My Journey With Weight Loss – Be Inspiring

Well, I am excited. Yesterday I learned that my seniors’ walking group is going to start next month. I will be leading a group of seniors on a 1 1/2 hour walk each week. While the objective behind this is to keep seniors mobile and active, it is also to listen to them and help them find resources if they are having any struggles. I of course opted for the faster walking group and I can’t wait to get out there with them. This type of volunteering just makes me feel good.

That brings me to today’s topic, be inspiring. Since I started down this path of weight loss I have been told so many times that I am inspiring. Almost every post that I put up has someone letting me know how inspirational I am. I have to admit that I sometimes have felt uncomfortable with this as the reason I have posted on either this blog of on FB is because I am hoping to motivate at least one person to follow my path. Apparently I have actually motivated several people which makes writing about my journey very fulfilling.

But it is not just my journey that people comment on, it is also my volunteer work. I’ve volunteered for multiple organizations most of my life, it is just what I was brought up to do. I am passionate about helping others and sometimes I think I may get more out of the volunteer work I do than those that I am supporting. During this pandemic the work I have done through both the United Way and Seniors ComeShare Society has provided me with an outlet to help me get mentally strong. That feeling of giving back is just so amazing and I just can’t stress enough how great it makes me feel. What confuses me is being told I am inspirational for doing this when I feel I am almost selfish because what motivates me is the joy it brings me.

I decided to reflect on what it means to be inspirational. I looked at the definitions of inspiring and 2 jumped out at me; 1) to influence or impel and 2) to produce or arouse a feeling or thought. I like the idea that I may be influencing people because I know it is in a positive way. I want people to look at the whole picture of what I do, I’ve said it before this journey I have been on has been about both physical and mental health. Yes, exercise helps with both of these but volunteering lifts it to another level. If writing about what I do influences and motivates people to jump on board with either physical or mental health then I guess I will accept that I may be inspirational.

So, be inspiring. Find something that does get people to follow a positive journey. You don’t have to do it the way I have, find your own course. Just remember to always be humble and kind and appreciate those that are looking to you for motivation and leadership. Oh, and to all of those that do send me those messages, I thank you because your comments help me keep going.