I came across this poem when I was searching for some more motivational quotes, and it perfectly fits with what I'm going through right now. I thought it might be able to help some of you who may be struggling as well!
Don’t Quit
When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down,
And you feel like the biggest failure in town.
When you want to give up just because you gave in,
and forget all about being healthy and thin.
So What! You went over your points a bit,
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change.
It's learning the skills to get back in your range.
It's telling yourself, "You've done great up till now.
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal.
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
If you summon the will to get back in the race.
But, often the struggler's, when loosing their grip,
Just throw in the towel and continue to slip.
And learn too late when the damage is done,
that the race wasn't over...they still could have won.
Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,
but facing each challenge will help you grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint in a cloud of doubt.
When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit,
If you bite it, you write it....But don't you quit!
I haven't given up yet, but it's been a very discouraging month. Despite my continued healthy eating and exercising, my weight has been bobbling within the same three pounds for 5 weeks now. I will admit, I let it get to me a couple weeks ago and stopped trying so hard. But, then I snapped back to reality and reminded myself that I can't predict how my body will act from week to week, or month to month. What I can do is continue to make the right choices; the choices that are better for me, no matter if my weight loss (or lack of) shows proof of that.
So, I've got a refreshed attitude, and I'm ready to challenge my stubborn body. There's really not a whole lot I can change as far as my eating...I'm making the best choices there. So, I've got to up my game when it comes to working out. I usually do a dance dvd for about 45-50 min and then some muscle toning every other day. I also try to do yoga every night as well. What I've decided to do for the month of March is up my cardio...to 90 min each day. I started that today. I did the regular dance dvd, but then after I finished that I went on the treadmill for 40 min. I was so ready to quit at several intervals on that walk, but I pushed on...and I feel GREAT that I was able to complete the full 40! So, bring it on stubborn excess weight...you are so out of here!
~If you keep doing what you always did, you'll keep getting what you always got.
Just one pound this week. I'm not complaining...it's better than none, or gaining (which I admit, I was kind of expecting that considering my monthly pattern). When I focus on the week by week, I sometimes feel myself starting to get discouraged. I mean, I'm working hard...eating right, exercising at least five times a week (many times when I don't really want to)...I wanna see a bigger difference! I feel like I should be getting closer to my goal, or my mini goals-and I am, just not as quickly as I'd hope. But, then I stop and think about the reality of it all. I mean, looking back at the last eight weeks, I've dropped 22 pounds and one pant size. That's progress! Sure, it's not the kind of numbers I see on Biggest Loser, but, I'm not in their situation...I'm in mine. I'm doing exactly what I should be doing-making good choices that will help change my life. I can't control the speed at which my body gets rid of excess weight. What I can control is the dedication I put into making myself healthier and happier; and that's exactly what I'm doing. Slowly but surely! So, I keep on going...pushing toward my goal. I'll get there, when I get there; and when I do I'll know how to stay there. And that's what this is all about.
~"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."~
I'm wearing jeans today that I haven't been able to wear in like, 4 years!!! Now, they're not exactly what I'd call my "skinny" jeans, because those are the jeans I threw away a long time ago, certain I'd never wear them again. But, these are my "skinny-fat jeans" because, even though I'm still fat, I feel skinny today, lol. I was floored when I ventured to try them on today and found they actually fastened, and my circulation wasn't cut off in my legs. Hooray for small victories!!
Usually around this time in my past weight-loss attempts I've started to give up...to not care so much. But this time, I haven't really been even tempted to loosen up a little. I mean, sure, I've had my moments when I totally want to eat the yummy, moist brownies that are sitting in the kitchen, or when I want to order a big, cheesy pizza. But, it's not like I've seriously considered caving and doing those things, I just like to imagine doing it. What I end up doing is eating a Fiber Plus Bar or making my own pizza (which I've discovered is pretty delicious, healthy, and filling!). I don't know what it is, but this time around I feel different. I have a different mindset, and I think its working!
I have a bunch of friends coming in for the holidays...all of them wanting to hang out, and usually I wouldn't put limits or rules on my food intake when I'm "celebrating" with friends. But this year, I'm planning my outings with each of them days in advance; picking out the restaurant so I can look at the menu beforehand and make sure I will eat something healthy.
I'm not worried about Christmas day with all the snacks, treats, and the big dinner. I know that I have two choices. I can choose to splurge on that day, or to continue with my wise eating. I know that it's only one day, I could let loose a little if I wanted, but knowing my past problems, if I go a little crazy one day, it throws off my frame of mind, and I end up slowly getting out of my routine.
Anyways, I hope you all are doing well. Keep up the hard work!
That was a song I used to sing when I was a kid. Cute and kinda fitting, I thought. Hope everyone is doing well during the holiday season. Don't give up!
I'm not a big fan of walking for exercise. I find it too repetitive and boring. I've tried listening to music as I go, or even watching the TV that has been strategically placed in front of the treadmill. The TV does help a little, but I still can't get up enough motivation to do it.
So the issue comes with finding a workout that I can do, and enjoy at the same time. I mean, if I can find something that I like doing, there wouldn't be a problem with finding the will. I do like bike riding, but that's something that can only be done during part of the year. There are some other physical activities that I enjoy, but are pretty difficult to participate in at my current weight. Sigh...such a dilemma. You'd think.
But, I have found a way to get my exercise in and have fun doing it. It's an aerobic dance workout that most of you may have heard of; "Sweatin' to the Oldies" with Richard Simmons. I just LOVE working out to my "Sweatin'" DVDs. I have a box set, with four different workouts. The combination of the dance steps, upbeat oldies music, muscle toning, and cardio workout I get with just one DVD is enough to make me forget that I'm actually exercising. This workout series is a great option for people, like me, who need something a little more entertaining as their daily workout.
So, if you're struggling with motivation to exercise, and if you like to shake your groove thang, maybe check out the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" aerobic workout series by Richard Simmons.
~"You'll never get to the top by sitting on your bottom."~
So, my first weigh-in was today. I lost four pounds in my first week! This has been such a great motivator for the start of my journey. I know not to expect this kind of result every week; even just a pound or two would be wonderful! So, yay! And to anyone out there who might be struggling: Don't give up! If you keep pushing and making the right daily choices, you'll get to where you want to be. It's not about when you reach your goal, it's about the journey you take to get there.That journey is actually what will change your life.
We're currently in one of the worst times of year for watching your weight. All the candies, cookies, pies, holiday treats and family celebrations...it's not fair! My mom and I will be spending a lot of time in the next few weeks making cookies and decorating them, and I know I'm not the only one who struggles with sneaking a taste here and there. The thing is, those little tastes add up. So, I came up with a little trick that helps me resist the temptation to lick my fingers, or "test the recipe"; I make sure I'm chewing gum whenever I'm baking or decorating cookies. It keeps my mouth occupied and with a flavor very different from that of the treats I'm working on, so I don't really want to mix the two tastes. So, if anyone has difficulty resisting a taste while baking, try chewing some gum. It works for me!
I just love finding a good quote or song that seems to put into words exactly what I'm feeling. I could spend hours searching the internet for different words of inspiration to help me overcome whatever hurdle is in my way at the time, and I'm pretty sure I've done just that on many occasions.
There is a song I've found that perfectly describes my weight loss journey and has been such an encouragement to me whenever I hear it or read over the lyrics. The song is "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. It talks about how there's always something that's going to be in the way...something I'll have to get past somehow; and, although I may get knocked down, I can't just give up. My favorite line in the song, however, says that it's not about when I get there, or even where I'm headed...instead it's about the journey that will take me there. (I've underlined the actual line in the lyrics below). I love that line, because I feel like the best thing I'll get out of this weight loss effort is a changed lifestyle. Once I reach my goal, I'll have spent so much time and energy on becoming healthy that I will not only change physically, but mentally as well. And THAT is what's important. That is what will help me stay at my ideal weight and to keep on living the right way.
Ok, so here is the song. Hopefully some will find it to be as much of an encouragement to their journey as I have.
