How in the world does one decide to begin, to draw themselves out of the comfort of the Cheetos and the Dairy Queen, to make the move towards fitness and smaller pants, when it’s clearly SO MUCH WORK? I get this question all the time from people who want to lose weight. And I can’t answer it.
What motivated me to lose weight is different from what will motivate you, or your neighbor or your worst enemy. It’s personal for each of us. I can tell you three things that got my flabby behind in gear, though.
1. My daughter came home from school, upset with a friend, who she’d been arguing with – the closing statement from her friend? “Well, at least I don’t have a fat mom like you do!” My daughter was puzzled – “Why would she say that, Mommy? You aren’t fat!” Yes, I was, and hearing the truth from a little kids HURTS.
2. Seeing pictures of my husband’s surprise party – “Who was that woman?” I asked my husband about the back view of an unfamiliar, large, party attendee. It was me. Gulp.
3. Trying to run around the block and making it exactly three house lengths before I had to stop.
Those were instances that cut to the truth – I was fat and needed to lose weight. I’d heard it in the past, from doctors and my spouse (ouch!) and knew the truth from pants that had gotten too tight, but I’d ignored all of it until, like a stack of cards, it all fell down in front of me and I could no longer avoid the truth. I was fat. And it was time to change. Trying to lose weight FOR someone else, BECAUSE someone else said so, or because it SEEMS like you should – I’m sorry to say, those times will not succeed. It has to come from within; you have to motivate yourself. Because it’s a long, tough slog and in the end, you are the only one there to help yourself along.
Have you reached that level? Getting going is the hardest part. Well, it’s all hard – but baby steps, people, baby steps.
June 20th, 2009
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(Page 1 of 1, 1 total comments)Terri Sanderson
I know I need to lose weight. I know that at the age of 44 it only gets harder from here. I have lost weight on every diet out there from Weight Watchers to Atkins. All of them got me to lose weight, but after time, I put it all back on and feel disgusted with myself. Do you have any advice? I know it's best to watch portions. What are the best foods to eat to boost the metabolism?
posted Dec 27th, 2009 1:29 pm