Rediscovering ME! HLG T-shirt giveaway!

Dream.
Believe.
Achieve.
On Columbus Day, I began to think about all the discoveries I have made about myself in the past year.  I've discovered I am a great deal stronger, both mentally and physically, than I have given myself credit for in decades.  I always have been kind of a stubborn, Yankee-ingenuity-I'll-get-it-done type of person, but now I know I have the stamina and sheer will-power to back up my goals and dreams and attain them.   

In the past year I've learned that staying POSITIVE hugely impacts my life and the occurrences that then surround me in my life. This is the law of attraction in action! Being positive and having a goal in my mind, and being THANKFUL, has brought to me the most unexplained and joyous events and people into my life this year.  Dream. Believe. Achieve.

Opening myself up to new options with a clear mind and tucking away old fears and inhibitions has helped me in this past year. (I joined the Y when I was morbidly obese and I went in and actually exercised.  Alone!)  I pray faithfully and try to listen when God nudges me in a certain direction. The HealthyLoserGal blog started me being transparent with what I was facing in my health, my weight, my personal life, my fears.  Out of everyone's support and suggestions and GIFTS to me of friendship and opportunities (i.e., Vtrim and YMCA of Boston) I have changed... I have lost 100 pounds, I have become fit, I am ME again!  : ) I am no where near 'complete', I may never be "at goal", but I feel content and healthy and HAPPY!  And here is the real joy of this discovery, I know YOU can feel this, too!  I now have reconnected with friends and have a great love in my life.  My family relationships are stronger, my work life is more vital, my creative juices are flowing.  LIFE IS GOOD!

And so, I want to say THANK YOU to you, my friends on the blogsphere and on Twitter and Facebook who follow my day-to-day life - both the good and the bad (which is seldom!) - and interact with me and inspire me. 


I'd like to begin to pay the blessings I have received in my life forward. :) I have four Healthy Loser Gal cotton t-shirts (just like the ones in the photo with me and Parker, my trainer I worked with at the Y!) that I'd like to give away this month.

If you'd like to be entered in the drawing for one of the shirts, all you need to do is think about and then tell (in Comments to this post) what your biggest self-discovery has been in the past year and the impact it has made in your life.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!  I can't wait to read everyone's discoveries!

Jan / HealthyLoserGal

PS: The women's v-neck shirts are XL and fit up to 1x but will shrink abit. It has the HLG logo and Dream. Believe. Achieve. on the front. The men's t-shirt says Trainer and has the upcoming HLG internet site url and "Dream. Believe. Achieve." on the back (as shown).

18 comments:

Auntie Mandy October 15, 2010 at 6:09 PM  

About a year ago, I lost a dear friend to esophageal cancer. He didn't know he had it until a week before he died. I was furious! How could I not be, I lost a friend and didn't get to say goodbye. At that point, I decided I was really REALLY sick of cancer. I didn't now what I was going to do about, but I was sick of it, that's for sure. I decided to shave my head to raise money for childhood cancer research. The problem was, there were no local events. I didn't know what I was going to do. I ended up organizing a head shaving event. First, I couldn't believe that I would shave my head. Second, I never thought I could organize ANYTHING, let alone a charity event. It ended up being extremely successful, and we're doing it again next year! Am I shaving my head again? You betcha!

Faby October 16, 2010 at 12:33 PM  
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Faby October 16, 2010 at 12:34 PM  

You are very inspiring!
Most would probably be surprised to know that I am on a "weightloss" journey. The truth is no matter how little or big the extra pounds is, the journey is what will benefit you the most. My whole life, I have been the "chubby" girl. The girl that never could fit into the same sizes as the rest of the girls, or the girl who couldnt run as fast, never got sports awards etc... I was the fun-goodfriend- loving kinda girl and never the cheerleader or star softball player. I grew up and all through college I "adopted" that image for myself, never knowing that I could be so much more! I could be that awesome stereotypical girl and be my great SELF all in one! The minute I changed that state of mind, I learned to love myself. And what happens when you love yourself- OTHER LOVE YOU!- what a concept! A couple of months later I met the love of my life. A year or so later he proposed and now here I am trying to get these last 35 lbs off my body for good! But not necessarily to just look good on out big (we had a very small wedding this summer) catholic wedding in 2011 but to FEEL good... and you know what else motivated me? Babies! Lots of babies! My husband is deployed and is due back home Sept 2011, which means I have a year to look trim fit and beautiful for our wedding day, but also to prep my body for baby #1.
I am 166 lbs today. I hope to be a solid 120 by wedding day. My goal is to get under 140 by January 1 and then go from there. I am also training for a 1\2 marathon thats coming up in the next 3 weeks and are so excited to run! Also coming down the pipeline is some additional 1\2 marathons next year.
I am finally confident, happy and feel like I can be the whole complete girl I always dreamed I could be!

Mon October 16, 2010 at 7:10 PM  

Hi Healthy Loser Gal,
I just wanted to drop by and say 'I think we are on the same page!'. I too have found that optimism and self belief can make an enormous difference on our journey toward postive change and achieving our goals.
If I was to comment on my own biggest self discovery in the past year, it would be that I can write!
I have just launched my book (it is published at a site called Smashwords)and am currently running a giveaway contest on my blog, too. The prize is a free copy of my book, Reframe Weight Loss, currently for sale at Smashwords.com for $9.99.
Anyhow, congrats to you on all your success!! It is a pleasure to meet someone who is also achieving their goals and inspiring others to do the same.
BTW I found you on Twitter! You can find me at @MonsInspiration.

WEIGHT LESS NOT MORE October 16, 2010 at 10:17 PM  

I have so much to be thankful for. Seven months ago when I finally decided to get serious again about losing weight and getting healthy, it seemed like I had an insurmountable mountain to climb. But with hard work, determination self belief and a healthy positve outlook on life, I have lost 85 lbs and feel great. For me setting small achievable goals was the key. Whether it was setting a weightloss goal for the month, or trying to convince meself I could run 1 minute longer on the treadmill, small baby steps have resulted in dramatic results.
I still have a ways to go, but I'm headed in the right direction.

Geri October 17, 2010 at 1:15 AM  

In February I had to face some difficult facts about myself. I was approaching my 50'th birthday, had multiple health problems because of my weight, and couldn't walk more than 2 blocks. 8 months later and 78 pounds lost I feel like a completely new woman.

Three things I discovered about myself: 1) I am FAR stronger than I had ever given myself credit for.
2) Yes women can lose weight at 50.
3) Small changes can produce huge results.

When I first went to the gym it was terrifying to be so much larger than everyone else. Eventually I got over it and people are very encouraging. I've been waiting to get to 85 pounds lost to have a t-shirt printed saying that on the back. But now I think I'd like a Healthy Loser Gal t-shirt instead.
:-)

Unknown October 20, 2010 at 2:52 PM  

Hi Jen- Yes, indeed you are inspiring!! Through this journey, I have learned to put myself on the list of people who need to be attended to. I race around, taking the kids to various sports, making sure my husband's shirts are ironed, lunches are packed, kitchen is spotless, and work a full time job. So when is there time for me? I have learned how to delegate and to schedule in time for the gym, for a walk. If I am not strong and healthy, both mentally or physically, I cannot possibly do all of the things that I do. And the truth is, I think I have tasked MYSELF with all of the distractions. There is a carpool for the kids, my husband can take his shirts to the cleaners for pressing, and if I slack on packing the kids a lunch one day, they can buy lunch at school. Not the end of the world. I have learned to cut myself some slack and make time for ME! I feel good, energized, motivated, and am a better mom and employee now that I am taking time out to exercise.

Unknown October 20, 2010 at 7:59 PM  

Well, I work at an oatmeal company, and when I first started, I thought "Oh man, I better start eating better".
So, I started to try and get my exercise routine up and start a healthier eating habit. It was up and down for awhile, until I started reading healthy blogs, healthy food recipes and articles about the benefits of being and staying healthy.
I have realized once I dedicated myself to improving my health, and not just losing weight to look better (although that's always nice) it makes it much easier. I am conscious of the choices I make and realize that I am making them for myself now, in the future and for my loved ones :)

Joie de vivre October 21, 2010 at 12:46 PM  

For me, I think when I realized that it's not about a number on the scale, but instead it's about fueling my body with the healthiest foods I can to stay heathy. When I do what is right at every meal, the weight comes off but it's the change in attitude that has helped the most.

AlexandraFunFit October 22, 2010 at 1:42 PM  

Wow, you are an amazing hard-worker. You got yourself in to the gym (no easy feat for an unfit person), got yourself a trainer and got fit. I'm sure you realize how difficult all those steps are. I hope a lot of people who are struggling will be inspired by you and decide they can do it too. Yay for you!

Rebecca October 22, 2010 at 1:42 PM  

My biggest self discovery over the past year has been that my passion in helping others is also my purpose. I have aligned myself to be able to share these gifts with others in a way that allows them to experience amazing transformations and a big sense of empowerment. The most powerful tool on the face of the planet for change is through professional coaching. The amount of growth that occurs for people when they work with a coach is a thousand fold. This year I started working with a mentor, as well as mentoring others, and all of the transformations are miraculous! Many Blessings All:)

Anonymous October 29, 2010 at 3:16 PM  

My biggest self discovery of the year is that I do in fact have clavicles and neck bones!!!! My thighs don't have to be chapped after wearing fishnets for 8 hours to an event.
Honestly though, my biggest self discovery is that even though my physical body is getting healthy (154 lbs down). I've also grown mentally & spiritually. I meditate nearly every day, I started going to church again after a 20 year hiatus. My mental health and spirituality is definitely following in line with the improvement in my physical health. Even though I was feeling 100% better after dropping the weight...........I now feel 200% better incorporating the fitness of my mind and spirituality.
health, love & happiness, xo Lil @hotlilly on twitter

Karen October 30, 2010 at 9:02 AM  

I can't say that my discovery has been in the last year, it's been the last 10 years. I rediscovered what life is really about now that I am healthy. To be able to run, walk steps, get off medication, lift weights....it's amazing what I can do at 53 that I couldn't do at 43. It has really been worth it.

sharlene October 31, 2010 at 12:51 PM  

I think the biggest discover was that my emotions are definitely tied to my overall health! When I'm stressed or depressed, I don't focus on my body or mental well-being. I need to change my thinking so that I take care of myself ALL the time!!!

Unknown October 31, 2010 at 12:58 PM  

I've learned I have to take things one step at a time and not let myself get discouraged. I was doing great on losing weight (I have over 100 to lose) and training for a marathon.

Then...I had emergency gallbladder surgery that changed everything. Although the recovery itself didn't take too long (less than a month), it still messed me up. It took time to get back into exercising and watching what I eat.

At the moment I've hit a bit of a slump. I'm letting myself have a tiny vacation from thinking about weight loss, but Im starting again tomorrow (Nov 1st).

One step at a time, one day at a time.

HealthyLoserGal October 31, 2010 at 11:01 PM  

Mandy, what an incredible gift to give of organizing a benefit and discovering that you had the ability to do it AND shave your head! Amazing! Congrats on honoring your friend in such a wonderful way!

Faby, love that you love you and know how great you are! Confident and happy - so many people want to be able to say that are that and cannot - but YOU can and have every reason to! Congrats on your incredible year!

Mon, sooo nice to meet you! We *are* in a similar place on our journey & how wonderful you found your "voice" this year! :)

My friend at Book Pimp blogs, YOU HAVE A HLG T-SHIRT coming your way! Congrats on losing 85+ pounds by setting & achieving small goals! Soooo awesome! Email me your address, would you? :)

Geri, I think we're kindred spirits - our stories sure sound the same!!! Congrats on stepping into the gym and doing it at age 50! I know *just* how that feels! So happy for your year & the results you've seen!

Kimberly, I *love* your self-discovery and it is one we all need to learn: making time for ourselves!! You're so right, too, we are better in all other aspects of our lives if we give ourselves the time we so deserve! Congrats on realizing this & thank you for sharing it!! :)

My friend at Coach's Oats, you are so right when you discovered that health for health's sake and not just to be thin & trim, makes all the difference! We're investing in our health & our lives which will be better and longer because of the right choices we make! Valuable stuff! (And your oatmeal is such a great, healthy choice!)

Ahhhh Joie de Vivre, you are onto something that I have been struggling to discover. It isn't a number so much as how you feel and being healthy.. and then - amazingly - the number starts to go down! Great lesson for us all! :)

Hey Alexandra, thanks for the kudos! It wasn't easy at first but I was DETERMINED! lol And now it is part of who I am and I love going to the gym... I miss it if I don't go! THAT is quite a change! :)

Rebecca, I *love* your self-discovery of helping others and mentoring. What a gift you're giving to others while receiving one yourself. Beautiful! :)

Lilly, YOU ARE THE SECOND WINNER OF A T-SHIRT! :) I am so happy to read of your loss of 154 lbs (AMAZING!!!!!) and your spiritual growth as I can SO relate. This year I've gotten back to church, too, and I feel so much more myself again - reconnected with my own true self and God. Big hugs to you!

Karen, YOU'RE THE WINNER of a HLG T-SHIRT!!! And I *love* that you are 53 and doing more than some women half your age!! That you can be who you want to be at any age is a huge self-discovery!! Congrats, my friend! :)

Sharlene, you're so right. We need to try to stay positive in our mentality as it SO affects our physical well being. Thank you for bringing that self-discovery to the blog for others to read and realize!

Miss Nessa, you're right - being discouraged is only negative energy and doesn't help us in our journey at all. One step - big or small - is what it takes - just as you said, to start the journey to health! Big hugs as you begin on November 1st, come on over to twitter and join me in the #NOWNovember challenge! :)

Thank you to EVERYONE for all your heartfelt comments on your self-discoveries which help us all in our weightloss and fitness journies! I'm so glad to have you all to share with and learn from! :)

Jan /HealthyLoserGal

HealthyLoserGal October 31, 2010 at 11:01 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
HealthyLoserGal October 31, 2010 at 11:02 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.