Briana and I took time off for Week 23. It was Spring Break and I took a small trip with my family. Before I left, I gave her specific instructions: make healthy food choices, exercise every day, and take a walk around the track by her house. I asked her to call me and check in when she did her walk.
When we met again after our time off, it was time to weigh in. For the first time, I was more nervous than Briana. I wasn't sure what to expect since she had spent a full week on her own. I was confident that she made good choices because she promised she would and I knew she exercised and walked because her mom had left me a voicemail.
I took Briana to the scale. "I am so nervous!" she exclaimed.
"I'm nervous, too," I said. "Let's see how you did while I was away."
She stepped onto the scale and let out a deep sigh. I checked her weight, asked her to step off, then checked it again. Both times, the scale read 190. Briana had lost five pounds since her last weigh-in! This made a total of 37 pounds lost in five and half months. She was so excited and happy when I told her the good news.
"Briana, I am so proud and so impressed! You really did make good choices while I was away."
"Yes, I told you I would," she replied with a huge smile. "Only three more pounds to 40!"
She was right. I told her that if she works hard and stays focused, she will have lost 40 pounds by her next weigh in. She clapped her hands in delight and said "Let's get to work!"
Her workout was a little tough, but she hung in there and stayed positive. She worked extra hard and loved it when I was pleased. I acknowledge her progress, especially the amount of control she showed in her strength work. My encouragement and the news of her weight loss fueled her workout. She left in good spirits, and as I watched her drive away, I felt a surge of gratitude for being able to take part in something so special.
