Be an AHB Rockstar: Megan Week 5.
Kathleen recaps her journey the past 12 weeks. I dare you to keep a dry eye. Even though Kathleen thinks I don’t have any emotion (besides crazy), I couldn’t keep it together.
9 months ago there was a girl who was stuck in a body that didn’t belong to her. She was self conscious, she envied those who knew what healthy was, and she had no idea how to join them. She had these goals that seemed so ambitious and outrageous that they seemed completely out of reach.
12 weeks ago that same girl found herself smaller, and a whole lot healthier. She had all the tools that she needed to succeed, but she couldn’t put them together in a way that would make them last forever.
And now here stands a girl – who’s not only even smaller and healthier, she’s stronger and faster too. More importantly she believes in herself and is able to push herself beyond her comfort zone in order to achieve her goals.
When I began this journey last spring, I just wanted to look good in my wedding pictures. Somewhere in the middle of all of this- it became much more than just the size of a wedding dress. It’s about confidence. Self worth. New friendships. Realizing that you can do something you couldn’t do 12 weeks ago. Health. Trying new things. Self acceptance. A new found admiration for fitness. Happiness.
Yes, you were right Alicia, I did surprise myself with what I was able to accomplish. And I’m not stopping here. My next two big goals? Now that I’m conquering 5Ks, I want to push myself to complete a 10K. And the craziest, most outrageous one?
Are you sitting down?
I’m doing a triathlon this summer. (I guess now I really have to go through with it since I just announced it to the world, huh?) Did you pick up your jaw from the ground yet? Because I’m pretty sure mine was there for a week after my trusty sidekick told me “You’re doing it.” I only do one of the three activities (and not THAT well!) so the thought of what I have to do to get there is downright terrifying. But as I’ve learned- the more fears and doubts that I have now, the sweeter crossing the finish line will be. (That doesn’t mean I won’t take all of the positive thoughts and advice I can get!)
So as I am moving on with my goals and wrapping this program up, there are some people who deserve a small thank you for being a big part in all of this:
To my friends, family and my parents (especially my mom): Thank you for always seeing the real Kathleen, for consistently reading my blog, and for believing in me always.
To my fiancee: Thank you for being my rock – for listening to me vent, for standing in the freezing cold to cheer me on at the finish line, and for congratulating me on even my smallest victories. I know that on our wedding day you will see me as nothing less than beautiful, no matter what I look like in my wedding dress.
To my “fitness family”: my bootcamp buddies, my running friends- thank you for making me laugh through the worst circuits ever, for 38 burpees to a Taylor Swift song (for absolutely NO reason), and for giving me the energy to push through that last half mile.
To those of you who just happened to stumble upon my story and cheer me on: I don’t even know half of you, but yet whenever I need motivation- there you are in my head, encouraging me to keep going.
To all of the ladies who make up A Healthy Balance: You don’t know how lucky I feel to have discovered such an amazing place where I feel completely at home. Thank you for helping me to learn, grow, and change. Maisie: thank you for making me realize that it’s okay to go out to breakfast and eat pancakes- and not want to jump off a cliff after. You helped me work through the crazy, and taught me to always see the positive in every situation.
And finally- to Alicia: because NONE of this would be possible if it wasn’t for you. From Day 1 (well 2 since I cancelled on you the first day!) you have always pushed me to try harder, be faster and do better. Thank you for dealing with me on my not so good days, and for being by my side to celebrate my successful ones. I can’t wait to keep making you proud.
Allow me to re-introduce myself. (yes, cue the Jay-Z!) My name is Kathleen. I’ve lost over 50 pounds. I am “normal.” I can do “real” push ups. I am healthy. I am an aspiring fitness enthusiast. I am a runner. I am balanced. I am inspired. I am confident. I am a Rockstar!
Don’t know what you are going to do without your weekly Wednesday read anymore? Continue to follow Kathleen’s journey on her brand-spanking new blog www.halfassbadass.wordpress.com
Do you think you would make a good Rockstar? Or know someone who would? We are looking for our next Rockstar to take on the challenge. Email [email protected] for details.
Be Healthy. Be Balanced.
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