Work in progress

I was watching The Biggest Loser tonight and someone said they were a work in progress. I really like phrasing it that way. Slowly working on making the inside and outside a better version of me.

I've had a few emails and comments lately tell me how motivating I am. Honestly, that is such a huge compliment! Not long ago I thought maybe I would just be the fat girl forever, that there was no hope. Then it clicked and I am more motivated to lose this weight and never find it again!

But, I'm far from perfect. I'm trying to make small changes at a time. It is like I have to reprogram my mind almost. There is a quote floating around that I've read many times that says, "You're not a dog, stop rewarding yourself with food" and I agree. Yet, I get it in my head that I need a "cheat".

Now, I think sometimes a scheduled cheat is maybe ok. It really isn't cheating if you have the points, but having that hamburger, for example. This past Sunday, my sister had actually been craving having a good burger. I agreed to go out with her and we decided why not, we've both done well on our diets and if we had it after weigh in then we'd still have the entire week to be good. Well, the forces at be prevented that. We went out and ordered our food and we waited. . . and waited. Eventually the waiter came by and apologized and told us we wouldn't have a bill because it shouldn't have taken the kitchen that long. Then when our food did arrive I cut the burger in half and it was pink. Very pink. I do not do well with any pink. I like it medium well to well done and it grosses me out! We weren't paying anyway, so I apologized for being a pain by sending it back, but I couldn't eat it. And I was so grossed out that we left. It was almost like the universe reaffirming that we don't need that stuff anymore. It doesn't end well.

Things like this take time.  You can't change all your habits over night and you can't make your cravings for foods completely disappear, or at least I haven't gotten to that point yet. I know, who really wants to hear that? It really does feel like it takes forever! But every pound loss, hey even every .1 lb loss, is a victory of some sort. It is a small step in the right direction.

I am so overwhelmed with the amazing comments and support after posting that I finally hit 30 lbs. Honestly, thank you. Thank you to anyone who stopped by and so sincerely has supported me so far! 30 lbs is amazing and it doesn't matter how far I have to go because I'm going in the right direction. Regardless of how long it takes me to reach goal, I will never be able to stop "dieting" because it really isn't a diet, it is a complete life change.

Overwhelming. I know. If you are like me and you have a lot of weight to lose and feel discouraged by how long it is going to take, I've found this quote to be reassuring a little:

"If you are extremely overweight, remember, there is a real blessing to having a lot of weight to lose. Why? By the time you reach your goal, many of the new healthier habits will be ingrained because you've practiced them for a longer period of time. You'll be one step ahead in your maintenance."

- Kim Bensen, "Finally Thin" 

 There is hope for us! I've talked about the book I've quoted above before and I will actually be giving away a copy tomorrow (Wednesday) :)

. . .

I've actually never been thin, or at least never when I could remember. A lot of people tell you it is worth it and nothing tastes as good as thin feels, etc. But, some of us don't even know what it is like. It can be discouraging. Along the same lines, I was watching tv and saw this commercial and I like it and I wanted to share if you haven't seen it yet:

Copying this commercial, what do you think you will gain when you lose? Or if you have reached your goal, share your inspiration! What are the things you love most about the new you?