Our Quest to change our lives began in Feb. 2010 and we lost 224 lbs. We slowly gained a lot of that weight back and we're now on another journey for weight loss and better health using Bright Line Eating. This is the story of our continuing Journey. .
(For the fullest effect, begin at the beginning in Feb. 2010 using our Blog Archive on sidebar)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Movie Marathon & Pizza Galore...

Brent is HOME!  All is well... peace abounds... smiles galore!
(I kind of have a funny story from picking him up at the airport... I may put it in another post)
Okay, so in times past, a fun day date with my hubs would be something like having a Lord of the Rings marathon (using the extended edition DVD's, of course) and ordering some large Pizza Hut pepperoni & supreme pizza’s.  Shoving it down with loads of diet soda or chocolate milk, and making a double batch of brownies or cookies and pigging out while we watch.  Seriously, that used to be our ultimate date!
BUT NOT ANYMORE!
Today, instead of sitting around watching Frodo traverse the beautiful forests of Rivendale... we RODE OUR BIKES through our own gorgeous Oregon Rivendale.  (Mind you, I love LoftheR).  But nothing compares to the date I had with Brent today.
Just starting out

We conquered the Oregon Vernonia-Banks trail!  Our first plan was to try and go 6 miles in and then come back for a total of 12 miles.  That’s a lot of miles for people who haven’t been riding bikes for any distance consistently.  The paved trail is lined with the most beautiful trees, barns, trestles, railroad tracks, green fields, pathways to explore, ponds, little streams, little animals, cool bridges and Blue Skies (at least or today).  Brent said it was the "best day ever" and I have to agree!


What we ended up doing was 14 miles in... with more than 1/2 of those miles at an uphill incline.  Then we came 14 miles back out for a total of 26 miles!!  It took us about 4 hours.  Four hours of the best date ever!  Yes, my legs burned, I panted, I got hot, I got cold.... but it felt AMAZING!  Just a year ago, I wouldn’t even dream of being able to do this.


At the end - 26 miles!
We were both remembering almost a year ago when we first got our bikes out after I had lost 70 pounds and rode about 5 miles and we felt we were superstars!  That had felt amazing.  I am amazed at what I find that I can do - that I didn’t ever think I could do.  
What do you think you can’t do?  
Maybe you should re-think that and just go for it!
The Lord has also blessed me with my knee feeling better!!  I am now running up to 7 minutes at a time.  Can’t wait to go jogging with Brent, who apparently feels that I am going to kick his butt.  He’s put 10 pounds back on while he’s been in Utah (mostly due to stress) and is feeling that he’s not in as good of shape.  (This is quite the role reversal, I’ll tell ya, as Brent has always been more the athlete than me since High School).  But he worked it today - He IS the MAN!!!  I like the idea of kickin’ his butt, though... is that bad? 
You know, life is hard.  We move in a month, Brent did not get a position at work he applied for that he really wanted (which would have been more money and less stress), money is scarce, the homes we’ve been trying to buy in Utah have not come through for us yet - so we’re moving with no place to live, there are issues with our kids that need addressing... and on and on.  
But you know what?  Life is still so good!  
For me, it used to NOT be good.  Everything brought me down.  I still get down at times.  But my outlook has changed.  
You know what is different from a positive person vs. a negative person?  
It is their PERSPECTIVE.  


It is about looking beyond the moment or the situation.  It is about seeing the whole picture.  It is about seeing things as they really are and what is really most important.  
I am so thankful to start a new perspective in my life.  After so many years of negative... I am so thankful to shed that.  My chains are gone - I have been set free.   
So bring it on... Life is SO GOOD!!  

8 comments:

Kimberly said...

As I read this post I found myself smiling. It's not everyday that I read something like this and know that the person is truly changed, but you are Margene. You're a new woman and I'm so proud of you!

And to answer that question...no, it's not a bad thing to want to kick his but. I say if you can than you absolutely should!!!

You go girl.

Much love my friend!

Sharon said...

Can't wait to get to Oregon to ride my bike. Sure wish you were going to be there to show me the best places to ride. Guess I'll also have to swing by Utah, won't I??

Love the optimism in this post!

MaryFran said...

Great job on the biking....and that is honestly my favorite 'date' with my husband, out on our bikes. Quiet solitude ...just us and nature! :-)

I'll be praying for you as your move approaches!

Michele said...

Love, love your enthusiasm for life and the new you in this post. good for you doing such a great and beautiful bike ride; watch out that biking can become addicting. I agree totally: Life is good! Have a great weekend with your honey and family!

LauraAnn said...

Just reading this post made me feel GOOD! Thank you for your contagious happiness!

And yes, it's good to kick the Hubby's butt every once in a while!

Bring Pretty Back said...

I can not tell you how much I relate to this!!!!!!!!!! Seriously ! V and I do the same thing! "OUR" time is watching tv , eating or having cocktail related. I want something NEW for us!
V is not as excited about a change as I am and that is a struggle.
I will make changes for myself.
BEAUTIFUL POST!
Kristin

C. Dudley said...

Hello there,

I'm new to your blog. It is very inspiring. I love this post because it resonates so well with me. It's amazing how our idea of a fun date can/will change once physical activity becomes a regular in your life. Many blessings to you and your family. Grace and Peace.


~Char

Joy said...

Awesome job you guys!!!! I really want to try that trail. Hope to do it this summer!!

So sorry things are not going how you want!! Praying for you!!!

Hey I gave you an award today - check it out!!

Keep focused!!!