Dance as though no one is watching you...

On Saturday I went out with a couple of girlfriends clubbing, and boy did I shake what my Momma gave me :) With all the dancing I did, I shook off an extra 200g and now I'm at 83.5 kg.

I love dancing, I have a passion for it. A couple of years ago, I would never have stepped out on a dance floor so boldly. I was shy coz I have a lot of wobbly bits and thought people would laugh at me. I created excuses & "obstacles" of why I should not do something that I obviously love doing so much. So, like any other normal person, I was a "closet dancer", I would only dance in front of my mirror at home (uh, maybe thats not so normal).

Come to think of it, there are other instances in my life where I purposefully waited for something to happen before I could really be happy. I would say: "I would be happy if we can move out of Eldos, I would be happy if I had a car, I would be happy if I could finish my degree, I would be happy if I get a promotion." And yes, while all those things did make me happy (and I thank Allah for all my blessings), the ultimate challenge was always "I would be happy if I was skinny". That is the one I would struggle with the most, it kept me behind socially.

Now with my confidence soaring more and more with each passing day, I find joy in dancing, whatever type of dancing it is, I will try it. I've learnt a few formal dances such as Rumba, Salsa, a bit of Vienese Waltz, as well as a little bit of Fox Trot. I am far from perfect but I feel alive when I move! I've tried belly dancing, and I enjoy the wonders of the female form and we even did an "old school" line dance in the club of all places...though I don't think the other chicks appreciated it much that me, Vee and Dee took over the dance floor ;)

So people, why wait? Why do we not follow our hearts and do what makes us happy? I am happy that I am able to walk, run, and dance, despite the shape of my body not being ideal. One of my favourite quotes are: "Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth." by William Purkey.

W

Perseverance is not a numbers game...

If you have been an avid follower of this blog, you will know that there are ups and downs throughout the last few months but always brought to you in a manner that keeps the light burning for the following week, but being human, I know we all look forward to the weight loss number, and the story that goes along with the number.

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Allow me to be a guest blogger this week and give a little insiders view.

I have been with Wardieya on all the races (seen here on our very first race, Discovery WTT 2007) and most other outdoor training sessions, acting as the paparazzi or the "support human" (carrying her water, tissues and whatever else my pockets or hands can accommodate) or the pace setter or just the guy that’s near when she is there. So I have seen the progress and the setbacks up close and in person and of course waited like most to find out what the latest numbers are for this week, but as with most journeys (and 10km races) the numbers that we pass on the side of the road remind us only how far we have to go, but taking a look at the past few months I cant help but feel proud to know that we are closer to the finish than the start.

I have also been in the fortunate position to see what it means to get to that number, I have witnessed the blisters, the blisters on top of the blisters, and the blisters that come with their own personal assistants, the butterflies in the tummy at the beginning of races, and the butterflies at the end (these butterflies being a far more aggressive type) and a nose sometimes doing more running than her feet, but none can stand back for the way she lights up when showing off the medals, a sense of achievement that outlives all the transient pain.

But as we succeed the bar is raised and to get the same result becomes more difficult, the effort needs to increase, and sometimes the praise is less, as we the “numbers” audience become used to a certain level of success, its here were perseverance plays a role, knowing that whatever the outcome that the effort in itself is worth it, and the knowing that tomorrow presents another opportunity to at the very least persevere.

Faizel

"It's not a diet, it's a way of life"

I remember years ago when I first started "dieting", I was on quick-fix diet shakes that promised the heaven and earth (but only delivered the vacuum in between) and then moved on to eating plans, which only allowed for 5 provitas a day and fresh air and I even tried the "magic drops in liquid" diet, which didn't taste too good (now that would definitely put you off food). What I've come to realise, and though it's a clichè, that weight loss is not about dieting, its about changing your life. I've been through many changes recently, mostly physical but mentally too. My state of mind has changed, from being too timid and shy in the distant past, to being confident, no matter what shape my body was in. The only way to lose weight, is through sensible eating and being active, dare I say that I even enjoy exercise.

When I embarked on this journey, I was expecting donations through Do it 4 Charity for Foodbank South Africa (thank you to all my donors), but what I received was far more precious than what money could offer. Through my writing, I found a voice; through my 10km races, I found friends; through my struggle, I found perseverence. Its this perseverence that made me hold out for so long and continue with my weight loss. It feels like I've found a way to sync my mind to my body. The more confident my mind is, the more I feel I can achieve physically, the more I achieve physically, the more confident I become.

Today marks the day that I broke the 84kg mark, though I lost only a little weight, I feel like a mountain has been lifted off my back. For weeks and weeks on end, I was drifting between 84kg and 84.9kg.

I'm at 83.7kg and feeling really good about losing almost 7kg. Its taking longer than expected, and I still have a long road to travel, but through all the motivation I receive, I'll find solace.

Next week, I'll be doing things slightly different on my blog, so stay tuned...

W