Diane

That phrase has been a part of my life since before I can remember.   Nothing will get done well if there isn’t a desire to do so.  If I could have a dollar for all the times I’ve said I want to lose weight, that I want to be healthier, that I want to look better, I’d be a very wealthy woman.  Now, if I could have a dollar for all the times I’ve said it and truely had the desire to make the changes needed to make it happen, well, I’d have a few bucks. 

Just about everyone who has ever struggled with being overweight knows that  they’re supposed to say all those things, but for me, it has taken a very long time to have the desire to mean what I say in this area.  No, I’ve never liked being overweight, but change wasn’t high on my list either.  Did I like the reflection in the mirror? Not really, so I stopped looking any longer than I had to.  Things have changed.  I now have the desire to really change and it has nothing to do with a piece of silverbacked glass on the wall.

This time it has been so much more difficult to get to this point.  The last time I lost a lot of weight my life was so different.  The weight just dropped off without any thought of trying to lose weight.  I ate what I wanted, had to walk everywhere and, most days, had to walk at least a mile just to have food for the day.  Small fridge, 8 people sharing it.  This time it has required me to make a lot of changes, changes I didn’t really want to make because I didn’t really have the desire to change. 

I’ve definitely had my ups and downs this year, but, with the encouragement of my buddies here, I have managed not to gain back the 25 pounds I’d lost.  Fueled by the success of Tasha and Wonder Woman among others, I can finally say - Yes, I have the desire to finish this thing once and for all.  I have the desire to take my kids mountain climbing (if we ever get to some mountains!).  Yes, I have the desire to be happy, healthy and the best Mom and wife I’ve not been letting myself be. 

There will be no more faking it till I make it because I don’t have to fake the desire to exercise and eat healthy anymore.