What a Difference a Year Makes!

(Excuse the double posting today, but I'm an optimist at heart!)

As I mentioned in the previous blog or family went to DC. If you have ever been to DC on a family trip you know you walk and walk and walk. We took the subway everywhere, which was very convenient but rarely did it drop you at a main entrance of anything. We did the traditional Smithsonians, Monuments, Mt. Vernon, the Capitol and even a daytrip to Gettysburg program. Very fun, put a lot of walking.

This active vacation made me put a couple things into perspective. First, it gave me a tangible milestone to go back to next year, wherever our family vacation takes us, to compare my weight too. I could really picture what I would look and feel like with a large weight loss and was really excited.

And secondly, much more quietly in my brain, but much more important, was the realization that one year ago I would have never been able to make this trip. I absolutely could not have done the walking we did. The pain in my knees and especially my heels last year would have kept me home. This year I tied up my decidedly un-hip tennies with every outfit and breezed through the nation's capitol, wincing at all these crazy people in $3 flip flops! I guess that makes me officially old. I'm ok with that!

Also, today is the 4th of July. As we were making plans to view our town's fireworks I remembered last year I didn't/couldn't go. We live in a lakeside community and my family had found a place on the beach they thought would be perfect viewing and it was. However, last year I knew I could not even be dropped off as close to the spot as possible and make it. They went without me and I could get out the front door and see a couple big ones from the street. I was very sad. But this year, since I've taken the necessary fitness steps, it didn't even cross my mind that I couldn't go or would need to be dropped off. I can walk anywhere! I'm still a long way from my ultimate goal, but life is so much better just from taking the steps I have thus far.

So as I continue to look forward with excitement that next year I will be 100 pounds lighter I'm going to be mindful to also look a little bit back and remember and be very proud of how far I have come already. Happy Fourth of July to all!