Tadpole Trot, Snickers Bars and other Thoughts by Lorie

When Corinne asked if I would do her blog today, my first thought was sure.  Then my second thought was ummm, what I can write about?    Who wants to read something written by me, some boring ol’ middle age momma?  As I pondered this, I thought what’s the biggest things that have influenced my fatloss journey? 

My overwhelming answer is Corinne.  She has been instrumental in pushing me along.  Yes I am the one that actually does the working out, and yes I am the one that chooses to have a protein bar over a Snickers bar, but it’s because of what she has taught me to make those wise decisions.

I am also blessed with a wonderful husband.  I know not everyone is as fortunate to have someone like him in their lives.  I wish everyone could have someone so great in their lives.  We have yo-yo-ed our way through several hundred pounds over the years.  Once we finally said enough is enough, that’s exactly what it was, enough.  We were tired of being tired.  We were tired of feeling like crap.  We were tired of our clothes not fitting, and having to go up a size every year or every season.  We made a decision together to get healthy, once and for all. I will share with one of the most powerful things Bill has said to me in this fatloss journey.  One night we were eating supper. I was picking at the left over food in my plate that was just sitting there waiting for the waitress to take it away.  I was full, but it was there, enough said.  Bill looked at me and said, “Are you eating that because you really want it or because it’s there”?  How often to we eat stuff because it’s “there”?  I appreciate him so much.  Because of Corinne, Bill is going to achieve a life long dream of his in August.  I can’t tell you the pride I feel for him in doing this.

Thirdly I would say that our girls are one of my driving factors.  God has given us two precious daughters, and it’s our responsibility as parents to take care of ourselves &  to be around as long as we can for our kids.  And we all know what pressures girls are under.  Every where you look, you see stick thin people all over the place in Hollywood.  I want them to know what it is like to be healthy.  Bill & I never ever talk about calories, weight or fat in front of our girls.  We talk about being “healthy” and making “healthy” choices.   When Bill and I go out to exercise, and our girls ask us the infamous question “why”, it’s always to be healthy.   I’m not saying they always eat 100% healthy or even 90% healthy, but I know make good choices most of the time.

Lastly I just have to share a story about our 6 yr old, Elisabeth.  Our town has a big festival every year.   There are 5K & 10K runs, and then there’s something called the “Tadpole Trot” for kids.  A note was sent home from school about it.  Bill & I talked about it and casually mentioned it, and asked Elisabeth if she wanted to do the race.  She was so excited and jumped up and down saying yes!! We explained to her that she probably would not win, but that it’s just fun to do stuff like this, and it’s about being a finisher.   

So Saturday was the big race at a school track.   She raced with other 6 yr old girls.  We were laughing and talking before the race, she was talking to her friends, playing chase with her little sister, we were having a good time.  Then when it was time for all the 6 yr old girls to run, they quickly lined up.  We got about in the middle of the line-up.  We were still having a good time, we were laughing and talking w/ the MC, a local TV personality.  He was asking about her Belle tattoo that she had on her face from the night before, that she got at the festival.  So we were having a good time.   

When the race ended she came in maybe 5th place.  Well she didn’t get a trophy.  She faught back the tears.  She was such a big girl.  She wanted to cry, but she didn’t.  We could not have been more proud of her for finishing the race. 

Later Bill & I talked and he said that the kids that won, he noticed before the race that they were not laughing and having  a good time.  Their parents were completely serious and so were the kids.  We just thought it was so sad, especially at the ripe ol’ age of 6. 

She was a finisher and we could not have asked for one single thing more.