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Renewal

While everyone celebrates Easter, I am sitting here reflecting on some of my goals. Easter has a way of getting me to think about renewal. Perhaps it is the nice weather, that is allowing me to sit on my back patio while I type this, but I feel fresh, I feel excited for what is next!

I spent last week in Colorado, and boy was it a blast... from skiing with my cousins and sister-in-law, biking with my brother and company, hanging out with my brother!!! I couldn't have asked for a better vacation!

The thing is, I always end up thinking about what I want for my athletic self when I spend weekends so physically active, as I was in Colorado. I had a conversation with my friend about it just yesterday morning, and the honest truth is I simply want to enjoy every athletic pursuit I embark on. I love my bike, I love running, I love swimming... I love putting my hands in the dirt, I love my cat, I love spending time with my friends, I love house projects, and I love rest. Can I have it all? The answer to this question is, of course I can! It is all about balance.

With that being said, my weight has forever been a struggle of mine. Quite honestly it is the biggest barrier to me 'having it all'. Since I was little I struggled to lose just ten more pounds. A few years ago, I was looking at losing 160 pounds... Yep, that is right, I got to the point in which some think there is no return. I am an example of what return can begin to look like! I lost over 100 pounds, but have been yo-yoing for the last year and a half, and am very thankful I have not yo'd back up to 100 lbs heavier!!! That would stink... So, I would like to think that it is my medicine causing the yo's, but two of my medications cause weight loss. Figure that one out! The reality is, I can't blame it on any one thing... I'm sure there are several factors that impact my weight, but the bottom line is I'm the biggest factor!

I will not be the person who goes on some weird sugar free, gluten free, carbohydrate free, meat free, only eat salad diets, because that is not sustainable for me, probably anyone. I will however make sure I pay attention and order eggs during my favorite meal of the week, Saturday morning breakfast, instead of the delicious pancakes that taste like cake!

In the spirit of renewal I'm going to focus my efforts on weight loss again, I also have renewed my efforts on gardening by building a garden bed behind my house, and will continue those efforts next week at my friend's house (if she lets me)!!!

The bottom line is this... We all have the opportunity to do some work that could improve our abilities to 'have it all'. The fact of the matter is it all has to start within, because if we aren't focusing on ourselves, in the long term, we are no help to others.

Here's to a day of renewal. Enjoy your Easter, and next week I'll be back, probably talking about my longest run of the season.

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