathed faith and encouragement into me to help me see that I AM capable! I'm doing stuff I wasn't able to do when I was a kid.

Never thought it possible!!!

I am daily reaching to new levels of fitness and putting my body to the test each day. I can lift more, balance better and run faster each day. I can also, put down things that aren't healthy for me, without a blink. My eyes always looking at the end result of fitness!!

Example:

Yesterday was a run day....well Thursday was supposed to be, but I've been dealing with a chest cold and haven't been able to train for the 1/2 Marathon like I've wanted. Anyway, I felt great yesterday and my focus was to run 5 miles...without stopping!

I was property rested, fueled and ready to go and I got started. That first mile is a killer!! Runners....is this typical ~ Geez!! Anyway, after that I just put my head down and focused. I got to 3.1 (5k) with my best time ever ~ 44 minutes!! That is a record for me....so that fueled me on.

Mile 4 was a breeze and I'm like, I've got this...Mile 5 felt pretty good and I'm thinking....body, how much more do you got...mile 6 ~ done.....all the way up to 7.5 miles!!!! Took me 1 hour and 55 minutes to do it. I HAVE NEVER RUN THAT LONG IN MY LIFE!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Picture #1 ~ My treadmill stopped at this point and I kept going to 7.5 miles~ Check out picture #2.

 I burned over 1015 calories with that run! Amazing!

I can push this body!! It's capable!! Now my mind knows it!!

Today, I have no residule pains from yesterday. None. I feel great. Got up first thing this morning and went to a Yoga class. You know what? I can do that too!! OH MY GOODNESS!!

So.....for those of you who think you can't. I'm challenging you today to try! Not only try, but do it and then do a little more. If you keep it up, you will increase your momentum and before you know it your fitness level will increase and you can do ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO!!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!


PUSH YOURSELF TODAY!!!

and

KEEP FOCUSED!!!!!!

Health Haiku #HAWMC

Sad and broken woman

Finds new health and life

Running toward freedom!!

Ekphrasis Post #HAWMC

Before I started my weight loss and fitness journey I used to love, I mean LOVE, going to McDonald's to eat. I would go every week and of course, each time I went I Super Sized EVERYTHING!! I at least had a Diet Coke so I'm sure that helped a lot! Whew!!

We went to Mickey D's so often, that my young son said one time. "Ahhhhh Mom!!...McDonald's again? Can't we have some vegetable or salad instead?" I was soooo confused by that....I was thinking..."Hey, who are you and where is my kid!!" Obviously he couldn't possibly be mine, because he would  have to be addicted to fast food just like me, right?

Anyway that did not stop me from dragging my kids there. Makes me so sad to think about it today. You see I took something fun....something that was meant to be a treat and I abused it for them and myself. When we went, it was never a treat. It was just so ordinary. I'm sure my kids were bored out of their minds. What was I thinking?

Then along comes my Grand Baby girls. Because I know what I know, about fast food, I have refused to take them to any place that offers this type of food. So far, after 4 years, I have not gone with them. I made a vow that I would not be that kind of Grandma.

So my little creative mind gets revved up and I'm thinking....Instead of going to a fast food establishment, maybe I could create my own Happy Meal that would include healthy and fun foods!!

 I found this picture to kind of show what I was thinking....

Cute huh?  I don't know what the ingredients really are by looking at the picture, but in my world, they would all be healthy foods ~ Whole wheat roll, turkey, lettuce, Jicama, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fat free cheese. I'm not sure my Grand Baby girls would fall for this, but I think it's pretty cute!

Glad I'm changing my family tree and making smarter and healthier choices for my entire family!!

How about you ~ Are you making life changes?

Keep Focused!!

I write about my health because....

I've kept a diary or journal of my weight loss journey for years. I do this to help me keep focused on my progress and always in the back of my mind, I've hoped that my experience would someday help someone on their journey to health and fitness!!!

When I started my blog. I just thought it would be an interesting thing to do. I did not expect or really even know that people would want to follow my progress. To my delight, I've made some pretty awesome Friends here, which I am grateful!!!

I have noticed that all the while going through this journey, I've had stuff happen to me that I cannot explain. Like....I've had many injuries along the way, I've had long periods of no weight loss, I've had frustrations and situations with people that do not pertain to weight loss that have caused me a lot of stress and frustration. The great thing about all of this is I've gained these stories and situations to help myself learn and grow and to help my Friends on their health and weight loss journey.

It seems, just after a hard patch happens and I will write about it....then almost always, someone writes and tells me that it was something they needed to hear, or the information helped them, or it inspired them. Most of the time, when I'm struggling through something, I'm complaining to God and asking "Why Lord, why? Why are you allowing this" or "Why me?" Of course I will share the situation on my blog and most times it will help someone else. I guess that's why I don't get too excited anymore when adversity happens. In the back of my mind, I think.....someone needs to know about this or this will need help someone else. This little bit of knowledge helps me at least get through the situation, knowing that it WILL be purposeful and not just a waste of time or a punishment to me! 

I write for me first....I need to diary this journey, well first off, because I have a horrible memory for things and this helps keep a time line for me, but secondly, I write about my journey because it helps me see the progress I've made through the years. When I get discouraged and boy do I, I will sometimes look back and see the progress that has been made and it helps me get back on track. The other reason I write about my journey is to help and inspire others. I know when I read other blogs I get inspired and find help just when I need it and I love that!! This community is amazing!

So that's it....nope not it...I write, because I really do love to write!! It's an amazing thing and I love it!!

Now that's it!

How about you....why do you write about your health?

Keep focused!

Superpower Day

If I had a Superpower ~ what would it be? I would want incredible vision and wisdom....

I would love to be able to see to the core of someone and find out what's really going on with them. Then, once I see it, I would want to have the wisdom to help them overcome the issues that keep them for achieving what they were created to do.

The other day, I was at the pool with my daughter and grand daughters. We were having a wonderful time, when all of sudden, the noise in the room diminished and everything became surreal. As I was trying to get myself together, I noticed a women on the bleachers watching the pool. She was a very large women, I would say around 400 pounds. I remember feeling so sad that she was an outsider looking in on the fun and that she was stuck on that bench instead of playing in the pool with her kids.

I so wanted to be able to help her. If I could only see what's REALLY going on with her and then provide the proper wisdom...then maybe she could do something about her health and change her life. Wouldn't it be great if she too were in the pool, frolicking and having fun with her kids?

Now I am judging her....her sitting on the bench, may not have had anything to do with her weight...could be that she can't swim, or was having her period, or she just got her hair done...whatever... But if I had my Superpowers I would have been able to see what's going on and would have been able to offer some support....whatever that may be.

I know I've struggled for a lot of years and was always trying to figure out why I chose food to console myself....I was always looking for the reason why I wanted to be fat and stay fat. I would have loved it if someone could have come along and told me the source of the problem and then offered some solutions.

I know, I know....you are probably thinking that it's better that we find our own way, but here's the deal. All the while I was struggling with finding my "why", I do what I do, and being fat for so many years, I wasted so much time. I could have been a better wife and mother, impacted more people, lived life more, and maybe had a little more fun......Instead I was trapped in a body that was too fat to do much of anything...What kind of life is that? How did that benefit anyone?

Now, I'm 50....Finally healthy, getting this weight off and finally, finally living my life. I'm glad I was able to find out my core problems and overcome them and now I'm starting to really live my life....which I am grateful....but I'm really sad that I wasted so much time!!

Wish someone with Superpowers would have shown up about 30 years ago, to help speed up the process!!

I would love to have this gift today, to help others on their journey. Wouldn't that be awesome!?!

If you could have a Superpower....What would it be?

Keep focused!

Quotation Inspiration

"A dream is an incredible thing.

It motivates and sustains you.

It gives you direction and helps you

know your priorities.

But it ultimately doesn’t mean a

thing if it remains only an idea.

Whatever your dream is, pick

yourself up and do your best to

make it come true!"

Becoming a Person of Influence

And all the while, while you are focusing on your dream….people are watching! Did you know that?

Do you think it’s true?

No?

Well I experienced something yesterday, that confirms that people are watching us reach for our dreams!

I was determined….to make contact with someone at the gym. Every time I go there, I want to encourage someone just like me, fighting their way through the journey! Seems lately, that I’ve been pretty preoccupied with myself and have not made an effort to pour out to anyone else. I’m like, come on, how hard is it to give an encouraging word? Not too hard! Anyway, it usually hits me when I’m in my car on the way home that I negelected to spread some cheer.

So last night I was really determined….I was going to seek out someone and give them an encouraging word.

As usual the gym was packed (which for me, personally, even though it's harder to get on the equipment, it fills my heart with joy to see some many people there changing their life and getting healthy). Anyway, I got on the treadmill and the one next to me was empty. I was determined that whoever occupied that machine was going to get an encouraging word.

Then she walks in. Dun dun dunnnnn.....This woman, who I’ve seen in the gym for months now....someone I've wanted to meet! She has a number of pounds to lose and she is quite focused and determined to get the weight off. I’ve seen her sweating and pushing toward her goals. I have many times wanted to go introduce myself, but either chickened out or got distracted and did not get it done. But last night, she walks through the door and I immediately sent up a simple prayer asking the Lord to send her my way.

Guess what….next thing I know, she’s on the treadmill right next to me. Before she could plug in her headphones, I introduced myself.

I said, “I’ve been meaning to introduce myself to you. I have noticed you in the gym a lot and I want to let you know that you so inspired me with your hard work and dedication. You are really making things happen!!” She got the biggest smile on her face and that just opened the door for conversation.

We had a great time until my trainer entered the gym and was wanting to get started on my training. While I was finishing my time on the Treadmill, my trainer got to talking to my new friend. And almost like it was planned, my trainer says to my Friend, “ You know, I’ve seen you in the gym a lot, you are doing fantastic!!”

You should have seen my new friends face! She did not say so, but I am quite sure she was pleased that we noticed her dedication.

Double encouragement!! It was almost like it was an orchestrated encounter of encouragement. How awesome is that?

After my trainer and I went away from my Friend we were talking about the goose bumpy moment we just had. We both agreed that we should be doing that for each other more often. It could be life changing!!

So keep following your dreams. Keep pushing through..it will help you reach your dream and also help encourage others to reach for their dreams!! People are watching!

Do other people inspire you? Are you an inspiration?

Keep focused!!!!