June14
After letting go of the stress of expecting too much from myself, and the ideas that others had imposed on me- I finally noticed the scale spiraling downward again. Three pounds here, one pound there, another three pounds there… and I feel good.
It’s interesting how stress affects people, and obviously what they say about affecting weight loss definitely is a true thing in my life. Obviously life isn’t going to be smooth sailing just because I want it to, but I’m hoping to learn how to deal with stess better, plus learn to not pick up things that aren’t my problems to begin with. It’s a learning process, and I’m always ready to learn.
Last week I made a commitment to myself to do something that I’ve been thinking about for quite some time- and that’s write a book about this journey. I’d lie if I said I didn’t want it to be published, but that’s not why I’m writing it. I’m doing it for me. Secondly, I think that if I can help just one person through this entire experience become more aware, and more interested in their own health and what they put into their mouths, then I’ve been successful.
Not that I don’t eat ‘junk’ from time to time, because I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t, but I’m very aware of when I do it, and IF I see myself making choices that are not conscious- then I have to step back- take a look at myself and ask why?
Even though it’s much easier now, I can’t see myself ever NOT having to be conscious and aware. After all, we tend to be so precise with the upkeep of our homes and cars, but what about our bodies? After all, it’s the ONLY one we’ve got.
You may wonder what finally made me decide to write the book about this process. Well, I’ll tell you- On June 4th, I went to the grocery store. It is a store that I use to frequent, but haven’t been in probably six months or so. I was at the check out- not really paying attention to anything other than making sure the groceries scanned at the correct price when I heard the cashier say, “Have you lost weight?” I heard the question, but it really didn’t register with me that she was talking to ME, so I looked up, and looked next to me, and then to the cashier, who was staring at ME! “Excuse me?” was my reply.
She proceeds to tell me that she wasn’t sure whether to ask me or not, because she didn’t hardly recognize me, but she recognized Marcel, and she said that it looked like I’d lost alot of weight.
Truth is, I was embarrassed, because it caught me completely off guard. I didn’t even recognize this woman as being someone I’d noticed in the past, but yet obviously she noticed me. I finally picked myself up off the floor- and responded that I had lost quite a bit of weight, and she said that she though it was great, that I looked fantastic.
Marcel was beaming, and I think I was probably turning 10 shades of red about that time. He said that he thought it was great that strangers who had seen me in passing noticed how great I’d done with this journey, and I- still unable to completely discuss this topic with a stranger without feeling odd, felt embarrassed. Why? I have NO idea.
Thirty-seconds later (seriously), we were walking out of the store and we ran into one of our neighbors. We aren’t friends, but we are friendly to each other, stop and chit chat from time to time when we see each other, and we’ve discussed the weight loss thing in various stages along my journey.
She said, “Girl, look at you- you’re still losing and you look GREAT!” I thanked her- and she proceeded to go into the fact that she really wanted to lose but had been struggling with doing it. She asked what I do, and I gave her a quick rundown of what works for me.
She asked if it would be ok if she came over one day for coffee and to discuss what has worked for me and how she could apply it into her own life, and I was more than honored to say yes.
I’m by far no expert, but I have learned so much about food and nutrition along this journey- in fact, I continue to learn each day, when I read articles and studies. I want to know as much as possible about being the healthiest me I can be, and if that can help someone else, then I’ve lived well today.
An hour after that- Marcel and I were at the voting polls, which happens to be held at a local school. One of the teachers, we also know, but haven’t seen in close to a year- Marcel was finished voting and was talking to her when I came out of the booth, and she did a double take- Oh my gosh! (her words) Look at how much weight you’ve lost. Are you sick? That was followed by a gazillion other questions, and luckily her phone rang and we said our goodbyes and walked out the door. Otherwise we may have still been standing there.
Three separate people in less than three hours- I felt that I was being gently pushed in that direction of being in the position to help another person tap into their potential, so the idea was officially born.
It has been there for a while, but that’s when I knew it would happen. I’ve only told a few people- mom, Marcel, Desere and now you. Since there are only four of you who have this address, and I’m not sure that anyone actually visits here- less than ten know.
Have I started yet? No, I haven’t. Right now, I have been pooling ideas, and once Samantha leaves I’ll probably start outlining ideas and things I’d like to convey. I told mom the other night that I wasn’t sure I had enough hot air to fill a book, but she assured me that I have MORE than enough- I’m not sure if that was a compliment or not. haha
So that’s where I am 