Good Perspective

A good friend of mine asked me to train her, and train with her, to do a 5k in March. I happily agreed since I love training and I love my friend and want to see her get healthy. Just for the record, she is hardcore and is very motivated.

Sunday was the start day. It was 17 degrees outside, with a windchill of -1. I was happy to stay home or, perhaps, go to the YMCA. No, no, she wanted to run outside. At the track. In an hour. We walked the mile to IUP's track, ran the mile in 11:30 minutes, and walked the mile back home. I was so proud of her! She hasn't ran in eight years.

My friend has a baby just three weeks older than Benjamin. We've shared a lot of experiences and adventures together. Being new momma's, it was nice to have each other in all the newness and scariness and craziness of having a newborn baby! Since we're together a lot, we share a lot - and not just sippy cups and diapers. We also share a lot of the struggles of being women - being, wives, mommas and friends.

I have never been the thin friend. I have never been the one who was in better shape, or healthier, or smaller. When my friend tells me that I'm "thin", I just shrug it off. Really, though, I am the thin friend. What a good perspective change for me. What a good reminder, not to be cocky or proud. This change is good to remind me that I was there once. Three and a half years ago, I weighed 180 pounds.

I've made it this far. I started my journey several years ago to be healthy, to change my life and prepare for the future God had planned for me. So much has changed, but I'm still working hard to remember that all of my work is to be healthy, to bring glory to God and to remember that my body is His temple!

My body may have a different shape, but I'm the "thin" friend and that's so surreal to me. I'm so blessed to have a good reminder by my side - not to compare myself to, but to encourage me, to motivate me. I encourage you all to find a good reminder.

Why are you doing this? And Who are you doing this for? Find something in your life that's a good reminder and remember it! Getting healthy, setting and achieving goals, isn't an overnight trip. This is just the beginning of something new! I'm so glad we're all doing this together!