Yesterday was an amazing and emotional day for me on many levels! It is finals week and my last day with 92 students. I had been grading non-stop for four days and had only had four hours of sleep in the past two nights. I'd been at school until 9:30 pm Wednesday as I read final projects that reflected the souls, hearts, and minds of my students.
I am SO proud of my students for the amazing, college level work they did. I have pushed them hard all quarter...let's turn up the dial and do more and do it better! I upped the expectations, and they came through!
It's excruciating to have them all leave at once, hear from each of them what they learned, and see the changes they have made in just twelve weeks. I cried while they talked, and I cried while I talked to them, saying goodbye. I copied off one of my favorite sayings for each of them and brought each one a flower.
There is still more grading to do and final grades to do, but this is just how yesterday went.
This is a job I have loved for forty years and I am so, so honored to be their teacher! They are SO courageous and such fine people. I still can't stop crying when I read their cards and notes!
After leaving my students, and THREE class potlucks in a row where I only had carrots and celery, I went directly to my Weight Watchers meeting and weigh in.
I lost 1.4 pounds for a total of 26 pounds! I am over the 25 pound mark. I went up, got a magnet, and have been letting that sink in ever since.
I have adored my life...every day, all the time. I have adored the ups and downs and the great learnings.
However, I have NOT adored being overweight the last few years. I have NOT adored the "lose 15 pounds, gain it back" cycle. I have NOT adored buying clothes of larger sizes. I have NOT adored looking in the mirror. I had quit weighing myself, I just didn't want to know. I had somehow resigned myself into thinking that this is how my life was going to be.
And then Amy invited and gently pushed for me to go to Weight Watchers and this journey began. Every day is hard work, not just in what I eat, but how I "use" food. Is food a comforter, a friend, an answer to hurt and stress? Or is food just food...fun, tasty, and what I need to eat when I am hungry.
The journey to heath and weight loss is a lifestyle change that is physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. I have always taken on tough goals and have often gone after them with great effort and stamina. Now I am doing that for my health!
I will lose 4 more pounds by Christmas. I will continue to make tough choices. I will NOT take the easy way out or make excuses! I will not lie to myself that things are OK with my weight when they are not. There will be weeks where I may gain weight or maintain my weight, but I will not let those weeks stop me from doing what I said I would do.
I will allow myself to be proud of me for the enormous effort I have put into this!
I know God loves me and His love and strength have held me up in this process. I know my husband loves and adores me. He is so proud of me and delighted as I get clothes of a smaller size or wear clothes I couldn't get into any more. I know my family and friends love me and stand beside me as I work to do this. I know they want me to stay on the planet and be healthy.
I know I love me and that I am worth doing this for!
So...yesterday was an emotional day, a very emotional day...it still reverberates through my soul! 92 goodbyes and goodbye to 1.4 more pounds!
Hugs and loves to all who read this! God Bless! Linda
I am SO proud of my students for the amazing, college level work they did. I have pushed them hard all quarter...let's turn up the dial and do more and do it better! I upped the expectations, and they came through!
It's excruciating to have them all leave at once, hear from each of them what they learned, and see the changes they have made in just twelve weeks. I cried while they talked, and I cried while I talked to them, saying goodbye. I copied off one of my favorite sayings for each of them and brought each one a flower.
There is still more grading to do and final grades to do, but this is just how yesterday went.
This is a job I have loved for forty years and I am so, so honored to be their teacher! They are SO courageous and such fine people. I still can't stop crying when I read their cards and notes!
After leaving my students, and THREE class potlucks in a row where I only had carrots and celery, I went directly to my Weight Watchers meeting and weigh in.
I lost 1.4 pounds for a total of 26 pounds! I am over the 25 pound mark. I went up, got a magnet, and have been letting that sink in ever since.
I have adored my life...every day, all the time. I have adored the ups and downs and the great learnings.
However, I have NOT adored being overweight the last few years. I have NOT adored the "lose 15 pounds, gain it back" cycle. I have NOT adored buying clothes of larger sizes. I have NOT adored looking in the mirror. I had quit weighing myself, I just didn't want to know. I had somehow resigned myself into thinking that this is how my life was going to be.
And then Amy invited and gently pushed for me to go to Weight Watchers and this journey began. Every day is hard work, not just in what I eat, but how I "use" food. Is food a comforter, a friend, an answer to hurt and stress? Or is food just food...fun, tasty, and what I need to eat when I am hungry.
The journey to heath and weight loss is a lifestyle change that is physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. I have always taken on tough goals and have often gone after them with great effort and stamina. Now I am doing that for my health!
I will lose 4 more pounds by Christmas. I will continue to make tough choices. I will NOT take the easy way out or make excuses! I will not lie to myself that things are OK with my weight when they are not. There will be weeks where I may gain weight or maintain my weight, but I will not let those weeks stop me from doing what I said I would do.
I will allow myself to be proud of me for the enormous effort I have put into this!
I know God loves me and His love and strength have held me up in this process. I know my husband loves and adores me. He is so proud of me and delighted as I get clothes of a smaller size or wear clothes I couldn't get into any more. I know my family and friends love me and stand beside me as I work to do this. I know they want me to stay on the planet and be healthy.
I know I love me and that I am worth doing this for!
So...yesterday was an emotional day, a very emotional day...it still reverberates through my soul! 92 goodbyes and goodbye to 1.4 more pounds!
Hugs and loves to all who read this! God Bless! Linda
5 comments:
I can feel/hear the emotion pouring out of this post. The fact that you are a deep feeler not only makes you special, but makes you a wonderful person to connect with. Your students sense your commitment to them as well as your sincerity in every lesson. This allows them to put their reservations aside and dive into each lesson that you share. They love your class - love your messages - and their lives are transformed. They won't forget you, ever. I know, I was one of your students.
And as for losing more weight, I am so proud of you and so thrilled to hear that you are taking time to be proud of you too... YOU DESERVE IT! The holidays are an increasingly difficult time to hang on to weightloss and fitness goals when there are temptations around every corner.
I am sending you a long, tender hug and can't wait till Sunday for our special Christmas tradition, the Nutcracker, and for the chance to hug you in person.
XOXO - I love you, Mama
WOOHOO! Way to go Linda - that 25 lb magnet is a major milestone and one you should proudly display. I keep mine on the fridge so I see it every time I open the door. It helps to keep me accountable to myself.
Yes, the holidays are a very hard time especially if you grew up in a family that has a lot of "food" traditions. I make an effort to start new, healthy traditions. Mike and I agree that any treats that come into our house are passed on to someone who would enjoy it more. We do allow ourselves a couple of treats but we definitely don't keep entire cookie platters around. Just too much of a temptation.
Keep up the good work - I can't wait to see less of you.
I was so proud to be there when you received your 25 lb. magent at the Weight Watcher meeting. You've really made huge efforts for a healthier life and I am thrilled! I can see the difference in your more trim figure, your level of energy, and in your food choices. Keep up the great work!
As for your last day with students... you'll be missed. You really have an amazing impact on the lives of those you teach. The Lord knew that He could work through you to touch the students at SCC. What a blessing to do His work!
I love you!
Wow! Your students are so incredibly lucky to have a teacher who cares about them so deeply. It is teachers like you who touch lives and change them forever!
Way to go on losing more weight! I am so inspired by the goals you set and achieve through an enormous amount of hard work! Congrats and keep it up! Thanks for sharing!
Hope you're having a fabulous time at the Nutcracker right now!
Your students are so blessed to have a teacher who cares about them so much! Great job with losing 1.4 pounds! You're doing so great! I love you all tons!
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