[cantforgetthis]

First my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Use her love for you as inspiration for your journey.

Second, when I finally had to confront myself I had to realize that I was the same person that day as I had been the days, weeks or months before.

I had not changed just because my mind finally got itself wrapped around what I really looked like.

***The only thing that had change was my PERCEPTION. ***

This was the same body that had taken me to work, gone to the movies, gone out for dinner, gone shopping and laughed with friends.

REALITY had not changed! Why should I all of a sudden feel fear, embarassment, shame or the many other feelings I could. Everyone in my life had already been interacting with this body just as it was.

Once I got a firm grasp on that concept it got easier. This is where I started. I decided to change and that decision changed my perception again. My body follows where my mind leads. I can obsess with the best of them, but now I obsess on something that will bring me benefits in the long run.

I wish you the best on your journey!

[Heather]

Originally Posted by cantforgetthis

***The only thing that had change was my PERCEPTION. ***

So true, and I think it bears repeating: perception is reality. I think this is a central lesson of research in psychology and says so much about why attitude is so important on this journey.

For instance, if you perceive yourself as able to lose the weight that makes all of this so much easier (not easy, but easier). If you perceive yourself as someone who exercises, you can become that person easier... etc...