Happy Saturday! And this week's amazing NSV's

[Shirl]

Hope all y'all's had a relaxing time celebrating Fourth of July! It was a little stressful traveling on the 4th, but overall was better than I expected. I tagged along on a business trip and spent 4-day in Colorado Springs, CO. We took a cog train up to Pikes Peak and actually saw the views that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write "America The Beautiful," and that was worth the altitude sickness I experienced at 14200 feet above sea level!

This week's NSV's are two fold, one is that I went shopping to my favorite outlet, and not only did I find some excellent prices on two beautiful dresses, they were size 8 !!! I also got a pair of awesome hiking shorts at REI size 10, I could have gone with size 8, but it was too tight to be on a business trip. The good news is that REI has an excellent return policy I have up to a year to return if they become too loose.

So wearing a smaller size that I haven't worn since probably pre pregnancies, this was very exciting!!! But what I am very proud is that I did four days of hiking and exploring! I hiked up approximately 800+ steep stairs combined to get up to both of the Seven Falls viewing decks. I hiked several long trails in the Garden of the Gods in what seemed 100 degrees climate. I walked over 25 miles those four days and not once did I feel tired or overwhelmed out out of my realm.

Taking my health back through Sleeve Gastrectomy is more than losing weight or wearing single digit size clothing for me, it has been about experiencing and enjoying my life in ways I was unable to do so before.

I remember going on a hike to Joshua Tree, CA on a retreat with several friends who were a bit more fit (A LOT more fit) than me and half way up the mountain I just said "&uck it!" I can't continue. Maybe I would have been able to make it, but not only was it a steep hike and my knee was bothering me, it was a silent hike. And when you are not okay in your mind/heart/spirit thoughts have a way of defeating you. Of convincing you that you are unworthy and that your are weak. I was alone on most of my outings and not once did I feel betrayed by my body or my mind, and trust me I am fearfully afraid of heights and felt several times like vértigo was going to kick in, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and taking one step at a time telling myself "Si Puedes! Yes I Can!" and I am grateful I did.

[Shirl]

Oops!

Happy Sunday! I started this post yesterday (Saturday) at the airport, just got to finish it today.

[knp76]

Congratulations on your accomplishments. I can't wait until the day that I can hike and climb stairs without having to stop part of the way through. Seeing how successful people like you are gives me hope and inspiration.

[Ann2]

That's HUGE stuff, Shirl. Congratulations to you.

[Gvn71]

Congrats! Keep fighting the good fight!

[Christie13]

Woohoo!! Size 8! That is great news Shirl!! So proud of you!