Today we have a guest blogger.
Someone that all you know.
Life is about making serious changes and going through some tough lessons along the way.
But everyone can change and become who they really want.
Theresa’s story inspired me and I know it will inspire you:
Thanks David….Ok here is how I made a serious life change.
The Ugly Duckling By Theresa
“Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
It was at least two years since I’d taken a vacation. I’d been working as the Director of a rape crisis center, and it seemed like there was never a good time to get away. Finally, completely exhausted, I decided to take a few days to visit my college roommate. We hadn’t seen one another for a few years so our reunion was refreshing. However, not long after I arrived, he sat me down and said, “What the hell happened to you?”
I was a mess and it showed. I weighed over 280 pounds and my physical appearance was sloppy and careless. I was depressed, fatigued and could barely manage a normal conversation about anything other than my work. Something had to change, and thankfully I had a good friend to give me a kick in the ass when I needed it.
I was never a physically attractive person. I always struggled with my weight and rarely bothered to try to look good. As a testament to this, I remember my mother telling me that I’d never be pretty, but maybe I’d become what people refer to as a “handsome woman”. I lost weight during my mid-twenties, but I was too focused on my career to date. Somehow, I had boyfriends and met men in bars for casual sex, but they weren’t men of quality. In my late twenties, I was lucky enough to meet a nice guy who I married. We were well suited as friends but there was no romance.
After my weekend with my friend, I made some big changes: job, lifestyle, priorities, and attitude. If you met me today, you’d barely recognize me from the person I was less than six years ago. I’m completely different, both inside and out.
At five foot, nine and a size 12, I still don’t look like a super-model, especially at the ripe old age of 43. However, I can say with confidence that I’m kinda cute. Hell, at the risk of sounding conceited, I might even say that I’m pretty. Even better, I’m not depressed, I take care of my body and mind, and I really like myself most of the time. Prior to my transformation, I admired pretty girls and wished I could be like them. I never in a million years imagined that I’d be the one turning heads.
One of my challenges has been adjusting to how other people view me. For the most part, people respond very positively. In addition to the physical improvements, I have a comfortable, friendly, positive, out-going personality. People often remark that I put them at ease. However, I sometimes forget that I’m not an ugly, fat girl. I’m still taken aback when attractive men express an interest in me. I’m oblivious to flirtatious cues. Dating rules and expectations that other people learned in their teens and twenties are foreign to me. As a middle-aged woman, I’ve had to learn to date for the first time.
Likewise, the opinions of others based on my appearance and demeanor are sometimes staggering. A couple years ago, I was socializing with some workmates. During a conversation, one of the men said, “Life is easy for women like you”. I was confused and asked what he meant. He added, “…because you’re beautiful. Beautiful women get the world handed to them”. I started crying, not because I was insulted, but because I was overwhelmed by the idea of being considered beautiful.
My life has changed dramatically. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. Thanks to the honesty of a life-long friend, I took a good hard look at myself. As a result, I realized that, just like my clients at the crisis center, I deserve to be cared for too. The most important person in my life is ME. I deserve to be happy, healthy and beautiful (inside and out), and it’s my responsibility to make it happen. It’s never too late to become the person you want to be.
The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, and luxury have always seemed contemptible.
Albert Einstein
Thanks for sharing something so personal with all of us.
It takes guts to make a change.
If you desire to make changes in your life but can’t do it alone. Email me and we will set up some coaching for you!!
I am here for you.
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Originally published on David Wygant
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