And The Journey Continues

The longer I battle with obesity, the more I sympathize with others who struggle with substance abuse. Addiction ruins your life. It takes over your life and controls you. Regardless of what you're addicted to, breaking free is a long and hard road.

While it seems so hopeless at times, I believe it is possible to overcome food addiction. I've been on this journey a long time, and I find myself learning new things each time I fail and have to start over again. Perfectionism has been my greatest obstacle. I'm fine if I'm on track 100%, but the minute I fall off or eat something off plan, I'm done. I've argued with myself and others about my need to keep on track fully or I can't do it. I'm now learning how faulty my way of thinking has been.

As I begin a new year and a fresh start with my journey to better health, I've decided I need to focus on a few of the things I've learned throughout the process.

• Being a perfectionist is ridiculous. Human beings are imperfect. Each time I set a standard of "perfect" for myself, I'm ultimately setting myself up to fail. Being perfect is an impossible dream. It's not going to happen. I need to think realistically about my weight and eating habits.

• Each year I remain overweight, my health will suffer. This year has been a wake-up call in how rapidly the body declines when you don't take care of it. I spent a lot of time inactive this past year, due to recovering from an injury, and I'm feeling it. 

• I won't jump on the band wagon of every new diet program that shows up on the front cover of a magazine. Fad diets do not work long term. In fact, no diet will work long term. It has to be a consistent, never-ending lifestyle change. The way I eat today has to be something I can live with tomorrow and every day in the future.

• Moderation and common sense are everything. I enjoy drinking regular Coke. I also like chips, sweets, and pizza. In moderation these things are okay. I need to stop feeling like I've blown my plan if I indulge in a few things I love. I can eat anything. Portion control is the key to success. 

• There's always a healthy choice. Unexpected dinners out, invitations to parties, food buffets, family gatherings, church suppers, etc., are part of life. They aren't going to go away just because I decided to lose weight. Even if there's not one healthy food item on the buffet table, I can still choose to limit portions and eat less. Nobody is going to hold me down and force feed me. I am in control of what goes on my plate.

• Obesity is expensive. If I had the money I spent on fast food and junk food over the years, I would have a nice savings account. Food isn't cheap. Unnecessary trips to the grocery store and eating at fast food places hurts my budget worse than any bill I pay each month.

• I don't have to train for a marathon. Simply getting up from my desk and walking a little each hour is better than nothing. Taking short walks over the course of the day adds up.

• It's my own fault I'm overweight. It's easy to blame circumstances or others for my emotional eating. The truth is, I need to learn healthy ways to cope with emotions instead of running to food. 

• I need for forgive myself for all the times I tried and failed. The past is over. Dwelling on it is pointless. 

So here's to one more new start...one more new beginning!

I got a Fitbit activity monitor for my birthday. I wear it on my wrist and find it does remind me to get up and move more. My aim is to add a few more steps each week until I reach my goal of 10,000 steps a day.

I also went back to Weight Watchers. I think they have the best weight loss program available. Nothing is forbidden and they do teach a lifestyle change. Their new personal coaching is wonderful. I have access to my coach and online live chat support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The cost is minimal compared to what I was spending on junk food each week.

And the journey continues...