I hope that you all are enjoying your summer and are able to travel to a happy place this summer. I know for myself I am looking forward to spending some time with my mom in RI which is where I’m originally from. However anytime I go back to visit it amazes me how much has changed and how much does stay the same. 

It’s a fine balance between keeping things as they are or changing them as you go. It does make me think of my own big changes over the last 7 months.

In January of 2021 I surprised myself. I stepped on to the dreaded square electric box on the floor that tells me a number. I exhaled and couldn’t believe that I was at my heaviest weight ever! Thank you COVID19lbs for allowing me to grow in a way I didn’t expect. Similar to those freshman 15 in college covid had done a bit more. 

Something clicked; I knew I needed to make a change. So I decided to walk and that was the beginning of making time to intentionally do purposeful movement. I agreed with myself to walk 20 minutes a day. I could take my kids with me, or one of my dogs, or we walk as a family. Some days it was cold, and some days it even snowed. However I told myself I needed to start moving regardless of the weather. It wasn’t long before I recognized I needed more. 

With the wonders of technology it’s amazing how much advertising can pop up when you least expect it. I discovered Noom.com. I will not sell or bore you on it but it has aided me in my journey to losing weight. If you are interested you can learn more by finding it online. However for me it was what I needed to keep me on track. I learned to better my balance with food, and understand when I wanted to eat versus when I needed it. I know for myself that I do not do well when someone tells me I can’t have something. It truly makes me want it more. I have learned that I can eat whatever I would like and have the self-control to have just enough or satisfy the craving that I had. 

Weight loss is a journey and often you can compare to others. We do that naturally. It has been a shift in mindset to recognize that everyone is on their own journey and there is no one way to get there, and you don’t know when someone is starting their journey, mid-journey, or have found their happy place. I am still on my journey and there are multiple factors that have allowed me to succeed and support me. This often comes without judgment and recognizing that it is a lifestyle change and not just another diet. Weight loss is hard and it’s personal but it’s easier with support. No matter where you are in your journey, remember that you can do it. YOU can do it!

Since January I’ve lost 40 pounds and I am very proud of myself for having seen that I can do it. Often I would just shy away or not acknowledge it when someone gives me a compliment on this journey. Now I embrace the kudos because you need to accept that you are changing and it feels good to give yourself the Pat on the back. I was able to complete my virtual 5K with the Shamrock shuffle and although not super fast, I was able to do it. Running is something that I’ve missed and I am excited to get back to it, and my kids love to run! So it will not only be about my journey, but it will be a journey together as a family.