I love reading or hearing about other peoples' success stories. It inspires me. The funny thing is I don't think any of these inspirational people that I've found ever started out to really "inspire" others. It seems to me that the act of writing, or recording your victories just for yourself to enjoy is the real inspiration. I know that hardly anyone reads my blog, but I draw such a source of motivation just from seeing where I was to where I am now, that that's all that really matters to me.
What surprised me last night though (and has surprised me several times this month), is that I have apparently become an inspiration to those around me. When did that happen?! I've always been the wall flower, the person who blends into the background who doesn't do anything extraordinary, I just exist.
Wino told me last night that his mom was so inspired by my running and weight loss that she's attending some seminars to get healthy herself. "Really?!" I said, with a huge smile on my face. I guess I never realized that anyone was even really paying attention to what I was doing. Sure I post my run on Facebook after I complete it, and I always get a smattering of "likes" but people are really rooting for me AND taking a look at their own lives and how they can improve their own health.
I'm really amazed, and this motivates me extra to keep going, I HAVE to succeed, there's no question about it, so many important people in my life are apparently waiting for my next update to say "I did it!" Now, not only am I doing this for myself, but I push myself harder because I don't want to disappoint.
I am only 5 runs away from completing the Couch to 5K program. I have my 5K coming up on October 23, and I'm excited, I'm ready for it to get here!