Monday, May 28, 2012

Two Years and Going Strong!

Bleeding Hearts Along the Burlington Bikeway - Burlington, Vermont
May 21, 2012

This is a Healthy Living blog update.  If you receive the posts automatically via email and are ONLY interested in the travel updates, feel free to skip this one!!

I'm not sure exactly why or if perhaps, I'm just not looking in the right places, but we don't see a lot of Bleeding Hearts where I live.  I know where some can be found along the trails in my mountains, but that's about it.  I think they are one of God's most delicate creations and can't believe anyone could look at something like this and question whether or not there IS a Master Creator!  I found this plant along the Burlington Bikeway and found it to be one of the most perfectly formed I'd ever encountered.  Every single flower was just exquisite!  

As I stood mesmerized, I was reminded of more than one folklore story about how the bleeding heart got its name, but today, I'm writing my own.  

On May 14, 2010, "Gains and Losses: Life through Sharon Eyes" began when I hit publish for the first time and started with the words, "I love to write, I always will."   I was extremely unhappy with the 30 pounds I'd regained after having successfully lost 65 in 2006-2007 and maintained that loss for a couple of years.   I felt as if I'd tried everything to get my mojo back and nothing, absolutely NOTHING, was working.   I'd like to say that six months later, I was right back at my goal weight, but we all know that isn't true.  Life has very much happened and has included pain, death, illness, forward progress quickly followed by periods of total laziness.  But through it all, there has been constant support from so many of you that I wouldn't even begin naming names.  Along the way, others of you have joined that group and I'm sad to say that some have faded away.   

I'd always kept the faith that at just the right time, something would click and thankfully, last November, it did!  By then, I was up 40 pounds from my lowest weight in 2007 and 35 from my goal weight.   Although I didn't make it quite back to goal by the blog's second anniversary, I was within six pounds.   And I'll be at goal by my birthday on July 30th.  

What does this have to do with Bleeding Hearts?   That plant along the bikeway had at least eight stems, each with 8-14 perfectly formed bleeding hearts extending out from the base.  At first glance, they all would appear identical, but one need only take a couple of steps closer to see that every single one of them was completely different.  Not only were they ALL DIFFERENT SIZES, but their shapes were unique, the lines ran in different directions and yes, even the "blood" was many shades of pink!

Bleeding Hearts in Faulkner Park, Woodstock, Vermont
May 26, 2012

Exactly like all of us!   We blog in the Weight Loss/Healthy Living/Fitness community because our "hearts" have that in common.  We want to be at a healthy weight, eat correctly and maintain exercise routines that make us the best we can be.  Our roots are the same!  Our stems extend differently!  I'm still anxiously awaiting the day I can claim an active BlogFriend in every state and province!  Traveling has taught me we do things differently in different places and I love learning about that from you. 

But when you look at each unique heart, one-by-one, you'll immediately see how different, how intricately made and how absolutely gorgeous each one truly is!  No matter what size it is, no matter how its "lines" run, no matter what shade of pink it is - IT'S STILL BEAUTIFUL!   And so are you!   And so am I!   And each one of us "bleeds."  We bleed when we hurt, we bleed when someone we love hurts, we bleed when we see pain/sickness/suffering/devastation in our world.  We bleed at LOT!  And we should - sadly, there is lots in our world over which we should "bleed."


But the heart is strong.   And it's resilient!   It bleeds and then it continues to grow.   Let's take our "bleeding hearts," keep them side by side, connected at the stem and deeply rooted in the base of our desire for healthy living. Let's support each other unconditionally.   I have certainly found that from you over the last two years and I plan to continue drawing on that support for quite some time to come.   I certainly hope you have felt it from me.  

Thank you for two wonderful years of writing!

 November 26, 2011 - 35 pounds from goal!
 May 1, 2012 - Six pounds from goal!
















Can you see the difference?

The first picture was taken by Mr. B on the day after Thanksgiving also now known as the day I began the 17 Day Diet.  The second picture was taken by my friend, Judi@Blue Roads to Hiking Trails

13 comments:

  1. Absolutely, a huge difference! And, yes, you are beautiful:) And we are all very lucky to be sharing your journey and our journeys.

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  2. You look great in both the photos - and I see quite the difference. But you know what I really noticed is the confidence in the second photo along with a weight loss. It is how you are standing. Much more at ease with yourself and looking comfortable.

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  3. Yes---I can see the difference. CONGRATS!!!!!! I am now 7 pounds from my goal... Still plugging along.

    I have read all of your posts --but haven't had time to comment much lately...

    Happy Memorial Day. Let's never forget those men and women who gave their lives for us and for our freedom.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Congrats, Sharon, on both the two year anniversary and on the weight loss. I know you will indeed reach your goal by your birthday.

    I am proud to have been here with you most if not all of the two years. And I appreciate your support and friendship during that time, too. It helps to have someone in my age group around to spur me on!

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  5. I cannot explain how many ways/levels I love this post. I love the bleeding hearts analogy. I <3 that you <3 the bleeding hearts. I think your passion is amazing. You look super good, girl!

    :-) Marion

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  6. Happy Bloggiversary! And yes, I can tell a difference!

    I'm all caught up now on your adventures, and I'm so happy you're having a wonderful time!

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  7. Congratulations on getting so close to your goal. You'll easily get there by your birthday. Several of my blog buddies are at or very close to their goal. I'm hoping announce being at my goal weight very soon as well.

    BTW, I think you look great in both pictures. I know you're happier with your weight in the second one.
    Lori

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  8. Congratulations on being so close to your goal weight. Quite of few of my blog friends are reaching their goals, and I'm hoping to join their ranks very soon.

    BTW, I think you look great in both pictures. I can tell you're happier with your weight in the second one though.
    Lori

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  9. I can definitely see a difference. Great job. Another blogger posted some pictures of Lady Slippers (state flower of Minnesota) the other day which I had never seen and they were so pretty.

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  10. Thank YOU for two years of blog friendship! Happy anniversary.

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  11. Happy anniversary! We are all joined at the heart in this journey. I am glad you are a blogger and we found each other. Very happy for you that you are so close to goal. You are transformed across those pictures! Excellent progress, Sharon!

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  12. Absolutely there is a difference!! You look wonderful Sharon! Great job!

    I've never seen a bleeding heart in person...they are beautiful in your pictures though! Happy Blogoversary!!

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  13. Wow, impressive difference in those picture. Interesting that you are wearing almost thesame outfit.

    I love bleeding hearts so much. I have a couple in pots, but I would love to see some naturalized.

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