Two months

Two months ago today, I was en route back to Nashville from a fall-break weekend in Atlanta. Innocuous enough, right?

But ... along the way, I stopped in Chattanooga for my first date with The Math Professor... a man who had, in the week or two of (voluminous) email communication prior to our first date, completely enchanted me with his wit, his cleverness, and his utterly delightful way of seeing the world. I was more nervous about that first date than I had been about meeting someone in a long, long, LONG time. I wanted it to go well, and I was going to be devastated if he lost interest after putting a three-dimensional person to the volume of emails we'd exchanged.

That didn't happen, though, and in the subsequent eight weeks or so, this wonderful man -- My (!) Math Professor -- has become the single most important person in the LizVerse. It has been a slow progression from first date to boyfriend; the path has been narrated in typical Liz fashion (as it turns out, also in typical Math Professor fashion) with plenty of reflection-filled discussions about doing the Right Thing, which usually involved figuring out how to balance emotion with logic. In finding our way to this place, we've learned that we'd both rather be direct and honest than obfuscate; the degree to which we've been able to talk about things that most people leave unspoken has been one of the single most important indicators of future relationship potential, for both of us.

Here's the coolest thing: To an extent I've only ever been able to imagine, in relatively short order The Math Professor has demonstrated an uncanny knack for understanding me, for accepting me for nothing more and nothing less than exactly the person I am. His encouragement for and support of Project Liz has been implicit, but never has he suggested that anything about me needs changed; having said that, he respects and admires the fact that I want to be a better version of myself. There is some very healthy and fruitful affirmation and inspiration flowing back and forth between us, each of us looking for ways to make the sum of us greater than its constituent parts are.

Two months...! I was on a positive trajectory when he came into my life two months ago, but the addition of this completely wonderful man to my orbit has amplified the many good things that were already working.

So today, I celebrate The New Reality, this new world in which The Math Professor plays a starring role, where I have a kind, generous, sweet man and genuine partner to stand in my corner and root for me. Someone who challenges me, inspires me, and gives me tremendous hope for the adventures that lie ahead. I celebrate The Math Professor for all that he is and all the wonderfulness that he brings to my world; it is substantial, it is unprecedented, and it is wholly, deeply appreciated.

I could not be happier in this moment...! He makes my life sparkle.

One month later and happy as a clam

Was it really -- already?! -- a month ago that I gave an update on Project Liz? Time has flown.

But, no question, life as Liz today is qualitatively different than it was 30 days ago. Among the major physical changes I can point to:

• I've now lost about 20 lbs. As I said a month ago, I don't think anyone else can see this yet ... but, I also don't think that trend is going to continue much longer. Things are starting to visibly fit more loosely. By the end of January, I'm guessing someone (who hasn't read this!) will say something. That's my prediction, anyhow.
   
• I'm getting up early, almost daily, and not finding it in the least bit difficult. Twice a week, I'm out of bed by 5:15 a.m. for a morning yoga class; three times a week, I've completed a 30-minute weight-training circuit and 30 minutes of cardio by 8 a.m. If you'd said this to me three months ago, I would've fallen to the floor, convulsing with laughter. The words "ungodly" and "barbaric" would've made an appearance. Not so anymore; it feels damn good to start my day knowing the exercise has been crossed off the day's to-do list. I just feel like I've got a whole lot more energy during the day after a first-thing-in-the-morning workout. I really, really like it. Go figure!
     
• I feel AMAZING. I felt amazing a month ago, but that sensation just continues to rachet up. When I walk, I can palpably sense all systems working together in perfect sync. Swimming for 30 minutes has never felt so natural or comforting. I'm telling you, it's a truly phenomenal thing when you can *feel* your body working as a well-oiled machine. I'm not sure I've ever quite sensed it as I do now. I'm totally in love with this feeling, though. 

All of that is fantastic -- clearly! -- but there's another, bigger-picture positive that cannot be understated. Namely: I've got a BOYFRIEND!!! <giggle>

Although my impulse is to prattle on somewhat endlessly about his many virtues (filling up your screen with page after page of effusive praise -- and trust me, I could *totally* do it!), I think it's better for me to say this: All this fantastic googly-eyed business wasn't remotely possible even just three or four months ago, when I wasn't feeling as proud of myself and confident in myself as I do today. There's just no way the Liz you've known for months/years could've navigated the last two months as I have. The Math Professor and I needed to take some time to get here, and I assure you: It Was Totally Worth It.

So, to recap:
I've got a couple of writing projects working in the (really far back) background
I'm continuing to look for new (but realistic) weekly fitness challenges/goals
I feel fantastic
My BOYFRIEND is completely amazing and wonderful.
Life is GOOD