[Vixsin]

Hi everyone!!!!

I am coming out of a "dark cloud" on my journey and wanted to reach out to you guys.

I know you all can relate to have one obstacle or another put in your path. I am wondering if you have any rituals that help you get over said obstacle? (a certain trail you walk on, a certain thing you do, etc.) I have mentally refocused my energy from going to the gym (I can't right now, I'm recouping) onto my diet. One of you said to me that this journey is "80% diet and 20% exercise" and that REALLY hit home for me and made me take a hard look at what was going on. I am so thankful for that. I have also planned meals for the week, bought all things needed for my lunches and snacks while I am at work.

What I'd love now is just some anecdotes(sp?) from anyone who would like to add one on what keeps you motivated to overcome any and all challenges.

Thanks!!!

[SCraver]

This is going to sound so cheesey... I have been going to bed at night and laying there for a moment or two. I pretend I am on a comfy fluffy cloud and I tell my self that I am safe in bed - that this is my "safe space". I do not need to think about anything. I do not need to worry about anything. I tell myself that I did good for the day.

It helps me end the day on a positive note. It helps me to clear the racing thoughts at the end of the day. It helps me to not lay in bed and worry about all the things I need to get done. And I tell myself, I can get up the next day and do even better.

I find a little self love goes a long way and helps motivate me way better than berrating myself.

[gardenerjoy]

This came from The Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck. I made a list of the reasons that I'm losing weight. Things like "I want to get off my blood pressure medication" and "I want to look better" and "I want to be able to get on the ground while doing photography--and get back up!" I read that list every single day, at least once and, often, twice. That helps keep in the forefront of my brain the reasons that I'm working so hard on this.