I received an email this week from a woman who was frustrated, struggling and ready to give up on her weight loss journey.  She was looking on the internet and just happened to read my previous post “If I Can Do It, Anyone Can,” and she said it was just what she needed to read at that moment to motivate her to keep going strong.  She emailed me just to say thank you for inspiring her.  Well, I am taking this opportunity to say thank you to her for inspiring me!  I write each week for this very reason, to help someone else who has struggled, is struggling, or will struggle along the path to being healthy and to show that perseverance always prevails.  If she is the only other person who ever benefits from my experiences, then I consider this a job well done.

Because the kind email inspired me this week, I would also like to share the story of someone who is one of the greatest inspirations in my life: my Mom.  About 3 years ago, she had to have knee surgery.  Most surgeries seem routine and inconsequential, until you or someone close to you needs one, then it seems somewhat terrifying, most of all to the person on the receiving end of the knife.  While most people don’t really care for staying in a hospital, my Mom absolutely hates it.  So when the doctor instructed her on leg exercises to do each day, to make her legs strong and help her have a successful recovery, she listened.  She did not want to give them a reason to keep her in the hospital any longer than necessary, so  she did the exercises faithfully, 3 times a day, each day leading up to her surgery.  She came through the surgery beautifully, and she vowed to herself that when she went back to the doctor for her 6 week check-up, she would walk in the office without the help of a walker or a cane.  So for 6 weeks, she continued the exercises she needed to do while her knee healed and became stronger, and when it came time for that check-up, she ran through the doors like a gold-medal champion! Just kidding, she didn’t really run.  But she did accomplish her goal of walking through the doctor’s office without the help of any type of crutch.  I am so proud of her for her strength and determination, especially while recovering from a major surgery.  Presently, my Mom heads to the gym 4-5 times a week and bikes at least 3 miles a day, all the while, looking pretty hip with her iPod shuffle!  I am willing to bet that 3 years ago before her surgery, she wouldn’t have believed that she’d be doing all of these activities now!

To my Mom, I am so proud of you, keep up all of your hard work!

 

My Mom’s Playlist Songs of the Week:

“Bridge Over Troubled Waters” Elvis Presley

“Unchained Melody” Righteous Brothers

“On Second Thought” Eddie Rabbitt

“Knock Three Times” Tony Orlando & Dawn

“Annie’s Song” John Denver

 

 

 

Ashley Shih has lived on the Space Coast for the past 5 years, and she can be seen training for marathons on the beaches of Brevard.  Her goal is to share the ups and downs of her fitness experiences with readers, in order to help them with their lifestyle goals.  Please email her with questions or feedback at ashleyerin.shih@gmail.com