Summer is here…and I’m loving it. Give me the heat and humidity. It makes me want to be out more, but it also makes me miss running. Ugh..I digress.

This blog is a wrap up of my week. I felt this week was a nice break to insanity lately.

Monday I jumped out to walk and was startled by a mommy dear and her baby. I was so taken aback that I barely had time to pull out my phone, but I caught the baby at the end. I thought it was awful hot for them to be out considering it was 93 with 100 degree heat index.

I am thankful to have that moment. my walk felt so much at peace.

I’m working on this stupid diet and exercise thing but the struggle is real. I remember in my 20s I could eat anything I wanted, and never had to worry about gaining weight. Nowadays I look at something and I gain. Getting old sucks. I wish there was a magic wand.

Ten years ago I was in my best shape ever. I had about 13% body fat. I could run a mile in 5:30. I ate super clean. If I do say so myself, I physically looked amazing. However, I was emotionally miserable. I keep this picture as a reminder of the hard work I put into this look and how easily we can hide our emotions behind a smile.

After the struggles of that year, I often compared my body to that. Why can’t I look like that again? Honestly, that’s the worst thing to do. Many efforts in exercise and dieting is the mental state you are in. Your mental game has to be on to help your drive and will power to succeed. I reflect to that time and know how hard I physically worked for that, but how miserably sad I was inside. My mom had just been diagnosed with dementia. I was struggling how to balance that with the pressures of a day job, college, and normal stresses of life.

While I physically was in great shape, I never want to be that person again. A person who hid behind a smile. A person who focused to constantly try to make everyone happy.

Today I choose me. I have been choosing me for a few years now. I’m glad I do.

I even made it to my body pump class on Thursday because I chose me.

Yesterday I had the best breakfast with someone who has become one of my dearest friends. I don’t get a lot of 1:1 time with her, so we made the most of it. We spent so much time reminiscing of how our friendship came about and to where we are today. She mentioned the word ‘freedom’ and she has never been more correct.

Life has come a long way for me. Yesterday felt like an amazing celebration. Freedom!

Having that time to rekindle something I thought was lost renewed my heart on life. My Foxy Roxy (as I call her) is good people. I thank God every day for her.

After I settled at home, I jumped out and had a great walk in the heat, pearls and all. I felt like I was walking on clouds. I even wogged a couple blocks.

Don’t tell my surgeon!

Until next time, peace out trouts.