As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn't fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." I am sure Edison kept track of the other 999 steps. Was it simply a sequencing issue? On the 1,000th attempt, when it worked, did he go ‘wait.. I tried that at step 357, why was this different?’ I didn’t explore this any further because my concept of electricity consists of ‘pay the bill if you want to keep the lights on’. I don’t have the brain for anything beyond that. But, I am quite familiar with repeated steps toward a specific goal. With my weight loss I’m always wondering ‘will this be the time it works?’ I haven’t documented every effort; it boggles my mind to try to recall every past attempt. Some lasted for 18-24 months; some didn’t last 18 minutes. But unlike Edison, I’m not trying to build a working light bulb. So, maybe that’s the answer. I’ve looked at my repeated weight loss failure as something to solve. A mystery of ‘if I can just unlock that one secret, I’ll fix this for sure.’ Maybe I need to shift my goal from ‘fixing something old’ to ‘inventing something new’. I was proud of that connection and a bit inspired until I discovered Edison died of diabetes. In fact, for more than half of his life he suffered from chronic illnesses. So maybe, just maybe, what I’m trying to do here is even harder than inventing the light bulb. After all, if Edison couldn’t do it… well, there you go. It would seem someone that intelligent could have turned their own health around.
Diet Calendar Entries for 21 July 2019:
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2004 kcal
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Fat: 107.13g | Prot: 133.38g | Carb: 41.26g.
Breakfast: Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream, Coffee, Coffee, Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream. Lunch: Fresh Lime Juice, Michelob Ultra Light Beer, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Marinated Fish (Ceviche). Dinner: Mt. Olive Pepperoncini, Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Original Cheese, Baby Spinach, Great Value Jumbo White Eggs, Cheddar Cheese , Wright Brand Naturally Applewood Smoked Sliced Bacon, Mushrooms . Snacks/Other: Great Value Almond Flour, Land O'Lakes Salted Butter, Great Value Jumbo White Eggs, Hershey's 100% Cocoa. more...
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![](https://m.ftscrt.com/static/images/box/membersicon.gif) Comments
Key - thank you 💕. BTW I tried Costco. Nope nope nope!!! It was like Walmart but bigger baskets. Way too much crazy for me. You folks that shop there frequently: respect.
21 Jul 19 by member: FullaBella
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Great post, Bella! I love that you are looking at weight loss from a new angle. But I don't feel 100% comfortable with the idea of seeing weight loss as a goal, I prefer the idea of process, of way of life that is healthier today than one month or one year ago. Small changes add up in the medium and long-term, but to see this compound effect we have to be persistent in our little improvements. The goal can be motivating, but I feel more motivated by building a self image or an identity of being a person that cares for herself. If you think these ideas might be used to you, I recommend you read ”Atomic habits”, by James Clear
21 Jul 19 by member: EvaSieteTres
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Thank you Eva. I didn't write it this way in the journal but it's not so much the "loss" that is my goal. It's the "stop regaining". I can LOSE weight. Done THAT over and over. My Edison moment will be not regaining.
21 Jul 19 by member: FullaBella
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Oh, I see! That's interesting. I think the way you are reflecting on all the process and your own thinking will be very useful for you. I sincerely think you are going to make it
21 Jul 19 by member: EvaSieteTres
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oh, your light bulb came on!! lol
21 Jul 19 by member: babayjo
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Identify and destroy the Regain Pathways and you'll lift quality of life far beyond weight issues. Lately I've become more aware of how certain foods affects my brain to a Jekyll and Hyde state. Still reading.
21 Jul 19 by member: Diddlee
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I love this "shift my goal from ‘fixing something old’ to ‘inventing something new’."...what a great perspective to adopt.
21 Jul 19 by member: AboutMyTribe
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I love how you think and write, Bella! I’ve always liked thinking about thinking and wondering “what if...” a lot. Thanks for giving me something new to ponder. Maybe if he hadn’t focused on winning against Tesla so much he could’ve put all that energy into taking care of his health. Hmmmmm... 🤔
21 Jul 19 by member: laraae
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I so agree, Tribe! Bella makes me think about my health & about how my brain is wired. Great perspective, Bella. I said to hubby when I first started OMAD: OMAD is my path, when I get to my healthy is when I get there. No more quick fixes, no more, I will do "x" on a future date if I lose "y" amount of weight. 1 year or 5 years to my healthy, whatever it takes. But I like how you said it even more. I might read him this entry tonight.
22 Jul 19 by member: jessabridge4444
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@Jess, @Laraae, @Court, @Diddlee, @Babay, @Eva - thank you all so very much. I think persistence is probably the 'secret' to it all; never giving up. That's the 'thing' that keeps me going, the search for that persistence. As I journaled, I didn't read up that much about Edison, like, how many years it took... did he stop and do other things...? Wait, my thank you comment is turning into another journal. Something to consider.
22 Jul 19 by member: FullaBella
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