BelovedHeather
Cathlete
Beloved Road Trip Sisters and Brothers:
I address you as family because I know from experience that the Road Trip feels like a big family reunion. As I shared in my Road Trip “novel” last year, the love in that place is overwhelming. You are in for the ride of your life, and I want to share a few words of encouragement and tips from a Road Trip veteran on what I believe you need to start doing now to get ready for an amazing experience.
First, I have been reading messages from people who are feeling anxious and insecure about their weight, size, or fitness level. (By the way, I am wading through the messages in my inbox and promise to respond to everyone soon even if you just wrote to introduce yourself to me.) I totally understand the way you feel. I shared my story, insecurities, and concerns in this thread last June:
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=407986
I imagined that everyone would look like Cathe and crew, and I was concerned that I would feel hopelessly out of place and not be able to keep up with the live classes. Forum members love me for my heart and the words I write here, and I wondered if they would think less of me when they finally saw me for the first time. People who read my messages did not know what I look like before last year. They knew my heart through the words I share, and my words were (and still are) far more beautiful than my body. I loved the fact that I could be heard and not seen. That was the glory of the internet for me. But I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave up all that for the Road Trip. I am so glad! I decided that my desire to meet Cathe and my check-in friends was greater than my fear of comments people might possibly make about me. Life is short. I had dreamed of attending a Cathe Road Trip since the last one, and I believed it was God’s will for me to be there. I was hoping to be at my goal weight first, but I decided not to let that stop me.
If you have read my Road Trip “novel” that Jerry mentioned in the other thread, you will know that my fears were totally unfounded. Not only did I meet Road Trippers who were still transformations in progress, but no one judged me or condemned me for my size. I experienced nothing but love, support, friendship, and fun in that place. When someone was too tired to finish a class or do an advanced move like stability ball pikes, it was the perfect time to walk around the room and take pictures. There is no pressure to perform. Cathe encouraged and demonstrated modifications for all fitness levels. You do not need to participate in every minute of every class if you are tired. Feel free to take a break, drink water, enjoy a snack, and rest. This weekend is about fun and friendship. It is not competitive at all. You do not need to prove anything to anyone (not even yourself). Cathe is not superficial at all. She did not judge me or think any less of me because of my weight and size. She gave me nothing but support, affirmation, and encouragement and assured me that I am beautiful. Cathe is very warm, friendly, humble, and gracious. You will not see a hint of celebrity in her. She does not think she is all that or act like she is better than anyone else. You have no reason to feel nervous about meeting her. It will be just like meeting any other forum member you admire. She will immediately make you feel at home. Release all those anxieties now and enjoy the next few months as the anticipation grows.
I encourage you to not put too much pressure on yourself to drop x number of pounds before the Road Trip. Just relax and have fun. Enjoy your favorite Cathe workouts. You do not need to lose 10 pounds, master Cathe’s dancy step choreography, learn to do a levitation, or anything else. I promise! My game plan this year is to bless my body with nutritious food, pure water, and restful sleep for the next 12 weeks. My body will naturally look better after 12 weeks of clean living. In my opinion, the best thing you can do to prepare for the Road Trip is sleep before you go. The weekend is very intense, emotional, and exciting. You will likely be too excited to sleep the night before you travel to Jersey. Start resting now. Look at the packing list from last year, and start preparing early so you do not have to stress yourself out the week of the Road Trip. Start searching for the perfect pajamas! LOL! I am still around 100 pounds from my goal, but I care more about how I feel than I how I look this year. I would love to shed a few inches around the middle so my new Nike tee shirt fits better, but there is no pressure to change. The 2007 Road Trip was a life-changing experience, and I am free from those anxieties about my weight and size. My goal is to feel as good as possible that weekend so I can fully enjoy every minute of the experience. That starts with clean and healthy living now. Fitness is about freedom, not a size!
Buy a digital camera if you do not have one and take plenty of pictures that weekend. I took over 200 and wished I had taken more. Thankfully, Cynthia covered me! Take a journal and record your experiences during the breaks and in your hotel room at night.
If you are shy about reaching out to people, please send me a private message or respond here. As a returning Road Tripper, my first priority is to share the love that was lavished on me last year with all the newbies and especially those who are feeling insecure about this experience. I want to reach out to you and make you feel at home. This will be a whole different experience for me. I have already met Cathe and the crew and received autographs from them and all that good stuff. This time, I am looking forward to a reunion with 2007 Road Trippers, and I am really excited about watching the reaction of the newbies as y’all experience this for the first time. To the first timers, I say that this weekend is for y’all first and foremost! There is something special about the first time, so savor every moment of it and treasure the memories. Do not let shyness, fears, nervousness, or anxiety rob you of your joy. In the midst of all the anticipation and excitement, relax as much as possible and fully enjoy the weekend. It will be crying time at the diner before you know what hit you. Cathe, Chris, Nancy, and the coordinators will do everything in their power to make you feel at home. If the Road Trip veterans can encourage or help any of you that weekend, please let us know. Some people are more shy by nature, and it would break my heart to read after the fact that anyone felt alone. If you are an introvert, I would love to coax or pull you out of your shell! I promise to be gentle. LOL! I should warn you that I am very passionate, emotional, enthusiastic, and demonstrative. I get very excited when I meet new people. Ask Cathy and Wendy from the Cheetahs check-in! ;-) Feel free to tell me to calm down if my personality is intimidating to you! Being a Southern girl, I am a hugger too! :7
Here is a link to my 2007 Road Trip “novel” (for Jerry!) with a very detailed description of my first Road Trip experience:
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=427475
I believe I captured the raw emotion of the weekend as much as possible, but it is one of those things you need to experience firsthand to truly appreciate. Saddle up your horses, and get ready for the ride of your life! I am looking forward to seeing y’all in July! Congratulations to the July Road Trippers, and best wishes for all who are signing up Friday for the August Road Trip!
Blessings,
Heather B.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
I address you as family because I know from experience that the Road Trip feels like a big family reunion. As I shared in my Road Trip “novel” last year, the love in that place is overwhelming. You are in for the ride of your life, and I want to share a few words of encouragement and tips from a Road Trip veteran on what I believe you need to start doing now to get ready for an amazing experience.
First, I have been reading messages from people who are feeling anxious and insecure about their weight, size, or fitness level. (By the way, I am wading through the messages in my inbox and promise to respond to everyone soon even if you just wrote to introduce yourself to me.) I totally understand the way you feel. I shared my story, insecurities, and concerns in this thread last June:
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=407986
I imagined that everyone would look like Cathe and crew, and I was concerned that I would feel hopelessly out of place and not be able to keep up with the live classes. Forum members love me for my heart and the words I write here, and I wondered if they would think less of me when they finally saw me for the first time. People who read my messages did not know what I look like before last year. They knew my heart through the words I share, and my words were (and still are) far more beautiful than my body. I loved the fact that I could be heard and not seen. That was the glory of the internet for me. But I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave up all that for the Road Trip. I am so glad! I decided that my desire to meet Cathe and my check-in friends was greater than my fear of comments people might possibly make about me. Life is short. I had dreamed of attending a Cathe Road Trip since the last one, and I believed it was God’s will for me to be there. I was hoping to be at my goal weight first, but I decided not to let that stop me.
If you have read my Road Trip “novel” that Jerry mentioned in the other thread, you will know that my fears were totally unfounded. Not only did I meet Road Trippers who were still transformations in progress, but no one judged me or condemned me for my size. I experienced nothing but love, support, friendship, and fun in that place. When someone was too tired to finish a class or do an advanced move like stability ball pikes, it was the perfect time to walk around the room and take pictures. There is no pressure to perform. Cathe encouraged and demonstrated modifications for all fitness levels. You do not need to participate in every minute of every class if you are tired. Feel free to take a break, drink water, enjoy a snack, and rest. This weekend is about fun and friendship. It is not competitive at all. You do not need to prove anything to anyone (not even yourself). Cathe is not superficial at all. She did not judge me or think any less of me because of my weight and size. She gave me nothing but support, affirmation, and encouragement and assured me that I am beautiful. Cathe is very warm, friendly, humble, and gracious. You will not see a hint of celebrity in her. She does not think she is all that or act like she is better than anyone else. You have no reason to feel nervous about meeting her. It will be just like meeting any other forum member you admire. She will immediately make you feel at home. Release all those anxieties now and enjoy the next few months as the anticipation grows.
I encourage you to not put too much pressure on yourself to drop x number of pounds before the Road Trip. Just relax and have fun. Enjoy your favorite Cathe workouts. You do not need to lose 10 pounds, master Cathe’s dancy step choreography, learn to do a levitation, or anything else. I promise! My game plan this year is to bless my body with nutritious food, pure water, and restful sleep for the next 12 weeks. My body will naturally look better after 12 weeks of clean living. In my opinion, the best thing you can do to prepare for the Road Trip is sleep before you go. The weekend is very intense, emotional, and exciting. You will likely be too excited to sleep the night before you travel to Jersey. Start resting now. Look at the packing list from last year, and start preparing early so you do not have to stress yourself out the week of the Road Trip. Start searching for the perfect pajamas! LOL! I am still around 100 pounds from my goal, but I care more about how I feel than I how I look this year. I would love to shed a few inches around the middle so my new Nike tee shirt fits better, but there is no pressure to change. The 2007 Road Trip was a life-changing experience, and I am free from those anxieties about my weight and size. My goal is to feel as good as possible that weekend so I can fully enjoy every minute of the experience. That starts with clean and healthy living now. Fitness is about freedom, not a size!
Buy a digital camera if you do not have one and take plenty of pictures that weekend. I took over 200 and wished I had taken more. Thankfully, Cynthia covered me! Take a journal and record your experiences during the breaks and in your hotel room at night.
If you are shy about reaching out to people, please send me a private message or respond here. As a returning Road Tripper, my first priority is to share the love that was lavished on me last year with all the newbies and especially those who are feeling insecure about this experience. I want to reach out to you and make you feel at home. This will be a whole different experience for me. I have already met Cathe and the crew and received autographs from them and all that good stuff. This time, I am looking forward to a reunion with 2007 Road Trippers, and I am really excited about watching the reaction of the newbies as y’all experience this for the first time. To the first timers, I say that this weekend is for y’all first and foremost! There is something special about the first time, so savor every moment of it and treasure the memories. Do not let shyness, fears, nervousness, or anxiety rob you of your joy. In the midst of all the anticipation and excitement, relax as much as possible and fully enjoy the weekend. It will be crying time at the diner before you know what hit you. Cathe, Chris, Nancy, and the coordinators will do everything in their power to make you feel at home. If the Road Trip veterans can encourage or help any of you that weekend, please let us know. Some people are more shy by nature, and it would break my heart to read after the fact that anyone felt alone. If you are an introvert, I would love to coax or pull you out of your shell! I promise to be gentle. LOL! I should warn you that I am very passionate, emotional, enthusiastic, and demonstrative. I get very excited when I meet new people. Ask Cathy and Wendy from the Cheetahs check-in! ;-) Feel free to tell me to calm down if my personality is intimidating to you! Being a Southern girl, I am a hugger too! :7
Here is a link to my 2007 Road Trip “novel” (for Jerry!) with a very detailed description of my first Road Trip experience:
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=427475
I believe I captured the raw emotion of the weekend as much as possible, but it is one of those things you need to experience firsthand to truly appreciate. Saddle up your horses, and get ready for the ride of your life! I am looking forward to seeing y’all in July! Congratulations to the July Road Trippers, and best wishes for all who are signing up Friday for the August Road Trip!
Blessings,
Heather B.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
