my challenge to you

It’s quite possible that there is a giant visible 140 watt light bulb floating above my head these days. I’m changing…I’m moving, walking, eating, loving, encouraging, smiling, playing, dreaming, and goal setting. As a result of these changes I am beginning to shrink on the outside and grow on the inside. Which, in retrospect, is exactly the opposite of how I ended up 120+ lbs over weight to begin with.

I can’t tell you how many times I have tried, or at the least considered trying diet fads, pills, fasts and even surgery to lose weight. Let's be real, losing weight is inconvienient and time consuming. It takes a lot of work! Who wants to be bothered with all of that? If there is a quick fix out there that will require minimal work on my part and will give me amazing results then I'd be stupid to NOT try it right? I'd be an idiot to want to work hard! Yes, I have had this very negotiation with myself in the past. I'm sure that we all have. But here's the only real diet pill you need to swallow. Dieting doesn’t work. Restricting certain food groups, doesn’t work. Changing your life..one day at a time..DOES WORK.

This isn’t the first time in my life that I’ve been on the path of better choices, exercise and nutrition..but for some reason it actually feels like my first time. There’s something different going on within me this time. I’m NOT on a diet…I’m NOT looking for a quick fix to a life long struggle. I’m simply making a lifestyle change. Now, I know how much that saying “lifestyle change” leaves many people perplexed by the illusion that this must be a smoke and mirror trick. But, I assure you it is far from trickery.

In fact, there’s a level of clarity to be seen once you make the decision to “change”. I think the ability is there, in EVERYONE..unfortunately, clarity is easy to miss when the life that we live is clouded by perceivably easy, quick and conveniently deep fried choices. Sure, it’s much easier to just lay on the couch or sleep in that extra hour, I’m no stranger to this kind of rationalization..but, as soon as I decided to stop making “easier” choices my life changed. I turned in my easy card, and gladly exchanged it for a hard card. Consequently, I found out that I am so much happier with the hard card in my pocket. And now, losing weight is simply a "bonus"....I'm in it for the happy!

My challenge to you

I challenge you to read these two statements (below) and for a moment, consider how you typically answer them. Then, try NOT making excuses for a while…let’s say one-two weeks. Then, come back to my blog and let me know how you did, and how you feel..and more importantly, how you plan to continue to love yourself enough to change your lifestyle.

“I can’t exercise today because ___________.”
(fill in the blank with your chosen vice for today-no time, too tired, stressed, broke, busy)

“I’m just going to pick up _____________ because I don’t have time to go to the store.” (again, fill in the blank for the drive-thru’s that you frequent)