Top 5 Lessons Learned!

I posted this on my blog but maybe it can also help someone else. Enjoy!


Things that I have learned in the last 142 days and learned the hard way:

1. Lifestyle change does not equal misery. I am still enjoying delicious foods. I don't deprive myself of the things that I love. God gave me the ability to enjoy sour, sweet and spicy foods, therefore, I thoroughly enjoy that gift given unto me. The difference is that I have learned to use portion control (although I fail sometimes and that's ok, too). Example: Instead of eating a whole cheesecake in a week by myself, I now am more willing to share and have slivers of cheesecake instead of a HUGE slice. ;=)

2. I need to be aware/conscious/alert at all times of what I'm about to eat/purchase. Before I would go grocery shopping not reading a single label. Now, I get frustrated when I want to buy something and it does NOT have a label. Dang it people. You're not helping my lifestyle change. ;=) Same applies to eating out. I love places that have calories on the menu but I'm upset when they don't have it because normally it means that you're up a creek without a paddle. Walk away from that restaurant!!!!

3. You need a support system. I love my MFP buddies. They pick me up when I'm down and inspire me with their accomplishments. I love to encourage and it feels darned great when they encourage me back. I love to have people (family/friends/strangers) around me that do what they can to help me with my struggles instead of adding to the struggle.

4. It will take time!! Mirna, please repeat this a couple more times to yourself. Before I got pregnant I was around 148. After I had my son in April 2004, I was around 194 lbs. When I started here on MFP I was 242. That's about 94 lbs. I gained these pounds over 8 years. 8 years !!!! To expect that I will be a skinny mini by a short time is NOT realistic of me. I have to exercise patience along with the rest of my body. Not an easy thing to ask of me but slowly doing it.

5. Love yourself. A comedienne one said grab your fat and say I love you. I'm not telling you to love your fat otherwise none of us would be here trying to lose the weight. However, what I'm saying is to love the body that you're currently working with. Sometimes things happen in our life that affect how we feel, think and see ourselves. While I personally have not liked the body that I have been residing in, I love the fact that now that I'm trying to mold it, it still works for me. Most days it does what I ask of it. Mind you, it sometimes rebels with aches and pains but nonetheless, it does what I ask and need it to do. So for whatever reason you're trying to change your life, eating and exercise habits, do it because above all else you love yourself and you want to enjoy your life to the fullest.

These are some things that are helping me. Hopefully they will help you in some way, too.

Galatians 5:22, 23 states (more or less): "On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control."

Love yourself, enjoy the journey you're on, may it bring peace to your life, be patient with yourself and your weight loss, be kind to yourself, have faith that you will have the power to exercise self-control and achieve all your goals.