Stay Encouraged!!!

Ok, so there was this 3-mile walk straight up a mountain for the CCFA Guts & Glory Walk. I survived. Felt encouraged. Decided, I AM READY!! (thanks Amy & Mandy!!) Of course that was just hours after seeing a picture of myself covered in cellulite by the atlantic ocean. I definately have a new 'fat picture'!

That was 9/30/06. Since then, I've gotten out of bed earlier, put on my walking shoes (& clothes) and hit the pavement. Two miles each day. Rearranged my kitchen cabnets to put all the junk food far away from my healthier choices. Prayed, a lot. Diet drinks suddenly taste good, and I hardly notice all the extra water & crystal light I'm drinking. Even double-fiber bread & spray butter. Lightening might strike any moment.

I'm LOVING my time alone in the mornings. It's made my whole day, my outlook on the day, and my time spent with others better. While I'm feeling great mentally... I've gained 3 pounds!! Muscle, I tell myself. Muscle!

So, it hit me as ironic one day last week when the check-out woman in Wal-Mart ended my debit card transaction and handed me my receipt with the phrase... "Stay Encouraged!" Wow. It was heartfelt and genuine like she we were long lost friends. Like we'd just had a long talk over a latte. Was it because she noticed all the high-fiber low-fat items that she scanned, or because we chatted about our daughters and the Backyardigans cartoons. I don't know. But whatever the reason, she left me with the best advice and my newest philosophy on life.... STAY ENCOURAGED!!!!