I do not regret a single thing from my past. I do not continue to hold grudges against those who hurt me. I do not wallow that I wasted years of my life in sadness and treating myself poorly. I do not resent the fact that competing in a fitness competition was not for me and screwed with my body. I do not feel guilty knowing I will not return to teaching because I discovered it is not my true passion. Those scenarios all pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow stronger and change my life.

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We have to believe that we have the strength to face difficult situations. The most rewarding moments in our lives often come with some growth and change. Just as our muscles will not strengthen without some physical challenge, our lives will not have room to grow without having to push ourselves past emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual discomforts from time to time. Below are just a few of innumerable examples.

• Diet: Giving up old eating habits we are comfortable with in order to better our health.
• Exercise Goals: Pushing through tough workouts to cross that race line, achieve those push-ups, improve stamina, etc.
• Life Trials: Learn things about yourself through those emotionally trying times. Find ways to love and support others, develop new coping skills, etc.
• A New Relationship: Breaking down walls to open up. Putting someone else before yourself.
• Following A Passion: Changing your work, friends, lifestyle to do something you love.

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I don’t think I would fully experience life if I could just breeze easily through. I have goals and desires so I can pursue my best life. I know they won’t come easy, but that is what makes them so great. As long as they tie in with my purpose and those things valuable to me, I know pushing myself towards them will help fulfill me in many ways.

After all, how great does it feel to know you accomplished something? The greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. Sometimes simply surviving something is an inspiring victory in itself. We need not forget those challenges we have overcome and allow them to empower us today. We must embrace new trials as a way to achieve a higher quality of life in the long run. They shape us into even greater people than we already are.

What challenges have you overcome? What goals have you achieved? Let them empower you today!

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Check out the following bloggers who shared their personal 30 DSLR reflections.

• Making A Change
• Days One By One
• Respectfully Captivating
• Ulterior Harmony

Evening all! Thanks so much for all your concern about my ankle. It’s mainly scraped up and bruised on the top. Thankfully, not twisted or swollen in any way. Either way, you all really are such great blog friends. 🙂

Tonight we enjoyed the most simple dinner. Simple and healthy – my kind of meal. This morning I tossed a couple chicken breasts into the crock pot with cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a BBQ seasoning packet.

At night, all I had to do was chop up a few red potatoes, toss them in olive oil/salt/pepper, and roast away at 400 for 35 minutes. Peter shredded the chicken, plopped it on a sandwich thin, and then dinner was served. BBQ chicken sandwiches and roasted potatoes.

I love me some BBQ!!! I also loved TBL (The Biggest Loser) last night. Nevertheless, I do have quite a few issues with how the show does particular things.

• Too large contestants. I hate how in recent seasons it was all about “the biggest” contestant with the majority needing to lose 200+ lbs. I was very happy to see this season’s contestants aren’t quite so morbidly obese. Many only need to lose 100-150 lbs, which is much more reasonable.
• Not really educating the contestants. I think there is too much time plugging last chance workouts and sponsored products for their low calories, rather than educating on health and nutrition. Also, I think the extreme workouts and calorie counts don’t set them up for success in the future. It just poses an all or nothing mentality for them to go home with.
• Therapist Jillian. I love Jillian and think she is an excellent trainer, minus a few unsafe moves I’ve seen her pull out on the show. However, when she plays therapist it drives me nuts. I think the contestants would benefit more from regular counseling from someone separate from their workouts.
• Too much expected of the contestants’ bodies. These people have not been physically active in awhile. Expecting them to jump into 8 hour workouts a day is not healthy. I do think the challenges to make it onto the ranch last night were more suitable though. Doing 500 steps or running/walking a mile makes much more sense than riding 26.2 miles on the first day like last year.
• Commercials within the show. They were really minimal last night. Let’s see if that lasts.

I must also say that all the contestants had really touching stories and seemed like they wanted to improve themselves inside and out. I really related to the girl who made the red team and had a bad relationship with food as a reflection of her relationship with her mom. It sounded similar to me turning to food in the past as an escape from my dad. That is why I still watch the show. I still admire people seeking to make their lives better. Even if TBL doesn’t have it perfect, the show still helps people who otherwise might never have made that change.

I’ve rambled enough about that show. Time for me to watch one without as much thought. GLEE!! I will leave you with this 6 month belly shot Peter happened to shoot of me. I should have known he was up to no good when he pulled my shirt up. 😉

Have a great night, y’all! Oh I can’t believe I just said that.

• What do you like/dislike about The Biggest Loser?
• What did you have for dinner tonight?