The Giving and Taking of Inspiration

One of the hardest things for me to hang onto on this journey is motivation.  I start out hardcore, to the nines, balls to the walls, and then - kind of like this post... I see something.. shiny - over THERE!

Then I come back a few months later, ready to try again.

This time, I'm trying to reign in my OSS (Ooh Shiny Syndrome), and stay on track (another reason why I started Weight Watchers).  I'm proud, super proud of my progress so far.  I've even refrained from the hardcore, balls to the walls mentality.  In so doing, I haven't struggled to be perfect, to work out every day I said I would, and to let myself go with my brother to Cracker Barrel and stuff my face with pancakes covered in blackberries and whipped cream.  I also haven't burnt out.

I'm currently on week three of my Weight Watchers plan, and I've tracked everything I've eaten, EVERY day.  That was a hard thing for me to keep up with last time I was on the plan, so yeah, I'm proud of that.  Even when I'm tempted to say screw it - I have no clue how many points was in what I ate at the restaurant, I still put it in there the best way I know how.  Even though the scale and the measuring tape said I didn't lose a darn thing last week, I'm okay with that.  I know that is going to happen from time to time.  The reason I'm okay with that is because although, yes I really want to be skinnier, I REALLY want to be healthier.  I want to be able to go hiking with Dearest and not feel like my heart is going to explode, or be ill at him because I can't keep up.

After my brother and I gorged on pancakes and eggs and the like, we went to Wal-Mart.  He bought a set of resistance bands to go with his P-90 workout.  I bought a jump rope.

I'm also very proud of my brother.  Weight struggles have always been a family affair.  He's currently at his lowest adult weight!  He told me he was in the shower the other day and realized he had lower abs.  "I've never had lower abs!  Or upper abs for that matter." he proclaimed.  He's around 5'7" and only nine pounds away from *my* goal!

I'll tell you proudly, that right now - even with the pancakes and other randoms - I'm eating healthier than I ever have.  I'm eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and opening doors to foods I before would have never considered.  Thanks to guys like *Bitch Cakes*, JewliaGoulia, and Ex Hot Girl, this month alone I've tried and loved so many new things.  I've learned that although I don't like the texture of shredded coconut, I really enjoy fresh coconut (not to mention how cool it is it whack it open before you eat it).  I really enjoy hummus, something that always sounded so strange and icky to me and I eat it now on so many different things.  I also tried lentils, which were delicious too!

This week's shining moment for me though, was a comment made by a co-worker.  She came out of her office to ask me how much weight I've lost, and to tell me that I had inspired her!  She said that although she didn't join weight watchers, she is starting to make small changes in her daily routine and her eating. She told me that she normally will drink up to eight cans of Dr. Pepper a day.  Even reducing those and replacing them with water will make a huge difference for her.  What can I say, I was touched, and proud.  I'm happy that not only am I doing things to better myself, but that I must be doing something right to inspire both of my co-workers!

I'm happy that while I'm here, getting inspiration from blog land, I can pass that inspiration on to others around me.

Now, without further ado I believe it's exercise time.