The Great Pocono Weight Race

Now what? Still more work.

One chapter ends and another begins in this never-ending quest to lose — and then maintain — weight and live a healthy, active lifestyle. If I’ve learned nothing in these past 10 weeks, I’ve come to truly understand that this is a lifelong journey. 

It is difficult to adequately express my gratitude for having been given the opportunity to participate in this program. Weight loss has been a side benefit. The greatest blessing has been getting myself back, along with my strength, energy and enthusiasm. I’ve never been a person inclined to experience depression and the level of frustration and inability to commit to my goals was leading me there. Fear that I was on a path I couldn’t find the way off was pushing me further downward and I felt trapped. As the race concludes, I’ve found my way back and am once again moving forward. I have a good deal of fear and concern that I can easily lose my way again but I am hoping we can maintain contact as a group to keep us all focused on what we are attempting to achieve. We’ve proved there’s strength in numbers. 

Seeing all of us push ourselves beyond what we thought we were capable of, whether struggling with 50 or 150 pound-loss goals, should be encouraging to everyone as it proved “I can’t” does not apply to most of us in this world. Even when our cries were “I hurt” we were each able to push further.

The credit for this goes to the trainers at Elevations, both at Scotrun and Marshalls Creek. They are a unique group of talented, enthusiastic, compassionate and dedicated individuals who have the ability to make every gym member feel as if their presence at the gym is valued and welcomed.

So, I’m starting a new chapter of forging ahead and seeking new and different challenges to keep working toward my goals. I understand Elevations is focusing on dance exercising next month which is perfect for me, not because I can dance but because I can’t. Somehow when you call it exercise and I keep moving it makes me feel like I actually can dance. That’s a feeling I usually only get with the inclusion of two Vodka Tonics, which often has embarrassing results. The added benefit is I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes in the process.

Making a plan and checking it twice.

I’ve always been good at honoring commitments.

At work, my deadlines are always met and I put in whatever hours are necessary to get a job done well and on time. Friends and family can always rely on me to show up when needed and to do whatever is required. I never had any doubt I could fulfill the commitments necessary to participate in this race because that’s one thing I’m good at — being accountable to others.

Now that the race draws to an end, I’m faced with the knowledge that it will now be up to me to me to keep my commitments to myself and that it’s on me alone to keep putting in the effort needed to continue to work towards my personal goals. I will now be the only one I have to be accountable to and that’s a definite fear.

Being in this race has meant leaving home at 6 a.m, or even earlier, and most weekdays not arriving home until 8 p.m.  It’s meant finding the time on weekends, in between trying to do all the chores and errands that can’t be done during a work week, to get to the gym for at least an hour workout. I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner at home but I know he’s felt the strain of our limited time together before one of us has to turn in for the night. It has not been easy but has been worth the effort. 

Particularly, because I have to fight for every ounce I lose, I’m terrified that if I lessen the effort I’m putting in, in any way, I will completely stalemate. I know when the race ends, there will be changes. So, I’m forming my plan as to how to keep this my priority because I know I can’t lose sight of how much better I feel and, most important, that I’m getting back to being the person I always was. One thing I’ve learned through this race is that it takes a definite plan of action. Left to my own devices, the workout I put off today thinking I’ll do tomorrow, often doesn’t happen and the cycle begins again of putting everything and everyone else in front of me.

I hope I’ve learned a few lessons in this race, particularly that keeping myself healthy and fit is not an option but a necessity. I can’t trade off my well-being to take care of someone else’s. Hopefully, these incredible feelings I again have of strength, energy, sensuality and well-being will stay with me and keep me focused on what I need to do to keep those feelings.