Stay the course

Over the course of eight years, I've lost 170 pounds. For about four years I was not actively trying to lose weight, but I was able to maintain the 100 pounds I lost. From 2009 to now I've lost about 70 more pounds.  Yesterday, when I wrote "Real Talk" I was merely trying to get across the point that weight loss, especially for folks who are obese can not be tackled in a short span of time. It takes hard work, persistent, and a kick butt attitude. Can it be done? Yes! I'm proof, but please again take your time. There will be obstacles mental, physical, perhaps even spiritual but just stay the course - you'll get there. Coach says these statements to me all the time: "One day at a time," and "This is about who can last the longest."

Surely, I wish I was at my goal weight by now. To look in the mirror sometimes is discouraging. I've worked hard and I'm still considered obese by the BMI and fat to the masses. I try not to dwell on it much because I'm in a much better place: I'm smaller, healthier, and fitter than I was if I would have never started on this journey.  I can't even imagine life if I were still trapped inside that miserable, lonely 388 pounds body. So I stick with it because the alternative, well just isn't an option.

So as you embark on your journey to fitness and health. Start strong, but be realistic about what it really means to be healthy and fit, and what it will take to lose the weight. Start strong, stay the course, end even stronger, and remember "Everything worth having is worth working for."