The Power to Change

You, yes, you have the power to change. I know this to be true not because I've read about it in self-help books but because I've changed. Not on accident, but on purpose.

Most people who meet me these days don't believe this about me, but I used to be a bitter, unhappy, carping person with a very negative outlook. I think part of my ugly disposition stemmed from carrying so much excess weight. I mean weighing 388 pounds is hard. Being overweight makes the simplest things much harder: walking, tying shoes, being social, on and on.  It takes a toll on your body and consequently it weighs down the spirit.

After a series of unfortunate events in 2009 I began to realize that the physical weight was causing most of my unhappiness but there was a lot of other things about myself that I really didn't like. It's been a long time coming and I'm still a work in progress, but I've changed. I changed because I realized that I had the power to change.  Yes, it's just that simple -- make the conscious decision to do something and then put forth the effort. I'll be honest, it's been hard, very hard. But, today I'm happier, friendlier, healthier, and 170 (give or take a few) pounds lighter.

Might I suggest, if you have areas in your life that you'd like to improve (weight, health, attitude). Take the time and take the necessary steps. You, yes, you have the power to change. Take it from someone who knows, you can do anything you set your mind to.

Related post:

The better part of my life
Kicking and Screaming

Seeds

Having spent my entire life overweight, I've had a number of people encourage me to lose weight: family, friends, doctors, and even strangers -- in their own strange way. My aunt Lenora went so far as to offer me money as an incentive to shed the pounds.

There were times when I was downright irritated by the suggestions, times when I truly considered the suggestions, and times when I actually attempted to lose weight and was unsuccessful.

In retrospect, the number of people who offered me advice throughout the years were planting seeds. Seeds of encouragement. Seeds of hope. Seeds of change. It wouldn't be until I finally hit MY rock bottom that I was willing to make the necessary changes to lose weight, but these people impacted my change -- indirectly or directly.  Some crops sprout and grow in a few weeks, others take months, and some take years.  But with patience and care the crops will grow.

Thank you to all the people who planted seeds in me.

"Plant a seed and watch it grow." 

Forward movement and change

Change is good.  Change is frightening. Change is liberating. Change is necessary.   So often we become stagnant in our everyday lives and are afraid to make changes. Even when the changes are for the better. It could be the smallest change: a new hair cut, maybe spruce up our living room with a new bold color paint, or buy a new daring pair of shoes. Then there's the major changes: dump the partner that is zapping our energy, quit the dead end job, or lose those unwanted 30 lbs. Whatever it is that is keeping us in a negative place we often opt to stay there because we're fearful of making the changes and putting in the necessary work. It's a crazy oxymoron.

Everything is going well in life all is fine and dandy. We find ourselves in a comfort zone. We like our job, our partner, etc., but there are always areas that we can improve to make us better.  I'm always looking for ways to improve, grow. I strive everyday to be better. I refuse to become complacent and sit still. Life is about forward movement. My weight loss and self transformation journey to date is the BIGGEST change I've ever made. I say this all the time, this is a transformation from the inside out. Besides, making changes in my diet and becoming physically active. There were plenty of things I did NOT like about my character:

• I'd tell someone I was going to do something and then I wouldn't. And, to boot I'd have a flip attitude about it if they asked me about it. 
• I gave up really easy. If anything caused a challenge. Forget it. Game over. I quit.
• I didn't value myself and had a horrible desire for validation from others
• Negative outlook
• Selfish, selfish, selfish

I've had to take a long hard look at myself and make all sorts of changes. It's been a long painful yet very rewarding journey. Sometimes, I wonder when will I stop changing.  I think, I can honestly say-- never.

For those in a comfort zone. For those in a negative place. I challenge you to find it within yourself to make the necessary changes to do whatever is you want to do, reach whatever goal you want to reach, and become the BEST person you can be. One thing is for sure, you can't keep doing the same things and get different results. If you've been contemplating making changes in your lives - the time is now. Here's to forward movement and change.