Dig Deep

I receive an E-mail each day from Darren Hardy. He has touched on many subjects while motivating people to strive for their best and follow their dreams.  One of the messages I received was a recording from Darren's mentor Jim Rohn.  In this message he says that instead of just setting a goal ask yourself WHY?  Why do I want to lose weight? Why do I want to do this or that?  As I was walking today I thought about those words.  I have told you many times about some of the whys  that caused me to start my journey.  I have to continue reminding myself of those whys as I work hard to maintain my weight loss and take care of myself both mentally and physically. I know that many of you started your new year with the goal to lose weight or gain health.  I also know that statistically you have already given up.  Don't give up. Sit with yourself for a little while and actually write down a list of whys.  When you have your list done look at it again and dig deeper.  Why do you want to lose weight?  Oh, there may be some tears and some frustration but you have to dig. Get down to the real reasons. The ones that will really motivate you.  You might come up with some things that surprise you. I hope in this digging you find some words that can help you in your healthy journey.  Family, participate,  begin liking yourself,  and live are just a few I came up with.   After each one of those words I asked myself.  WHY?  Why did I want to be able to participate? (because I was tired of being sick and tired and watching life from the sidelines .)  Family? ( I didn't want my grand's to remember me as an overweight, sick old lady.) What about liking(loving) myself? (Anyone who has excess weight or health issues knows what I'm talking about.)  This is the type of "Why's" that can get you motivated because they give you fuel to feed your hope.  They give you strength to try and do what you need to do. Maybe they can give you enough hope and encouragement that you realize that you really are worth the work and effort this may take you to fight hard for your life. It is a fight!  Why are you worth it?  What are your dreams? Why are you not reaching for them.?  We need to be like a small child constantly asking ourselves why?  Why?  WHY?  We might get the answers we really needed to be strong on our healthy journey. Don't give up!!!

Update on weight

When I first began this blog I had lost 115 lbs.  I thought that was where my weight would stay.  As I have become more active and "wiser" about my food choices I have been able to lose I little more.  My weight loss now bounces between 125-130 lbs.  As I type this I just can't believe that I ever carried that much excess weigh around.  In the meeting I teach, I have those who have lost 10 pounds hold a 10 pound bag of sugar.  It astonishes me and them at how much that 10 pounds really feels like.  I am surprised at the change in how some foods taste to me.  I never dreamed I would crave veggies  and whole grains.  I still love the sweets and will probably always struggle with that.  I do have them but the impact on my fibromyalgia pain makes it (almost) not worth it.  I found an old chart I began after I had lost about 30 pounds.  I bought a scale that gave me the percentage of fat and BMI. (body mass index)  I had already lost 30 pounds when  the scale told me  my body was 63.4% fat.  Muscle was 24.6%  A BMI of 40.7. It also reads the water content which was 35.7%   It would have been a lot higher if I had the scale from the very first. Every few months I would record those number again to see how my weight loss was impacting those numbers. Today I got on my scale again.  I know it can not be very accurate but is a tool to see how I am doing.  My body fat is 33%  Muscle is 31.2% and the BMI is 24. The water content is 47.2 %.   As I have mentioned before I  decided when I began that I was doing this.  DOING THIS.  I took photos, made charts, saved "big clothes" and many other little steps to help me to see the progress when I was discouraged and ready to give up.  If you are just starting your healthy journey take pictures. Take measurement.  I don't have the measurements from the start and wish I did.  Do everything and anything that can keep you going on your way to a new and improved you! YOU can DO THIS.