One of the things I love about working out is that I just have to show up. It's not half the battle, it's 99% of it. Once I show up, working out just happens, so it's just a matter of putting it in the calendar or making a date with a friend to go. This morning, I got myself up and to the gym and even though the getting there was painful, the workout yielded immediate positive biofeedback - endorphins, feelings of strength and self-confidence.
I often underestimate what a mental challenge getting and staying fit is. The physical challenges of exertion and withdrawal from certain foods are nothing compared with the challenges of patience, resilience, and being compassionate when faced with disappointment, struggle, or setbacks. I know that committing to and showing up day after day is taking the sandpaper to the sculpture to slowly but surely create my vision. I'm now looking for ways to track & celebrate small progress on this long term path.