Determined To Succeed

The rain came down pretty hard here in southern New Jersey this morning but I am in a very sunny mood. I am at 234.3, which means two wonderful things. One, I have lost a pound and reached my weight loss goal for this week and two, I’m just nine pounds away of  re-reaching my ultimate weight goal of 225 pounds. Yippee!

Whenever I receive an e-mail, tweet or Facebook message from someone about weight loss I am reminded of the power of a pound. In almost every one a courageous person tells me about how they are one pound closer to their goal (and how cool is that) and it reminds me of something very, very important. It reminds me not to fret over trying to re-lose those damn ten stinking pounds (those last final ten I keep griping about) I have yet to lose from my weight gain last year but to focus instead on the small things…

…focus on losing one pound at a time.

For me, weight loss, food binges and exercise are all mental. I didn’t start out wanting to lose 175 pounds. That number wasn’t even in my head at the time. I just knew I really wanted to lose ten pounds so my knee would stop hurting me (I had to fight “Arthur” – as in arthritis) so I could at least sit through a movie without “Arthur” talking to me through it (hey Bill, does this hurt?). Know what I mean? And when I did, and I started feeling better, I just tried to continue one pound at a time.

Thinking about losing a tremendous amount can be daunting and I know for some losing just one pound can be daunting, especially if hormones and glands and stuff get in the way. But if you lose a pound it is a victory and one that should not be taken lightly (no pun intended). It is awesome.

And my battles with food are mental, as I’ve said. Why do I “feel the need” to have things like ice-cream and Coca-Cola? I wish I knew. But every single day I just kind of mumble to myself “you don’t need that,” like a little voice in my head knows it’s all in my head and I can stop. When I’m emotional it’s harder but I try and that’s all some of us can do most days, especially trying to lose a pound here and a pound there.

But today is a celebration of the loss of a single pound. It is no small feat to lose one while on any weight loss journey and losing one here and there is awesome. It may not be a huge amount but it is a hard-fought-for victory in the battle of the bulge.Do not let anyone tell you today or any day that it’s insignificant. It is something about which to be proud. You are one pound lighter. I am one pound lighter. And if that ain’t enough for some people then tell them to suck it!

Pound for pound, losing one means we’ve won. At least that round. And for that we should all be proud. What a way to start the week.