The Year of Loss

2013 is drawing to a close. Thanksgiving and Christmas are now behind me. New Years is right around the cornor. It is time for reflection. This has been a really tough year for me, financially and emotionally. The year started with our only car (and the means by which my husband makes money) cratering. Then my husband ended up in the hospital for almost a week. My original five left the gym one by one. I started a new job. It has seemed like I have had one hit after another, ALL YEAR LONG. I have said before that stress has made me gain weight in the past. Is it any wonder why I have been on a plateau? I have tried to face each hit with a positive attitude, a smile on my face and laughter in my heart. I must confess, it has been hard. I have often told friends "Faith isn't faith 'til it's tested." And mine has been tested this year. 

I believe things happen in cycles, or seasons if you will. As 2013 ends, I look at 2014 coming on the horizon. My God given optomism swells in my chest. Hope comes with the dawn.  I believe 2014 will be a year of change. I'm settling into my new job. There is definite room for growth there. I have stepped away from small group training, and am now doing Power in Motion. I am feeling stronger. (Reminding myself that muscle weighs more than fat, and as Kevin once told me "Gaining more muscle is NEVER a bad thing") I am building a new support system. Nothing will ever take the place of the original five, but different isn't always bad. There will be strength in the differences. Already Austin is pushing me, encouraging me, building me up. He takes the time to talk to me, listen to me. We are bonding. When I can make early morning workouts, Levi is there to stretch me and challenge me. These guys are both powerhouses, and will be key to my continued changes. Christa is back, after going to work at another gym for a while. I missed her so much while she was gone. While she won't be teaching anymore (she has taken a supervisory role), she will ALWAYS be there for emotional support. Her smile and laughter make my heart sing. Since I've been doing PnM so much, I'm not taking as many group classes, but I do make sure to get my cardio in at least once a week by taking RPM with Shawn. He talks a lot of trash to me during class, but I know he misses me when I'm not there. And I can't forget Madison. 5:30 am RPM with her is fun when I can make it, but 5:30 pm Friday BodyCombat is the BEST!! She has the heart of a servant and is about as sweet as they come. My team at the desk now consist of Holly, Josh, and Kimber. There smiles and encouragement when I walk in really make my day. 

So Happy New Year everyone! So long Year of Loss, hello to the Year of Change. Let's get busy!!!