170.6 Things Really Do Get Easier

Things really do get easier...if you keep at it. I'm one of those people who, especially before the weight loss, would respond either to myself or out loud with "Yeah, right!", to such a pronouncement. But I really have learned over this amazing weight loss journey that it is true. And, now I'd like to return to various times in my life when I simply gave up when things didn't come to me easily. I think of my aborted cello and clarinet lessons. No, I wouldn't have competed with YoYo Ma in my wildest dreams, but I still love the sound of the cello and wish that I could play it.

So what sparked this post today? I was out walking with one of friends and we walked very briskly for an hour. I was thinking about the first time we decided to do this walk and I was really hesitant that I could physically do it. I remember that day very clearly and it wasn't easy, but I did it. Today it was easy and enjoyable and oh, so good for me.

170.4 Being Chased!

Yes, the weight is staying down and life is good. Today I went over to our community center pool to do my workout. There were a few people there so I couldn't sing out like I like to, but it was fine. I wear a swim jacket which keeps me warm enough and I really do look forward to it. This is being written by someone who hated to exercise three years ago!

Anyway, when I first get in the water I jog in place for about 10 minutes to fast songs on my little gismo I attach to my sunglasses. Today while I was jogging to the theme from Mamma Mia and then Voulez-vous, I started thinking about why I do this and why it seems so effortless. And then I got it. I am running as if I am being chased by new symptoms of arthritis in my back, and old age! And I am! And, I intend to keep running in the water so that I win! If I stop moving I know the arthritis will get me, and then old age won't be far behind. Since there was a time when just getting into the pool caused a lot of pain, this is heaven to me.

no scale Graceland, Tennessee

Graceland, Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee! I keep hearing that in my mind! I need a little grace right now and I am in Memphis, TN as I write. I don't have a scale, and I am in the throes of wondering how much damage I have done. Grace will allow me to take in stride wherever I am on the scale and allow me to continue this amazing adventure.

Being with my son's family has been such a gift. The boys are silly, active, brilliant and so sweet depending on the moment! I will never forget the 3 year old (Julien) thanking my sister and her husband for so seriously for the gifts they gave him. He wanted to get it just right and repeated his "thank you Uncle Phil and Aunt Prill" until he did. So adorable and heart felt and not that easy to say!

Last night I got another gift. My son said he was so happy to see me moving so easily and that I was just so much younger! When I started this program with my clinical hypnotherapist Jennifer Scott about a year and a half ago and about 50 pounds heavier she would tell me that I was getting stronger, more agile and younger. I wanted to believe her and I did a lot of work to make it happen, but to have Ted say that he was observing the results really meant so much.

Home tomorrow! I am so sad to be leaving these boys and so grateful that I had this time with them. I wish I could add some pictures of them to this post but I didn't bring the thingy to download pictures from my camera.