Inspiration ~ Giving & Taking!

What does inspiration mean to you? What comes to mind when you think of it? 
C'mon, now, gimme whatchu got!

Taking inspiration seems a bit easier than giving inspiration. When taking inspiration, it's often unknown by its source. When giving inspiration, it's unknown how it will be perceived or received.

Giving inspiration, without sounding like a know-it-all takes introspection, practice, introspection, then MORE practice! It puts the giver of inspiration in a vulnerable state of mind when it's done in person, face to face.
Remember face to face?
As in 2 or more people actually physically in each others presence at the same time!
Remember that??

This morning, when going in for my morning workout, going into the group exercise room, there was a girl in there. I could tell from the defeated look on her face, the slump of her shoulders that she was struggling.
The gym can be an intimidating place. It can be even more intimidating when a person is just starting their fitness journey. When layers of body fat have piled on, energy level is low, unhealthy eating habits have been ingrained.

This girl said she felt lost, discouraged, had no clue where to start, everything seemed too hard.

Truly, I felt her pain!

In 2004, I WAS her! or at least very similar.

The compassion reflex which is a large part of who I am, kicked in at that moment.

When I was tired of being the fat girl, I had very little encouragement. People were all about telling me to get the fat girl surgery - aka - stomach stapling, gastric by-pass, the sleeve!
The doctor I went to only wanted to put me on this med, that med, YAY FOR BIG PHARMA!
Cha ching!

Umm, NOPE!

I had never set foot in a gym to work out until 2004. I was going to do this!
Very low self esteem
Very little encouragement
Clueless as to how to do it
Sabotage from those who should have been more encouraging
Body shaming from people who were supposed to love me

My dear friend, Janice, was an inspiration. She had 5 babies, I had 4, yet, she had done it. She inspired me, gave me information, ideas, encouragement. She is still a wealth of ideas!
Love you, girrrl!

This morning, the pained look on the girls face told me everything.

For all the years, all the struggles, all the research I did to be able to lose the weight, I wanted to share, yet, do it while not sounding like a know it all.

I told her how my knees ached, my back ached, my feet ached and I was just plain tired & discouraged, when I started. 
Yet, I knew that I had to start from where I was.

I told her that if all she did was walk on the treadmill for however long she had, to do it. Go fast or go slow, JUST GO! I shared with her some knowledge that had helped me. 
It seemed to make her feel better!

I saw her facial expression change from discouraged, to encouraged. I told her that half of the struggle with getting into healthy shape is in her eating habits. I told her that I stick to lean, natural protein & raw veggies more than anything.
I shared with her the bold move that I made, when I took everything out of my pantry, cupboards, refrigerator & freezer that was unhealthy.
I took the foods, snacks, candy, etc & gave to a food bank, gave to friends who wanted it or just tossed it in the trash on trash day!

One of the bennies of being single & living alone is that I can control just what comes into my home, as far as food is concerned!

I shared with her how I had gauged my progress.

It's my hope that she continues what she's doing to get to a healthier physical condition.

If I helped her, even in a small way, that makes me so HAPPY!

Random acts of kindness, known or unknown, my friends, it's a joy in life!

DO IT!

GO! 

Better to be Kind

Having been around the tree-stump a few times, it's common place for someone to have learned a few things.

I can hope this for everyone including myself.

We all go along in life with its ups and mediocres, it's my personal belief that we are here, living this life, to learn.

At an earlier time in my life, I had a somewhat vengeful nature. A character flaw, I realize, now. The events which led me to have that flaw are justifiable, yet, maybe, I could have made better choices.

I learned (thankfully!)

It did come back to bite me, nearly killing me. It was at the hands of people associated with someone who hurt me very deeply.

I don't remember him, I was shown the information by someone who knows him.

It's the past.

I don't remember him or much from that time period in my life, it was a very difficult, tumultuous time.

Whatever events that have transpired, positive or negative, the point has been driven into my heart & mind.

When given a choice, it's better to be kind.

This means kind. Weakness is totally different. 

Kindness is to do that which is a persons' full scope of benevolence in a given situation. 

Yeah.

I know that explaining again, would be redundant. Ha ha!

Having been a person who usually acts with kindness, compassion, generosity, I see, now, that kindness is a better choice.

Keep in mind, I'm imperfect. 

Would I go back in time to have been more kind?

Sometimes yes, sometimes maybe. :)

Knowing that I have been the recipient of cruelty more often than not, it has taken me awhile to come to this realization.

It's very enriching to evolve!

The person I was yesterday

Has slowly melted away

Like snowflakes on your cheek

Like the lasting love you seek

Having lived having learned

Having been blessed or burned

Finding my way has taken some time

Expressing this lesson to you in rhyme

The lesson has been refined

When faced with a choice

It's better to be kind

Guilt Trip

It's often said, "It's no ones fault" or "It is what it is. " (UGH!)

Sometimes, just sometimes, every once in awhile, there will be that rare, evolved individual who will admit they were wrong or are wrong. A person who is unselfish or has an "AHA" unselfish moment.

Sometimes it's just the basic guilty conscience.

Sometimes, a person has been struck with the realization that they, indeed, were at fault or are at fault after a period of introspection. That time period can be a matter of hours, days, weeks, months or even years!

For an unknown number of people, the light fails to dawn upon them. Blissfully unaware. Just bee-bopping along. :)

If individuals can be put in a category, I don't fit into any of these categories or maybe I'm blissed out & unaware!

People-watching can yield some great introspection. A person can sometimes see how they appear to others when happy, sad, zoned out, angry, drunk.......I digress.

I enjoy people-watching.

It offers me some introspection.

Something I noticed is how many people are so sure that nothing about them is visible in their actions, expressions, movements, mannerisms, vocal inflection & vocal volume!

Many things are obvious to the trained eye as well as the untrained. People who are insecure broadcast without realizing it. Their body posture, facial expressions. Some people can hide it some of the time, yet, not all people can hide it all of the time. Some people are simply open books!

I might slightly resemble that category. 

I'm honest by nature, I find it difficult to lie. 

Everyone lies sometimes, including myself. How's that grab ya' for honesty? :)

In my own personal journey from fit & slender to morbidly obese, now, working back toward fit & slender, I noticed the tell tale signs in my own body. 

My own face, of my own body. No, it's not loose, floppy, hanging skin, my skin is toned as well as nearly taut.

There ARE, however, physical characteristics that I have, which are the truth markers of having been morbidly obese at one point in my life.

When watching other people, I can identify the same characteristics in others. The characteristics are not detracting from a persons appearance any more than wearing contact lenses detracts from a former eyeglass wearers. Simply, neutral characteristics.

When I served in the USAF, I was at a healthy weight as a matter of military regulation. When I married, I did let my healthy eating habits slip. I started to pick up the habits of the huzz. 

He had very unhealthy eating habits yet, his fast metabolism consumed the calories like a 500 degree furnace! He ate lots of fried foods, lots of food in general. I picked up some of those bad habits, by choice, it was my decision.

It was going to pile lots of weight on my small frame. 

Then, came the babies, etc, etc, etc, etc.

I knew that eating the ice cream, cookies, fried foods, pizza, as well as a plethora of unhealthy choices was putting weight on me.

I wasn't worried, though I should have been. 

Famed last words!

As the weight added up, I wasn't willing to think about it. There were also the symptoms of PTSD, which I had to fight to deal with in order to be a good wife & mother.

The busy lifestyle of raising 4 children, supporting his career, moving from one house to another. Sometimes, one country to another.

We moved 18 times in 22 years in support of his career.

I was distracted, I was busy, I was tired. I was oblivious.

This is a reason, though, it's no excuse.

Still?

I feel horribly guilty tinged with regret that I let myself gain so much weight that it has taken me 12 years to naturally, slowly, take most of it off.

When I see the telling signs in others who have fought the battle with obesity and won! I'm happy for them.

I, also, see those same markers, if you will, in myself and OMGoodness! 

I feel guilty!

I feel sad that I allowed it, because, I know I did.

Guilty by negligence.

My justifications were:

I've had 4 babies

Genetics are against me

I still have time to lose it

I'm married, I can relax on my appearance a little

It's too hard, I can't do it!

Huzz is trying to control me by pressuring me too much

If I lose weight, I will do it for ME, no one else

Honestly? I didn't realize just how much weight I had gained. Didn't know, didn't care about it very much. I truly didn't realize how I appeared in reality.

When I finally got to the point where I was ready to take the weight off just for me, I went after it, stuck to it, felt strong determination!

Now, when looking back at photos of myself from before I gained the weight, to photos of after, it makes me feel so horribly guilty, I can't bear it.

It's very embarrassing, discouraging, disheartening.

Still, I push forward!

Pushing forward to make my fitness goals, my #1 goals. 

The guilt?

Oh, yass! It's still there. Instead of letting the guilt use me, I use the guilt to motivate, inspire, to push harder, become more lean, stronger, more physically fit.

Bonus time!

In addition to becoming more physically fit, my mental/emotional/psychological state of being has become happier, more peaceful. Maybe it's from, in addition to working out, my daily Yoga practice.

I will admit, I still feel the guilt of having let myself go. Although I am almost where I want to to be, fitness wise, the guilt still hangs on like the last 10 pounds of weight to lose, like that next level in benching 300 lbs when you stay at 250 for so long (both of which, 300 or 250, I cannot do, so I won't make fraudulent claims).

Maybe, the guilty feelings will be the last dregs of obesity to go.

Whatever it is or isn't, I'm on my way!

L8erz!

The Question

It's often said that good things come in 3's. Sometimes, anything can happen in a multiple of 3's. Unfortunate, disastrous things, also, wonderful, amazingly happy events.

Having been single since 2007, I get the "question" a lot! I've developed a bit of witty repartee', yet, it seems to catch me by surprise nearly every time.

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"
"How can you be single?"
"You should have a boyfriend, shouldn't you?"
"Why are you single?"

UGH.

Actually, I'm not single, I'm independently owned & operated!

Knowing that I have those qualities which guys search for, who are emotionally mature enough to be able to sustain a connection with a girl. I have learned to hold back.
Only if I'm married will I give those things that I feel safe giving within the context of a legally, morally committed relationship with that one lucky guy who makes me feel like a lucky girl!

~ I keep the home cooked meals coming
~ Happy 99% of the time
~ Kind hearted & compassionate
~ Keep the bed hot & my temper cooled
~ Very careful & frugal with money
~ Physically fit & healthy, energetic & optimistic
~ Devoted & faithful
~ Clean & organized
~ Responsible
~ Just sassy enough to keep him on his toes

There's more, that's the basics.

As a single girl who is happy in my life even when things are less than pleasant. Remaining positive serves me well.

Most likely the reason I'm single is that I'm very authentic. Guys have become accustomed to fake people. When they meet a fake sort of girl, she's the norm, so, he doesn't question her.
When guys see me, with mah sincere, authentic lil self, they assume I'm a fake, a liar, too good to be true.
That's okay.

Having read in psychology publications as well as other places, that intelligent women remain single longer than their lesser sisters.
I must be dam near genius!
*smile*

I know why I am single, it's because I know that who I am as well as what I have to offer the right guy would be wasted on the wrong one. The wrong one would only feel threatened & insecure by a girl who has herself together.
She's secure within herself, has self confidence.
She will see right through his BS, sometimes she will call him out on it, usually, she will walk away, knowing that an insecure guy still has to work on himself, so, she walks away.

On Friday - Saturday, I was asked 3 times by 3 different people why I am single, why I don't have a boyfriend. It's amusing.

I couldn't be a superhero if I had a boyfriend! 

Always be a superhero!

I'm A Girl

That's what has been said to me many times as in:

You're such a girl!

Your MP3 player is PINK!

Have you ever been told you're ultra feminine?

.......and, so on.

Still, I can hit it hard & kill it in the gym.

People are who they are, one of my favorite colloquialisms is:

"When you love someone, you love them as they are!"

Being a very feminine type of girl has its pros and cons. There's the

often mistaking kindness for weakness. Being very kind is part of my

nature, being strong as in mentally tough is also an equal component.

If it would be practical to dress in silky, flowy dresses, blouses, skirts &

pants suits every day, it would be wonderful! Except, of course, the time

I spend swimming or working out! Yowsa!

Love mixing essential oils to be used as a skincare element or a perfume.

Natural oils are best from my experience. For self care, I started making

my toothpaste a year ago. Coconut oil, baking soda, peppermint oil. BAM!

I keep it in a sealed dish on the sink, swish a dry toothbrush in it, bruf teef!

It's also very inexpensive.
Ready?
Only $.45! It lasts 2 months! Yup!

I used to deny my feminine nature, now? 

Embracing being a bubbly, happy, sassy, smart girl suits me well!

Be who you are!

Get down wit-cha badd thelf!

L8ers!

USA

It's common knowledge.

Having served my country in several capacities, plus, being 1/2 Native American, now, proud to call myself a Texan.

I LOVE THE USA!

July 4th is my favorite holiday, red white & blue give me a happy feeling. This country, with its' ups and downs is still the only country I want to live in. 

Yes, I have visited as well as resided in other countries, the US of A is still the only country I would want to permanently live in.

For way too long of a time period, I was married to a Filipino who was born in the P.I., had strong cultural ties, yet, did not have Filipino citizenship. He was even serving in the United States Air Force. 

Still, he constantly bragged about how great the Philippines was, how much better EVERYTHING Filipino is.

I have & had news for him.

The Philippines is not all that. If the Philippine Islands as well as its' culture & people were actually as great as he crowed about, the citizens of the Philippines would not be dying by the boat loads to get out! 

It the Philippines was as good as he claimed, all the beautiful Filipinas wouldn't be marrying the fuglies they married just to get to the land of the Big BX.

If the Filipino culture was as illustrious as he, in his deluded mentality, claimed, the greasy unhealthy foods would not have caused even his own mother to die from heart disease.

After his mother died, his own father, in his 80s, went to the Philippines to BUY a 19 year old girl, then marry her!

EW! EW! EW!

Oh yeah, real winning culture, there, pops.

For most of the time I was married to Mr. Filipino, he shoved his culture down my throat. 

Dam! I hated that! 

I'm an all American girl, always have been, always will be! 

When Mr.Filipino tried to give our children Filipino names that would only get them teased, bullies and made to feel embarrassed by their own name, I just said, "NO!"

Names such as ~

Innocencio

Virgin Mary

Modesto

Felicidado

Umm, NOPE!

These were my AMERICAN children, born in the USA to 2 citizens of the USA. If they were going to live their childhoods in the Philippines, sure, no problem. They lived their childhoods in the USA or on US Military bases around the world.

Oh, there was a bit of a fight regarding this, yet, I stood my ground. You're welcome, kiddies, that you don't have to go through life with ridiculous names foisted upon you by a deluded daddy.

Mama had your back!

ha ha!

The USA is a great country, hopefully, with President Elect Trump, it will improve from the last 8 year stretch of having a cartoon as a CIC.

The USA is far from perfect, this, I know! Even with it's fallacies, it's still a place where there is more opportunity, more fair practices, more acceptance of diverse race & culture than any country on earth.

That was a run-on sentence.

OOPs!

The USA has more diversity in climate than most countries. We have mountains, desert, tropical, 4 season, frozen tundra. Although English is the official language, there are so many versions of it within the country. Southern, Northern, East Coast, West Coast, Pidgin (Hawai'i), Cherokee, Navajo, Spanglish, Cajun, so much more!

The USA is a land of convenience, a land of opportunity, a land of, sometimes over the top, acceptance. Other cultures tend to take unfair advantage, at times, yet they feel, mostly safe. 

As long as the American flag flies, as long as the USA has a good strong leader as its' president, we will be the great nation, always. Of course, even Rome, fell, after a few centuries.

For now, we are standing strong.

The USA military is still great, still strong! I love our military people, respect you for your dedication & sacrifice.

USA! USA! USA! USA!

Au Naturale

It's been a bit of a debate in social media, Twitter feed, celeb circles, as of recent. It's not about manscaping or pube grooming, not today, maybe tomorrow, or how about never? *smile*

Thankfully, many people are returning to a natural approach to self care, also a return to more natural beauty.

Yeah - Yeah

Having heard the complaints about girls who are almost unrecognizable without makeup, it makes me formulate the retort;

Don't blame the one wearing the makeup if the complainer is gullible enough to believe that someone was born with 1.5" eyelashes and naturally gold eyelids!

With that said, it would be a more complete speculation to say that the high price of face & body lotions & potions has skyrocketed! The promises to make a 40something look more like a 20something if they just splurge on a $200. treatment or face potion are exaggerated. The promises to teens with access to copious lucre to erase years of acne scarring is just as cruel. The overpriced answer to their wishes may or may not deliver. The beauty industry has already absorbed the cash even if only once from a onetime buyer!

A few years ago, I became fed up with the high priced makeup, high priced creams & serums at $150. a pop which, of course, had to be used regularly for 30 days to see a difference! Then, continuously used to maintain.

My frugal attitude plus a desire to preserve mah cheddar was somewhat preventative.

I began to research methods to take care of my skin, hair, nails in a more natural way.

After all, aside from the numerous chemicals which are in high dollar beauty treatments, they are derived from a base of natural elements. Elements such as:

Honey

Chamomile 

Turmeric

Lavender

Cucumbers

Lemons

Avocados 

Also, many more herbs, spices, fruit acids etcetera!

YouTube is a wealth of knowledge for choosing the right combinations of essential oils for beautiful, clear, glowing skin!

In the past 10 years, I started putting only essential oils on my face. Also, I bought a Hamilton Beach juicer for $50. 

Juicing works wonders for overall health, beauty & well being!

Here's a freebie - Juicing just 3 cucumbers every day for 60 days will cause your hair to become thicker, grow more and look healthier because of the silica found in the green cucumber skin!

Do some research, try different things to see what will work for you!

L8erz!

I Really Am a Mermaid!

Sometimes, I can believe this. The ocean feels like home, to me. My happiest memories are when I was living near the Pacific ocean or actually swimming in the ocean.

Have to be specific.

The Atlantic is more cold whereas the Pacific is more warm.

Some like it HOT, me too! I love a warm ocean.

As a child, living in Michigan, I swam in the local lakes. The fishy smell bothered me, yet, it was water, so, I loved it! Water feels more like home to me than any thing. Even if I simply run a bath tub full of warm water, maybe, drop a few drops of lavender essential oil in it, then, soak!

When I lived in Colorado Springs, it was far from being my favorite place to live, however, the hot springs were fantastic in the winter! 

Yes, I loved the clothing optional springs, yes, I embraced the option! It was less about anything sexual, more about the feeling of freedom. Doing something that, ordinarily, could not be done, made it feel extra special. Being naked, outdoors, with the cold snap in the air, the beautiful blue sky, the mountains in the background.

It was a surreal experience, every time I went.

The first time I went, it was with a guy friend who I knew could be trusted to be a gentleman even with both of us naked in the hot spring. These mostly, unknown hot springs, had a privacy fence around them, it was only $10. per person for the whole day.

It was heavenly!

The "establishment" also has some very strict rules, such as, no lewd (sexual) behavior, no cameras, no alcohol.

Even with all of the rules, it was a very heady experience.

My heart is beginning to yearn for a trip to the ocean. It's been a few years, it's not something I necessarily want.

I NEED IT!

For now, the memories of playing on the beach in Hawai'i fill my mind. Floating & swimming in the ocean at Cocoa Beach, FL. 

If you live near a warm ocean, I'm happy for you, maybe even a little jealous!

Take a dip in those heavenly waters for this homesick mermaid! 

The Question

Today started like most days start for me. Wake up, morning prayers, take vitamins, put on gym clothes, head to the gym. It was Sunday, so, the usual is to be back home by 10 am, get showered then dress in street clothes. Today, street clothes consisted of dark blue jeans, a camel colored short sleeved sweater with a black camisole under it since the neckline dips a bit too low.

Church dress is very casual at Oak Street Baptist where I have been going for the past 3 years. They have a nice singles program. It's tough to fit in with a bunch of married people when I don't fit the cookie cutter mold of what most of the women over age 18, fit into. I don't fit into any mold at all. Never have & most likely, never will. This can sometimes help, more often, it can be off-putting.

This particular Sunday, no one showed up. I was told it wasn't planned that way. It simply happened that way. It's okay. I can roll with it. Sunday is the day of my cheat meal! The one, premeditated day on which I will have whatever I want, which is PIZZA! After Sunday School, whoever is up for it, we go out for lunch. Usually, it's the Pizza Hut buffet. I look forward to seeing everyone, socializing. It sounds a bit dull, maybe, with this group, it's always a fun time! Lively conversation, good company, good pizza. Yes!

I decided that I woul take some fitness magazines & go to Pizza Hut solo. Why not?

I could do this.

Pulling into the parking space, I saw someone who is usually there with his own group. He was just leaving. He started walking toward me. I thought he was walking toward someone else or mistook me for someone else. Nope. He's a good looking guy, I see him at the gym, sometimes. He asked me if I was coming to eat by myself & where was my husband?
I told him, "I haven't had one of those for 10 years." He looked at me, I knew. The question was about to come up. "I don't know how you can possibly be single!"
He said, "I know why I'm single, you're too sweet & too pretty to be single!"
I thanked him for the compliment, went in to enjoy my cheat meal. Pizza & salad bar! Of course, I was the only one sitting by myself. I was enjoying my magazines, savoring the pizza, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, watching the families with their little ones. It was enjoyment enough for me!
As I sat there, I noticed a large group of people with, what looked like a few college age guys. I recognized one who had been a senior at the High School when I was working as a substitute teacher.
He smiled, as he recognized me, too. I went on, reading my fitness mags, enjoying my pizza. He walked over to the booth, asked if I ever did sub teaching in the nearby schools. I told him, yes, I had. He sat across from me, told me that the other HS guys were so surprised that I was single. Oh well. :)
It was flattering, yet, a bit redundant.

After having had enough pizza, salad & magazine time, it was time to pay the bill & leave. Going up to the cash register, the server was there, as acting cashier. He. Asked me, what the group I was with, usually, was all about. I told him that we are all single, we go to church together & hang out together, sometimes, do fun things together. He looked at me, grinning, l could feel the question he was about to ask.
"You, too? Why are you single?"
I smiled, " I don't know. I have been single for 10 years."
He smiled, "You're way too sweet, way too pretty to be single!"
It was a sincere compliment. I paid my bill, then left.

Honestly, it's something that people ask me a lot, which it's rare for me to think about. When people ask, as they often do, it's hard to think of how to answer.

"My boyfriend hasn't been born, yet!"
"Ah, yes, it's hard to date when you're a superhero!"
"I'm single because I'm not married."

IDK

If you are single, why are you single?
*smile*

Dis-spelling the Myths

There are so many myths out there, there isn't enough space to list all of them.
Here are the top 5.

Women are crazy.
~ If a guy stops to think about his actions or inaction & words, he will see that many times (not every time) a girls actions are justified.

Dogs are like guys, cats are like girls.
~ It's the opposite, if you stop to think about it. Please remember to start thinking again so you will avoid myth #1.

Valentines Day is a pseudo holiday designed to make money.
~ Not true. What Valentines Day is, is what you make it.

People over the age of 40 don't understand technology.
~ Totally false. Bill Gates. Like a boss.

~ Teenagers are all so disrespectful.
~ If you concentrate on the disrespectful ones, you will see more of them. If you concentrate on the respectful ones, you will see more of the same. It's a simple psychological principle.


That's just the top ones.

You're welcome.

You're welcome to do research to find more!

L8erz!

Now & Then / Then & Now

This morning, during my workout, I weighed myself just to make sure that the weight I have lost has stayed gone!

It has.

Yay!

Go, me!

The Sans Barre workout, a combo of ballet & yoga is noticeably trimming & toning my legs.

The weighted squats I started on November 1 are doing great things for my, well, you know, glutes!

Eating clean with lean, natural protein, fresh veggies is helping a lot. I'm less strict with my eating than I should be, yet, hey, have to have a little fun! There's the occasional Oreo or 3. lol.

There's dinners with a friend which taste too good to pass up!

Overall, I'm making progress.

Inside my head, I'm on auto-pilot with my thoughts. Positive, yet random.

This morning as I stood in just black yoga pants & black Nike sport bra, no shoes or socks, no T Shirt. 
It was only in the last 2 years that I felt enough body confidence to take my shirt off during Yoga.
I saw the big changes. As compared to photos of myself in 2012, the changes are huge!

I'm only 5'3", so a weight loss of 30 lbs makes a big difference.

A weight loss of 30 lbs with toning & tightening all over, makes an even bigger difference.

Working out, eating clean, cleaning up sleep & water habits are something I do just for myself.

I, no longer date, no man in my life, staying single by choice. Might stay single for the rest of my life. 
Then again, if Mr. Wonderful finds me, that would be nice.
Still, though I'm doing this just for me, I found my mind wandering into, 

"What if ________ saw me? What would ___say or think?"

"Those pictures from 2012 are hideous, no wonder things didn't work out with _________."

"I wouldn't have wanted me, if I were him."

"Wow, my back is so toned & gaining muscle!"

"My obliques have so much more definition! Go, me!"

"No more thunder thighs! Thank you Sans Barre Workout!"

Yes, I do this just for me. No one is going to see me naked except me. Just as I'm growing the hair on my head longer while removing all hair below my navel, just for me! No one else is going to see it. 

Yeah - Yeah, TMI! Hah!

Now, vs then (2012) there are many improvements, seeing the photos only showed me how far I have come. Toned abs, toned back, slimmer legs with more muscle. Slimmer arms with more muscle. 

Oh, I still am on a path of improvement.

Little by little.

Step by step.

Line upon line.

Precept by precept.

If you haven't started your fitness journey by now, then start!

Start from where you are!

GO!