I remember my childhood being spent outdoors, playing at the park with friends, hiding in the woods until dusk, swimming at cabins, waterskiing, playing tennis and downhill skiing, laughing with friends, ice skating, cross country skiing with my parents, hiking, camping, dancing, canoeing, falling asleep happy and exhausted. And always looking forward to another day of the same. And then something changed. I was 32 years old and 190 lbs, a small size 14 but a large 12. I hated the way I looked in the mirror and hated even more the way it felt to wear my clothes. It was the first time in my life I had ever started to focus on the numbers. Amidst it all, I became noticeably unhappy. Then, there was a moment (somewhere around November 2011 if I had to put my finger on it...) when I realized that the one who could make changes was me. So it began. It wasn't easy and it definitely didn't happen overnight but the hard work and determination were worth every minute of the reward: my revitalized health and renewed happiness that had been buried years before. My vow to myself (even though I'm not yet at the finish line) is to never go back to "that place." Some might say it was 15...20 years in the making. Long nights of drinking with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, college roommates, the list goes on... Late night snacking to cure those "hunger" pangs... Late night dining brought on by the long nights of drinking (see first one listed here)... Lack of regular activity... Other frequent and unnecessary indulging... I'm thinking by now you get the picture. I didn't focus on one thing specifically or specific foods but rather on changing habits. Habits, those things we hear about but many of us never change, start or sustain. But I did, and it worked! I made tweaks to my diet, which have now become habits. I made tweaks to my activities (which eventually turned into goals to challenge myself) but the trick to all of this for me was two things I believe about almost everything in life: patience and persistence. I share this excerpt of my journey with you not because I think everyone needs to lose weight but because its one recent chapter in my life and I believe that everyone has the power of choice to change what they want in their lives. Other examples? Stagnant friendships, living in another city, standing up for what you believe in, rekindling friendships, repairing family connections, getting promoted, getting a raise, changing career fields, getting back in to the workforce...I'm sure you could continue to add to this list...and I know you will. And that's my challenge to you.
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