I'm Not A Snob!

Another post by fellow Beachbody Coach Lauralee Fisher.  Hope it offers some inspiration today, I know her insights help me.  I really like the part where she mentions people think she is a snob and that she works out too much.  I get this a lot too.  I get told that I only care about weight and looks, which is totally not true at all.  I care about health and I care about being happy, I know that is confusing to those who do not have either.  Anyways check out Lauralee's Beachbody site or mine for more information about how we changed our lives, not just our dress size.

 Lauralee - isn't she the cutest!  

www.beachbodycoach.com/SCORPIOANGEL

This day is a special day for me because on this day in 2008 I was officially a graduate with my MBA and on a plane to celebrate my hard work for a week. I had a promising career lined up for me when I returned from my trip. Life was good. Things changed after that though… I lost the job that I thought was so promising and I found myself unemployed, depressed and wondering how I would make ends meet. I had to change my lifestyle and adjust which made my anxiety and depression worse.
As months went by with no job I found myself feeling worse and worse about myself and gaining more weight. On June 28, 2010 I decided enough was enough and started P90X. I am only mentioning P90X because this is what truly turned my life around in so many ways. I didn’t even have a job or unemployment benefits yet I purchased the program. Something told me “this is going to work”. I was in poor health, my blood pressure was 171/110, I had high cholesterol, and I was on medication… I hated where my life was heading because I felt like a failure.

As I went through the program things got better. I felt better about myself and I was no longer winded after walking up steps. My knees and joints didn’t hurt and I had more energy. I no longer wanted to sleep all day and sit in front of the TV. The “me” I knew before with an inner fire that would blind the sun and determination like no other was back. I liked what working out did for my mind.. not just my body. Fitting in my clothes (which were so tight it was awful) was just an added perk. I was getting my confidence back and feeling good.

I returned to work with a temporary position which I ended up being at for a year and then took another position with a company that looked promising. During this time period I have completed my first half marathon in the top 50% (my goal), participated in Warrior Dash and was part of several 5K runs. I was doing a lot and feeling confident, happy and hopeful for the present and the future. Well I lost my job I took that was so promising the week of Christmas.

For a quick moment I thought that there must be something wrong with me for this to happen again BUT then I realized there are plenty of people out there battling the same battle I am in. I decided right then and there that it wasn’t going to break me. I no longer feel I am worth less than someone who is working nor do I feel that I am not smart because I am not working. People lose jobs all the time and it’s not in my control. What IS in my control is how I react to it. I have been actively looking for a new position knowing that nothing is promised. We aren’t given tomorrow, we aren’t guaranteed a job from one day to the next and we aren’t guaranteed our health from one day to the next.

After losing my last position I was selected by Beachbody to be in their latest infomercial for Insanity due to my results. I was SO happy about this because I strive to be the change I wish to see in the world. In the past as many of you know I was in a head on collision where I broke several back bones, rib bones, and discs were damaged. I have a permanent injury. I was millimeters from being paralyzed. After that accident I could have given up and went into a very deep hole.. but I didn’t. I fought hard, I worked out, I kept pushing and came through like a champ. I am doing the same thing now and I won’t stop until I reach my goal.

I was told I wouldn’t golf or be able to run and I beat those odds. One thing that really motivates me is when someone says I can’t do something.

Through all of this I have also disassociated myself with some people who I thought were friends and some people have stopped talking to me after the changes I made in my life. My positive attitude, energy and determination turned some people off. I was even told I came across as “snobby” or that I thought I was “better than everyone else” because of my positive outlook. Anyone that truly KNOWS me knows I am neither of these. I am in a competition with one person and that is myself. It’s me against me and it always has been. Losing contact with these people has been very good for me though because these people brought out the negatives.

I have found through my changes that people easily get resentful, jealous and hateful when others have that “go getter” and “positive” attitude which I truly do not understand. In the past I would have seen it as a problem with me, but I realize it’s not me; it’s those people who are insecure or unhappy with something in their life. I refuse to lower my standards so others accept me. These people can keep thinking I am snobby because I don’t want to do what they consider fun but that’s not my problem and I don’t care.

One thing I do want to get out in the open is that I realize that not everyone is going to like or accept me that are friends with my boyfriend. The only thing I ask is that these people be honest about it instead of playing dumb or trying to twist it around. If you don’t like me you should let him know so he doesn’t think that it’s him that you have an issue with. I know it’s easier to just blame it on someone else (the most common things I hear are I am snobby, think I am better than everyone, I go on about my workouts too much, my high drive to succeed). I am perfectly fine with someone not meshing with me. Chances are I feel the same and we are just too different to be friends. I know some people will see this statement as coming across as “being dramatic” but it’s not. Again, people who know me know I am one of the easiest people to have a relationship with. I am getting this out in the open and being honest. I am not into playing games and acting like I don’t see the white elephant in the room. I am honest with people and have no problem discussing any open issues or perceived problems with others. I am not afraid of confrontation. If you are truly a friend of Kevin’s though you should not ignore him because of me. He is a grown man and can talk to and hang out with whoever he chooses just as I am a grown woman. I have plenty of wonderful friends and I am very happy to be blessed with them.

So on this note – Today is a special day because in 2008 I never thought my life would be where it is today. It went another way but at the same time the journey has helped me grow as an individual and has helped me help others reach their goals. The journey has been hard at times, fun at times but it has always been beautiful because I know I have all of the tools to live the life I have dreamed of living. I have a feeling that the stars are going to line up perfectly here soon and I will be once again on a plane to a beautiful resort to celebrate the many wonders of life! Happy Thursday friends!!!!!

 The girl can rock a bikini!