Determined To Succeed

A Blank Page.

That’s how it all begins. A clean slate. A nothingness staring back at you as you look at it almost willing something to write itself. It never does. It’s up to us to do that.

Did you guys see “Terminator 2: Judgment Day?” At the end of it a big deal is made about the future being like road travelled at night, where you head toward a destination without necessarily seeing the destination. Also, how the future is not set and that you make the future based on your actions now.

More on those things later.

I actually did much better this weekend in terms of eating. I am at 233.8, so a mere eight pounds above my target goal weight which makes me happy. I controlled the amount of food I ate, didn’t overload on other unnecessary stuff like pop (that’s a soda to you non-Midwesterners) or candy bars and exercised smarter (breaking up my usual routine by doing exercises on new machines).

As you guys start your week I want to tell you about a letter I received from someone yesterday who was down because of her weight.  She knows it’s the sheer quantity of what she eats that’s making her gain weight, however she can’t seem to stop eating so much. Like yours truly, she stress eats but can’t figure out how to stop. Almost like a pre-determined destiny. But I will tell you what I told her – and yes, it all goes back to “T2.”

The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. I know in my heart weight loss and how I deal with it is what I make of it. I know that I determine my own weight loss destiny by being the one who decides what I put into my mouth, how much of it I consume and how much I exercise. My future isn’t set and neither is hers and I encouraged her to take some time and examine the reasons WHY she eats so much when stressed. And when she does eat to slow down and give the brain enough time to recognize the body is being fed. And finally, I suggested she print out a copy of the letter she wrote to me as motivation so she could physically see – on paper – her determination to succeed in weight loss.

So I start this week as we all do, as a blank slate. I have that live appearance today on Philadelphia’s CBS affiliate station, CBS3, at Noon Eastern Time.  I know I have mucho writing to do but nothing out of the ordinary. And like you guys I worry about the future. I always have to keep in mind, though, the food actions I take because they all have an effect on my body. Above all the food is the feeling I get knowing my waist size begins now with a 3 and not with a 5. That kind of s&%t keeps me going, man. It really does.

And I know my new friend will do it, too. How do I know this? Because I have faith in her. I have faith in the words she wrote me. The words on the page helping to keep her focused on her goal. The words that all started from feelings in her heart…

…and from her own blank page.