Blame it on Bagger Vance

For many reasons, I am sure, today finds me very emotional. Partly because I just savored my last bowl of rice, stir fried veggies, and egg roll for the next 8 weeks. Partly because this house really needs attention. And partly because I stayed up past midnight last night watching a movie with Hubby. It was "The Legend of Bagger Vance." It was different. It was good. And it got me to thinking, and talking, and evaluating. My life.

Now, I'm not a golfer, nor do I have any intentions of picking up the game. But I found much about the movie that applies to my life. Some things are true for certain people, and some things are just plain true. After all, at some point in everyone's life, we come face to ugly face with adversity. It's hard and it hurts. But we can't hide from it for the rest of our lives or blame it on anyone or anything. Sometimes things happen for a reason and sometimes things just happen for no reason at all. But the real question is the same as always: What are you going to do?

Bagger Vance: "I don't need to understand... Ain't a soul on this entire earth ain't got a burden to carry he don't understand, you ain't alone in that... But you been carryin' this one long enough... Time to go on... lay it down..."

What did I do? I survived it. I got over it. I got on with life. At least on the outside it looked that way. But did I win? Not always. Sometimes I failed. Sometimes I ran from it. And sometimes I fought back with all I had to fight with. Now, let me tell you, this is the scariest thing I've ever done. I'm running to it.

Hardy Greaves: "There ain't nobody to beat up on but yourself."

I have been and still am my own worst enemy. I am harder on myself than anyone else has been on me. And it's time to make friends with that enemy. To remind myself that I am not alone in my fight. That there are people surrounding me who want me to win. Just like God created me to win.

Bagger Vance: "Yes you can... but you ain't alone... I"m right here with ya... I've been here all along... Now play the game... Your game... The one that only you was meant to play... Then one that was given to you when you come into this world... You ready?"

Yes, Bagger Vance, I'm ready.

Glory

The Ultimate Prize

Let’s put it this way: I am just 40 pounds away from my ultimate is-that-really-MY-body weight. To some it’s small potatoes (which I can’t eat for awhile, by the way), and to others it seems like an impossibility. For me, it’s just 10 pounds more than I’ve lost already. Granted, these are going to be tough old fat pounds to lose, because these are the stubborn ones. You know the ones I’m talking about, right girls?

These are the pounds that thrived on the pumpkin spice lattes every Fall, that convinced you that one more slice of caramel apple pie on Thanksgiving was expected, that assured you that Mom’s green bean casserole was healthy because it had veggies, that scolded you if you didn’t eat everything on your plate because that would be rude to your dinner host. Yes, and these are the pounds that chortled when you couldn’t zip up the fly on your favorite pair of jeans anymore, that glared at you in the department store change-room when you were looking for something nice to wear for Christmas, that seemed to plot against you when you made your New Year’s resolutions and drank meal replacement shakes and crunched your abs until it hurt to laugh at the funny little things your kids said, that bullied their way into every family picture and photograph so all you saw were those horrible unforgiving hateful pounds. Of course, by “you” I mean me. Yes. I. Did. That.

No. Not anymore. Not ever again. I will not deal with those pounds for the rest of my life. I won’t listen to them when they try to tell me my body wasn’t made to be lean. I don’t care if they burn and rage within my arms and belly and thighs. Let them holler and curse my efforts. If sweat is fat crying then I’m gonna make it bawl its eyes out. I’m going straight to the source of their power-grip on me and I am cutting it off completely. All those stupid pointless calories I used to crave and love and worship are O.U.T. How can I say all of this so resolutely? Well, I’ve made new friends with different body parts, called muscles. And let me tell you, they know their way around too. Oh and the better I feed them and the more I work them, the more they love me and literally beg me for more. I’m actually enjoying their company because they don’t lie to me and say things that make me just feel better. They actually make me better and let me take all the credit. They are my team and I know I can count on them to help me win. And the prize? You’re gonna totally love this: a lifetime of ultimate health and fitness. That alone is worth the fight!

It’s on!

Glory

"Have you been to the gym?" and other awkward questions...

So, this hasn't been the awesome-est week for working out. First of all, I have some good reasons and great excuses for being out of sync. Secondly, I'm plumb tuckered (it's fun to say this, by the way). And thirdly, I don't owe anyone an explanation. Actually, that third one isn't true at all. I'm just a tad snarky...sorry.

Keeping Hubby's back on ice and his veins flowing with vicodin hasn't been my favorite thrill ride, this week. Oh sure, I can talk about how we rocked the mountain hike a week ago when we rescued our little girl's hoodie from the wild elements, or even perhaps a shivering bear cub in serarch of warmth. Cute picture, huh? But helping him recover was a labor of love, no doubt of that, in sickness and in lost spinal alignment.

BUT those days are over! Not only is he getting better but I am learning that health and fitness waits for no one. We either show up or we stand down. Is that clear, soldier?

Count me in!

Glory