Inspiration

I think by far the people that have inspired me to make this change are the women in my family. My mom, at age 53, has lost 50+ pounds in the past year. And I was with her every step of the way. We joined Weight Watchers in Jan of last year, and while my efforts haven't been all that great, hers have. And I was the naggy little voice that told her, "Think about eating that cookie before you eat it. You know we get weighed in tomorrow." I am just so proud of her for losing that 50 lbs, especially at her age. She was always so resigned to being an overweight woman, and taking hypertension pills for the rest of her life. A year later, she's off the pills, has her blood pressure under control, and even comes to the gym with me every once in a while! She's so inspiring, and I'm so damned proud of her, I can't even begin to put it into words.

Another inspiration is my Grandma. She passed away 4 years ago from complications of asthma and other lung issues. When my Grandma immigrated to the Unites States in the 1950s, she and my Grandpa lived in a garage. Due to the terrible conditions, she contracted TB. At the time, TB was a death sentance for someone with no resources. She ended up going through some crazy operation where they sealed her lung with some sort of oil substance, effectively stopping the TB, and leaving her with 1.5 lungs. 20 years later, that oil substance erupted, and she had to have emergency surgery to remove it. My Grandma lived from 1970 to 2005 with 1 lung. Every time I swim, climb stairs, run, or basically use my lungs, I think of how my Grandma could never have done that. And I am so greatful, and use it as my driving force.

So now you know about the incredble, awesome, inspiring women in my life, and how they drive me forward just by their actions, and presence.