what a wonderful world!

*this post was submitted by our 2015 spokeswoman Chrissie!

I truly can't believe it was a year ago that I went onto facebook and saw DanceFit Studio’s post about being their spokeswoman. Like most things over the last 5 years, I had no idea what I was getting into but it felt right and really uncomfortable.  What a year it has been!  I feel like I need to thank a lot of people and let you all know how perfectly imperfect it was.  The high points, the struggles, and the fact that my sweet tooth never went away but I promise I didn’t have orange fingers once.  Oh there was so much amazing change and so much realization that who I am is exactly who I need to be.

DanceFIT Studio - I need to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You gave me an opportunity that gave me my body back.  I ended up losing 10lbs and have kept it off for almost 8 months now.  In total I have lost 40lbs.  I have 15 more pounds to go so expect to see me in virtual classes and a 2016 goal to be in Studio once a month.  More importantly I need to thank you for giving me a platform to focus on myself.  Something I felt that I had lost but I realized over this last year was actually stronger than I thought.  I found a love for yoga that this jazz hand enthusiast never thought I could embrace.  The strength in my confidence and my body amazes me sometimes still.  I am looking at you plank series in Emily’s yoga flow class.  This amazing group of women that come together everyday has laughed with me, cried with me and lifted me up over and over.  Most of them I have never met in real life, but all have made an impact.  You ladies will forever be my soul sisters and I look forward to many more plank sessions….well kind of.

To my family, I am not sure where to begin.  We had to be in survival mode for so long but we realized this past year that we needed to figure out how to live again.  It became really clear that my happiness and confidence (or lack thereof) was putting a real strain on our family moving forward, a realization that was painful and freeing for all of us to realize.  Dan, Colin and Owen, you never waivered in your trust in me that at the end of the day I would always choose what was best for us and together we have ended this year stronger than when it began.  Colin and Owen, your laughter and love for each other let us know we are doing something right.  Your sensitivity and empathy let us know that you will continue to do the right thing.  You two will forever be the most perfect thing I have ever accomplished and I promise to keep trying to make you eat broccoli until you eat it without freaking out!  DTMS, dude you drive me crazy and are my soulmate forever.  Thank you for running with me, laughing at me when I fall over in yoga, making dinner every single night and buying me rolos on those nights that I just needed candy.  You are my one in a million!  Winnie, you are still my favorite (shhhhh…..)

Oh hey Chrissie, yah you.  You did it.  You truly thought you couldn’t and you did.  I mean you did think you were going to lose 50lbs and walk around in a bikini all day but honestly MA is kind of cold to execute that dream.  You did however run a 5K, build confidence, met awesome people, got rid of the not so awesome and conquered some of your biggest fears while knocking down some of your biggest obstacles.  2015 was amazing, I am so proud of you.

2016, I am starting you feeling like a new person.  I was so tired a year ago and if I am being honest a little sad.  I was sad for the person I had become and forgot to be happy for all that I had accomplished.  Figuring that out was my biggest accomplishment and what I know will lead me to even more health wins in 2016. Oh yes, what a year it has been!