Chapter Eight: Epiphanies

Yes....posting has been a minute....
Since October, I'm down 27 lbs. and quite a few inches, and up in my self confidence and body image. Over this period so far, I've had a few epiphanies. 1) Most "fit" people actually do work at it. 2) Ups and downs WILL occur. 3) Creating small, doable goals work.

I'm not even gonna sit here and lie and tell you I'm never cynical, negative, or annoyed with "fit" people. My views of those types of people were as followed: they've always been skinny so how would they know what I'm going through, of course they can eat whatever they want, and finally must be nice to have that body. The epiphany that has slowly come into my mind is that EVERY person on earth has a "problem area." Most people are insecure in one way or another. And when you get to that place in life where you're actual happy with your body, it ain't gonna stay like that by itself.  I want to personally apologize for being ignorant and uncompassionate towards people who actually work at staying healthy. Instead of praising and commending them for staying the course, I enjoyed being the victim and self pity almost became a drug of choice. Working out and trying to eat healthier has made me appreciate and admire people that can do it day in and day out! This is not a drill people!!!! It's hard.

Ups and downs are only fun, in my opinion, if you're on a roller coaster. Life, however, is a ride in it self and it's not going to slow down just because you want it to or you're tired. The biggest advice I can give only because I'm learning it myself and I know it works is loving, enjoying and appreciating the season of life you're in right at thievery moment. It won't come back exactly like it ever again. Experiences, people and situations are there to teach us life lessons and to grow us for the things to come...most of which we are unaware will happen. Whatever you struggle with the most is where the devil has you best. He has all the time in the world and is waiting on the perfect time to pull the rug out from under you. Especially when you're succeeded and growing closer to The Lord and his will for your life. I pray we recognize these moments and stop them right then and there. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE SMART, YOU ARE LOVED. Never ever forget that!

Most of my posts have been about life, weight loss and loving yourself. And creating doable small goals is right in line with it; however, it can also be applied in so many more areas of life. For me personally, I can't just blurt out "I want to lose 40 in 3 months." That is not realistic because the body doesn't work on my time line, only on its own. But, if I say "I want to lose 5 lbs by the end of the month," that helps my psyche not freak out and go into full panic mode. I also don't put too much pressure on the possibility of failing. Life is a journey NEVER a destination. The only destination that should concern you and me is where we'll be after this earthly life is over. And I pray that I'll see each of you in heaven with Jesus! Goals help us stay the course. They can give us tremendous joy and satisfaction when reached. I hope each of you will evaluate areas in your life where you feel like you could improve and strive to make small, healthy goals.