Reverse the Curse

I just spent the last hour watching the ESPN "30 for 30" film, "Four Days in October". It's an amazing retelling of the 2004 Red Sox coming back from a 3-0 deficit against the hated Yankees in the ALCS. As this series was playing itself out, we here in Boston were losing faith quickly, by the end of game 3 we had all but packed it in. We didn't want to admit defeat, but as every media outlet known to man was quick to point out, "No team in sports history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit". Awesome. But, as we know, the Sox got it together and had a champagne celebration in Yankee Stadium, then going on to win the 2004 World Series. Bye bye Bambino. No more curse for us. :-)

Now, as I was watching this documentary, I was getting weepy in the appropriate places and when it was over was thinking about how it was pretty amazing what this team had accomplished. They did something that no one thought possible, maybe deep down, they too thought this impossible. They defied the odds and came out on top. They accomplished something that can never be taken away from them. The hard work, the dedication, the commitment. It was all rewarded with the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball...the World Series Pennant (and accompanying bling).

It won't be much of a stretch to say that I feel like I'm on a journey such as this. Many people discourage themselves (or others) from attempting to lose weight and better their lives..."it's too hard"..."I don't have time to work out"..."I've tried so many times before and nothing works, why bother??". When staring at this from the beginning, the thought of losing 100 lbs was so daunting. I figured that I would be back to my old ways within a month or two, as usual. But for some reason, I finally "got it". I made the changes, I stuck with them, I found a love for exercise, I crave movement and healthy food. I still find it hard to pinpoint WHY things are working so well this time around. I, like you, had tried to lose weight many times in my life and it never worked the way it should have. I wanted it to happen so quickly, without putting the work in. This is why I failed so many times before. But, somewhere, deep down, I must have believed in myself...but all the while thinking it was impossible. Seriously. And at about 85 lbs lost, I can see my original goal coming true. It's not elusive...it's not MY curse.

I suppose if you stretch out those 4 days that the Red Sox changed their baseball lives, it could be compared to my journey. I'd been down. I stepped up and took the challenge. Dave Roberts stole 2nd base in game 4, effectively giving life to the Sox. What is my Dave Roberts moment? Was it when I quit soda? Was it joining the gym? Was it when I lost 10 lbs in the first week? Maybe I'll go with the loss of 10 lbs in the first week. Early success really keeps you motivated. I've had a few home runs, a la Big Papi, and am about to hit another on Sunday (my first 5K!). The ups and downs of my 13 month journey thus far have not been nearly as extreme as the emotions felt in that 4 day period, but I too am seeking the ultimate prize. But in this case, I will hold onto this prize for the rest of my life. I am creating that life. I am extending it. I am making it more meaningful, knowing that I have worked so hard to make it better. Every mile I run cements the fact that I am a new person.

Although, like the Sox, I couldn't have done this on my own. Every player on that team had a job to do, and one by one, they managed to make this happen. Yes, you can say I've done this on my own, as I am not under the supervision of a nutritionist, dietician, trainer, or popular weight loss program...BUT...I certainly have not been alone. When I've been in a slump, people have cheered me on anyway, loving me for me...much like our beloved Sox. When I've been successful, I've still gotten the support I needed and then some. I'm lucky to have some "true fans" on my side...you know...the ones who still love their team, even when they've broken your heart time and time again. And in the end, you're rewarded for your loyalty...

"Reverse the curse". You know it well, it was on Tshirts everywhere, signs, placards, newspapers, everywhere. But it's amazing how at this moment, that means something else to me. Who knew an innocent viewing of "30 for 30" would bring upon such clarity and inspiration?? I am trying to reverse my own curse. The curse of obesity. The curse of being unhappy with myself. The curse of feeling like I had no choice. As hard as I tried to deny it, it was my own fault. I did this to myself. And I'm the only one who can reverse it. Reversing this curse would certainly lift a burden, not the 86 year burden felt by Red Sox Nation, but that of a 31 year old woman who spent much of her life on the sidelines wondering when it would be her turn.

Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play. ;-)