cLiMiNg MoUnTaInS August 14, 2009

Climbing Mountains

Current Goal: To get out of the 250′s

Current Struggle: Time

Current Weight: 258

Current Mood: Motivated

I finally broke the 260′s. I now weigh 258. I was initially 289lbs. When I started this challenge I was 273lb. I lost a total of 31 lbs. A total of 15lbs since the challenge. It seems like I struggled for the last month and a half to get out the 260′s. I changed how I was eating, I was jogging and doing and my walks. So I decided to climb a mountain. I started climbing Stone Mountain out here in Ga. A friend of mine, Lolita said she was climbing it every morning and it was something I wanted to do for some time. The first day that I climb the mountain I literally thought I was going to die!!!!!!!! The mountain is 1.3 miles. It is beautiful and has granite, trees, plants and it is also rigorous, and steep at other times. When I first climb the mountain at the bottom it is OK. But towards the middle it has a lot of  boulders, rocks. Then there is the midway where you can sit down at some picnic tables. Once you pass that and continue to climb there is a part where there are railings and that is steep! At first I said OK let me get ready to climb these stairs and as I walked up on it I realize it is all rock and no stairs. The railings are there so you can hold on to it and don’t slip. Some people do not hold on to the railings and jog, run and walk up. (Hooray for them, I will be there one day) When I started off I felt like I was holding on for dear life and I had to stop in the middle to rest and catch my breath. Once I finished that I had to sit at the rock at the top. Then the next climb for me is the most challenging. It is challenging because it is very steep, and that is where my endurance, prayer, self motivation, and drive have to really kick in. I have to literally talk to myself and say that I am going to make it. So far it does not matter how many times I climb the mountain when I get to that particular point of the mountain I have talk myself into not quiting. The pain and the climb takes and challenge the very essence I am made of to get past that part. But I have never quit and have made it. It was not until I climb that mountain that I have continue to lose the weight and broke out my 260′s. So now I use that mountain as a metaphor. There are many obstacles I face on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly bases and I want to quit. When I get to that point where things are hard, people or mean, conniving, viscous, or finances want to act up, my career want to test me, and I want to quit, I think about the results if I don’t quit, rewards if I don’t quit, the consequences if I do quit, and I say Monica stick in there. Often when I was going to give up or give in I look at the top of the mountain and see that I am almost there and say to myself Monica you are almost there just keep looking forward and you will make it. So to those of you who are at that point of the mountain when the pressure is on and life feels like it squeezing the life out of you think about how a diamond is made, think about the strength you will have from challenges and keep pushing and know that you too can climb your mountain and reach the top no matter what or who your mountains are! I especially want to send this message to my sister who is my best friend for life. Keep climbing that mountain, you have a lot of people cheering for you and to all of those who think you can’t make it don’t waste any more energy on them cause you need all your energy to conquer this mountain! I love you and I will see you at the top!