Mistakes made, lessons learned

As a young girl, out of curiosity I placed my hand on the red burner. Ouch! I quickly learned, a red burner means it's hot. I never done that again.

As an adult, I was driving down the highway in a new area of town I accidentally took the wrong exit. Oops! I never took that exit again.

Trivial mistakes like those are a part of life. So, are not so trivial mistakes, like my latest. As you know, healthy living is a relatively new concept for me. I've been obese the better part of my life (see previous post) so I know all to well how to be inactive and eat unhealthy.

Anyhow, I had been working out and eating healthy for about three years -- the best run of my life -- when all the sudden my professional life became hectic and I started slipping off of my program. I'm an all or nothing kinda gal so when I wasn't able to workout I also began making poor food choices. Before I knew it, it had been six months before I seen the inside of a gym and I had an expanded waist line to prove it.

I beat myself up about it. Hung my head some, but such is life (see previous post). I have to learn from it and move on. What I learned: I can't afford to not workout. I can't allow myself to eat what I want when I want. I have to set a routine and stick to it even when life becomes hectic.  This is no fad. There are no quick fixes. I'm in it for the long haul. This is a lifestyle.

I'll never touch a red burner again, I'll never take that exit of the highway again, and I'll never travel off my path of healthy lifestyle quite the same again. Mistakes made, lessons learned.

"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."

Be the change

When I began this amazing journey of self-discovery and weight loss in 2009. I simply was trying to find myself. I did not like who I had become and so I set off on a quest to become a better person inside and out. I spent a lot of time reflecting, walking, sitting still with myself, and sharing my daily trials and triumphs with you. At the time, I was sharing because it was helpful for me. Little did I know, my words and actions would inspire, encourage, and help others.

Fast forward: Friday, March 8, 2013. Not only have I found myself, I've recreated myself. Today, it's so clear to me that this journey hasn't only been about me, but instead how I could help others -- blogging, motivational talks, cooking classes, and authoring cookbooks. Today, though I'm still working on myself, I've also become a health ambassador to you all. I inspire, encourage, and help you to eat better, live better, be better.

As I reflect, I think of this famous Gandhi quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” All of us have special talents and gifts. When you tap into them, when you share your gifts, no matter how big or small...I tell you, it is the greatest reward and feeling. I'm reminded of that every single day through emails, FB posts, or when I meet you at a class, presentation, or for coffee.

Yesterday, I met with a fella, Joe for coffee. It was a business meeting, I had never met him before. Him and I chatted about my needs, my ideas. If you've ever heard me talk, I'm pretty passionate about my ideas. Anyway, we talked for over two hours and as the meeting came to a close, Joe said to me:  "I like talking to you, you make me feel good." Ahh... Life is so much more fulfilling when you share with others, give to others.

Throughout this self-discovery and weight loss journey, I've discovered what I'm passionate about, what makes me "feel good" actually helps others. So, today, I share, share, share in any and every way I can.  I want all of us to be healthier, happier, and live better. This is not just my journey, it's yours.

Joe - feeling good -- Outside of the Box!

Friendly Boost

Me and Kat circa 2008 -  I haven't seen her in forever!

You hear the toned down version of my ranting. My girlfriends on the other hand - whew! When I talk to them, I hold nothing back. They get the full spiel. They've seen me through the roughest times. Watching me self-destruct at 388 pounds surely wasn't easy. Especially, for my dear friend, Katina.  She's always been a lover of food like me, but she also has always been very active and into health and fitness. Over the years, she always pleaded with me to exercise and eat better, but I wasn't having it. Now that I've found my way she's one of my proudest supporters - the cookbook is dedicated to her.

The other day, I called Katina to chat. She's been super busy lately. Working on - get this - designing a restaurant in the Atlanta airport. She's an Interior Designer and a darn good one. Anyhoo, I told her that I was less than enthused about my stale workout routine. And, since my workouts have been non-existent my mid-section shows it. Come to find out like me she's been struggling with her workout regimen and is feeling it in her waistline too.   Although, I wish she weren't struggling. I'll admit, I was relieved to find out that I'm not alone. She's been living a healthy, fit lifestyle for as long as I can remember and she still runs into bumpy patches.

After conversing for a while we came up with a game plan for getting ourselves back on track. We decided to check in periodically over the next few days, weeks to make sure we are staying on track and keep each other encouraged, motivated.  Like good friends should, we are giving each other a friendly boost.

Lesson learned: Sometimes you can't do it alone. Sometimes you have to talk about it, seek support from others. Nothing wrong with that. The pursuit of health and fitness is just like any other component of our lives. We have to keep working on it, at it.

What's IN

I had the pleasure of hanging out and shopping with my daughter the other day. As we were headed to the car in the parking lot of the mall a guy passed by riding a bike and smoking a cigarette. We both looked at each other bewildered. I said, "Smoking is so played out." She asked, "What's in?" Me, "Healthy." Like I've said before, I draw blog post inspiration from everywhere.

In my opinion, here's What's IN:

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IN: Weight lifting, Yoga, Pilates, Fresh juicing at home, Fresh fruits and veggies, Meatless Monday's, Sustainability, Health, Happiness, Wellness and this blog!