A Late Week 25 Wrap Up, 6 months, and a Progress Picture

I like to set small goals for myself. It becomes an easier pill to swallow when I only have to focus on trying to lose 2-3 pounds per week, rather than 100+ pounds total. That total number could easily become way too overwhelming to handle, causing reason to quit. So, I like to break the large goal down into smaller and more manageable goals. I set a small goal for myself about a month ago. I wanted to hit the 60 pound loss mark by my birthday. Well, my birthday happened this past Saturday. Weigh in happened last week and I hit that goal. I was down another 2.8 pounds, for a total loss so far of 61.4 pounds. I feel kind of proud of that. I know I still have quite a ways to go....60 pounds wasn't an easy amount to lose so far, but now I think back to 6 months ago and can't imagine how I lived life 60 pounds heavier. And I know once I hit my goal weight, I'll think back to my current weight and wonder how I lived life now.

My life has been filled with many changes recently. Between quitting my job, going back to school, etc., it's almost every aspect is changing. I'm still looking for a part time job to cover my bills while in school. This down time can feel a bit unnerving at times, I'll be honest. But here's the thing. We are all so consumed with doing every single thing right now. It's ingrained in our minds that if we aren't doing something productive every second of the day then we're not doing enough.

There's a coffee shop in the lobby of my building. Over the past year and a half of living here, I have gotten to know the owner of the coffee shop pretty well. We've become friends. For over a year now, I cook him lunch and then I receive coffee in return (it's a pretty sweet deal since he seriously has THE BEST coffee in all of Cleveland...the shop was voted best cafe downtown). Since becoming a student again, I spend some of my free time down at the coffee shop. It's a small place, no tables or anything...one chair. While sitting in that one chair, I watch and interact with the customers that flow throughout the day. Their lives are so filled with....stuff. Just stuff. Nothing of real significant importance. But here's the beauty of the coffee shop. These people run into the building to the shop, order their beverage, and then stop. For those 3 minutes it takes to make their large white mocha latte, they stop their day. And they breathe. And they have a pleasant conversation.

I can't tell you how many people have stepped up to the counter and just take a breath. It looks like it's the first breath they've taken for the day. And it make me think...why do I feel restless for not having a job right now and for "only" going back to school. This is the time where I need to take advantage of the downtime. This is the time to stop and breathe. There's an opportunity here that needs to be seized. An opportunity to stop. An opportunity to meet new friends. An opportunity to breathe.

So, while I still look for that part-time job, I will seize this opportunity.


But anyway, here's my 6 month comparison picture :)