Losing weight is hard.
Being obese is hard.
I know, I have been there.
I remember cringing at the FEW pictures I ever saw of me. I remember thinking, "IS THAT what I REALLY look like?"
I think I was in denial for quite sometime. Constantly telling myself that I don't care what others think of me. If people don't like me because of my weight, then that is THEIR problem. I have loved ones that accept me NO MATTER WHAT I look like, so why does it matter?
Then I started realizing that my laziness WAS impacting those around me. I didn't have energy for my kids. I FELT exhausted most of the time. I was self-conscious and uncomfortable in my own skin. Although my looks never brought me to a state of depression (I am and have always been rather optimistic about life and every situation that comes my way), I STILL struggled with FEELING good about myself.
The size of my jeans or the number on the scale NEVER defined me. I never let it get me down.
But here's the thing... I HAD to face the fact that I was unhealthy.
There was no denying that I needed to make a change. Not only would it cost my family financially (our insurance would be raised at least $100 a month if I had a BMI over 30), but I started to realize that my bad habits and lack of self-discipline were starting to spill over to my children. Actions speak louder than words, right?
So I decided to make changes. I ate healthier. I exercised regularly. I set goals for myself and found I was capable of anything I set my mind to! Yeah.. I lost over 70 pounds!
To sum it up, I FELT FRICKIN' AMAZING!
Now... before you stop reading thinking this is some ad or slogan to make you "buy into whatever it is I am selling", let me reassure you that it IS NOT.
Which is what brings me to my next (and main) point....
I started this weight loss journey to help myself. I wanted to SHOW my kids what healthy meant, I wanted to FEEL good about myself, and I wanted to have more energy.
After months of losing weight and feeling great, it just so happened that I learned about a "coaching opportunity" where I could "help" others lose weight like I did with the fitness programs I used. After all, doesn't that sound AMAZING? Lose weight, inspire and help others, and make a living doing it?
Inspiring others THEN became my main focus. It was no longer about me, but more about how to best serve others. This motivated me like NO OTHER because I sincerely care for others and wanted everyone else to feel as great as I was feeling. I hope people felt my sincerity when I tried to help them, but I learned that I was powerless when it came to changing their lives.
You see, I continued my own journey.
I continued to lose weight to show others what was possible.
I could have lost more weight had I continued...
SO what happened? I found myself overwhelmed with the amount of people that I was unable to help. People were constantly coming to me, but not many were actually sticking with it. I would push and push and push myself in hopes of inspiring others. I didn't give up on them. I didn't want to give up on them. But I found myself stuck when they would give up on themselves. And because their results were MY motivation, I lost my motivation when they didn't get results. I also found myself beginning to focus on impressing others --which is SOOO unlike me-- instead of just trying to be the best me possible.
Plus, I felt that so many others around me were in this for "worldly reasons" like to look good and to make money. Both of which were NOT on my priority list when I began. So why would I want to continue? It just wasn't "for" me.
Like so many others have done before me, I FELL BACK INTO OLD HABITS!
I found myself saying the SAME things I used to say.
"It doesn't matter what I look like."
"TRUE friends will love me for who I am, not for what I look like."
"The scale doesn't define me."
"I have no self control. Food is just too good."
"You only live once! Might as well eat what I want!"
"I don't like to workout. I just don't have the energy."◄(which gets WORSE the more you put it off)
geeez.... the list goes on and on....
I have tried "restarting" different routines and I just haven't stuck with it. It seems that my most common excuse is, "If nobody else cares, then why should I care?"
Like I need someone else's approval or support to continue.
Here's what I discovered. NO ONE can make you workout. NO ONE can make you eat healthy. Support does help, but even WITH support, people stop progressing if they lose sight of what it is they REALLY want.
So here I am today, starting back at the beginning.
Yes, I lost 70 pounds in 2012, but gained half that back in 2013 because I lost my motivation. I lost sight of what it was I was striving for in the first place.
You can judge me, or you can learn from me. Frankly, that's none of my business.
So how to restart?
1→Figure out what it is you want and WHY you want it. Having that true conviction of WHY you want it, will give you the motivation to continue every day, even when you don't "feel" like it. Go deep to find your true reason of why you want to get back on track. For me, it is that feeling of accomplishment. Being able to look in the mirror and be proud of what I have accomplished. Not for bragging rights, but for a heart-felt excitement that I was worth every effort. And being able to pass on that confidence to my family. DECIDE NOW that the past does NOT equal the future. Who cares what happened last week? Last month? Last year? If you are still alive, it is NEVER too late to change your course!
2→DO NOT put the blame on anyone else. You are in control of your life and your decisions. Step up and take control of your destiny! No one can do it for you!
3→SET precise GOALS for yourself and track your progress. Setting small measurable goals is the key to seeing your progression! Not all progress can be measured on the scale or in the mirror, so track more than just your weight. Retake photos and measurements, and track how you FEEL.
4→Get a PLAN in place that you can stick with! To get to a destination, you must have a clear plan. Know where you are now, where you want to be, and the best route to get there. What kind of fitness do you enjoy? Choose a plan that works for you and one that you can follow!
5→ACCOUNTABILITY! Tell someone! Share your goals and what it is you want to accomplish. We are much more likely to stick with it when we know others are aware of what it is we are doing. Find someone who you relate to and keep in contact with them daily so you can share your successes and struggles. KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
I did create a booklet that I used to track my measurements, meals, workouts. thoughts, feelings, struggles and such! I used to offer this to only those I "coached", but I am no longer limiting my resources to certain individuals. If you want a copy of my printable results tracker booklet, request it through email: cherishsaurey@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to send it to you if you think it will help you stay on track.
Although I want to see everyone succeed at reaching their own goals, I have learned that I can't control that. The only thing within my control is how I choose to live my life. If I can positively influence others, then that is okay, but I am no longer going to rely on others to be my motivation. My motivation has to come from within. I have to go back to WHY I started in the first place.
I am restarting this weight loss journey to help myself. I want to SHOW my kids what healthy means, I want to FEEL good about myself, and I want to have more energy.
If you want to join me, then by all means, you know how to contact me. I love hearing from others about their experiences and their journey. I am not superior to anyone, I'm just trying to figure out what works best for me. Let me know if you have anything to add! :)
Have a REMARKABLE week!
