NSV's - Non-Surgical Victories

Man, this summer is flying by.  Seriously I don't know where the time has gone.  Mid-August always makes me very emotional and anxiety-ridden.  The start of another school year makes me more aware of my kids growth - even more so than their birthdays or New Year's Eve.  Admitting to myself that I have a 6th grader is just a hard pill to swallow.  Not sure if that will ever change.

I will say, however, that this summer has had hundreds of small victories proving I am a new person.  Not to say that I LOVE wearing a swimsuit but I certainly don't dread it like I used to.  Clothes shopping for size 10/12 or L is a lot more fun than size 22/24 and XXL.  Being out-and-about at events with my family, carrying a child and a backpack full of stuff without sweating my shirt through or breathing heavy from simply walking is pretty awesome.  Not feeling like everyone is staring at me is a bonus - I pretty much blend into the crowd now (happily!!).

The family took a weekend trip to Green Bay WI a couple weekends ago to see Packer's Training Camp.  We walked all over, the boys participated in some fun activities designed for kids.  We stayed at a hotel with a massive indoor water park.  There I was, in my suit, playing in the water with my kids.  And when my three year old wanted to go down the waterslide, I picked him up on one hip and lifted the two-person tube up with the other arm and up the three flights of stairs I went.  No problems.  Wasn't even winded at the top.  THAT, my friends, is progress.  And I didn't do that once - I believe I hiked up that waterslide 5-6 times carrying the tube (though I did eventually talk the 30 pounds into holding my hand and walking up the stairs himself).

The running...OH the running...it's my thing.  My jam.  My release.  I am really trying to commit to AT LEAST 35 minutes a day, three days a week and two days of 50 minutes per week.  I also hired a personal trainer to help me with these last 25-30 pounds.  So far, that's been a positive experience.  The 'good' sore tells me it's working.  The scale still isn't moving but I'm just trying my best to be patient.

I did, however, go into a consignment shop the other day to kill some time and tried on a couple pair of size 10 pants that I ended up buying...because the combined total was $4 for both AND they'll fit by this fall.

So there ya have it.  Life on the other side is so very good.  So happy to be here!!!