Monday, October 12, 2009

Inspiration is Everywhere


Best bud's twin daughters are the cutest kids ever. This is a picture she took on Saturday while we were playing. Just so you know, she did have a dress on but we were getting ready to take a bath, hence the cool new look. How cute are kids in onesies and leg warmers? I have a feeling it would not be so cute on us. Also, the other daughter was there and just as cute, just not in this particular photo (it is impossible to get two 18 month olds to sit for a picture).


I find inspiration in this photo. It makes me want to hit my goal so I can have a baby. I want to be able to run around (or roll around on the floor) and be active with my kids the way best bud is with hers. Even if I never have a baby, I want to be all I can for these two girls. Best bud has been the one greatest support on my journey. Even though she has never been over-weight, in fact quite the opposite she used to be extremely thin (now she is normal and healthy), she seems to understand the struggles. Maybe not all of them, but most of them. I hope that I can be at least half the mom she is to her girls.


I really look at this photo and think - man she is enjoying life. This precious little girl does not care about her weight, she just living her life out loud. I am doing more of that these days and I will continue to do so. So I share with you hoping that you will live your life out loud (no matter what your size is).


Another story from my trip:
Did your mother ever teach you that it is not polite to stare? Well someone should teach my mother that. And my niece. I remember when my journey first started and I had lost about 10 pounds, I went to lunch with some old co-workers. I remember having a salad and water while they ate bread, appetizers, entrees and sodas. No one ever commented on what I was eating but I remember screaming in my head "Don't you notice what good choices I made? Don't you see me restraining myself? Don't you see the 10 pounds I lost?"


Which of course they didn't notice because I was still so big (about 275 or so). After a few of those lunches I had to say to myself that it is okay if no one notices my changes. I am not doing it for anyone but me. Just keep on with it and the results will come.


Those changes have been noticed now my friends. Everyone wants to know how I did it. They are not too impressed with the answer of lots of exercise and calorie counting. They think that is too hard. Well it is not easy but it is easier than having surgery or paying lots of money for a diet program and then going back to old habits and gaining the weight back.


At dinner one night my niece stared at me a LOT. It was creeping me out. She even wanted to know exactly what make-up I was wearing. She just turned 13 and is over-weight. That night she asked my sister if she could join Medical Weight Loss. So sad. I do not know anything about that program but I know enough about my family to know that that is not what she needs.


As I packed my bags on my last night my mother sat and watched and stared at me. Even though I am a teacher and I am used to people looking at me, the staring of my family was just a bit much.


So aside from wonderful, sweet comments about the body transformation and the staring, I was also asked by every family member if I had gotten taller. I have been the same height since 9th grade (1993). All I can think is that I am less hunched over with less weight or I walk with more confidence. I am going to go with the later thought.


So walk proud and tall and live your life out loud today. Happy Columbus Day!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Those were good stares! :) You are a HUGE inspiration! Amazing results for such hard work!! :)

M said...

Aww, I feel for your 13 yo neice. I hope she gets the help that she needs.

As for you, I agree with TJ, those are good stares & I love that you did it "the old fashioned way", diet & exercise!

Unknown said...

Your doing so great! I bet it was fun to show off all of your hard work to you friends and family:)

wildfluffysheep said...

i love love love this post.
because you are my inspiration! so inspiration can be found everywhere.

it makes me smile to think of you as a mother. and of reaching goal. :D

my mother stares at every one but me. id take that kind of staring over my 275 pound staringness right now.

im walking tall, girl!

InWeighOverMyHead said...

I think you are leading by example and when they try other things they will think of you if those things are not working for them...

athinnerkatie said...

I would not trade my girls for anything, but you will be so glad you got fit before getting pregnant! I was never asked when I was due, to strangers I just looked fat. I was alwo always counceled on diet, something not fun.

Oh and the the eating good and hoping people notice early is exactly what I wanted. Now I have been a few months into this, and if someone notices great, but I no longer wait and hope for comments.

Laura said...

I'm not suprised people are staring! You look great!

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

Staring may just be in your future for a time to come! Eventually people will get used to the new you and you will just be "you."

My post today was also on inspiration!!

Treatment Shop said...

I read some of your topics and enjoyed reading them. I believe everyone would love them too. Thanks for sharing.

sara said...

ahhh that post was inspiring but also very emotional- i lost 105 lbs in college and there was this guy who graduated when i was a 300 lb sophomore and he came back my senior year and was BLOWN away by my weight loss- he actually said out loud, to my face, 'Wow Sara, You must have lost, like, a MILLION pounds!'..hilarious and ridiculous. but like YOU said, you're living out loud for you and your future family- the looks/comments/questions really don't matter.

Johanna at The Baker Twins said...

I Love You. You were inspirational to me before you lost shit-tons of weight, just so you know. And you were beautiful, even when there was 100 more pounds of you to love. But I like skinny Dennille better... because skinny Dennille knows how awesome she is. :)

Miz said...

love the reminder to live my life outloud today.

wont hijack yer post with my rant---suffice it to say I NEED THAT.

Crys said...

I love this post! My friend and I just had a very similar conversation. Little kids laugh loud, run naked, take delight in the little things. Indeed they know what life is all about!

You're already in rolling-around-on-the-floor shape Ms. 100+ pounds lost!! You may find inspiration in the photo, but I find it in you! :)

Erin said...

having children is also one of my biggest motivations. and for the moment...being able to be the best godmother ever for my best friends son. he's almost a year and a half which means, soon my ass is gonna be running and playing everywhere...i can't wait!

and the height thing reminds me of last week when i was at the docs. i got measured and the nurse was all "you grew!" and i just knew it was because i stand taller now with confidence.

way to kick ass...