A Southern Rebel's Journey to a #newmein2017

Most of you have been following my journey to a better me. #newmein2017 is my journey to become healthier, fitter, and lose some much needed weight. Part of that journey also involved my overall mental health and happiness. I was a couch potato. I was a 3-4 20 oz. soda bottle a day drinker. I ate unhealthy. I did NOT exercise. And I was MISERABLE!! I wanted to be able to participate in things I could no longer participate in. But I had no motivation and no will power. Then, a comment was made about me that changed everything. As comments go, it wasn't the worst I had ever heard; I grew up being made fun of and laughed at in school, so normally this comment would have just bounced off me. But, the comment was made by someone that professed to love me, at least to my face. That and the fact that the comment was not made to my face, but rather told to my husband, really drove two things home. #1: I will never be able to trust this person again. They have broken my trust for the last time. #2: In their design to destroy me, from the inside out, they failed miserably. Instead of hurting me, it angered me. Instead of making me want to give up, it has given me power beyond belief. Because this is my strength. That one sentence got me off the couch. That one sentence made me put down the sodas and sugary sweetness that was my disguise. That one comment got my butt down to the gym. On February 9, 2017, I began a journey that has already changed so many parts of my life. In one month I have lost 12lbs, gone down almost two pant sizes. I have more energy, more desire to actually workout instead of sitting on the couch all the time. I can feel it when I don't workout. I have cut soda out of my life (if I do drink one, it takes me 3-4 days to actually finish a 20 oz bottle), I have almost completely cut out carbs, and the ones I do eat are healthier for me. I am drinking 3-4 32oz cups of water with frozen fruit a day, and I like it. People have noticed the change in me. People can see the difference. While it is nice to hear that they notice, I am NOT doing this just for the comments, I have never been like that and never will be. I am doing this for myself. I am my own motivation now. While the comment should have destroyed my life, it has made it better, and now I am motivating myself. A colleague at work came to see me today and left the lyrics to a Lauren Alaina song, "Road Less Traveled" for me to read. She said it reminded her of my journey and the fact that I am a southern lady with a rebel side, (she is from Alabama originally and can relate). I am including them here, as this song has the potential to become my "fight song".


 "Road Less Traveled"
 Why do you keep staring?
That mirror, mirror, it ain't fair at all (mm-mm)
 Dress sizes can't define, don't let the world decide what's
 beautiful, No

 You won't make yourself a name if you follow the rules
History gets made when you're acting a fool
 So don't hold it back and just run it
 Show what you got and just own it
No, they can't tear you apart.

 If you trust your rebel heart, ride it into battle
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled
 Wear out your boots and kick up the gravel
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled on
Oh, ooh-whoa, oh, ooh-whoa
Take the road less traveled on

 Don't follow anyone
March to the rhythm of a different drum
Why do we analyze, break out, and criticize the crazy ones?
 You won't make yourself a name if you follow the rules
History gets made when you're acting a fool
So don't hold it back and just run it
 Show what you got and just own it
No, they can't tear you apart, no.

 If you trust your rebel heart, ride it into battle
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled
Wear out your boots and kick up the gravel
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled on
Oh, ooh-whoa, oh, ooh-whoa
Take the road less traveled on
Oh, ooh-whoa, oh, ooh-whoa
Take the road less traveled on

 Put your hands up, show me that you're one of a kind
Put your hands up, let me hear your voice tonight

 If you trust your rebel heart, ride it into battle
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled
Wear out your boots and kick up the gravel
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled on

 If you trust your rebel heart, ride it into battle
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled
Wear out your boots and kick up the gravel
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled on
 Oh, ooh-whoa, oh, ooh-whoa
Take the road less traveled on

 Wear out your boots and kick up the gravel
Don't be afraid, take the road less traveled on

 Traveled on
Take the road less traveled on