Staying In The Fight

I joined SparkPeople February 27, 2009. I felt like I was doing well in starting a plan of healthy foods and the correct portion sizes. I started an exercise plan of strength training with the band and Walking with Leslie Sansone. I felt successful and lost 10 pounds. and lots of inches. The scales never move anymore, so I don't weigh very often now. I mostly go by how my clothes fit me, loose or tight. For the most part, my clothes have been very loose. With that I have been happy.

However, I have had some health issues for the past 4-5 weeks and did not feel strong enough to do my strength training, nor my aerobics. I had inner ear problems , for the first time in my life. I got better but just quit my exercises. Yes, I felt guilty and thought every day, I should do my workout. Frankly, I don't enjoy exercise, because I had back surgery and it is hard for me.

To discourage me farther, yesterday I had cataract surgery on my left eye. Again, orders from the doctor, no exercise yet. Next week, I will have the right eye done, no exercise again. It is so easy for me to just want to quit exercising without this kind of discouragement. But my eyes will be lots healthier, they will heal and I will keep on doing what I must do.

With me, no matter how much I eat healthy food , correct portion sizes, and the number of calories that has been suggested to me by SparkPeople, without exercise I will not lose inches nor any pounds. It has always been that way for me.

I read several articles today on Message Boards on motivation and several other topics that I really enjoyed reading. They were all inspiring but not enough to make me realize what I need to do to reach my goal. Then I read another article that really got my attention. I will quote this now: "I will do what I need to do (eat healthy & exercise), in order to do what I want to do (live a full life). Stay in the fight and not give in to excuses. JUST DO IT! Name a reason you shouldn't do it, and just do it anyway. Have fight and determination."

I know I have had unforseeable setbacks that I was not counting on. I still have the next 2-3 weeks that I might not be able to do my exercise, except for plain walking. But after reading the above described article, it has brought to my mind that when I am able to do my exercises, I will strive to make no excuses to JUST DO IT ANYWAY. Otherwise, I will start gaining back the weight I have lost and my clothes will get tight again. I already can tell my clothes no longer feel loose. To me that is scary. I cannot lose the battle that I have set up to win.

I know that I am not alone with this kind of problem. I have read several Member Blogs stating the same things about not losing weight. But as for me, I know that my body is healthier, that I am stronger and have a better outlook on life. I will not give up!