How much is 8 inches?

It's the difference of a skirt coming mid-calf and just above my ankles. It's the difference of the stretchy sweats stretching to fit and having some extra fabric loose around my hips. It's the difference ONE WEEK makes on the program.

Yesterday was measurement day. Mae got out the trusty tape measure and commenced. I asked her not to tell me until the end. Good thing she doesn't play poker! She had to retake a few several times those  numbers had to be wrong. Nope. They were right. EIGHT INCHES IN A WEEK!!! I've been on intentional weight loss programs and never had those results before.

I want to be clear though: This wasn't all about the weight loss for me. It was about feeling better. I have more energy than I've had in years and it's not just the dissertation being done. It's a steady flow of energy that I'm experiencing. I feel better. I feel stronger. I feel optimistic almost all the time. Emotionally I am feeling better.

The program is about finding center for your body. It's about settling into yourself and feeling whole. On all levels.

And it's given me the willingness to explore writing a book that tells my story. I have even come up with an outline of how the book would flow. I'm going to allow it to sit in my brain for a little bit longer before really talking about it, but I know it's going to be written and published. I know it in my gut. I just have to find the right words to get it out of my brain and into a narrative.

If my story can compel even one person to follow their dreams then it will be well worth it. But today I have other tasks on hand. Grading, prepping, and Pit Bull Awareness Day.

I am ready for the day now....right after that shake.