Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A Heartfelt Thank You

Today at our Weight Watchers meeting, we spent a lot of time talking and thinking about the people who have helped get us to where we are and continue to support us.  I am always thinking about how grateful I am for the wonderful people in my life who keep me going.  I truly believe that I would not be where I am without them.   This post is a thank you to all the people who have and continue to support me throughout this crazy journey.  They are not in any specific order, so don't think that where you are you on the list is where you are in importance :-)

So, thank you to the following groups of people or individuals: 

1) My AMAZING roommates.  You two have been SUCH amazing supports since this began  Eating food that I cooked, running next to me, supporting me, getting up in the morning with me, humoring me when we go out to eat and I make complicated orders, changing restaurants based on my need, and for generally supporting me in everything that I do.  I love you both a tremendous amount.



2) My wonderful boyfriend.  You do more for me and my lifestyle changes than I could ever ask for.  I knew you were a keeper when, after only 3 days of knowing me, you stocked your freezer with Weight Watchers ice cream bars.  You go out of your way to calculate points for dinners, eat ANYTHING that I make, remind me when I need reminding about eating (but not in a pushy way), and give me a "Yay!" when I come home after losing weight.  I am lucky to have you in my life.

3) My best friend and mother.  I talk to you more than once a day.  You are my ear throughout the good and the bad.  You are making huge lifestyle changes as well, and it is important to me that I hit goal so that you will take the big leap and I win my prize! :-)  You are the best role model that anyone could have.  I love you more than life itself and you are one of my rocks that keeps me going when the going gets tough. 



4) My father.  We started this journey together.  Although I am kicking your rear-end, you instilled in me the value that Tinawi's can do ANYTHING!  Even though you are far away most of the time, I take that with me and I often think about you and what you have accomplished when I feel like giving up.  I know that you will join me on this path and appreciated you coming to see me more than I could explain.



5) My family. Never underestimate your family complimenting you.  They are always your harshest critic and your biggest fans.  My family members are AMAZING.  Thank you.  You have been a huge support system from all over the world.  Syria, New Jersey, Maine, Boston...  you are all everywhere.  Thank you.  I love you ALL.




6) Meg and Serina. There are very few people in the world that I will tell personal details about my life after knowing them for less than a year.  When I think about how much these ladies mean to me and how much they have helped me throughout this process it truly makes me want to cry with thanks and joy.  These two ladies are two of the most amazing women in the entire world.  It takes very little time with them to really see the beauty and strength of these women.  I email you both, I call you, I text you, I complain to you... I count on you every week to help keep me going.  More than almost anyone in my life, you have kept me going and made me understand how beautiful I am both inside and out.  I look forward to many years of friendship and support.

7) My team.  After many Monday meetings full of food that is not the best for us, you all were willing to bring healthier snacks without me even asking.  You high-five me, compliment me, ask me how it's going, and mock me when necessary.  From BFFL to co-worker, I appreciate having you all as co-workers and friends.  Thank you for everything. :-)



8) Achieve folk.  Achieve staff in general, you are ALL amazing people!!!  You have NO idea how much it means to get compliments in the hall and comments about the size of my pants! :-)  You have brought vegetables on pot-luck days and high-fived me in the hallway.  You ROCK!

9) Demi.  You probably don't even realize how much of an impact you have on my running and weight-loss journey.  One, you are one of the most competitive and dedicated people I know.  You inspire me everyday to be a better person and to challenge myself.  Two, you have already dedicated yourself to helping me this summer and that helps keep me motivated and positive about what could be a challenging summer of eating.  I look forward to working together this summer and having you as a support in Chicago.  Thank you.




10) My friends. To all of the other friends in my life.  You are there as supports along the way.  Perhaps it's making me an angel food birthday cake, calling me to tell me you love me, asking to come to my 5K, sending me texts of encouragement, or just being awesome friends, you all help me be a better me!




11) SWM.  You have always believed in me and what I can do.  You helped me run my first race and I know you would have helped me run my second.  I know you always believe in me, even from far away.

12) Facebook and Blog commenters. Some of you have not even met me and you write me comments.  It is amazing to think that people think of me as an inspiration and someone that helps with their weight-loss journey.  It is positive comments and thoughts that remind me that we are in this together, I am not alone, and that I should keep on truckin'!

I know that this post is mushy and kind of personal, but I felt very moved in sharing with all of you, all of the people who have helped me.

Thank you to everyone for helping me get closer to reaching "lifetime"!! 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

EEESSSSHHHH

Well,  I have fallen off the wagon again.  BADLY.  And I am not even running to catch up with it this time.  I am watching it drive away.

I could tell you the sob story about miscalculating my points on Friday night and then how that made me super stressed out and then I felt frustrated so I said screw it yesterday and today.  And it would be a sob story and an excuse.  I could say all those things and feel guilty and bad, however, what good will that do me? 

I know that I have fallen off at the moment.  I know that if I were to get on the scale today I wouldn't be happy.  I know these things.  So, I had two choices today.  I could feel bad and guilty, or I could know that I have fallen off and try my best to get back on tomorrow and this week. 

At this moment there are a lot of stress factors in my life.  A couple personal things that I am not at liberty to discuss on the blog yet, this school year coming to an end, my summer job gearing up, my commitment to to Teach For America coming to an end, lots of friends moving away and leaving my school, moving out of my apartment, packing for Chicago for the summer, moving stuff into JD's apartment... the list could go on.  "Emily, why are you whining about all these things," you may be asking yourself.  Well, I made a decision.  I know that I have fallen off the wagon this week.  I know that if I get on the scale on Tuesday I will beat myself about it.  So, instead, I am not going to get on the scale this week.  I am going to go to my meeting.  Be with the people that I love and figure out ways to get back on track.  I am choosing to not weigh in for the first time.  And I am ok with that.

The next Tuesday will be my last weigh-in before I leave for the summer.  And I need to spend time figuring out a plan for the summer.

So, that is where I am now.  For better or for worse.  I need to get back on track, work out more, do more than just run, and figure out how to make good choices in the dining hall this summer.

More musings later... :-)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Cabin Weekend Nerves

Off to the cabin for the weekend... Not many flex yet.... I'm nervous.

I CAN DO IT!

Send me good thoughts!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

It's Not About The Pounds

(sung to the tune of that song "It's not about the money...")

Ok, sometimes it's all about the pounds.  But this week, it wasn't all about the pounds.  It was about training for my goal and achieving great things!  And I did achieve those things!  And I worked super hard.  And... I didn't track as well.  And I went WAY over at the graduation party on Saturday.  So, I knew that I didn't do the best this week.  And it showed because I gained a pound.  But you know what?  I didn't blink an eye.  I said, "These things happen.  Let's celebrate the 5k!"  Because truly, these things do happy.

I re-posted a picture on facebook this week, that I have posted here before because I showed a friend and he said he didn't recognize me.  It really is SHOCKING to look at the comparison.
















I don't love my arm yet, but look at the difference!





So, this week.  It wasn't about the pounds.  This next week, we are back on track.  Which will be difficult because my dad is here so we are eating out twice, cabin this weekend  for a family/friend event (LOTS of food), vacation day on Monday, and less incentive to run now that the 5K is done.

My thoughts are that I will sign up for another 5K so that I can run it and keep the extra incentive.  I NEED to keep working out to keep my body healthy... but maybe I can add new ways too! 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

You'll know it's me today because I will be sporting my WW shirt, so I can continue talking to my students about achieving their goals!