Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Things I Could Achieve with Pure Dedication

I should let you know before I get started with my "weight loss" stuff that my interview yesterday afternoon went really well.  The principal and team of teachers I interviewed with were super nice. 

Last Friday, I got a piece of advice from a superintendent in Texas that I just happened to meet out with a couple of my friends.  She told me to remember that as they were interviewing me, I needed to be interviewing them...I did NOT want to work for people that I felt "weird" about.

Well, walking out of my interview, I felt... happy.  They were friendly, they were interactive...we laughed, we joked.  Most of you know that I like to make people laugh - not really appropriate for an interview...but they seemed to be OK with it.  It was just nice not feeling like I was in an interrogation room - and I didn't.  I won't find out anything until next week, at least, but I'm keeping all things crossed - because I would LOVE to work there.

OK...next order of business. 

I'm in a weird mood today.  Not a good one.  Not a bad one.  Just weird.

The first thing I did when I sat down here with my coffee, was read a blog post from my friend Bee Fit.  Colleen is amazing, awesome...truly inspiring.  She's going to run a marathon in November - and I couldn't be more jealous happy for her.

Colleen and I have been going through our journeys for about the same amount of time.  She started her journey weighing 253lbs.  Since our time together, she's lost over 100lbs.  She's ran 5Ks, 10Ks, and 1/2 marathons.  She's now on her way to a full marathon...after just 15 months!!!

I am so happy for her...and then I look at my progress.  In 15 months, I've lost 88lbs.  Not too shabby.  I've ran several 5Ks...that's it.  That's where the buck has stopped for me.  My best time at completing a 5K was 44:57 minutes.

Before you say "yeah, but you've been going to college and working and raising kids"... go visit Colleen's blog...so has she.  She's done all of that and still managed to accomplish the amazing things she's done.

Now, I'm not writing this because I'm jealous of Colleen... I am... but that's not why I'm writing this.  I'm writing this because reading her blog this morning showed me what I could have achieved if I had put in the commitment and level of dedication Colleen has. 

Colleen is a rock.  She works out A LOT.  Her eating habits are fantastic.  She's involved with all kinds of Twitter chats and support groups.  She is now a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.  She's a true hero in the weight loss community...she's definitely my hero.

I made a tough decision, yesterday....one that I will stick to - because I need to.

Tomorrow will be my last day subbing for the school year.  There are reasons that are out of my hands that caused me to not work for the rest of the school year... but then I decided to commit to making my time off mean something. 

Starting Saturday morning - I'm going to host a little experiment known as "Time to Bee Fit".  I'm going to commit to working out every day...doing some kind of exercise.  If I'm not running, I will be doing Zumba.  If not Zumba, I'll be doing Pilate's.  If not that..then out come the weights. 

The past three weeks, I've lost 6.2lbs.  I'm not sure how.  I've done very little exercise.  My experiment is going to test putting the level of dedication Colleen has put into her regimen...and seeing what kind of results I get with that level of dedication.  It's got to be good, right?

So, I leave saying this to my friend Colleen - and all the other amazing, inspiring bloggers out there that have left me sitting here thinking "I could have that if I just commit".... it's time to commit 100%.  No more half-assing.  It's all or nothing.  Pedal to the metal.  Full throttle, here I come.  You have inspired me for months...and now, I take all the inspiration you have given me and I'm going to start doing something with it.  Thank you!!

Till next time.  ;)
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5 comments:

  1. I have to say that 88 pounds is awesome and I'm sure there are tons of people that are jealous of you :) I don't have that much of a hard time with exercising, but it's the eating part that really gets me. I found an exercise that I love and don't mind doing every day but you put some of my favorite foods in front of me and there goes all my effort I put into working out. Good luck and you have come this far and you can do it!

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  2. First of all I must say that you have done an amazing job 88 pounds is a great accomplishment! I am so so so proud of you!!!!! And now you are running 5Ks girl you are simply amazing!

    Thank you for this beautiful post honestly it had me in tears this morning. I blog for everyone to keep getting motivated and also to keep me motivated. You keep me going and I really appreciate it.

    Everyone has such an awesome story especially you! I know how hard you work everyday and I commend you!!!

    I am so lucky that you are my friend!!!!

    Love you!!!!!

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  3. Pedal to the metal. Full throttle. Sounds good to me. And I'm going to follow Colleen now too!

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  4. Wow blogger is RIDIC!!! I left you a comment and it ate it :(

    This made me cry this morning!!! You are such an awesome friend thank you and your words are so kind!

    I love you and you have come so very far on your journey please please do not ever think anything else!!!! I am so so proud of you and I love that you have even done a 5K now and planning another!
    Thank you for being here for me, we started at the same time we are healthy journey sisters ;) sometimes when I am having a hard time I know I can come to your blog and look for some motivation.

    Keep working hard at being Joanna and I know you will succeed in everything you set your mind to ;)

    xoxo

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  5. 88lbs is INCREDIBLE!!! God made us all different and the YOU that YOU are is just perfect. We are all behind you 100% with the next step to your journey and of course looking forward to the results that it brings!! Don't ever doubt yourself though.. you are an amazing woman and inspiration to those trying to lose weight as well!!!

    -Krystle
    skinny-jeans-dreams.blogspot.com

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