I think I have proven that I am ready...

An open letter to the "personal trainer/weight loss specialist" that felt the need to interrupt my friend and I today to give me his card and encouraged me to call him when I was "ready"....

Hey, dude,

First, let me say it is rude to interrupt people in a conversation and to put your hand on the shoulder of a stranger, who definitely did not invite you to do so. Second, you need to watch what you presume about people. Third, if your intent was that I would feel awful about myself and think that all as hopeless, you ALMOST won today....but you didn't.

You do not know anything about me. I mean, I have come along way over the past few years. I have lost weight and kept it off. I know I do not have an "ideal" body but I am getting closer every day. Of course, you wouldn't know that, because YOU know nothing about me.

You don't know that I have met some "amazing to me" physical challenges. I completed the Couch to 5K program. I ran every step of a 10K. I completed a half marathon. I have climbed hundreds of flights of stairs at different events and in training for those events. I conquered the Manitou Incline. I lift heavy things and hit heavy bags several times a week, often two times a day. Of course, you wouldn't know that, because YOU know nothing about me.

You don't know that I had just spent five minutes going through the various teas to determine which one would be okay on the cleanse I am on right now. You wouldn't know that I totally rehauled my lifestyle and focus on whole real foods, avoiding processed foods of all kinds, that I haven't been in a fast food restaurant in years, that reading food labels has become a way of life. Of course, you wouldn't know that, because YOU know nothing about me.

You don't know that I have surrounded myself with people that support and encourage me. You wouldn't know that I have reached out to many people for advice and help. You wouldn't know that, even as an introvert, I have opened my heart and mind to many new people in my life and to the virtual world. You wouldn't know that I have lots of people that appreciate what I am doing with my life and that are available to help me. Of course, you wouldn't know that, because YOU know nothing about me.

Quite honestly, you giving me your card is not what I take the most issue with but rather the comment to call you when I was "ready." Well, dude, you should never presume that someone isn't ready or that someone is not making progress just by seeing the person sitting at a table in StarBucks with a friend. You ALMOST had me falling back into a bad place of self doubt and uncertainty. You ALMOST had me in tears on the way home. You ALMOST had me questioning all the changes I have made in my life. BUT YOU DON'T GET TO WIN THIS TIME.

I know I still have a long way to go and I know I am not where I want to be on my fitness journey. I am, however, a lot closer than I was yesterday.