Magic | Week 18 Weight Loss

Day 140, down 96 lbs.

My heart is so full this morning! Over the last several weeks, I’ve had the sincere pleasure of meeting some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. I have no words that would come to close to describing my gratitude for the love and support that I feel from these new special friends.

I used to refer to Minnesota not as “Minnesota Nice” (which is the term used here to describe the behavior of people), rather I nicknamed it “Minnesota Ice, ” and I believed it for almost 6 years. It was difficult making friends when I moved here. Five years later, I had many acquaintances but hadn’t made many “friends.” It wasn’t Minnesota this time… It was me. When you’re in a dark place, you don’t have the brightest attitude. Bad vibes don’t lend well to attracting lots of new people. That wasn’t Minnesota, that was Athena. That was years of struggle and accumulation of weight when I arrived. Every pound I gained also expanded more negativity, and that was projected outward. I get it now. Though it wasn’t a conscious choice, I isolated myself. That was my decision. Sometimes it really sucks to find out that we can be our own worst enemy at times, right? I’m not afraid to say…. I was wrong.

Here we are today, and my circle is expanding quickly; what have I done to deserve all of this? Most of these people can sprint but are so willing to walk right beside me. I say this figuratively, but it almost works both ways LOL. I am grateful beyond measure.

This place that I go to now (Mi5 Fitness) is an amazing community, and it has quickly become the highlight of my day. Getting my ass kicked feels good which is something I never thought I would say but I can’t wait to see all of those faces that encourage me and keep me going. Most of them don’t realize they are the ones that inspire ME. If you’re ever in Lakeville, stop by. It has been one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Life lately is a bit magical. I am but a few steps away from getting to the top of my mountain. It’s almost too hard to believe because it happened so quickly. I’m not saying the ride down the other side is going to be all downhill, but I do believe the worst is over. I look back today on the journey so far, and I know it is helping me become a new woman. A better woman, and I’m proud. Every tear and morning when I couldn’t walk because my legs were screaming in pain have been worth it. I used to think the magic was getting to the goal. But it’s not. The magic really started happening when I discovered that girl that had been hiding for so long.

Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic…….