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09-12-10... When I see that before picture I just cringe. I don't want to look like that. I don't want to be out of breath when I walk up stairs or up and down the hill to the lake below our house. I want to be more flexible and have more stamina. How do I get that? I must get up in the morning before anyone else and continue with my workout. I must walk more. I must consciously work at keeping fit. The journey continues...

07-29-10... it is time. Time to begin again. How many times have we heard that? Over and over, it seems. Well, I have to do this. I have to do this for me. For my family.

2010 has been a year of emotional highs and lows. Some might say it has not been very kind to our family, but in many ways we have truely been blessed.

The year began with my mother's illness and several times in and out of the hospital. During this emotional time, I was given the opportunity to apply for a full-time job (with benefits). I was scared--I hadn't really applied for a job in 30 years--I didn't know if I could do it. I dusted off my resume, updated it, and went to that interview. Then I waited. Did I get the job? I didn't know.

After I thought it wasn't going to happen, I got THE CALL. I had the job! Not only did I get the job, I also discovered that I was able to retire from a job I truely loved. I had a chance to begin again. But would I take it? I would have to leave everything that I had known for over 29 years--friends, co-workers, the corner office, windows, a part-time position, a familiar job and known skill-set.

I talked it over with my family and my mom. She wished me well in my new job a couple of weeks before she died (on my birthday). Then came the funeral, the new job, and a formal "retirement" from my old job. It happened so fast. It was almost like two deaths: mom's and my old job. There was joy and sadness all around.

When trying to explain the situation and my emotional state to my son, he helped me put it all in perspective: you'll make new friends, you'll learn new skills, you will be ok. He was so right. I would be ok, but not quite yet.

The same day of the funeral, my dear in-laws returned from wintering in Texas only to be faced with hospitalizations and major care decisions. Within a couple of weeks of returning, we had them moved to Independent living. Things began to turn around and I finally felt like I could breathe.

Another family member died unexpectedly, then within a week, Dad took a turn for the worse and passed away. Another funeral. This time on our anniversary. There were times when we questioned whether we would get through this or not. When would it stop?

Well, we are going to get through this. We will. We still have to finalize some details and we still have to sort through things and sell their house, but we'll do it.

We have many blessings. My mother-in-law is doing well and is settled in, my new job is going well, and I I'm adjusting to working full-time. The pace is still busy, but it is a different kind of busy. A good busy.

Why did I go into such detail? Well, life has changed, I have changed. Mentally, I've done pretty well, but the stress has settled in my waist. I really don't eat any differently, I just stopped working out. I also figured out that I don't walk as much as I did--my car's parked right outside my office door, not a block away. What a difference it has made.

So, this new life adventure is about to begin another chapter... time to exercise again. I admit, I hate it, but I hope that will change in time.

I miss how I felt before--alive, full of energy, and able to do "anything". I find it more difficult to do things now--I'm out of breath more easily and singing is harder than it used to be. Walking up stairs and inclines aren't as easy as before, either.

I will NOT go on this way anymore. It is time to start again. Why not start this journey with me? Yes, it IS time.

Thanks for reading...now, let's get going!
--Barb



06-13-09....another story...After joining Team BeachBody I began to feel much better. I did begin to see a transformation. I continued with my workouts, but not with the same enthusiasm that I did in the beginning. Work, life and other demands began to creep in and take over. I didn't give up, but I didn't take off like I wanted. Well, that's going to change! Now, after returning from a fabulous 2-week vacation to France, I came back with 2 pounds and a renewed desire to start again. I am ready to begin again!

Original Story: I consider myself a work in progress.... I decided it was time to take charge
of my health and fitness. I have a lot of work to do, but I am determined to
do it!
About a year ago at a doctor's visit I was discussing my gradual weight gain
over the years and the fact that my knees "crackle" all the time. He sat down
beside me and took out his little "weight wheel chart" and gently told me that
for my height (5'1") and weight (160#) I was OBESE. I wanted to cry.
I don't consider myself obese--a little "round" perhaps, but not obese. I
was always small-around 105#-110#. Even during 2 pregnancies I never
weighed more than 149#. How did this weight gain happen? I was active and
busy and ate what I wanted. I never had a problem before. Lack of sleep,
poor diet, and no exercise was catching up with me.
Now, faced with the "O" word, I knew it was time to change. Diabetes and
strokes run in my family. Not for me. I don't want to go there. I knew I had
to change. I didn't want to use any weight-loss drug or pill and I wasn't
interested in exercise. I don't like to sweat. HOW and WHAT I ate was
something I could change. I joined Weight Watchers with friends and
GRADUALLY dropped 10#, which has helped tremendously. I've kept off that
weight, but I was at a stand-still. I wasn't losing much anymore. Perhaps the
fact that I WASN'T EXERCISING was a big part of it.
Enter my friend and coach, Lori Burns. She found Team Beachbody about a
year ago and began her transformation. As I watched her tone and shape up
her 5' body I saw what I could become. Something within me began to
change. Not all at once, but more like a gradual gnawing at my thoughts--if
Lori can do this and get those amazing results, then so can I. Through her
persistent and gentle coaching, she finally convinced me that I could begin to
change.
I went to a meeting with Lori and others who have had tremendous success.
I saw that it IS possible. I am not a lost cause. I can change. I will change. I
want to change. I am changing.
Thank you, Lori, for believing in me and encouraging me. We can change
and we can be better. I look forward to seeing all those little "x's" on my
WOWY calendar. I also look forward to seeing my transformation. I know I
can do it. I will do it!