[finn]

remember that failure isn't falling down. Its not getting back up again.

[Truffle]

Subscribing to this excellent thread, because I want to remember all these helpful suggestions.

[Mickeypnd]

Im sorry hun. I think we have all been there. and while this has been a hard weekend use this as motivation for a healthier, happier lifestyle!



and I was wondering, do you live close to Avon? I saw you live in North east Ohio.

[shannonmb]

I am loving this thread, too, and I love every post!

dinomama, this thread is really helping me to reflect on the past year -- this Wed, May 25th will mark a year to the day when I was finally so fed up with how I felt that I made the decision to change my lifestyle and my future! And what do you know, I just turned 40 back in Feb, too! I swear I could have written your post then.

What NolaCeleste said is really resonating with me (along with every other post she's ever written here!). You don't have to even come close to goal to REALLY start reaping the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. Here I am, 243 lbs still and with nearly 100 more pounds left to lose, and I'm telling you I feel like a completely different person than I did at 350. I am so empowered right now, the amount of physical work I can accomplish is unbelievable compared to where I started. I feel not just better, but pretty darn GOOD right now, and I'm SOOO inspired and motivated to see how much better it's gonna get as I get down further! I truly felt at the beginning as though I was winding down to an early death -- and now I feel like I have a new lease on life and that the sky is the limit!

It really took me getting to that place you are posting about for me to finally get real about my mortality, my quality of life, and what I want for my future. When you are ready, it is VERY possible to take this all the way. I really believe that now, and I KNOW it is true for you, too!

[WLGirl1]

I've been there sweetie. I just use it as an incentive to be better!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[exjordanaire]

I agree with all these ladies who have posted.

Sometimes, we have to hit rock bottom to realize we've hit it and even though we have to claw and kick our way inch by inch, we get closer and closer to the top and further and further away from the bottom. Keep your head up and keep looking forward and as they say, "Don't look down."

The reason my weight has never came off is because I have been discouraged by myself and/or my surroundings and situations I go through. I put too much stress on myself over all the things I should be doing and shouldn't be doing. There are so many exercises and so many foods I shouldn't eat - I'd crack and binge and feel guilty, so I wouldn't even exercise.

So this time I'm taking it one step at a time. I've been unhealthy for years and I know that I am not going to become a completely healthy person over night - this is going to take time too.

Each week I'm giving myself a new goal. As for my first week, I promised myself I would not touch another Cola and I would walk at least 20 minutes, 5x a week. Those two things are small but significant changes for me. Each small step is one step closer to my goal and I just have to remember that.

Stay motivated, OP! We will all have our bad days but just remember how proud and good you will feel about yourself in the long run.

[blueheron777]

This is such a terrific site to find inspiration, both from people' stories and from the snippits of wisdom people post.

I think first you have to hit rock bottom--sounds like you did.

Then you have to want to lose that weight more than you want to stay in your comfortable but humiliating rut.

I make post-it notes of many of the sayings I found on this site and put them in my bedroom and inside the bathroom medicine cabinet, so I would see them every morning. The most motivating one was that you can live the hard life of a thin person or the hard life of a fat person--it's your choice.

The other one was: "Don't let what you want at this moment sabotage what you want for the rest of your life".

As others have said, you will see wonderful things happen to your body and your spirits with every small loss along the way. If you set small goals, you can reach them and that will inspire you to reach the next one.

All the best on the journey that will set you free.