Anything is Possible

A day happened that I never thought would on the weekend of Cruz's first birthday...

A little prior insight. 

In 2008 my mom was diagnosed with stage three uterine cancer. She was thankfully referred to an amazing doctor and up to now the cancer has not returned. A lot of the reason I work as hard as I do is because I am so effing scared that I will one day also be diagnosed. Weight is a HUGE contributor to our chances. As most people with weight issues myself included, my mom has been a yo-yo dieter. 

On my last trip to my parents house I was a bit shocked with how much weight my mom had gained. I really didn't want to say anything but st the same time I want to try to help her find the motivation she needed to make a one eighty turn for her betterment. I decided maybe instead of saying anything that maybe me working out everyday I was there might light a spark. I also made sure to keep on my normal ways of eating and not fall into the complacency I would normally fall into on a weekend at the folks house. 

As I was preparing to leave my mom told me she was ready to start a new diet on Tuesday once I left. I gave her a hug and congratulated her and encouraged her to walk a little bit more than the little that she does and told her I'm here for her. Mostly because it's such an emotional ride, this journey of weight loss. 

As I left I was hopeful that she would follow through...

Now to the good... No the great part... 

A little I've a week ago my parents came to help celebrate Cruz's first birthday. While we were baking cakes and prepping foods, my mom got up from her chair and walked over to my row of kettlebells. She started to pick them up one by one... Some a bit to heavy... Until she found one she felt she could maneuver. My girlfriend Kim and I just stood on the sidelines and watched her find her stance and start to swing my 8kg in between her legs. I don't think I have ever been so excited. I then walked over and proceeded to give her a kettlebell 101. 

I gave her all the materials I started with and as many suggestions that she could possibly absorb in such a short amount of time. I hoped it would be enough and most of all I was excited to see she had been bit by the kettlebell bug. 

I just got off the phone with my dad and he just let me know my mom did purchase herself a 15lb bell and she's been working out a few times a week. 

My heart is so happy right now, I hope that my mom gets as much as I have from kettlebell. As in my post yesterday, some days I can't believe I'm an inspiration to anyone but I am so glad I've inspired my mom and if I can inspire her anything is possible. 

Strong moms. 

Inspiration

I often spend hours scouring Pinterest looking up inspirational quotes, pictures, healthy recipes and cute workout wear. 

Most of the time it's to give myself the positive reinforcement that mentally I need to reassure myself that I am doing a good job on this journey of mine. When I read one that I feel depicts an accurate description of the strength I'm building through kettlebell or a quote that reinforces a belief I have about fitness it makes me feel more confident in myself, it makes me feel that what I'm doing is relevant and someone else out there feels or has felt like I do. 

Another way I look for inspiration is through the few people I follow on Facebook, Instagram and blogs who share in the same fitness and nutritional needs and goals I have. There's a lot of emotion that runs through your body when you are loosing weight and gaining strength. I look to these people for inspiration often and also for reassurance. Thier posts help me get through my emotional lows and even my victorious highs. Their progress inspires me to try new things and keep myself motivated. 

I find myself sharing photos on Instagram and Facebook of my workouts and delisuous heathy foods I eat. Occasionally I'll post a picture of the scale when I make it to another goal (I've had to set new ones, ones that I would have never ever thought I could obtain as I passed the 175 goal that I set 7 years ago and could never get to). 

What I've found by posting these pictures is two fold. 1. I did it in the beginning because the likes again have me the reinforcement I needed for my own self satisfaction in knowing that others acknowledge my progress and "like" my accomplishments. and 2. The BIG one, something that was never even a thought that never ever came to my mind before this journey is that MY posts are inspiring others. Lately I have been out publicly more often and the feedback that I have got from my friends and industry friends that I do not see often tell me that my posts inspire them. I event receive comments both on my posts and in private messages if how my pictures and posts are motivation for them. 

In the begining it was a bit awkward to hear, but I then remembered having pinned a quote I Pinterest way back before this kettlebell joirney that said... BE STRONG BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE INSPIRING. 

And there it is, the realization that I too am inspiring. I could have never imagined that this would be a feeling I would feel in my life. I am truly greatful to be in this position to be an inspiration to someone else because it is a opportunity for me to pay forward the inspiration I receive. 

That being said I am going to bed inspired, inspired to be inspirational.