Down, But Not Out - The Human Side

"Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be. ~ Charles "Tremendous" Jones

I had a really tough day yesterday. I was so excited to be finally going to see my doctor after being medication free for one month. I can't believe how anxious I was to get there. The nurse escorted me back, asked me to step on the scales and "SURPRISE" - 12 lbs lighter than last month! WHAHOO!!! I did it! I broke my plateau and life was sweet. I could do nothing but relish in my inner most praises for Tony Horton, P90X and eating clean.

When I got to my exam room, she took my blood pressure. I could tell by the grimace on her face it was not good. She looked at me and says, "Your blood pressure sucks." As unprofessional as that may have sounded, I don't think any other words would have softened the blow. My heart sunk deep in my chest as she went to get the doctor. I may never know what that first reading was. Maybe I don't really want to know.

My doctor came in and took my blood pressure once again: 164/106 resting heart rate 96 - not good. He was very complementing on the weight loss. Made the normal chitchat and then came the, "we really have to fix the blood pressure though." I sighed heavily. I knew exactly what that meant. No easy way around it. I am going back on medication. It was a hard pill to swallow, but nonetheless the one life just gave me...again.

Now I allowed myself a day to grasp just what happened in that tiny exam room. I let myself feel defeated. I went home, took my medication and basically sulked. I have been working extremely hard, haven't I? Well, yes. I am making healthier choices; exercising more...I am with the program. True. So what is the deal? The deal is it has ONLY been one month of doing everything the way it was intended to be done. It is not the end; just a new beginning.

I do have power and that power is choice! I can choose to remain defeated and accept this is how it has to be or I can take it all in stride and be the best I can be. Tony Horton taught me that. "Be AMAZING. Set your mind to it and be the best you can be. Make others take notice," he had said to us in one of Team BeachBody's chatrooms.  I remember those words so well. I wrote them down as I often do when I get the chance to listen to him. I visit my notes daily. They inspire me and they fuel my passion to be better. Now this has become more than just an "eat clean challenge." This is my way to show the world diet and exercise can make a difference. I can make a difference. I choose to be "AMAZING." I will walk the talk and I will succeed! This isn't about diet and exercise – this is about my life!