The Journey Continues...

Hi folks!  It occurred to me that I haven't posted any updates about the big ol' weight loss journey, mostly because I haven't had many thoughts about it...at least, not very encouraging thoughts to share...

In August, I went on a hike and a beach run, and for a few days afterward I could barely walk due to an intense pain in my left foot.  I went to the doctor and found out I had tendinitis, and the start of a heel spur.  I was given a boot for walking so my foot could be stabilized while it healed, and I was told to stop running for a couple of months.

I enjoy running, and I really love setting goals for myself, such as time and distance.  So, on that day I went for my beach run, I knew I had come a long way in my running goals, and when I got hurt, it derailed me physically and mentally.  I was incredibly disappointed, and being on my foot all day at work with the constant pain was like a continual reminder that I had reached a hurdle in my journey.  I was in a slump, but once the two month mark was over, I got myself back to the gym and focused on other 'foot friendly' activities, like weights and bike riding.

I started 'running' again in January, and had to start from the beginning.  Slow speed, short distances, and just trying to feel happy for whatever I accomplished.  I set new goals, and just took my time.

Now, I take a kickboxing class, I try to factor in weight training regularly, and I am finally back to running longer distances (well, only up to 3.25 miles, but still).  My weight never actually moved during my time off, which I am thankful for, but now I am determined to see the scale continue to drop, and even more than that, I can visibly see changes in my body.

Sometimes, I feel like there aren't any changes...until I unearth old photographs and compare them to the here and now...tonight I found this picture, taken in San Francisco, in 2008.  The picture on the right was taken in November 2013.  It's still horrifying to see the 'before' pictures, but they help me really open my eyes and see...they are the reminders that I need sometimes, not only to press on, but to reflect and see where I've come from.  And to be excited about where I am going...

Friends. (Pt. 2)

Hello!  I have a sequel to my friends post, one which I intended on writing way back in the summer...which makes it more of a prequel...

Anyways, these ladies here in the picture have been in my life since childhood.  The friendships mentioned in the original post have been forged in adulthood, but there is something unique about maintaining friendships that have managed to withstand the painful adolescent years, early adulthood flux, and have settled into mature, permanent relationships.

In fact, many of the friends I had as a child I don't really keep in contact with, just because life shifts, and time moves on, and so the story goes.  I cherish them nonetheless.  

These girls and I reconnected (officially) this past summer, and it was like being a carefree youthful girl again, reminiscing with my friends about the old days, talking about the future.  It was like not a day had passed by, though it had been years since we all had an opportunity to finally find time to spend together in person, not just via Facebook.  

These girls, whom I adore.  I've known one since elementary school, the other since high school.  Oh, the days spent building backyard forts, tea parties, slumber parties, singing in the chorus of high school plays, dances, graduations...these girls were there.  

And I am so thankful they were, and still continue to be. They are wonderful, Godly women.  Kind, beautiful, funny, generous...

I thank God for them, for our pasts that He has woven together into the present, and I am sure will continue into the future.  Have a beautiful, blessed day, friends!  Love you ladies!

Friends.

Yesterday, I celebrated my birthday with a few of my closest, dearest friends ( a couple of them weren't able to make it, but they were there in spirit).  I always feel reflective around my birthday...I find myself lost in thought, thinking back over each year...how things change, or don't change, or how I have changed.

I like my thirties.  I like being in this age, becoming more sure of who I am, what I want for my future.  But, this post is not about self-reflection, it's about friend reflection...

I want to tell you why I adore these ladies, why they are my sisters...

 They make me laugh.  A LOT.  Seriously, they are ridiculously hilarious.

They are all Godly, mature women, who each brings to the table unique talents and gifts.  They are strong where I am weak, they are supportive, they are encouraging, and they are each in a specific walk of life in which they can share wisdom and advice.

We all have common interests...yes, you might be thinking this is an obvious building block of friendship, but I find myself surprised at times that we really do have such common likes and dislikes.  We all tend to spend time together as a larger group because of this, rather than breaking up into smaller groups to do whatever we each like to do.

We've celebrated joys and heartaches together, over the course of a number of years.

So, to my friends, thank you for adding love and laughter to my life.  I feel blessed, and I look forward to many more years of crazy road trips, movie nights, parties, long talks, weddings, babies, and looking for 'rock goats'....