So today is my third healthy
birthday!! Three years ago today, April
7, 2014, I started on my Wellness Journey.
As I have said before, I absolutely refuse to call it the “D” word …
Diet !!!! Never, ever will you hear that
word course through my lips.
It has truly been and continues
to be my Wellness Journey! Our Health
Educator asks just about every week, “How long are we doing this?” The reply is always a resounding,
“Forever!!” In the previous two years,
when I’ve spoken of this journey, I have shared information about eating
healthy with lean proteins, veggies, fruits, and whole grains. I have also shared information about PA
(physical activity) numbers, Fitbit steps, and exercising my body.
One blogpost shared my fear of
the scale and how difficult it is for me to be accountable to the scale,
especially when I have this “magic” number that I want reflected on said
scale. To this end, the scale continues
to be a complete brat! While I’m not
cured of this demon, I am much better, and react in a healthier way to my
disappointments with the bratty scale.
On a recent evening encounter with the bratty scale, I expressed my
disappointment to our Health Educator.
In his wisdom, his response to me was that I set myself up for
disappointment. He reiterated to me
that with the success I have had, that I should not “need” the scale to do any
particular thing on any particular weigh in.
As long as I am eating healthy, exercising healthy, and living my
healthy habits … that should be my goal.
I know this to be true! While
this is still a work in progress for me, I know that the victory is a healthy
journey. There is never an end to the
destination, just a continued healthy path.
I know that I continue to live true to my journey. That elusive number on the scale continues
to elude me, but I know that I am doing my part. I am learning how to quit trying to do it
perfectly. Then I can do it joyfully!!
My celebration for my Third Healthy Birthday is to share the
non-scale related victories. One word
sums this up the most … FRIENDS!!! Wow,
my special friends. I have met so many
folks along the way, and all have had an impact on me in ways
immeasurable. The friends that I now
have, that I would have never known without this journey, are soulmates and have
found a spot in my heart, which I have grown to believe, had to have been
reserved just for them! From the one
that has mentored us all with his knowledge, insight, and such dear kindness,
to everyone that sits in class, shares their stories, and to the incredible
women that have been with me since day one, thank you!! We laugh together, cry together, celebrate
victories together, travel together, lunch together, exercise together, walk
miles together in road races, and exist daily in each other hearts. How can that ever be topped?
It’s odd when I think back over
the past 3 years, and I realize that, what rests in my heart today, is
sometimes so disconnected yet connected to the actual 70 pound weight loss. I am often told that I am an inspiration to
other. I’ve never felt that I am worthy of inspiring
anyone. I don’t think I will ever get
used to this compliment. To be honest,
it brings me to tears when anyone says this to me. I have so much joy when I see others follow
the same wellness plan, work with our same training group, start to feel better
in body, mind, and soul, and form such special friendships. This is a victory that is God given in every
way possible. The heart speaks to me in
ways about this journey, in such a changed manner, with each ongoing year.
This celebration of my third
healthy birthday is a celebration of gratefulness to my friends. I am blessed beyond reason with your
friendship, your amazing impact on my life, and our continued journey
together. You have enriched me in so
many ways, and I will be forever grateful.
Your power, determination, motivation, and kindred souls are inspiring
in every way possible. You are strong,
so very strong.
So again I say, to all with me on
this journey, you know who you are … you
are so greatly loved!
God certainly placed me in the
right place, at the right time, with the most incredible people I could ever
imagine. Blessed, so blessed!
