Catharsis

I'd like to start this post out with an update on the weight loss. Since Thanksgiving I have lost 8 pounds. I have said good bye to the 260s, never to see them again. I really feel great and I actually feel like I am getting control over my eating. Don't get me wrong, the holidays continue to tempt me with sweat things, but I can have a little taste every now and again and not lose control. That is the big win! :)

Ok, last Saturday was not the best day for me. Actually, last week was not the best week for me. Stress, distractions, lack of motivation, and disappointments throughout the week culminated into a big crying fest on Saturday night. Now don't think I'm some big crybaby who falls apart every time things get challenging or don't go my way. This is not true. I am the type of person who lets things build up then watches a sappy movie, has a good cry, and feels a lot better. I like to refer to it as catharsis, which, according to the dictionary, is the Greek word for purification, purging, or cleansing. Anyone who has studied Ancient Greek theatre knows that tragedies were used to help purge or cleans the audience of their feelings. Those of you who have read or studied Oedipus know that the tragedy is used to move people to tears. Now a days melancholy dramas where either someone dies or someone has their heart broken (mostly someone dies) can bring people to tears and cause them to go through several boxes of tissues and end up with swollen red eyes and red noses (at least this has been my experience). The point is that things can become overwhelming and, when that happens, there has to be a release. I firmly believe that, if we didn't experience catharsis, whether it is through laughter or tears, we would probably explode. I think the Ancient Greeks were on to something here. So don't be afraid to cry (or laugh until you cry)!

Since it is now midnight (central time) I'd like to take this moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. May you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas. I would also like to thank everyone who reads my blog. Your comments and support really mean a lot to me. :)

I change, you change, we all change...

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted a new update. Sorry for the delay folks. Still haven't gotten a plug for my laptop, but I will be taking care of that this week. :)

Ok, update time. Thanksgiving was good and the past few weeks have been good. I've lost 5 pounds total over the past 2 weeks, 3 of those pounds were lost during Thanksgiving week. Needless to say, I'm thrilled and I hope to continue the trend (although I haven't been on my best behavior this week, so we'll see).

I've talked a lot in this blog about some of the changes I've made in my life. Since I decided I wasn't happy and I needed to do something about it, good things have been happening. I got a promotion and made new connections at work. I've been on a few dates and have met new people. I've also noticed that people react to me more positively over the past 2 months. But, as you know, where there is good, there is also bad.

I'm sure you're wondering what the bad part of all of this is. Well, what I didn't realize when I began this journey is how much my changing myself was going to effect those around me. I've changed which has forced some of my relationships with friends and family to change and I think some of the people I love were not ready for this. I had no intentions to force others to change. In fact, I was only thinking about myself when I decided to make some changes. But change is a tricky thing. When you change your attitude and the status quo is no longer enough, it sets off a chain reaction that forces those around you to make adjustments and, possibly, make some changes themselves. Some of you might think this is a good thing, and it can be. But if the person likes their life as it is and you change it up, it is not so good. I have done this to some people that I really care about and I'm really sorry. But I know I can't go back, I can only go forward and hope really hard that the people who truly love and care about me will trust that, deep down, I'm still the same person and that they will be willing to go along for the ride.

So I am going to continue to push forward. Christmas is just two weeks away and then a brand new year. I am looking forward to what next year will bring. I can tell you this, I feel a lot more confident to face challenges and I am really excited to see what's next.

Happy Holidays everyone. I hope everyone enjoys this time with family and friends and takes stock in all the good things that life has to offer.