Before and after. A lady came up to me at church today (Lisa) and we talked about everything health and fitness. I love that! After leaving my conversation with her, I was beaming! I couldn't stop smiling! I don't usually walk around with a smile pasted onto my face, but, this morning I couldn't help it.
She told me, among other things, that I looked like a completely different person (now that I have lost a significant amount of weight)! I get that alot. My mom has said to me on different occaisens that she didn't even recognize me (at times)! Another lady at our church (Marilyn), said the same thing (that I look like a completely different person)!
I don't take it the wrong way. It is a compliment to the "new and improved" me. I take it as a compliment to the new way I look, and as an acknowledgement of the hard work that is required of oneself if they truly do want to lose weight! I take the comments as words of encouragent, to keep me on the healthy path of life and wellness. There is really no other way to take it (their words).
Often, I hear stories of people who lost 50, and 60 pounds of weight, only to put some or all of it back on again. I don't want to be one of those people! I have a very strong desire to maintain the success I've had, if you want to say it that way. I also have a very strong desire to help and encourage other people on their weight loss journey. I'm not sure what form that will take in the future, but, I do expect that that will very likely be another part of my future!
I would like to become a certified health and wellness coach. I am currently exploring ways of doing this. I love talking with people in general about my own weight loss story, of how I went from 200 pounds to 140 pounds. But, even more than sharing my story, I love talking about anything and everything related to health and fitness, whether it is making healthier food choices, or active lifestyle changes. I need to improve in my own self-care, but, I am also "on my way". I have become a licensed Zumba instructor, and I can't wait for my journey to start and continue here. The Zumba classes have been an integral and very important part of my life since I began losing weight in January of 2011. And, Zumba dance fitness will be a platform where good fruit can emerge. I believe, and am trusting in the One who has helped me along the way; He is/will give me a new platform (of Zumba dance) to help and encourage others along the way too, in their journeys of health and fitness!
Faith, hope and love remain...but, the greatest of these is love!
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13
