Welcome! It’s been awhile since I posted a weight loss update, and since I’ve been meeting so many new readers through the Runaway Bridal Planner’s blog hop, I thought I’d take this opportunity to not only provide an update on my weight loss but also things at Wholistic Woman and where I hope to take this blog in the future.
I had my one year follow up appointment to my weight loss surgery on Thursday, and had my official “after” photo taken. People look at the photos or know me in real life and comment that I’m an inspiration. However, I don’t want people to be inspired by the numbers. I want people to be inspired by the fact that
- I, someone who has started and stopped the Couch to 5K program more times than I can count, am training for a marathon which I will run on Dec.6. I’ve discovered that I actually love running! You can read about my half marathon recap here.
- Compared to most people (especially those in the bariatric community) I feel that I have a relatively healthy relationship with food. I give most of the credit to my holistic health coach. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. I had to give up The Local Cook persona as it was creating too much pressure and guilt, which is not a healthy place. I blogged as The Local Cook from 2009 – 2014, which is the length of my first marriage!
- After going through a divorce and foreclosure, dating lots of frogs on Match, I met and married DH. He is the love of my life. I feel that that experience taught me what is truly important in life. It is this perspective that I hope to convey to my readers and other women.
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
~ Matthew 6:30-34, The Message
It is for this reason that the recipes, running updates, reflections and occasional craft, fashion or gardening post will be simple and encouraging. I’m not Martha Stewart, I’m not some fitness guru, I couldn’t care less if you are a vegan or soak your grains, and they can pry my coffee out of my cold dead hands.
Not only do I struggle with balance–me, with a full time job that requires frequent travel and a blog and consulting business on the side–but I find that others struggle with it too. Single, married, kids, childfree, working, in school . . . why do we think that we have to have Pinterest-worthy lives? And how do I remind myself and others that we actually DON’T need to have a six figure income and 10 children that we homeschool and chickens and cows and a garden that supply all our food in the backyard?
One small way that I hope to remind myself and others to slow down and appreciate the small things is #takebacknovember. If you would like to remember to slow down and celebrate the things for which we are grateful, I invite you to join us.
Thanks for stopping by! I would love it if you would post in the comments things that would help you live a life in balance. Tools, tips, encouragement . . . you name it!
Oh my goodness – I love this – your authenticity and your genuineness shine through your writing!! Those verses in Matthew are great words to live by – and I love the way the Message translates them! And I’m with you – I’m not giving up my coffee!! Thank you SO much for sharing your story – whether or not you want to be, you ARE an INSPIRATION!!!
aw thank you, I find your blog inspirational too!
WOW! You look incredible! I love that you’re sharing your journey and have achieved happiness and health through wholistic living. It’s nice to meet you through the hop!
Thank you, I have enjoyed getting to know you as well!
Wow, no truer words! It has taken the greater part of my adult life to realize we all define “perfection” differently…and that is SO liberating! YO’re gonna be a fun gal to follow 😉
I’m glad you think so, and yes, I wish I’d had that perspective much earlier in my life!
Congratulations on all that you’ve accomplished in the past year! I’ve discovered your blog through the blog hop – good luck on your upcoming marathon, so exciting! I think the way I balance is really make sure my schedule is on point – I have to be organized in order to do everything that i want to do, though it’s still tough with work, running, extracurriculars and blogging!
It’s funny, I am a total planner when it comes to work, but I seem to resist planning my extracurriculars. I really need to work on that.
Wow what a transformation! You have made some huge changes. Love that you fell in love with running and you are about to do your first marathon. How exciting and huge good luck to you!!
Thank you! Hopefully I’ll be posting an awesome race recap in a few weeks!
WAY TO GO!
Congrats on making the decision to train for a Marathon, it’s such a journey! Looking forward to reading about your experience on December 6th!
Thank you!
You’re looking awesome (and better as a brunette than a blonde). I’ll never be Martha Stewart either; way too much effort for things to look perfect. As long as you feel comfortable and the food tastes good that’s what matters.
Thanks, my husband actually likes me better as a brunette too! My mom will just have to deal 🙂
Way to go on training for a marathon! It is funny how running has that effect on people! So many say they hated running or they tried and stopped several times but then fell in love with it! I was the same way! Good luck on your marathon!!!!
Thank you! I NEVER thought I’d be a “runner.” But it is such a fun community to have.
You are an inspiration! How wonderful to be training for your first marathon. I had to DNS my first, but I’m working on the 2nd opportunity if I can get all healed up. I love your idea of take back November (although I don’t FB) because it’s been taken hostage way too long. Christmas was in the stores before Halloween was out. I find that…disgusting. Don’t get me wrong…I enjoy Christmas, but not the commercialism: the buy, buy, buy. My life is definitely not Pinterest-worthy (love that term!). Good luck with your marathon. It’s been great getting to know your through the hop.
Thank you! Hope you heal up soon!
Congrats on your transformation! What a great story!
Thank you!
Fantastic fitness journey and amazing transformation! You have a great attitude – I also believe in appreciating the small things in life. Little pleasures add up to a lot joy 🙂
Great meeting you through the blog hop!
Thank you, I agree–small things make such a big difference!
Wow….congrats on all that you have accomplished!
That Mathew passage is right on time for me…thank you for that!!!
I am so glad you have found the love of your life…..just gives you a warm tingly feeling doesn’t it?
Best of luck on your marathon! you got this!!
Nice to meet you through the blog hop..hasn’t it been so much fun?
Yes, I’ve been loving the blog hop! I feel like I’ve found my people 🙂
Oh my goodness, this post is fantastic! I love it! Hello from the blog hop, by the way. It’s so nice to learn a bit more about you! First off, you look fantastic! Congratulations on your transformation journey, both inside and out. You really are an inspiration!
Also, I love that bolded statement: “I’m not Martha Stewart, I’m not some fitness guru, I couldn’t care less if you are a vegan or soak your grains, and they can pry my coffee out of my cold dead hands.” That really made me chuckle! Haha! It’s refreshing to hear and so nice to see your authenticity shine through in your writing!
So nice to connect with you through the hop and I hope we can stay in touch!
Thanks Ellyn! Glad you are enjoying the blog hop as much as I am.
I love your honesty!
thank you, we need more of that in the world!
Wow, Wendy! What a transformation story! I am so excited for your marathon!! “Single, married, kids, childfree, working, in school . . . why do we think that we have to have Pinterest-worthy lives?” Amen sister…so true!
thanks Lauren, I don’t know why we do that to ourselves!
I do love your attitude and honesty in this post! There are people out there that do seem to push out how perfect and all the things we should/shouldn’t do and your right. We don’t need all the bells and whistles to appreciate the small things in life and the more important things. Which one is finding happiness, and that is one thing I can tell you have!
Very cool you went from non-runner transformation into going to run your first marathon next month:) That is awesome! The marathon is my race of choice, so I love hearing others giving it a try. I hope you have the most awesome first time experience and do as great as your training to do in the race!!! What an awesome example you are to your children:)
Thank you so much, and thank you again for organizing this hop! (PS I’m childfree, I probably should have mentioned that in my intro LOL)
Your weight loss journey is inspiring – and not because of the numbers – but because of your dedication and willingness to release what wasn’t working for you. I love that you have worked with a health coach to support you in this accomplishment – I’m one myself and I know it can make a big difference!
Thanks Marissa! I’m glad that you are able to have such an awesome career to help others.
Wow, you have worked hard and accomplished an incredible transformation! Good luck on your first marathon! I hope it goes well for you.
I love that verse from Matthew. I was just sharing with my women’s group over the weekend how I feel the pressure to be Pinterest perfect as a Pastor’s wife, and how I would rather just be authentic. Your post was so encouraging for me to read, because it confirmed what I was already feeling.
I’m so glad you found it encouraging! Two of my sisters as pastor’s wives and so I can sympathize.
Congratulations on all the progress you have made in mind, body, and spirit! I definitely need to live more in the present and get what needs to be done on the web in one quick shot. Avoid distractions so I can do my business and then enjoy what’s around me! I’m on my own C25K journey and almost fell off the wagon! But I went outside today to head to the gym for a workout and indoor run but couldn’t resist! The outdoor breeze and warm sun was too beautiful I just started running :] I would love to be more organized and find time for work, myself, and the people I love for a well-balanced life.
Running outside is a GREAT way to be in the present! Especially when it’s nice out. When it’s not nice out I tend to try to ignore the present haha.
It’s so great to learn more about you and your journey! Congrats on all of the progress you’ve made so far. You look incredible, but even better, I imagine you FEEL incredible, too. You have an awesome attitude, too.
Oh, and with a husband who already is begging to put up the Christmas decorations, I LOVE your #takebacknovember idea!
Ha ha, my husband actually isn’t into Christmas decorations. His mom used to make him put up trees in every. single. room of their house so now he has sworn off any Christmas decorating. I do like to put a few things out though.
I love your transformation story, thank you so much for sharing it. I look forward to reading more about your life and #takebacknovember
Thanks, Kelli. It has been fun getting to know you through the blog hop!
What an amazing journey and story you have! Thank you so much for sharing. I am so happy that you have found not only a love for yourself, but love with another individual. What an inspiration.
thank you, I often think that without loving yourself you are not able to love another individual.
(Side note- I closed my computer yesterday before I hit send and did not realize it till today!)
Wendy!!!
Hello from the blog hop! I am so glad to ‘meet’ you!
Wow, you have done a lot of hard work and it shows! Your smile is radiant and confident!
And simple and encouraging, those are 2 things I strive to do, and love that about your blog. I often joke with my friends that if a recipe has more than a few steps I most likely won’t be making it! Simple is where I am at!
I love the reminders from scripture! Such a blessing to find so many like minded believers on this hop!
One area of my life that makes many others seem balanced is when I am able to sleep well and have a great workout!
Thanks for sharing your story! Such an inspiration 🙂
thanks for stopping by! And yes, SLEEP is so important!!!!
I absolutely loved reading this post. Thank you for sharing your story. My favorite part was ‘why do we think we have to pinterest-worthy lives)…seriously! So happy to have discovered you! xoxo
thanks for stopping by!
Your personality shines through your writing so much! Your transformation is really incredible, as is your search for balance. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, I’m glad you stopped by!
What an amazing transformation and not just physically but your whole self! I love how honest and genuine you are. I really appreciate that and believe it’s ok to not be Martha Stewart, live a Pinterest life and be messy. It’s ok to be messy!! Loved meeting you through the blog hop!
thanks Jenn! We all have messy lives, don’t we? In so many ways . . .
Huge congrats on your weight loss! And an even bigger congrats on knowing what is important to you in your life and grabbing it by the horns. You are definitely an inspiration =)
Thank you!