Listen. I've been wanting to lose weight for over 15 years. I've pinched my stomach, I've pouted at the mirror, and I've groaned when looking at pictures and videos of me. The want has been obvious and looming, like an annoying child pulling at my leg, whining and screaming and yanking and growling at me. And I've tried to ignore it, tell myself and that child that I like the way I look, that I can hit the gym tomorrow, that as long as I only eat one piece of pie, no matter how big that piece is, it's still okay. I've put my desires and wants over my needs.
And now I need to lose weight. Thankfully, not for any pressing medical reasons (currently), but for my own personal reasons. I need to lose weight because I need to feel like I'm treating my body well. I need to lose weight so I can feel good about the food I put into my mouth and the calories I burn from exercising and being active. I need to lose weight so that I can feel confident in my progress when I put on a bathing suit or nice dress and feel sexy and beautiful. I need to lose weight so I can accept the fact that I am deserving of love and care from a significant other. I need to lose weight so I can accomplish my fitness goals of running a marathon and then a triathalon.
Here's the thing. I don't need to lose weight to do these things. That's what I always thought, that I needed to be thin to do these things. I WANT to lose weight to do them. And I know I can do all of these and still be overweight and also feel good in life. But I know that I CAN'T do these things if I'm not treating my body well. If I'm constantly eating poorly and sitting on the couch and drinking alcohol and not TRYING.
So that's where the change comes in. Recently, I've realized that, no matter what weight I'm at, I won't be happy and accepting in my body if I'm not treating it well. If I'm not respecting it and loving it for all it does and showing it love by feeding it healthy, energy-filled foods and praising it with exercise and activity, then what's the point?I need to step up and take care of my body, and if, due to change, I end up losing weight, then that's just a bonus! The goal of getting healthy and treating my body better is what I'm striving for, and I know that this challenge will help me accomplish just that!