This amazing life

I'm 13 months post-op, 16 months post-lifestyle change.  It's funny, if you had asked me 138 pounds ago if I was happy, I would have assured you that I was - since I was.  I loved my life, I loved being in it, I thought I was a pretty decent person.  

But now?  I LOVE life.  I love all the things I can do and all the things I get to do and, most importantly, all the things I WANT to do.  I feel like I'm a new and improved Gwen.  This is not something I expected - I thought I'd just, you know, lose weight and life would be pretty similar to the way it had been before.  Just with me skinnier.  

Yesterday exemplifies this new life I'm living pretty well.  I met up with my bff for lunch, something I rarely did in the past.  We talked about running and yoga, something we never did in the past.  She asked me to do a yoga retreat with her in the summer as a reward for her finishing her thesis and I agreed without hesitation.  A yoga retreat?  Me?!  Surely you jest!  But it will be amazing.  

Another friend of mine asked me to do the Beat the Blerch 10k in NJ in September with her.  I did have hesitation for this one, but I thought about it a bunch and, since there's no time limit, I decided to go for it.  I do have a 5-miler the weekend before, but the 10k is a trail run with no limit and Blerches chasing you, so it will be amazing.  I'll be signing up for that today.  I now have two 10ks in my schedule for the fall.. LOLZ.  

And the most amazing thing that happened yesterday?  I decided to go back to college.  My mind is still boggling about this one.  I was one of those kids who should not have gone to college straight out of high school, but that was the way things were.  I dropped out after two years and, while I've had jobs off and on over the last 20 years, I've mainly been a homemaker.  But, some months ago, my physical therapist made an offhand comment suggesting that I should become a personal trainer.  That sort of rolled around in my head.  Then I took some really awesome Les Mills fitness classes when I was up in PA and, when I found that those classes don't exist where I live, I started thinking that maybe I could become an instructor so I could get those classes here where I live.  So that's been bouncing around in my head.  And then, yesterday, I ended up on the local community college website looking for something else and found that they offer a certificate program for personal training as well as for group exercise instructing... and they've got an AA program in Exercise and Sport Science.  

I decided that I wanted to do the certificates in the Fall and then, if college clicks with me, finish up the AA.  My partners are 100% on board and supportive - especially since I've shown over the last year that I can make a plan and stick to it.  I went ahead and applied to the college as well as to FAFSA.  o_O  I never would have considered this a year ago.  Never.  But not only do I think that I want a job, but I think I want one in the fitness field?!  WTF.  But.. I do.  And what better way to ensure that I don't have to give up my own fitness pursuits for a job?  

I'm going up to PA today for an overnight visit.  My dad was admitted to the hospital last Thursday due to extreme unexplained pain.  I've been feeling guilty not being there even though I needed, desperately, to spend time and attention on my own life.  Once I get back home, I'll be spending time this weekend mapping out my degree plan and figuring out what classes I'll need to take and how the pre-requisites for everything will work out.  Going back to college seems pretty scary and intimidating, but for the first time in my life I actually feel like I know what I want to be when I grow up.  And that's priceless.  I never would have gotten here if I hadn't started all of these lifestyle changes at the beginning of 2014.  

(I also am thankful for all the foundation repair I've done in the last year - I know that it's the only thinking keeping me remotely sane and stable throughout my dad's current cancer relapse.)

Amazing post. You are amazing! I am in awe of your resolve and stick to itness! I'm sure the going back to school will be successful. Sounds like it's the right time. Good luck with your dad. It is always difficult to go through an illness with a loved one.

Thanks!  

This has been an amazingly challenging time.  It's nice to have something to look forward to.  (And my dad almost cried when I told him my plans!) 

Congratulations on your "new" life.  Thanks for sharing such progress and excitement!  It REALLY helps hearing about total life change when you are just a couple weeks out from surgery! Prayers for your dad!  Ali

Thank you!  If you're like me, you'll never regret doing this for yourself.  :D

Sounds perfect!  And what a great way to maintain a level of fitness

Yes :D  Easier to fit fitness into my life if it's my career, right?  

Gwen, I am so happy for you!  You are truly an inspiration!  I too thought, initially, that only my health would improve with losing the excess weight, but life would basically be the same.  However, the process has felt like a re-birth.  Yes, the day to day parts don't change much, but all of the opportunities that we never even thought about, suddenly open up - the list is endless.  Thanks you for your post and reminding me of how truly life changing having had this surgery was!

Thanks!  

Isn't it amazing how life changing this is?  I'm so grateful that I was brave enough to go through with it.  I had no idea it would lead me to find my passion.  

Congratulations, Gwen!!  I'm so happy you are going back to school.

How exciting this is! You definitely have the talent so go for it!!!

You'll never regret it.