Feel Like Giving Up? #HAWMC

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Do you remember what you felt like the very first day that you decided you were going to change your life by becoming a healthier person? Remember how excited you were?

I know I do! Probably because this happened more than once in my life. But after a while, the initial excitement begins to wear off and that’s when you make the most important decision—whether to keep going or to give up.

This time around is the first time that I have not given up. And what has made this time different?
Thinking of the reason why I held on so long.

THE REASON. Most importantly.

I have said before that finding your “why” is so important. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you want to get healthier? It’s important to find good, solid reasons and constantly remind yourself of them.

I often find myself getting discouraged on this journey. The scale starts to play games with my mind. I put in the hard work by exercising and eating right and when I don’t see the progress on the scale I start to question why I even try. Often times, that even leads me to start sabotaging my efforts.

But ultimately, I have to remind myself of why I started in the first place. When I weighed 288 lbs., life was a lot different for me. I was in pain physically and emotionally. I was unhappy. I felt hopeless. I felt ugly. I wouldn’t wish those feelings on anyone. I never want to go back to that place. Reminding myself of that helps me keep holding on and pressing towards my goal.

I am not doing this so that I can see a certain number on the scale. I am doing this so that I can be happy with myself. So I don’t have to look in the mirror and break down in tears. So that I can feel proud of what I have accomplished. So that my husband has a healthy wife by his side. And even more importantly, so that both hubby and I can be good role models to our kids someday.

My weight loss affects more than just me. I have developed new habits that have made hubby and I both healthier. It even helped hubby drop a significant amount of weight. It has made both of us healthier and happier. And that’s what I’m doing this for. Not for the number on the scale or a smaller size on my clothing tag.

Truly and honestly, this journey has completely changed my life, our lives, actually. And I’m not even there yet!

So while I am struggling, and while I sometimes wish I could just give up, I will remember the reasons why I have held on so long.

What are your reasons?

This post is part of a series of posts that will run through the month of April as part of the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge.