As our Oprah OYou Boot Camp challenge winds down for one week and up for another, I realized that it is not a coincidence that Bob Greene week happened when it did.  When my sister and I sat down to schedule this out, there was no magic 8 ball to work through the weeks.  We were pleasantly surprised when the 11 names and cycles that we were going to do worked out perfectly to track us to the O You 2011 Conference in Atlanta this year.  Other than NOT picking Peter Walsh for the first week (way too overwhelming…we knew we needed a warm up for his week!), we just took the list and took off. 

So, back to this past week – Week 2 – Bob Greene week.  This past week has been like a life firecracker – the world exploding in little ways everywhere – but still, I kept going and kept taking the Bob Greene lessons that I captured this week and kept moving.  I kept trying to get more super foods into the diet and less bad choices happening in the kitchen.  I fought back on the sabotage chocolate cake and ice cream that my sister brought over for a weekend BBQ.  I worked out and added small weights to the walk and bike ride – making my workouts a “two-for-one” bargain.  I created some personal policies (I’ll be writing about those later this week) and I kept going and didn’t give up.  All of this while the fireworks kept up their steady popping all around.

On Saturday evening emotionally exhausted and reflecting on the week, I found myself again in tears as my “”O” I get it” moment became really clear.  My whole life I feel like I’ve dieted. I’ve fought exercise (I was never good at it) and I’ve struggled.  I’m a smart woman. I have years of Oprah inspiration, Bob Greene books, Biggest Loser workout videos and exercise equipment sprinkled around the house as reminders of the motivation that I typically do not have.  About a month ago, I started working out.  Fantastic, I thought.  Bob Greene week will be easier.  But this last week, it wasn’t all about working out.  It was about making the connection with food, fitness, life…and connecting it with my mind, body and soul.  So, in one of the most “challenging” weeks on the personal side, I did it.  In one of the most emotionally draining weeks, I kept going.  This is what I have learned this week…

• Life is about doing the best that you can do at that moment…and to keep going. 
• When you think you don’t have it in you…you are WRONG.  God put it in all of us…it’s there.  Just look and believe.  If you still don’t see it, keep moving forward.  It will show up.  Just keep going.
• Making good choices about food is all about thinking.  You are smart.  You know what to do.

So, as we move onto adding Martha Beck into our OYou Boot Camp Challenge, I’m ready…I’m just not sure for what…but I’m ready.