Oooooh, buddy.
This post has been on my heart for a long time. I kept putting it off and putting it off because I just wasn’t sure how to put into words all that was in my heart. I’m not good with words. They don’t come easy for me.
I received an e-mail last night that gave me the gentle nudge to just go ahead, even if this post ends up reading like a jumbled mess.
I have no idea how i got here. It’s not me. I keep reading your blog updates and think “If she can do it, why can’t I?” But, that little annoying voice creeps back in and says, “Cause you’ve failed at every other attempt to lose weight, why should THIS be any different?” I hate that voice. I want to kill that voice. Do you have the same voice? How did you squash it?
I guess what I’m wanting to ask is: How did you “just start?” What would be some good starting advice to an overweight gal who’s scared to death to lose weight, but even more scared not to? If you could start over and know what you know now, but had to tell someone else that was doing it with you, what would it be?
My motivation for getting healthy was a culmination of little things adding up over time. Walking up stairs was hard. I would be breathing like a dragon by the time I got to the top and it would have only been five stairs. ::snort out loud:: I could barely tie my shoes because my stomach area was so large. I couldn’t do anything active with my family. I would just watch them ride bikes, play soccer, etc. feeling like a big loser. I felt the complete opposite of sexy. I just got sick and tired of feeling like a slob and looking like a slob.
Was I scared? Yes.
I was afraid and embarrassed to tell my husband, yet again, I was going to try and lose weight. He’s always been completely supportive of me and never said anything derogatory. I’ve always felt loved and cherished no matter what size I was or am . . . but, I was still afraid.
I didn’t want to be full of hot air.
I didn’t want to fail. Again.
The thing is ~ I didn’t let that fear keep me from trying.
What if I had made another attempt at losing weight and failed? Would it have been better if I hadn’t tried? Of course not.
My health is worth fighting for.
I decided instead of being afraid of failure, I would embrace it. I would allow it to make me grow. I would allow it to teach me to be stronger and smarter.
The amazing thing was as soon as I made the choice, I felt better. I began to note little victories and they kept me motivated and inspired to press on.
Don’t compare where you are right at this moment to where someone else is. Each of us are at our own unique point on our own unique journeys. Your journey will look different from mine. Mine will look different from the girl next to me in gym class. I’ve heard a quote by Jon Acuff before that goes something like, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” That resonates so much with me. Be inspired by other people’s journeys, but don’t try to make their journeys your own. Make your own path. The work will be hard, but the work is what will change you.
Want to know something? I’m still afraid.
I’m afraid of gaining the weight back. I’m afraid of losing all the ground I’ve gained over the past eighteen months.
I’m afraid.
So, I work hard. I don’t allow that fear to swallow me whole. I continue to press on. I continue to carve out my own path.
Here’s the thing . . . if I can do it, you can do it. Any of us can do it. When we decide enough is enough, the will power to start will be there.
You CAN do it.
When that voice in your head starts to tell you that you can’t, you tell it to, “Shut it!”
You CAN do it.
You’re a fighter and you know that your health is worth fighting for.
I’m standing up cheering for you at the top of my lungs!
Here are my top two tips for getting started:
1) Set small goals.
Small goals are key. You want to stay motivated by the little victories you see and feel. Setting small goals will give you a constant source of encouragement and a feeling of moving forward.
Don’t set out saying, “I want to lose 100 pounds!” That’s far too big. I never said that to myself when I started. It was depressing and I felt like it was something I would never be able to attain. I would set monthly goals. “This month I would like to lose so many pounds.” I would focus on smaller chunks of time or smaller units of weight.
2) Make one major change at a time.
If you start changing everything up all at once, you’re going to become overwhelmed. Choose one thing and stick with it for a few weeks before making another change. Slow and steady will win the race you’re setting out to run.
For example, for the next three weeks focus on your water intake. When you feel like you’ve got the hang of that, choose a different area to work on. It may be exercise or maybe cutting back on sugar, but just choose one thing and stick with it for a few weeks. If you continue at that pace, you will have accomplished so much over a six month time span.
P. S. Obviously, I’m not a health professional. I’m just . . . . me. It’s always best to consult your doctor before making any major changes to your lifestyle.
I am two weeks in, and I already feel better, healthier, stronger. Although I still think how in the world will I ever be able to RUN A WHOLE MILE, I can see how far I’ve come from thinking one minute is an eternity. I like the way I feel now!
I’m so proud of you! Thanks for sharing your journey and inspiring others!
Toni
I agree with all of this. Great post, Ruthanne. I’ve lost nearly 70 and I’m still pushing through.
You are sharing your heart here and I love it. It’s great advice.
You are definitely inspiring. I have about 25 lbs to lose after having my son in May. I KNOW I can do it. I lost 40 lbs after having my first two kids. I ran a marathon and was in the best shape of my life… And then I got pregnant again. I am just NOT motivated to do it again. I think I’m looking at it as something I have to do quickly, all at once. But I can’t do that now. I’m too tired. Too busy. Too hungry! I CAN make small changes though. Its just a little overwhelming to decide where to start.
you are SO amazing Ruthanne!! and inspiring!
A few years ago something just came over me.I worked hard and lost weight the right way. I lost 38 pounds in about a year. I ate better and found a love of exercise. I kept my weight off for over a year. I thought it was such hard work losing that I would never gain it back. Then my best friend and exercise partner moved away, and took her husband (my boss and preacher) with her. I knew that my success was not theirs. I just fell into a funk. One year later as I try to get back in the groove and take off the 30 pounds I have regained I came across your blog. It was just what I needed. I went back to aerobics last night. I have read your blog and looked at what your readers have to say and been inspired again. Thank you!
I think you and your words are bee-u-tee-ful!!!!! I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts. I think you should write a motivational book of some sorts! Because my friend, you are VERY good with words. They inspire me constantly!!!
This is probably my favorite post so far. I went to visit my family last weekend and I was telling my mom about your blog and how she should start reading to help motivate her. She’s had a rough past 12 months which has resulted in stress eatting and weight gain but she’s ready to start making changes! I’m def going to send this to her in hopes that it’ll give her an extra push!
What you wrote is beautiful. Is an unsuccessful diet a failure or is it a learning experience that teaches you what does and does not work for you? You aren’t a health care professinal, there is plenty of information on the hows and whys for lifestyle changes but the motivatation to start and to keep going thru all the ups and downs is what is hardest for most. Take your role as inspiration, motivator, weight loss muse, as a compliment to your ability to touch people in a way that a nutritionist can’t.
OK, first off, you do have a way with words. You’re inspirational and motivating and your story should be a shining example for everything that is mind over matter, not just weight loss. You’re a ROCK STAR!
OH and btw, I wouldn’t be running if you hadn’t inspired me, and I’m currently at 326.78 miles of my 500 miles in 2012 goal. Thank you!
thank you ruthanne. so so much.
check out my post today. there’s some love for you there.
Love this. Well put.
You said what I never could quite get out right.
Yes yes yes! Going at it for 4 months now, I couldn’t make it about the weight loss for me. I always start stuff and never finish it and it seems so overwhelming. But, setting a goal to RUN an entire 5K by September 23 has helped me. I’m almost there and have happened to lose 11 lbs. along the way. I also did want you said by slowly making changes…now I’m working on getting my water intake. You are awesome Ruthanne! Thank you for being transparent, such a blessing!
I love your openness and honesty. You’ve done an incredible job, but I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked to get here as well. It’s inspiring, to say the least!
YOU ARE AMAZEBALLS.
I’m so encouraged by your story and words! Thanks for being real. xoxo
You are such an inspiration. Thanks for being such an encourager!!
This is a fabulous post! And it is so true to not compare our beginning or middle or any part of our journey with other’s journeys. But that seems like all we do sometimes! I am trying to become a runner. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love your blog and find your story so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey and your heart with all of us.
Ruthanne- you are incredibly inspirational! I wrote a blog on my website today about motivation and I highlighted you! I hope that was ok? Thank you for sharing your journey-Susan
Thank you for sharing! You are an inspiration and have so much to be proud of! How did do this past week end???
wow you are amazing girl! so happy for you!
Love, Traci Michele @ Ordinary Inspirations
http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com
I love this post and I am so glad I backstalked a bit. That reader pegged exactly how I’m feeling. I am inspired by you amazing weight loss bloggers but usually, I find you when ya’ll are in a great, healthy groove. I read others’ struggle weeks in, months in. I can’t get through ONE month. That is hard. I know that everyone of you successes had a day one. Then a day two. I just keep telling myself, day by day, everyday.