Cautious Optimism

I am cautiously optimistic this morning. I woke up without a fever and with much less head congestion. I’m sure it could still swing either way throughout the day, but for now, I’m enjoying being able to breathe through my nose!

I finally got my before pictures and weigh in video done last night. I did noooot feel like it but winning the OG contest spurred me to get it done. Thank you all for the unwavering love and support I feel every day here. My 101 fever and gross self put on my next size down two piece (that you will see me absolutely rocking by week 8!) and got the pics done. I didn’t want to show my stomach in my after pictures last round, and thankfully didn’t have to because I had gotten smaller enough to cover it with the same bottoms, I took my before shot in. Let me tell you the story of my tummy. It’s been a ride. At the start of E2M, I looked like the Michelin man. Rolls on rolls. By the start of round two, my middle roll had kind of just, moved all to the front, I guess? Like a pouch sitting above my belly button, still inflated but rearranging. Then by the end of round two, it looked like someone stuck a push pin in it and it just deflated and fell into a skin bag. I wasn’t really planning to show it but honey badger don’t care, so here it is.

I didn’t have much loose skin in round one. My skin was bouncing back pretty well. But now, the sag is real. My bat wings, my knee fat pouch, my stomach, my boobs—the skin is starting to hang pretty badly now. I felt self-conscious about it for all of a week, but I got over it. I don’t care if I end up with my own built-in wind suit, as long as I’m healthy! I may just have to stay indoors on windy days. I’m feeling boosted this morning, and so ready. Two more days of 12-hour fasts (can’t do the 16-hour until I’m done with my meds), and fingers crossed that as long as I continue feeling better, I’ll be back in the pool on Monday. Going to attempt to get back to light cardio tomorrow as long as my fever stays at bay.

I spent my afternoon yesterday taking care of my 92-year-old grandfather. Before E2M, even walking from his driveway to his house would have left me struggling to breathe and in excruciating pain. I couldn’t help my family care for him. Now, not only am I able to go sit with him, I was able to lift him from his chair and help him walk. Bettering myself put me in a position to be able to be there for him. Being a better you is better for everyone around you. Putting myself first isn’t selfishness, it’s how I give my best to others as well. You can only give out what you’ve put in, so if you aren’t giving yourself your best, you can’t give anyone else your best either.

Happy Friday! I hope you all have some fun things planned for your weekend! Stay well!