My Support Team

I know this is an out of the ordinary post - but I could not find a way to fit it into another post (without it being ridiculously long). So here goes...

I have a lovely family. Both my mother and my grandmother encouraged me to lose weight while I was growing up, I just didn't care enough to listen. My older sister was a health nut. I remember her going for runs and refusing to eat "unhealthy" food while she was in Junior High. She tried to rub off on me, I mean REALLY tried. I know now that she cared about me and wanted to see me be happy and healthy, but I really did not want to hear about my bad decisions. She is probably the reason why I got gym membership after gym membership - she made working out seem "normal". Eventually she learned that unless she wanted me to be angry with her she should refrain from speaking to me about diet or exercise. It took some time, but I came around.

When I decided to start working out my mom and older sister were my first phone calls and became my first cheerleaders. When I told my sister about my desire to participate in the Bisbee 1000 she mentioned that it was still odd to hear me so excited about exercise and physical activity :) Shortly after making the decision to try and get healthy I spoke with a friend of mine about my goals; she had recently lost 50lbs and was still working on losing more. She became my 3rd cheerleader. My little sister was eager to go on hikes with me and she still never fails to tell me how small I look. She was my 4th cheerleader. I talk to ALL of them on a weekly basis and they push me, encourage me, inspire me, motivate me, and cheer for me. Four people is a GREAT support team, but I have been so lucky and so blessed to have my team grow.

About a month after I made the change to be healthy I was referred to Rehab Arizona for Physical Therapy. I continue to be AMAZED at how supportive they have been. Chris, Mandy, Josh, and Jared have helped me so much. They push me, challenge me, teach me, train me, and celebrate with me. I am always excited when I hit a new goal because I know that my success is their success. They are not just my cheerleaders or my support team, they are an integral part of my journey. They have become part of my family.

I am a proud member of the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band (MCPB) where I play the bagpipes. I took the first three months of my journey off and by the time I went back to band rehearsals I was 30lbs lighter. They made me feel so wonderful about what I had accomplished. MCPB is already a family, and will forever be part of my family, but they now join the ranks of my cheerleaders. When I am frustrated or discouraged they NEVER fail to give me the  motivation and determination I need to press forward.

I have support through the Relief Society ladies at church, my Bishop and his counselors, the gals I work with, my roommates, the students I teach bagpipes to, friends I haven't seen in years, and so much more. I am so blessed to have so many cheerleaders I can turn to for support and motivation! There are definitely times when I need to be reminded that the hard work, the dedication, the sacrifices, are all worth it. I depend on you and THANK YOU so much for being a rock I can depend on!

THANK YOU

Mom, Jessie, Emily, Sarah, Chris D, Mandy, Josh, Jared, Chris H, Debra, Lois, Kelly, Adrienne, Betsy, Kathy, Kristen, Maura, Brother and Sister Ostlund, Bishop and Sister Nicholls, Clara, Brother and Sister Haynie, Mo, Krisjana, Erin, Nichole, Kimberly and SO SO SO many more. 

YOU keep me fighting. This is so important to me and I absolutely could not do it without your love and support. THANK YOU.