It's About Finding Your Personal Best Path

We know that this isn't about dieting - it's about changing our lifestyle and understanding that weight loss is a journey. The journey is truly an adventure and as we go along, we learn many things, including what works and doesn't work for ourselves. We are all different and our likes and dislikes, as well as how we respond to situations are as unique as our fingerprints. My way of dealing with my weight issues is probably very different from someone else. For instance, when I came back actively on Spark six days ago, I had taken a very hard look at some of the things I was doing that were sabotaging my efforts to reach my goal weight. When I realized what I was doing, it was a rude awakening to realize that I'd been doing the sane things over and over for years. That my friend is the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So, what was it I was doing? I was being too hard on myself and being obsessive about my eating and exercise plan. There was no margin for error and no "forgiveness" when I had a slip-up or a bad day. I beat myself up for not perfectly adhering to the rules and then I would be so ashamed and disgusted with myself that I would just quit. I did this over and over and over - year in and year out. What was I going to do to break this cycle - I think I referred to it as a "revolving door." The answer is simple: I'm going to follow my own best path to reaching my goals. I'm approaching this as an adventure this time. I'm going in with my eyes wide open and with truth in my heart. I know I won't be perfect. I will have a bad day now and then. I will slip up once in a while. But, so what. If I stay focused and keep my eye on the prize, in the end I will get where I want to be - 32 pounds lighter. Oh, wait - 29 pounds lighter because I've lost 3 pounds this first week

The other issue - exercise - is one that I've struggled with too. I would make my goal exercising 5-6 times a week and that would last about 2 weeks This time, I'm looking squarely at my situation. By the time I get home from work, I'm pooped! I walk in the door at home and have to start getting dinner started, doing laundry, etc. I get up very early in the morning so I go to bed fairly early. I'm just not going to go to the pool or the gym after work - which translates to Monday through Thursday. What I can do is get my exercise in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Maybe that's not "perfect" but it's still exercise 3 time per week and that's not bad

I may not reach my goal for a year but that's okay. I've decided to enjoy each small victory and when the bad days come, I'll just chalk it up to being human and look forward to tomorrow.