I am thankful

Yesterday, as I headed back to my office after my lunchtime walk with Windy, I realized just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful group of supportive friends in my life. 

Which got me to thinking about the "Month of Thanksgiving" that I have seen on Facebook, where people post one thing they are thankful for each day this month.  Great idea, and I love seeing the posts from my friends about what they are thankful for.  But I am not one to continue something every day (okay, I'm doing good with this blog, but I have missed a day here and there... and even more than that last week!), so I have decided to use this post to write about the people I am thankful for in regards to my weight loss.

I am thankful for...

...my friend Windy.  We walk together nearly every work day and when we don't walk, we still email one another to check in.  We attend Weight Watcher meetings together, discuss food, activities, and different dieting lifestyles.  We also have some other common interests, but they seem to take a back seat to our main topic of discussion -- weight loss. 

...my friend Juli.  She has been so supportive over the years, and was so awesome when I reached my 100 pound goal that it brought me to tears.  Even with her own struggles, she gets me, understands what I'm going through and makes me realize I am not alone in this battle.  She was there to encourage me (embarrass me!) during my first half marathon and was by my side when I finished my first race... and beside me for many more.  She helped me with my training and is always there to remind me I can do it, whether it be running or weight loss.  I just hope that I give her as much encouragement as she has given me.

...my friend Sibyl.  Sibyl is the one friend that has been there with me through it all.  From my heaviest weight to my lightest weight.  From being a couch potato to running a half marathon.  From not being able to go for a 2 mile day hike to backpacking 6 miles in the mountains.  She was there when I was alone, single, and though we never talked about it, when I was miserable; to watching me get married to my awesome husband.  She's been a true friend, regardless of my weight or capabilities, and she always makes me feel special... then and now.

...my Weight Watcher Leader and friend, Barb.  I went to Barb's WW meeting as a distraction after my father's death, but I now feel he may have lead me there.  He knew it would take someone special to help me through my long, emotional, never-ending weight loss journey.  And Barb was the right person to help me through it.  She was always supportive, encouraging, motivating, and just a loving friend.  She always seemed to know when to push me and when to let me find my own way, all the time reminding me of how far I had come and never focusing on how far I still had to go. 

...my (new) Weight Watcher Lead and friend, Linda.  Linda knew that taking over Barb's 7am Thursday WW meeting meant she had some big shoes to fill, but she did it willingly.  She's a wonderful leader (I've often gone to her Saturday meetings to see how she approaches the same topic), who is caring, energetic, positive, and always makes me laugh.  Like a lot of us at the meeting (especially those at Lifetime), she has been a WW member many times and reminds us that's okay.  I love the fact that she willingly picked up Barb's meeting so we wouldn't lose that meeting time... even if it meant she would have to get up before dawn to get set up for the meeting. 

...my awesome husband, Scott.  Scott and I met when I had lost 80 pounds, then I gained 30 back, but he continued to support my weight loss efforts.  He joined WW to help me, he helped me with running (though he never thought I would continue with it after that first run!), he took over the cooking and makes delicious healthy meals, and he's willing to help me with whatever dieting lifestyle I want/need to try to keep me on track.  Most of all, I'm thankful he puts up with me!  With my weight loss and weight gain, I am forever on an emotional roller coaster and I thank him for putting up with that.  I couldn't ask for a more supportive spouse.  Love you, Hon!

...my wonderful WW meeting group.  The Thursday morning meeting has the best people in it.  For an early morning group, we are loud, boisterous, fun-loving, supportive, motivating, and inspiring.  Though we have a lot of Lifetime members in this group, we also have quite a few people that are starting their journey or getting close to goal.  It's fun to be with such a diverse group of people.  Part of the reason I go to the meeting even when I've gained weight, is because I know that I will be surrounded by people who understand, and who will make feel good about myself.  And most of all, will make me laugh!

...my Tuesday morning walking group.  I like to walk, but I love to walk with friends.  And this group has been awesome.  Though our numbers seemed to have dwindled, there is always at least one person to walk with (usually Kay... she is so dedicated!).  We often talk about weight loss, but most of the time we just talk about what is going on in our lives.  It's a great way to start the morning and I always feel good about going, I never regret it!

...my friends who I have meet through WW.  And there are many.  Some I still see quite a bit, some only rarely.  But they have all touched me in a positive way, inspire and motivate me.  Mary P, who always reminds of how far I've come and that I should be proud of who I am at this moment.  Bobbie P, who is a true friend and who I aspire to be as I get older (and who I try to keep up with on mountain hikes!).  Ramona S, who gives up her Saturday mornings to lead a group, free of charge, to help with people's weight loss/health goals.  She was there when I got my 100 pound award at WW and was encouraging and supportive... and still is... to anyone who needs it.

...my friends who take the time to read my blog.  I often joke with my husband that I have "tens of followers" of my blog.  I appreciate the people who take the time to read this rambling monologue about my ongoing weight loss efforts.  I know quite a few of the people I mentioned above read this, but I also want to thank Lisa P, Patty H, Kathryn S, Marty S, and Mary M for reading and letting me know that you enjoy it.  Means a lot to me!

Okay... I'm sure I've missed someone in this very long post, but I am thankful for all you.  Thank you for helping me, supporting, motivating, and inspiring me.  Thank for making me laugh, giving me a shoulder to cry on, and letting me be part of your lives.  Love you all!!