It's a NEW DAY

Been on blogging hiatus for a while so I figured I better get my fingers typing again and update some people on my progress.

I will be blogging again regularly on my health and fitness journey.

In case you were wondering, YES! I am still doing Grand Rapids Adventure Boot Camp. No! I still have not missed a day since I started 8 months ago.

The past 8 months have been incredible for so many reasons. I have found joy and motivation in myself that I never knew existed.

My body is still under construction but I believe that I am now in the best physical shape of my life. I have been able to achieve many goals that I never even would have reached for 8 months ago.

I have not only developed physical strength. I have developed the mental strength and persistence to keep going and to deal with daily challenges and stresses that, in the past, would have knocked me down and led me to believe that the only way to deal was to reach for whatever vice was closest.

I am not saying that I do not struggle with anything anymore because I do, but it's much easier for me to face struggles that come knowing that I have the strength to overcome the obstacles in my way.

This morning was a beautiful, crisp snowy morning. The sun was gleaming. I went for a run. I ran PAIN-FREE. My knees were not hurting. My feet were not hurting. My hips, not hurting. Running is still not natural for me. I have not developed a love for it. But I ran PAIN-FREE today. It felt truly amazing!!! I have shed physical pounds during this journey but the unbearable weight that I carried on my shoulders for so many years is gone. I can't describe the liberation that I feel knowing that I AM STRONG. I AM FREE. I AM the Woman that I WANT to be, not the woman that I always thought I HAD to be.

I am learning and growing every day. I have just started the process of getting certified as a Fitness Trainer.

Many women and girls carry that "weight" on their shoulders and I want so badly to help them find what they need to do to let it go. The fatal cycle of depression and anger, binging and guilt was controlling my life. I want to help others see that it is possible to break that cycle and to find hope in reconciling their body to the state that God designed for their unique purpose. I want them to know that what society says about women's bodies is WRONG and that God never intended for us to carry around shame and self-hate because of an expectation that was not even originally set by Him.

I am still learning to love the body that God created me with. Daily, I remind myself to let go of un-obtainable expectations. I do set goals for myself, though and am learning to take pride in the accomplishments that I am able to achieve.

That's enough for today, next time I'll update you on Boot Camp and what's going on in class.