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Do you need some motivation? A big shot of encouragement? I felt it might be a benefit to some - perhaps a newbie on the site who is just beginning to muster up the courage to begin a new way of eating. This is for you. Perhaps it is a seasoned member of this site who has had some disappointments, or seen a lack of motivation to continue, or they're just plain irritated with their scale or themselves. This is for you. Perhaps there is someone reading this who totally fell off the wagon -- not only did you abandon post and neglect your WoE, but the weight crept back on and you are at a place you never thought you would be....again. This is for you.
I love this quote: "We will remain the same until the pain of remaining the same outweighs the pain of change." ~ author unknown
When we come to a point that we're sick and tired of being sick and tired, then we are ready for change. We realize that pain of remaining as is - as we are - is greater than the pain of changing our lives. We come to a point when we can courageously capture the idea and make a decision that will forever change our life. We take responsibilty for what needs to be done -- and we do it. We don't come into this with a wimpy mindset - "I hope... I'll try... I might..." Rather we have grit behind our heart/mind. We have robust mental fortitude and we declare, "I can. I will. I must." Big difference is in those words.
Another quote I love is "A made up mind diminishes fear."
The problem with some who wander upon this site - who make a valiant effort to lose pounds, yet give up before too long, or before they begin to reach their goals -- is they simply have not come to a point in their life when they've made up their mind. Nor have they declared the decision. They still have yet to come to the point where they draw a line in the sand and say, "No more."
It's only when we reach that point that will ever begin to have the courage and resolve to make it happen...and to change our lives.
What was that point for you? When was it that your mental hinge swung from "I hope..." to "I can."...from "I'll try" to "I will"...from "I might" to "I must."
For me it was July 2010. I had observed a woman from my church put on a good deal of weight following a back surgery she had a couple of years ago. The clothes she was wearing were contsricting and quite dated. I knew I had many beautiful clothes hanging in my closet that I could no longer wear. If I couldn't enjoy them at least I wanted someone else to. I invited her over to try some clothes and take what she wanted. She was ecstatic. There were gorgeous suits and dresses, and some professional blouses still with the tags on. Boxes of high-end sweaters. She tried them all on and opted to take everything. As we stuffed two giant (garbage) bags full of my lovely articles and began to overflow a cardboard box with my garments, a tremendous feeling of grief came over me. Not because I was giving them away - I was happy to do that... It was simply because I could no longer wear those clothes...and it was such a waste. The clothes were still in their prime - but I was so far from mine.
It was shortly after that day that I decided I needed to take charge of my life - I needed to adopt change in my life. I knew I was addicted to some carbohydrates - but I had no idea that my body was intolerant to excessive carbs (until I began reading/researching. I learned what ill effects my body was dealing with from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome...and the sheer fact that carbs had a lot to do with the onset of PCOS.) Although I knew that there were foods I most certainly did not want to give up (carbohydrates!) I just knew that something had to be done. In just a matter of weeks I had begun my low carb lifestyle...and just one year later, I've seen so many dramatic changes...not only in my weight, but in ME.
The girl who used to be motivated, positive and courageous -- is BACK. The girl who had boundless energy and spirit -- is BACK. The girl who was tenacious and hard working - even earning a pink cadillac as a top director with Mary Kay - is BACK.
Not only have I lost 99 inches in body mass (from bust to calf), I am also rid of aches and pains. My eyes no longer hurt. I never get winded from ascending the stairs. I actually run down the stairs. My joints never hurt me anymore. I sleep wonderfully. I never snore. My hair is shinier and brighter. My nails are thick and long. My energy and stamina are increased. I am no longer depressed and forlorn. I can hike/walk/jog without feeling dead, dragging or drained. I'm happy.
I would never trade my energy for bread--or even Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay biscuits. I will not trade my lack of cravings that I enjoy today for something as stupid as a potato chip or a cookie. I refuse to swap my zest for life for baked lasagna. Cheating is not worth it. Succumbing to temptation is not worth it. Giving in is not worth it. I'm changing my life. And while I still have a long way to go, I will get there. There is no doubt - no matter how long it takes. I made up my mind that summer afternoon while staring at the empty, gaping holes in my closet - where my lovely clothes once hung. That day my closet looked like a hollow cave. It was that day that pain of staying the same outweighed the pain of change.
What was your moment? When was it you came to a meeting of the minds with YOURSELF? When did you make the decision? The sounder your decision the more concretely will follow it. The stronger your will the more stable your motivation will be.
No one will rain on my parade. I will go up, I will go over, I will go around, I will go through any obstacle that comes my way. Because I am highly motivated, extremely dedicated and super successful...YES!
What are you saying "YES" to? Change? Or staying the same?
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