Day 59

If you are American, I am sure you are no stranger to all the different 'reality shows' that are about morbidly obese people losing weight and making life changes.... Some such shows include Biggest Loser, Heavy, and I Used to Be Fat. I have varying opinions about these shows. I am all for lifestyle changes and healthy habits, but I am not so much a fan of watching disgust, laziness, contentedness, status que, acceptance of pity, or the inability to express oneself through nothing but food. I don't know if it is because of my background and my own personal struggles with food, but I feel as though it is a cop out for most people to be SO overweight.

With that said, this past weekend, David was studying for finals and I had completed all my 'to do list' for the day as well as my homework. (Yes, leave me alone, I am THAT person and slightly OCD). I was flipping channels and the show on MTV (which I hardly ever watch) was on I Used to Be Fat. If you haven't ever watched the show it is about high school graduates that have spent their high school days obese and commit the summer to making life changes, so that when they enter college in the fall they can say "I Used to Be Fat!"

My whole life seems as though I was harder on myself than necessary when it came to my looks. Since last November, I have lost about 25 pounds. I have set fitness goals for myself this year that I know will help me continue to my ultimate weight loss goal.



Watching this show, I felt as though I could relate completely. These kids weren't 500 pounds overweight, maybe 60 or so. One of the things they do at the very beginning of every show is put up a calendar that they look at every day. Each day they rip down the number and do it again and again until they are on the last day. They have 110 days to complete the fitness/weight loss goal they set for themselves. With the help of family and a trainer, this is made possible. Naturally, the person seeking change is the one who really has to do the work and if they do, they are almost always successful.



If I am really going to make my goals happen I decided I needed to pick my efforts up a notch. With the weather being so gross outside, I have pretty much just stuck to a modest portioned eating plan and really no physical activity. Last year, I was really getting into running and then ended up with horribly painful shin splints. After taking the time requested off, I have been anxiously ready to get back on the track. To motivate myself I would count down my days to a goal. While 110 days might be perfect for this reality show, I felt like that was a little too long for me and that I might loose interest. I decided maybe 60 days would be a better fit. I found a calendar and counted out 60 days. It landed right before Easter! I just smiled, it was though God was just sitting on the couch next to me - cheering me on - saying, "Hey! You are getting it! You will be successful! You really are understanding what I am trying to teach you!" (David and I have a lot of random things happening that by Easter they will be off our plate!) With that silent encouragement, I found a dry erase board and put it on the fridge. Monday, February 21: day 60.

Today, is day 59.

In the next 59 days I will complete three of the five 5K runs that I have set out for myself to do as well as get to my next goal weight. I am moving forward - slowly but surely. I realize that the very thing that I can't stand watching those 'reality stars' on TV do, is exactly what I was doing. No more self pity for me. Healthy life and eating habits are what I desire. I have the book smarts, now I just have to continue to apply it every day, now and forever and ever. When you look good, you feel better about yourself and when you feel better about yourself you have confidence that just beams from your core.



Moderation and balance are two of the key elements that I am striving to make sure become long term vocabulary.

Cheers. :)