MILEPOST 160 - A LONG BUMPY ROAD

MILEPOST 160 - A LONG BUMPY ROAD!

We are home. I weighed in this morning for the first time in 4 weeks. I lost another 8 pounds, for a total of 160. I feel good about that - especially since we were traveling for most of that time. We left a month ago for our driving trip to Boston to visit Toni, Michael, and our beautiful granddaughters. We had a wonderful time. Once again, we have been reminded how fortunate we are to be able to take off for weeks at a time and drive around this beautiful country of ours, and then return to our beautiful home.

Some are not so fortunate. The flooding this year in parts of the United States is unbelievable. So many peoples' homes are under water - their crops ruined, and infrastructure severely damaged. In addition to record snow falls, which have now begun to melt, many areas are experiencing cooler than normal temperatures with lots of rain.

However, the areas that are not underwater are beautiful. The wild flowers along the highways are in full bloom, and the grass is lush and green.

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they will soon become inevitable." Christopher Reeve

Remaining on program has been a huge challenge. I had planned a deviation on July 4th since one reason for planning this trip at this time was to enable us to participate in Michael's cousin and wife's annual lobster feed on Cape Cod. Fresh lobster is unbelievably good! The company was marvelous, and we had a wonderful time. Thank you so much for accepting us as part of your family.

What I had not planned on was the lack of vegetables along the way. I swear! People in northern Montana have never heard of vegetables. Iceberg lettuce, peas and corn - and maybe a carrot - seemed to be all that was available. I was able to get tomatoes in most places, so even though they are a limited vegetable, I had them when no others were available.

I also did not plan on being served bread in Nashville that was better than any I have ever tasted! The rest of my meals were pretty much on program, but after I had eaten about a loaf of bread all by myself, I finally made Bob set it far enough away that I could not reach it.

Mostly, though, I feel pretty good about the trip and the program. I have become accustomed to being complimented for my accomplishments, and I very much enjoy receiving them.

We (Bob and I) were in the pool at Toni's when out of the blue, he looked at me and said, "Your face looks very nice". He was very emotional when he told me that, and I felt like a queen.

I was drinking water at a bar in Nashville when a young stranger began to taunt me and tease me about drinking water. I explained to him that I was on a weight loss program, that I had lost 160 pounds, and that alcohol was not part of the program. He looked at me in amazement and said, "You look wonderful - you don't have to lose any more weight!" Again, I was exhilarated!

We attended a festival in Livingston, Montana - my home town. I was reintroduced to a man with whom I had gone to high school. As we were talking, he said, "I can't believe you still look this good at age 65." Then, he asked, "Do you dye your hair?" I laughed, and admitted - "Yes, I dye my hair!"

All of these comments boosted my ego - and I was feeling pretty darned good about me. And, then, out of the blue, came the other remark. The one that I least expected. My mother found out that my niece was planning to go on the program. She stated with authority, "I don't think she should do it - it isn't good to lose weight that fast. I mean, Your face looks really drawn!" She continued, "I suppose you'll look better once you firm up a little.".

I felt like I had been hit with a 2X4. I was hurt! For the longest time, I struggled before I could convince myself to let that remark roll off my back. And I realized how much I had always allowed the negativity of others to control my attitude. How much I had allowed the remarks of others to set my course. But, that person is no longer who I am. I am strong and confident. I know who I am, and I know what I want!

And, then I remembered the flooded fields that we had passed just a few days earlier. Where the water covered the fields, all had been destroyed. But, where the water had only touched the earth, it was lush and beautiful. And, I thought! Negativity is like those flood waters. If you allow it to consume you, it can destroy you - or you can choose to let it flow on by and you will grow stronger and be lush and beautiful as a result.

"The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you." - From Lost in Translation""PosPositive:

I am so very pleased that my niece has decided to make changes in her life, too. It must be a curse placed on us Frelichs, but we all have issues with our weight. Jacquie is a very pretty girl, a single mom engaged to a fine man, and struggling with weight issues. It is such a huge step to make! A decision to change your life takes courage. She may also write a blog, and one of her friends suggested she should begin it thus: "It was a dark and stormy night..." I thought about that, and felt how appropriate that is - about the emotional turmoil and darkness into which we allow ourselves to sink. I sincerely hope that she receives the encouragement and support that so much helps along this road.

"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." Hugh Downs