This week has been a turning point for me both personally and professionally.

Unfortunately, as you all can tell, I haven’t exactly been sharing everything daily on the blog.  This isn’t because I can’t or don’t want to. It’s merely because after a week of burning the candle from both end when I was in Paris and Geneva I decided that the only way I’d keep from getting sick was to sleep this week. Each night when I walked through the door I gave Bo a quick hug and kiss before collapsing in bed.

So, back to why this week was a turning point. Well, I spent over sixty hours at the office between Monday and Friday, even though Monday was supposed to be a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The beautiful thing about this sixty hour work week is that it reaffirmed just how much I love my new role. I am blessed to have a career that I love at a company for which I never want to leave. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who push me on a daily basis, challenge me to manage the business, make decisions, and come to my side when I need support. What I love even more is that they are just all around great people.

I was worried that my new role wouldn’t be everything I hoped when I first accepted it. But, in the few short months that I’ve been 100% in the role it’s evolved to be more than I ever expected and has added a few new facets which have challenged me but are also helping me grow as a leader, colleague and decision maker within my organization. Without the strength and support of my colleagues, none of this would have been possible and for that I’m ever thankful.

Bo and I both work long hours during the week but we both discussed at length last night just how blessed we are to be doing what we both love. There are always good days and bad days at work but there is nothing more assuring than when you can look at yourself in the mirror before heading to work and smile because you are looking forward to the day.

On the personal side, I woke up Tuesday morning and decided to face the scale. After a wonderful week of traveling I wasn’t exactly sure what numbers would flash on the scale but I knew that I felt great. The numbers that graced the screen were 3 digits I haven’t seen in four years. The past month of holidays, travel, celebration, and long hours have been favorable to my body as I’m back to my goal weight set with Weight Watchers when I started my weight loss journey in 2005. I started the journey at 195 pounds and today am at my happy weight of 156 pounds.  What’s even more important than the number on the scale is the way I feel these days. In one word I’ve felt confident. Confident enough to finally try Barry’s Bootcamp, confident enough to spend night after night on the dance floor in a foreign country, confident enough to make decisions at work, and confident enough to push myself in different ways.

Over the past four years I’ve moved in with Bo and started working from an office, all of which have caused my weight to fluctuate. Between marathon training and enjoying life in New York City it’s been hard to find a happy balance. But then, after the marathon, I decided that I was tired of trying and figured that I’d take some time post marathon just to see what my body wanted to do naturally.  I’ve been eating what I crave, enjoying wine, and working out consistently. The trick is all about intuitive eating and drinking. When I’m craving something, I eat it but in a small portion.

For example, last week in Geneva and Paris I didn’t sacrifice enjoying local specialties just because it may include heavy cheese or loads of butter. I enjoyed it, stopped when I was satiated and then focused on staying active. For some people ,this is how they live their entire life and never have to think about it. Those people are blessed. For those of us who have experienced years of fighting with food and balance, it is a magical moment when life tips in our favor.

In addition, Bo and I both broke up with our personal trainers on Tuesday morning. There is no ill will between us and though I worried and thought about the decision for longer than I ever should have, Lauren, my trainer, articulated the end of our relationship perfectly. They taught us how to lift, use our bodies, and go through effective workouts so now it’s time for us to continue on our own. Over the past 18 months Lauren took me from a cardio queen to someone who does 45 minute weight workouts by choice when traveling. I am able to push through 45 pushups, use kettle bells, know my way around the weight room, and have confidence to try new classes and moves solo or with friends. We have both become independent enough that we’ll do boot camps together without needing the support of a personal trainer.

So for now, I’m relishing the fact that we’ve both found balance in our lives from a health and work standpoint that has left us happier than ever.