What a week! The Blue and Yellow teams showed us all that you can lose weight at home. Can you imagine how these precious people must have felt after arriving at the ranch for one day only to be sent home without ever having a workout? My heart broke for them week one. Here they had been through an intense casting process, and then they were selected for the show. They were going to the infamous ranch. Such excitement comes from the idea of starting your new life. Then they faced a terrible blow by being sent home immediately after arriving. They could have very easily let disappointment and resentment set in and used it as an excuse to give up. How many times does life take a much different path than the one we planned for ourselves? The fact is we can't control what happens in our lives, but we can control our response. These two teams chose to move forward in spite of difficult circumstances, and I applaud them!
How many times in life do we let circumstance dictate our response? Hard times, loss, tragedy, and basic unhappiness are rampant during the course of our lives and can be used as an excuse to give up. One of the lessons I learned during my time on the ranch was I am much stronger than I knew. Before going on the show I had reached my "rock bottom." Grief had consumed me to the point where I had, for all practical purposes, given up. I wasn't taking care of myself. I was doing what I had to exist and little else; however, deep inside me I knew I desperately wanted more from life. Despite having lost the most important people in my life, there was a nagging feeling that I must move forward in this life of mine. I couldn't control how I "felt," but I decided that taking care of myself physically might help in the healing process.
You may find yourself in a similar situation... feeling hopeless and helpless. You may think that you are hurting so deeply you don't know where to start. I urge you to do whatever you have to do to get your life back. You do not have to be a prisoner in your own body. Even in light of terrible circumstances, when you CHOOSE a positive response, you empower yourself to create the life you desire. Weight loss cannot be about just the physical changes. Let's face it, getting healthy and changing former habits is hard. That's why for me it had to be about a bigger goal. Living life to the fullest was my heart's desire, and as I type these words, I can honestly say that's what I'm doing... living. As I was driving down the road the other day with the top down on my car, maybe dancing a little, I thought, "I'm happy today." Though I will never be the same person I was October 12, 2006, I am so much better than I ever thought possible on October 13, 2006. You, too, can be better than you ever thought possible!
I cannot wait to see the Blue Team at the finale. These women have such beautiful spirits that transcend the television screen. They are choosing to take difficult circumstances, make no excuses, and get more from life. What a treasure to get to watch their success unfold. My wish for everyone struggling in life, is for you to taste that same success! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! YOU are stronger than you know! Choose differently today! This the first day of the rest of your new life!!!