Mom of 4 Down 51 Pounds: Read Her Journey

Hello everyone,

I just finished week 19 of the Enlighten program, and things continue to go well! I am definitely in the swing of things, and working out and eating right is more of a habit than something I have to constantly remind myself to do. When I first got started, I really felt myself having to consciously make decisions about food choices all day long. Now I still have to make decisions, but they are easier, and more second nature.

As I was swimming at the fitness center the other day (which by the way is a great place to think), I realized that there have been quite a few things happen in my life recently that are either rare occurrences, or things that I would never see happen in my lifetime! I'll share some of these with you.

1. I hurt my knee. The funny part about this is that my knee injury is from working out! Maybe I pushed a little too hard, and now I am resting it up and babying it in my workouts. I never thought I would see the day where I had a workout injury. Talk about a change...I feel like an athlete!

2. Someone didn't recognize me the other day, and I was sitting at my desk in my office! They asked the secretary where I was, and she said, "Right there!" That was a great feeling, and gave me a sense of validation because this person wasn't trying to compliment me, but they paid me one of the best compliments I have received in a long while.

3. People at the Enlighten program are asking me "How are you doing it? What is your secret?" I must be in an alternate universe when people are asking ME for weight loss tips!! Wow, what a change from 5 months ago.

These are just a few things that have been happening, but I could go on and on. I really am changing my lifestyle, and changing my LIFE for the better. People have told me that I am inspiring them, because I am crazy busy and managing to make this work. That really is a terrific thing. When you are a Mom of 4 and work full time, you don't need to find excuses, you REALLY ARE busy. It isn't easy, and I'm glad that some other busy Moms are taking the plunge to get healthier, since it is the best thing for our kids.

Finally, I wanted to let you all know a couple of things my kids said in the Mother's Day letters they wrote to me this year. You know the ones, where they ask the kids questions about their Moms and they answer them? One of the twins was asked, "What is your Mom's favorite restaurant?" She answered "Subway". The other one was asked, "What does your Mom like to do for fun?" She answered "jogging." First of all, I am not a jogger, so I found that funny! But mostly, those answers really teared me up, because they show me that I am making a difference and impression upon them, and they are watching me. It gives me even more resolve to not let them down, and lose all my excess weight. I am down 51 pounds...lookout world, here I come!!