Inspired?

Wow, somehow the last few weeks flew by and I apparently forgot to update my blog!  The good news is that the last few weeks have been really good, and I'm feeling great. In the last few weeks I've had a lot of good times with friends, enjoyed some great meals, made some lasting memories, and most recently, tonight I went to a fantastic concert at Tupelo Music Hall with Kristi and her best friend Erin.

Tupelo Music Hall is a small and intimate music venue in Londonderry, NH that always has fantastic performances scheduled.  Our favorite repeat show is Chad Perrone.  Kristi has been a fan of his for over a decade and as soon as she introduced me to his music, I was hooked.  Skip forward a year and 3 months or so... Kristi proposed to me at Tupelo Music Hall during a Chad Perrone show in October 2010.  She asked him to play our song, and when he did, she proposed. It was amazing. It was perfect. I couldn't have asked for more.

Anyway, I'm not writing this blog to take you back in time, but instead forward into the future.  Sometimes, though, it's important to remember how you got to today, don't you think?  Anyway, tonight at Chad's show, he was joined by the fabulously talented Lisa Piccirillo.  It just so happens that a few months back I messaged Lisa on Facebook in hopes of her telling me if she was playing with Chad again like she did a couple of years ago at his Tupelo show.  Turns out that at the time she wasn't, but after my asking, she contacted Chad...and well, the rest is history.  Tonight's show was, I think, the best yet.  It was moving, beautiful, inspired, and full of singer-songwriter genius.

The real reason I brought up the concert, and performers, though was for 2 pretty cool reasons.

1. A few months ago Kristi, my amazing fiancee, got a tattoo that was inspired by one of Chad's songs.  He wasn't aware of this tattoo, until tonight.  Kristi showed him after the show when we were all chatting.  He was shocked and pretty moved by the fact that someone got themselves inked due to inspiration from his song writing. He took a picture of the tattoo and gave Kristi a giant hug.  Pretty awesome.

2. Both after her set, and after the show, we spend some time chatting with Lisa.  Lisa and I are Facebook friends and have been since the first time we saw her perform, a couple years ago. Since I started Weight Watchers, she has continually shown me support and cheered me on.  That in itself is pretty cool since she's an uber talented musician and, we barely know each other.  Anyway, it gets better.   Tonight Lisa told me I inspired her with my weight loss, and Weight Watchers, journey.  That's amazing. Simply amazing.  I've never been told I inspired anyone for anything. Ever. Until tonight. Wow.  I cannot imagine truly inspiring someone, but if I have, then well...you're welcome, and I thank you for telling me that I do.

So yah, tonight was pretty amazing all around.  I promised myself that I would update my blog tonight, because we're going away for 7 nights starting tomorrow and I won't have internet access for the majority of the week unless we go use the wireless in the one building where it is available, but I probably won't do that.  We're going to The Berkshires where we have a 2 bedroom condo for the week.  Cannot wait for tomorrow, and since it's 1:30am, I think it's time for bed.  But first, a quick re-cap of the last few weeks regarding my weight loss...

The last few weeks I've had really solid weight loss, after a very slight gain the week I did the 5 mile Walk MS walk with a group of friends. (BTW - I still get tired just thinking about it...but then I remember that I did it!)  Last week I went to a different meeting because I had plans to help Heidi with her Field Day at the farm she works at, which was extremely fun.  I didn't stay for the meeting, but when I weighed in, I lost a really good amount of weight, and was only 0.4lbs away from my 5% goal.  I went into the meeting today unsure if I would hit it but actually hoping for 2.4 so I would reach 20 lbs.  Well, I did it. And more!  Today I lost 3.4lbs I reached my 5% goal of 18lbs. I also reached losing 20lbs.  I've lost 21 lbs in 9 weeks. That's pretty awesome I think.  This week of vacation may be a little tough, but I'm looking forward to my weigh-in on Saturday at a meeting location that I found close to our resort. My goal for vacation is extremely realistic.  My goal is to maintain what I've lost.  Really, I'd love to lose at least 2 lbs, but I know I'll be on a different schedule, a different meal plan, and with many more temptations, so I think if I maintain, I'll be satisfied.

Twenty-one pounds lost in 9 weeks.  Feeling great! Next goal is 25 pounds, since that's an actual WW goal.  After that, it's my 10% goal which is 36lbs.  I have 4lbs to go to reach 25lbs, and 15lbs to go to reach 10%.  I can do this. I will do this.

Thank you for your support.  I promise to update when I get home from vacation. Have a great week everyone!!