"I have worried about you for years, Tara. You have always been so confident and comfortable with yourself that I didn't think you would ever decide to lose weight."
My friend, Marjy, is lean and frenetic. We've always joked about being physical opposites.
I smiled. "It never bothered me enough to do anything about it." I didn't need to explain more than that. Marjy knows that I am lazy and that I detest hard work.
"I know. That's why I worried. I am so relieved that you are changing your body and your habits. You are going to have a better, healthier, longer life than you ever thought possible."
Marjy is a teacher and colleague who will soon be a Registered Nurse. She's nearing the end of her clinical rotations, and she has seen, first hand, obese people like me with all sorts of weight-related illnesses.
She's my friend, so she never pushed or lectured. But clearly, my weight was on her mind. It tormented her.
What I never realized was that starting was the hardest part of the process. Now that I've been exercising regularly for a few weeks, I have momentum.
Changes are happening without much effort from me, changes I didn't think were possible.
Last week, Grace wanted to play with Aunt Amanda, so we dug the driveway out. We'd had a lot of snow over night and in the morning, and the road hadn't been plowed. As soon as the car hit the unplowed street, it stopped moving.
Joe pushed the car off the street, and I put it back in the garage.
Instead of giving up and going inside, I pulled my hood up over my head and asked Grace if she wanted to walk to Aunt Amanda's house. She did.
Joe protested. "There's 10 inches of snow on the road!"
"Yeah," I replied. "We'll be fine."
"Grace is not going to want to walk the whole way to your mother's house."
"Then I'll carry her."
"Dear, I really don't think you should walk over there," he stressed. Joe doesn't disagree with me often, but when he does, I usually take his advice.
Except not this time.
"I hear you. You don't have to go. You are welcome to stay here. We'll be back before too long," I replied as I grabbed Grace's hand and started down our driveway.
There was a time in my life - as recently as two months ago - when I would have happily gone back inside to sit on the couch.
Now, it's different. I exercise vigorously most days, and a ⅓-mile walk seemed like small potatoes.
Even if it was ⅓-mile up a seriously steep hill.
Even if there were 10 inches of snow on the ground.
Even if it was cold and still snowing.
Even if I don't have a coat or a pair of snow boots that fit.
We made it to the end of our street before Grace started whining. Around the corner, two dogs romped in the snow; that was the end of her walk.
Safely on my shoulders, Grace began to laugh and clap.
This is so fun, Momma! This is a fun piggyback ride!
I had to stop every five or six steps to catch my breath and let my heart rate slow down a little. It was harder than my most strenuous workout.
Ever.
"Are you okay, honey?" Joe asked. "I can carry Grace. Let me have her."
"I got her," I declared, in between gasps.
The next time we paused, he tried again.
"Really, I've got her," I maintained. "I'm - totally - writing - a - blog post - in - my - head."
I looked at him out of the corner of my eye and grinned.
Joe laughed. "So I was right! Are you going to admit to this being a dumb idea? Is your post going to say, 'What was I thinking?!? Why didn't I listen to my husband?'"
"Nope. It's going to say, 'How many calories do you think I burned walking ⅓ of a mile, uphill, in 10 inches of snow, carrying 40 pounds?'"
He was quiet the rest of the walk.
When we finally arrived at my parent's house, I was sweaty and tired and elated.
It's powerful momentum that pushed me up that hill, and it is going to keep pushing until I lose this weight.
Bookieboo says
Wow! I'm just speechless. You made my heart smile so! XXOO I heart you...my hero this week!
Karla B says
Wow what am awesome story! I am so proud of you for not giving in. I probably would have gone back in and hit the couch without a second thought! Way to go. Keep going.
beeacutie2 says
This is by far the best story I have read! You tell Joe that youare my hero!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for share that! you never gave up and that makes you a hero always and forever in my book! @beeautie2
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Thanks, Annie! You're awesome!
Look at your percentage. You really can't compare pound for pound to me because I weigh so much more than you to start.
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Thank you. Those are wonderful compliments, especially coming from a fellow blogger. 🙂
katie_sailorsprincesss says
how amazing. You go girl with continuing on. I'm sure I would have given up with the week that I had, but you are truly motivating. Have a great week.
Anonymous says
I'm really proud of you and I'm working right there with you! I've only lost 5 lbs in the 1.5 months of working out, but I feel much better about myself.
Heather says
Tara, you are awesome!! And I am SO proud of you! The biggest reward of this whole journey is the difference that it makes in our daughters' lives. You made a difference by helping her have fun, even if that fun meant that you huffed, puffed, and got sweaty. Keep on keepin' on, girlfriend!
Melissa :) says
Amazing post. I commend you! I can so relate to this post - I need to lose over 50+ lbs. myself. And to top it off, I smoke. I need to wake up & smell the coffee.
I love your blog & can't wait to dig in deeper. I've added your button on my blog. I'm just now "expanding" my blog - we'll see where we can go!
So nice to meet you. Ü
Janice - Fitness Cheerleader says
Awesome, awesome job! What a fantastic examle you are to Grace! I am so proud and I've got tears in my eyes - you're doing amazing and are well on your road to making permanent life-style changes! Way to go!
mommymomo says
wow!!! I loved this post!!!! Keep it up girl! We're here for you 🙂
Mrs. Money says
You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work. 🙂
Amanda says
What would have made this post even better was if I would have thought to snap a picture of the 3 snowpeople who showed up at my door holding my newspaper while Dad said you were crazy and Joe saying I tried to tell her that. 🙂 Dad laughed for 2 days about that!
SuburbHouseWife says
Love your post! So positive you are in everything you have accomplished. Congrats to you on your walk!
HeathersHodgepodge says
WAY TO GO!!!!
brittneywalker says
This is awesome! This is exactly why I am on this mission. I want to be a fun mom! You are already there... good for you!
Iva @ Horizontal YoYo says
I love this! I understand how good it feels to push your body that extra step and surviving! Aren't our bodies wonderful things?
thebusybabymama says
You're doing great! Keep it up!!! I love you positive attiude!
kia says
Cool post! I am glad you are having fun with your fitness and get to be a mule for your little one LOL.
Trayce @trulytrayce says
I sooo loved this post!!! Look at YOU! Look at that determination and YES momentum!! What an inspiration!! Keep up the fabulous work!! XO
kimcogley says
Ok, I'm a little teary because I liked this so much! That is so awesome! You are doing an amazing job! Keep it up!!
Melissa Church says
What a great post! I definitely need a bit more of your can-do attitude and less of my whining!
tinav says
awwww...what an inspirational post/story.
cuz i would have gone back in the house and sat my butt on the couch.
keep it up , doing awesome
xoxoxo
daenel says
Ha! I'm so proud of you. I love this! Mega hugs to you.
savingmoneywisely says
Yay for you!! Your post just made me smile 🙂 Good job on the progress and keep up that momentum!
lastminutemandy says
I. LOVE. THIS. POST.
seriously.
love it.
Go Mamavation!!! GO YOU!
That is all. 😀
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Oh, don't let this post fool you. I do plenty of whining, too. 🙂
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Thank you, Mandy! 🙂
danatompkins says
Great job!!! I totally can relate to when you have something in your mind that you know you can do and someone wants to help you. But you know you have to do it yourself! I hope you have a great week and keep up the momentum!!
Rachel Ostrander says
I'm crying! That was amazing. You burned a lot of calories, but more than that you proved to yourself that YOU COULD DO IT. We can work hard. Our bodies can take more than our minds - and you overcame your mind that day! Congratulations, really. That is POWERFUL momentum!