Dear Michele,
I want to tell you how proud I am of how far
you have come in your getting healthy journey. It is almost two years and you
are still hard at it. Even when the scale is not moving, you continue. I am
constantly amazed at your determination, perseverance, dedication, and stick-to-it-ness
that you model for the rest of us slackers. I know that this is “it” for you
and you make me proud.
I know that one of the reason you began your
healthy living and life style changes was because of your own familial history
of diabetes and heart disease.
From your last lab results, I know that you are skirting for now, and
hopefully, forever these two debilitating diseases that strike many who are
overweight and obese.
I know, too, that you have found your
exercise of choice: cycling. Many folks who read your blog do not know that you
have ridden a bike since you were four and even rode it on the day you gave birth
to twins (!!) many years ago now. You have gone beyond biking and are an
aspiring amateur cyclist. I know you have worked hard to increase your stamina
and endurance. Completing that 45-mile rode yesterday is evidence that it is
working.
You are on a roll. Despite a sluggish
metabolism, I have witnessed you say “no” to foods that you like almost daily.
I was SHOCKED when you graciously accepted that luxurious piece of chocolate
cake at the last department meeting and then left it untouched. Wow, what will
power is that!!! You show us every day in small ways that this can be done and
how to do it.
But there is more: during your sabbatical
you spent time and energy figuring out how to lead a more balanced life. I can
see those efforts have continued since you have been back to teaching and the life of the
academic. By maintaining a more balanced life, you are making
time for the other parts of life that you enjoy, including your hubby and
family. By maintaining a more balanced life, you are able to make exercise a
part of each and every day. By maintaining a more balanced life, you are reading
books rather than putting them off. By maintaining a more balanced life, you
are enjoying the natural world more by spending more time outdoors. By maintaining
a more balanced life, you are more gracious to your own students and
friends.
You are learning what it takes to balance a
life of work and professional development, family, varied interests and keep
moving forward in terms of your own health and fitness. There simply are no
excuses anymore of why you can not gets healthy: you are just doing it!
Finally, I know that you understand that
what you are doing is for life. Yep, it will take you at least another year to
meet your weight loss goals, but that will not diminish your efforts. What you
are doing is for your life. It is not a diet it is a way of life. You have embraced
that life with open arms. I love you for that. Stay strong as you move forward!
Much Love,
Me
