A girl on a bike.

I was going to post more vacation pictures today, but then something happened.  I realized I had something to say, to all of you!

When I posted a few weeks ago about my duathlon, you girls came out of the woodwork with your comments telling me how proud you were of me, and how awesome I was!  The one thing that struck me the most though, was how many comments I got from you and from my friends on Facebook saying “I wish I could do that.”

So, my question is this, Why can’t you?  What makes me different from you?  The answer is simple.  Nothing.

I am not an athlete.  I’m a girl who ran cross country in junior high, but gave it up to be a cheerleader in high school.  I’m a Mom who walked into a gym almost 4 years ago with a one year old and a three year old in tow, and decided to lose 20 pounds.  I’m a failure who lost the 20 pounds, but then gained it all back plus 10 more.  I could blame that 30 pounds on having Mono and then Shingles the following year, but I won’t.  I blame me.  Well, and the Oreos, ice cream, and Diet Coke didn’t really help.

So, what makes this time different?  Why when I set a goal on my 29th birthday to lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday did I achieve it?  How am I able to maintain it?

Again, the answer is simple.  I found something I loved.  Last winter I saw an Oprah episode where she was talking to Kirstie Alley about struggling with weight loss.  At one point they were talking about exercise and Oprah said “I’m not going to lie, I hate to exercise!”  I think my jaw hit the floor, and I thought “Silly, Oprah, that’s why you keep getting fat!”

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re thinking “everyone hates to exercise!”  Well, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong.  If you don’t believe me, come to the gym with me on Monday morning and look in on the advanced step class.  I bet those bitches have been doing step since the 80’s, and they are loving every minute of it!  Or, come on Wednesday morning to see the Zumba ladies.  Those chicks can shake their ass like nobody’s business, and they are burning calories while doing it.

I’m not going to lie to you.  When I first started spin, I hated it.  I stared at the clock counting down the minutes, I even puked after one class.  But, by the third or fourth class I was addicted.  I was hardcore.  I was never going back to leisurely doing the elliptical while watching The View. 

Last night I went out for a ride on my bike.  Most of the time when I ride I think about how many calories I can burn and how fast I can go.  But, last night was different.  Without even realizing it I was riding around a lake watching the sun start to set, I was watching baby ducklings follow their Mom across the road, I was getting a drink from an ice cold artesian well, I was flipping off a house where my daughter’s old babysitter lived…

By the time I got home, I had ridden 15 miles, burned 650 calories, and I had loved every minute of it.

Am I an Iron Goddess?  Maybe.  But, I’m just a wife and a mom like all of you.  The potential is there for all of us, you just have to find what you love and let that drive you.

Oh, and one vacation photo…just for shits and giggles.

P.S.  This post is linked to Shell’s Wednesday meme:

This is my very first time doing “Pour your heart out,” so don’t judge!