The passing of a few friends

Today I’d like you in join me as I say good-bye to a few good friends, well actually more than a few.  I have spent the last 12 years with these friends.  Wherever I went they were there.  In good times and bad, in sickness and health, they hung around.  Some days they literally dragged me down, other days they seemed to fade into me as though they belonged.

Today we say good-bye to the first twenty pounds of my weight loss journey.  My journey will never be the same again. For me, there is no turning back.  I’m sorry old friends, you are no longer welcome here.  I’m sick of the pain and fatigue you cause me and it’s time for you to move on.

I hope more that remain will continue to make the transition out of my life in the coming weeks and months, but for now, I celebrate this remarkable milestone with joy.  I have completed the first phase of my long-term goal and I have confidence that I will continue to succeed.

Since I’m still considerably overweight, many may not even notice that I lost 20 lbs; but I do.  I feel healthier. I have more energy.  I can exercise longer and with more strength.  I can enjoy the time with my family more because I’m not constantly in pain (most of the time) and am not always fatigued.  I’m eating healthier.  I’m exercising more.  But most importantly, I’m continuing to walk this journey. Literally every mile I walk gets me closer to my goal.  I’m able to get my homework done more quickly because I can focus better (no joking, it’s taking me about half the time to do my homework these days simply because my attention span and focus are so much better!)

I know that I wouldn’t have made it this far without the amazing support from family and friends. From those who offer words of encouragement or mention how good I look, each bit of support means more than you can imagine.  This is not an easy journey.  I struggle every day with making the right choices with how I spend my time, what I eat, and whether or not I will give in to the negative thoughts.  Huge thanks to Dean for being my biggest supporter and tons of gratefulness that the kids allow me to fit exercise in our busy days. But I know I wouldn’t have come this far without God’s help.

During the first 30 days I read a fitness devotional.  Now that I’m done that I spend time praying while I exercise.  I’ve learned to thank God for the strength to complete each workout. Some days it’s truly a miracle I get through it all.  I am very grateful that instead of taking away my health obstacles, God has given me the strength and means to fight back through daily doses of exercise.

Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”