What does success taste like?

When I decided to invest in a weight loss program, I dropped some pretty substantial money (at least, for me). But I wanted to be serious about it. I needed the money as a driving factor. I needed the accountability of tracking my eating and exercise habits and telling someone why I did or didn't do what I knew I should. But I wrote that check still thinking that I would fail.

Not that I had failed that often. More often than not, I would tell myself I should do something, but never did anything about it. I rationalized that I didn't look like I weighed over 200 pounds. So it must not be too bad, right??? WRONG! But I still didn't believe that I could make it. I thought my body would fail me, that my mind would distract me, and that my heart would deceive me.

I wanted to taste success. I wanted to look in the mirror and like what I saw (not just rationalize that it couldn't be that bad. . .). I wanted to be able to run after a ball when playing with my kids. I wanted to be able to walk with my children (and grandchildren when I have them) without the use of a cane or walker. I wanted to be physically fit.

What I found was that I could make tiny successes. I went from drinking 12 cups of coffee a day to one cup. I went from drinking water only when there was absolutely nothing else available to craving it more than anything else. I went from choosing chocolate to choosing carrots, ricecakes, and bananas.

The journey was slow. My first official weigh in had me UP a pound! See, I told you this wouldn't work.

But, then in two weeks, I was down 4 pounds. After a month, I was down 13 pounds. Before I knew it, two months had passed and I was down a whole size. The clothes I had recently had to suck my gut in to get into were becoming loose and baggy. I had to wear belts.

By my 30th birthday, I was under 190, and quickly feeling better about myself. In late July, I went to a public pool and didn't wear a wrap over my swimsuit the WHOLE time. I hit a plateau in August, but by mid-September, I was safely in the low 170s.

Tomorrow I weigh in again. It has been 28 weeks, and to date, I have lost 55 pounds. My goal for tomorrow is to break into the 150s. I have less a pound to lose (since Tuesday--two days ago) to get there. I lost two pounds between Monday and Tuesday. I am now within five pounds of my goal weight! ! !

I have gone from a size 20 jean, to a size 12P. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

And what I have found is this:

Success tastes like sweat after a good workout. It tastes like a fresh spinach salad. It feels like muscles burning from being worked. It looks like a woman in a slinky black dress, three inch heels and turning every head in the room.

Success requires commitment and will power. But most of it all, it requires CHANGE. What you did to get fat isn't going to help get you thin and healthy. It's a choice, and it won't be easy. But everyone can do it, when they make the commitment and effort.

YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Don't wait for anyone to encourage or tell you to do it. Make your own choice and just do it!