I have always been an outgoing person, not afraid to jump in, make new friends, lead projects at work, volunteer and help make a difference where I can. However, losing my weight has propelled me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself. I feel good about myself, more energy and more passion for life. I am not a risk taker, so I often stay in a safety zone. Losing weight and the confidence it has given me, is pushing me to experience new adventures, LIVE life and not live scared! It has taught me that failure is okay, you learn from your failures and become a better person. Learning each day that there are failures in life, but as you push through, you learn from them and make yourself stronger.
This month, our family took our first family ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado and I was scared to even try to ski and secretly just wanted to back out and let my family go ahead without me. My heart was racing, I was nervous and wondered what in the world did I sign up for? I remembered that this was the feeling I had when I started my journey with Profile too, I was nervous and did not want to share with anyone that I was on this new health improvement journey. Yes, I was worried about a lot of things AND not about what was going to make Julie happy and that this was my journey. This ski trip represented so many things that I had experienced the last 2 years…stepping outside my box!
Here I am at 51 ½ years old, putting on skis for the first time in my life. Oh now, I think in PE class in high school we had a “learning to ski” day and I remember back then that I said to myself that I was NEVER going to go skiing. Fast forward 30 years later (or something like that 😊) and I’m putting on skis in front of a group of people I don’t know. My husband was my biggest supporter, and he went to the beginner ski school with me even though he had skied many times in his life. Of course, then what happens? I don’t even get both skis on and I fall, I FALL! I didn’t let this stop or derail me from this experience (even though I really wanted to just stop) I got up, bowed to my “classmates”, they encouraged me, and I put that other ski on!! The remainder of the 3-hour ski school surprises me and my co-beginner skiers, as well as my husband and I do not fall again. I learned to ski; I loved it and think, what have I been waiting for? Yes, I was still scared to fall, yes, I was not going down the blues or greens (heaven forbid the blacks) but I was having fun and I learned to ski!
What I learned about myself that day was far beyond learning to ski, I learned that through my confidence that I built from losing weight, that I can do anything! I can push myself to do whatever I want to do and at whatever age! I was so proud of myself that I was in tears. My weight loss journey was the same, I am not perfect, and I can allow myself to fall and get back up and keep striving. My weight loss and fitness journey allowed me to be STRONG, my legs were strong, I was not out of breath and my mind was STRONG. I am proud of this new body and strength and proud of the confidence it has propelled me to build.
It is all about your foundation of having a mindset that you can do it, you set your mind to accomplish what you want. We are sometimes so afraid to step outside our comfort zone that we forget how to live. If anything, this last year has taught us that life is not guaranteed, we are not guaranteed tomorrow so we must live our lives to the fullest. Push yourself to do something you have been afraid to do, it doesn’t feel great when you start, you are scared, your heart is racing and maybe your anxiety level is high. However, the feeling you get when you have accomplished it, is definitely the most rewarding!
If you would like to hear more and also connect with others who want to take back control of their wellness and well-being, join us virtually this Tuesday, February 9 from 5:00 – 5:30 pm. We will discuss body image and accepting your new body after your health improvement journey. If you would like to join us, please send me your email at journey4julie@gmail.com and we will send you the Zoom link. You do not need to be a Profile member to join us, everyone is invited!
Also, a reminder, if you are thinking about joining Profile (run don’t walk), please use my code Julie50 for a discount off your membership. If you want to just learn more before committing, they offer free consultations! Please call the Ankeny office (515-257-7050) and make that appointment, it will change your life!