Motivational Monday...Friend(ly) Inspiration

My husband and I have good friends who live in Park City, Utah. The gentleman grew up here in Cleveland and has been very good friends with my husband ever since they went through their school years together. He moved to Utah for his career, and met his wife out there. We've been there to visit, and I hope we can go back very soon to see them. Right now we keep in touch by phone and Facebook, and see them when they come to town to visit his family.

One thing that is so inspirational about them is their commitment to staying fit. They are always running, working out, and serving healthy, nutritious food. I will never forget hiking through the area when we stayed with them out there. We went the easy way, since my family and I are not as conditioned as they are, but I was still huffing and puffing along the way. I will say that I am proud that I never gave up...I was 217 pounds at the time and determined not to lag behind. I kept up fairly well, but it was my wake-up call to just how out of shape I was. (Maybe I do have my very own Bob and Jillian...and they live in Utah!)

This wonderful couple runs half-marathons, which in the Utah terrain is quite an accomplishment. Our friend skied quite a bit when he lived here, but he is in his glory in Park City, with a longer ski season and amazing runs. He was even on Ski Patrol for a while. Their kids are all very active and eat a very limited amount of junk food. In fact, they actually prefer to have an apple or some veggies for a snack, rather than sugary or greasy foods.

I am using this story of my Utah friends to motivate you for this week. They motivate me all the time. I have a picture from our trip to Park City on my fireplace mantle...It's me standing with my son and one of their sons, at the top of a lookout area when we were hiking. It not only reminds me of how heavy I was then and how far I've come...but also that when I set my mind to something (like keeping up on a hike) I can do it!!!

Now for my weigh-in: I only lost .4 pounds this week, taking me down to 189.4. I admit that I celebrated Mardi Gras a little too much, living up to the Fat Tuesday name. It actually did make me feel sick after eating too much that day, so now I don't even want to go near those foods! I'm still over 27 pounds lighter than last year on that day...and I KNOW I will not be fat next year on Fat Tuesday. So in a way, I'm realizing just how much more I enjoy healthy foods now...like my friends and their kids. Sometimes a binge day like that teaches you quite a bit. Next year, I will celebrate Thin Tuesday!