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Feeling Fat...But Inspired

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Immeubles Deakin Realty

Last week, Steve Dawson wrote a post asking us realtors whether we were feeling fat.  He had noticed that the more "mature" agents around him were a wee bit chunky.  He himself had put on 30 pounds in 6 years selling real estate.

I've put on 12 pounds in the 3 years I've been involved in the world of real estate (first as a Montreal home stager and more recently as a Montreal real estate agent).  Worse than the weight, I totally dropped my running and pilates. 

I used to be in great shape.  Now I'm in terrible shape.

Well, Steve's post inspired me, as did the 100+ comments. So last Friday I joined the Montreal West Island YMCA, and I've gone to 2 classes so far -- one of which hobbled me for 72 hours : )

Today I got a gift that was most inspiring of all.  At this morning's class, right in front of me was my neighbour/friend...with her bright blue scarf covering a bald head. She's under-going chemotherapy for breast cancer.  Her last treatment, she threw up for 24 hours.

And she was at the gym today.

Not making excuses.

Not complaining about the schlepping of gear.

Doing as much of the workout as she could...which was more than me.

Smiling!  Happy to feel well enough to be there. 

Helping lead the class.  (She will be co-teaching it again soon.)

Inspiring.

She's one of the bravest women I know. 

We should all be so lucky to have someone like her appear in our lives just when we need it, to inspire us to take care of ourselves, to stop making excuses and to do schedule in the time we need to take care of these bodies that allow us to do all that we do.

To Steve Dawson: Thanks for the post.

To all of you: Thanks for commenting in such numbers and with so many good messages.

To my neighbour/friend: Thanks for being you. And for being in my life.

Posted by

 

 

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Professional home staging and professional photography: two critical factors to making sure your home looks its best, both in person and on the Internet, and neither of them cost you a penny when you list with me.

 

Put your best house forward. TM

Tanya Nouwens

Tanya Nouwens Inc., Montreal Real Estate Broker and Canadian Staging Professional (TM)  www.readysetsold.ca 

RE/MAX ROYAL (JORDAN) INC., www.remax-quebec.om

C. 514-919-8468    tanya@readysetsold.ca


This blog is written with my opinions. My opinions are presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Copyright Tanya Nouwens - 2015. If you want to reprint parts of this, just email me for my permission at tanya@readysetsold.ca.

 

Comments (20)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your post. Good reminder to set aside our normal excuses.

 Tulip photograph by Dolores Kelley

Apr 14, 2010 10:15 AM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

Tanya, exercise will keep you from losing your mind in this crazy business.  It is important for so many reasons and so hard to fit it in.  Good luck!

Apr 14, 2010 10:24 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

hi Tanya,

That's great! Exercise also helps reduce stress...something we greatly need in this business.

Jo

Apr 14, 2010 10:27 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

I missed this post...very true, too, about the packing on of the pounds.    It's all that sitting, and all that stress.   Thanks for your inspiring post...you're right.    No more excuses!

Apr 14, 2010 10:51 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Tanya, we should always make excersize a priority, it's almost like part of the job. Our productivity goes through the ceiling when we feel healthy in mind and body.

Apr 14, 2010 11:39 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Tanya.....that was a very nice story about your friend.....thanks for sharing it with everyone.

Apr 14, 2010 11:49 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Tanya.....that was a very nice story about your friend.....thanks for sharing it with everyone.

Apr 14, 2010 11:49 AM
Steve Dawson
J. Rockcliff Realtors (#01723588) - Walnut Creek, CA

Tanya,

Good job.  I think sometimes we forget that others have it much worse than we do, and we have no excuse.  I have started back up again, and I never realized how out of shape I was until I tried to run a mile, and didn't do it very quickly.  But the whole time I was telling myself, "at least I am in good health."  Some people can't even get up and run because they are stuck in a wheelchair or have a disability, so I never have an excuse.  MARCH ONWARD!!!

Apr 14, 2010 12:06 PM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

That's it exactly, Roy.

Sandra and Jo: You're so right. It's a crazy business, stressful, and easy to lose our minds in it.  But it's also so much fun...

Now you're sounding inspired, "Sea to Sky"!

Malcolm, I find it has an impact on my creativity too.

My pleasure, Barbara.

Amen to that, Steve.

Apr 14, 2010 12:34 PM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Having a child in my forties and getting married have destroyed my waistline. Thanks for motivating me today. Life is short and very valuable.

Apr 14, 2010 12:57 PM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Tanya,

A good post to put things into perspective; I'm a little lax in the execise department too.

Apr 14, 2010 01:50 PM
Ellie Shorb
Compass Real Estate - Chevy Chase, MD
Realtor DC, MD & VA Luxury Home Expert

Gotta tell you, I escape work from noon to 1pm at least once a week to do a yoga class and every single Sat I am at the gym doing a spin class. Usually, I do more than 2 days/week, but now that work has picked up so much, I insist on doing at least that much. I too have gone the way of the Tues am bagel at our group meetings. There is a Subway next to our office as well... Too much.... 

Your friend's example is a great and inspiring one.

Apr 14, 2010 02:37 PM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Tanya: This post brought me to tears.  What an inspiration!

Now featured on the Optimist Group.

Apr 14, 2010 03:43 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

You certainly don't look 12 pounds over anything.  Good for your friend.  I can relate.  And I will say it does so much more good to get out and DO rather than sit back and DON'T.  She will do great.  You will see.

Apr 14, 2010 04:40 PM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Tanya - You have a beautiful and authentic way of expressing yourself.  I'm definitely a proponent of taking care of our entire parts of our bodies.  Check out my husband's site:  www.gordonselley.com.  This is calling on our family.  Cherise

Apr 15, 2010 01:38 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

That it is, Ellie.

I think more than a few of us are, Terry.

Good for you, Ellie. The key is to make that exercise time "sacred," I think.

Thank you, Mirela.

Thanks, Jane. It feels good to hear you say that.

Thanks for the compliment, Cherise. And congratulations to your husband on finding a way to rise above his chronic pain and make some good come out of it.

Apr 15, 2010 05:11 AM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

I'm convinced stress and the hectic real estate lifestyle packs on the weight.  This year I've made a serious attempt to be more focused on my health by eating right and building stamina with exercise!  Thank you for telling us about your friend -- what a lovely encouragement and example of strength she is!

Apr 15, 2010 06:04 PM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Hi Tanya   I used to live in the West Island in the late 80's and I LOVED a ladies gym that was just off #40 in Pierrefonds.  Next to the market.  Is it still there do you know?

Apr 17, 2010 09:49 AM
Michael and Cheron Lange
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
Associate Broker, GRI

Good for you Tanya!  My new years resolution was to be more fit...I have to say, I have not stepped on the scale, but I know I have losted inches...my spring/summer clothes fit!  :)

Cheron

Apr 19, 2010 02:16 PM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Yes, she's pretty amazing, Melanie.

Hi, Susan.  There was a women-only gym next to the farmer's market in DDO (off Sources) but it has closed I think.  The West Island Y is off of Brunswick at St. Jean.  BTW, it seems everyone has at one time or another spent some time living in Montreal!

I'm scared to try mine on, Cheron!  Good for you for setting a goal and sticking to it. The scale does not matter, but our clothes don't lie : )

Apr 20, 2010 01:51 AM