Monday, December 31, 2012

40


I feel a little funny writing about this, but at the same time I wanted to simply remember this day as a motivating factor for myself and hopefully for others.  No, I’m not turning 40… yet (thankfully I still have 1 yr, 8 months  and 9 days before that happens… gee no counting here! J ) but I wanted to mark another big 40 in my life …. 40 pounds… gone!  I started this journey in early April and I gave myself 1 year to lose 60 pounds.  Even though I knew I had been seeing results over these last few months, I was still surprised to realize early this month that I was very close to reaching the 40 pound mark.  At first my goal was to make it through the holidays without gaining anything but then when I realized I was so close to such a big marker, my motivation grew and I was able to lose this last little bit and hit my 40 pound mark this past Saturday!! 

It is strange to be in this deep on my journey.  I am a different person, with different cravings and different motivations than I have ever had in my entire life. I still LOVE food, I still LOVE to cook food, I still show MY LOVE to others with food, I just don't "live to eat" anymore; rather, I try to simply "eat to live".  I still enjoy all the food I make, just much less of it.  I can also recognize now that exercise and daily life can go hand in hand. Running is something I now desire to do, always.  I am perusing a book right now titled Run Your Butt Off and one of the writers describes being “hooked on exercise” in the following way. 

“For a while – a long time, it seems – we only appreciate exercise when it is over.  We feel virtuous for having done it, and we’re glad we pushed ourselves out the door.  Whew. Check that off the day’s to-do list. But there comes a point when the actual “during” portion of exercise isn’t so bad, either.  You’re out there and you start running, and it feels much easier than you anticipated it would before you started. You feel like you’ve got a good stride going. In fact, it’s downright invigorating. It goes by quickly, and you’re sort of sorry it has to end. “

 When I began running this spring, I remember praying that I would just stick with this, stick with something that could make a difference.   The Lord graciously answered my prayers.  Now it is not a matter of sticking to it, but the simple fact that as someone who initially detested running, I now truly enjoy it.  As strange as it seems to type it, I think I can officially say … I am a runner. I am not a fast runner, I am not a long runner, but I run. The beauty is that anyone can run.  One thing I have learned over these months is that my view of who a runner is has been skewed.  I have always thought of running as this elite group of people who must be super- human in their desire, motivation and skill. What I have learned is that there is a vast gamut of runners out there.  Very definitely there are your “super-human amazing runners”, but there are also your overweight, clumsy, absolutely NOT athletic, slow runners out there and everything in between.    Another very special factor is that those who are amazing runners are extremely encouraging to those of us who definitely are not. Wow.  It has been a very sweet journey for certain.    

These last few months have also further revealed something special that I was aware of but have been blessed to experience to the fullest recently.  I am surrounded by encouraging and generous people who love me.  Family and friends who are generous with their words of love and encouragement and truly take joy in seeing you succeed.  WOW, what a treasure they are to me.  My biggest encourager has been my dear husband. God has used these last few years and in particular the last few months, to further reveal to me the depth of the man I am married to.   NEVER in all our years of marriage has he said a negative word about my weight, no matter where I have landed on the scale.  He has loved me as equally and fervently in recent years as he did almost 19 years ago when we said “I do”.   I cannot tell you the countless, (literally countless) times in the last few months that he has told me “I am so proud of you” as we kiss goodnight.  His words are true, honest and like gold to me. 

It is strange to be at a weight I haven’t seen in years.  To be in a size I haven’t worn since before Mitchell was born. This past Sunday I wore a dress, a full-fledged dress … something I haven’t done in probably 9 or so years….my girls were thrilled!  Over the years they have asked me why I don’t wear dresses and I simply had to say I didn’t feel comfortable in them.  I know I still have a bit of a journey left.  My initial goal of 60 pounds might change to 70, I don’t know.  I do suspect that these last 20 pounds will be harder than the first 40, but I am ready for the challenge.  Excel still more.

Love,



MARCH 2012





DECEMBER 2012
 (sorry for the crummy lighting)

24 comments:

  1. That dress looks beautiful on you! I meant to tell you that Sunday, but we were in a hurry to get home and didn't get the chance. It is truly amazing watching you grow in your love for running through your posts.. Thank you for taking us on this journey! And very big CONGRATS! God is SO good.
    -Madi

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    1. Thank you for your encouraging words sweet girl!

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  2. Yay!!!! Good for you! I'm so glad you are achieving your goals. You were always beautiful inside and out, but it wonderful to see this new found confidence! The dress and boots are amazing too ;)
    Love you!
    Jodi

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    1. Thank you my dear friend, I am so very thankful for you! I'm stepping out and trying new things, thanks in part to you my friend!
      Love you!

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  3. Wow!!! Great job Mom, I am so proud of you....I'm so glad that you that you are wearing dresses now. You look beautiful. Love, Isabelle

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    1. I love you sweet girl. Thank you for your kind words to me!

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  4. What a driven woman I have on my hands. I am so proud of your discipline and dedication. You have done a wonderful job of balancing this change into your life with out making it a hinderance to the important things, God, Family, and my desire to continue to EAT ALL THAT GOOD COOKING. I love you Honey!

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    1. I LOVE cooking for you sweetheart! Thank you for loving me always!
      Love Lou....

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  5. You look fabulous! I am so proud of you! You are an inspiration to me and many others. Way to go girl!!!! Keep up the good work. Couch to 5K is sounding better to me everyday, especially after what I have consumed this past Thanksgiving through New Years. =/ Was great to ring in the New Year with you!
    Love and hugs, Barb

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    1. Thank you dear friend! You can do it, I absolutely know you can! I am SO THANKFUL for you in my life! Happy New Year again... Love you!

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  6. I noticed that awesome outfit at church and was thinking you have hit the point where new clothes are a must. Jeff was reminding me how much fun I had when that happened. Way to keep on!!

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    1. You hit it right on the head, they are a must now! It is a little daunting but fun at the same time. Thank you for your encouraging words my friend!

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  7. Thanks so much for writing this. I loved reading about your journey and the wonderful support of your family. And I have to add that you looked great the last two times I saw you at church (August and December) And thanks for making a point to talk with me when I was up visiting. I appreciate you so much!

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    1. Hi Kels, thank you for your kind words of encouragement! It is always a joy to get to chat a little when you are home, I always look forward to it! It was fun to reminisce about the "babysitting mouse", that always makes me giggle!

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  8. What a treasure you are Chessa!! I woman who loves the Lord and desires to serve Him in ALL ways!! You inspire me! Love you!! Marla

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    1. YOU are MY inspiration Marla! 90 pounds lost.... seriously....that is amazing!! Love and miss you girl!

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this! You are an inspiration; even as an athlete I struggle with staying on task and being motivated when it comes to exercise. This was truly inspiring.

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    1. Hey girl! SO good to hear from you! Thank you for stopping by and taking a minute to write your sweet words! I am greatly encouraged by you, especially knowing how excellent an athlete you are! Please give your sister a hello from me, I miss seeing you two girls! :-)

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  10. Wow! Way to go, Chessa! This is amazing. I am so glad you wrote this down for your own encouragement and encouragement to everyone else! You did not do this on a diet that went from Sunday all the way until Monday! ;) (That is how successful I am at changing my eating habits...) VERY encouraging to this undisciplined, hate to exercise girl. GREAT job!!

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    1. Thanks my friend. I so appreciate your encouragement. I laughed out loud when I read the "diet that went from Sunday all the way until Monday", those words brought back many great memories! You have always looked great, no need to diet for you. If your beautiful mom is any indication of your future, you have nothing to worry about!

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  11. That is a GREAT picture of you- you look aMaZiNG!
    It is wonderful that you found something that you like to do, will make you healthier, and will still let you enjoy all the food that you love so much.
    It will be fun to watch as you continue to shrink as you hit your goal....either way, we can tell that you FEEL great! :)
    Yaaay- good job Chessa!

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement Cindy! You have been one I have been inspired by as you have become one of those "real runners". :-)You have shrunk down to practically nothing yourself, way to go!

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  12. lol Chessa, like you, I don't consider myself a real runner either..... so I totally know what you mean....i have WAY too much leg to ever sport that long, lean, you must be a runner look ;)........
    but the reality is that you ARE a 'REAL runner!'
    Own it, girl- you've earned it. <3

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    1. Thanks girl... your leg comment made me laugh! I never really thought of it like that! :-)

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