“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
This quote, from writer Maria Robinson, came into my life at the perfect time. Just a few days prior, I’d stepped onto the scale only to realize that I had gained about 5 pounds. My jeans did seem a little tight, but I thought maybe they just shrunk in the dryer the last time I washed them. OK, OK—I had to admit that I’d indulged in a few too many heavy meals and sugary treats, and I’d skipped my daily gym session more than a couple of times each week. I felt sorry for myself after seeing those numbers on the scale—so sorry I almost chose not to do anything about it. Losing the weight the first time was hard enough, and while I hadn’t gained all 23 pounds back, losing weight for the second time seemed nearly impossible. When I lost that initial weight, I knew I needed to continue to work hard to maintain my loss. But I got a little too comfortable, and I’d let my healthy habits slide.
I had nearly resigned myself to living with tighter jeans when I came across that quote. It so easily applied to weight loss, and it gave me the motivation to recommit myself to my healthy habits.
Losing those pesky 5 pounds proved easier than I thought, because I already had all the necessary tools in place. I knew what healthy strategies worked for me—like starting the day with a hearty breakfast and including regular strength training in my workouts. And I didn’t allow myself to dwell on the mistakes that caused my weight gain. I buckled down, focused on my goal, and put my weight-loss plan into action. As soon as I recommitted to my healthy habits, the pounds steadily melted off in about six weeks.
So what’s the moral of the story—other than the fact that losing 5 pounds is obviously easier than losing 25? Weight gain and weight loss can happen at any stage, but I am in control of them. If I alter my healthy lifestyle habits, it will show up on the scale. If I don’t give 100% effort, my jeans may feel a little more snug. If I work hard and have confidence in my healthy choices, I will maintain my Feel Great Weight. Weight loss may seem difficult, but as long as you don’t dwell on the past, you can start today and make a new ending for yourself.
Read Tina’s daily food and fitness blog, Carrots ‘N’ Cake.
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Comments (9)
What a great thought. I will keep it in my trick bag. Thank you.
Inspiration. 5 lbs easier to think about than 20 lbs.
I have a question, you put on five pounds was this five pounds outside of the range that you give yourself? I weight anywhere between 110 and 115 but I feel the best between these two however if I reach 120 Im not bummed, just curious how you ranked the weight gain.
This is what I’m going through, but on a larger (literally) scale. I lost 50+ pounds, getting down to 180, but then slowly gained everything back, plus some. So now I’m at 280 trying to lose 100 pounds to get back to where I was. It isn’t ideal, but I’d give anything to not have to work to get back to that point, to just be working on myself from 180. Oh well. I’m blogging about my experience coming back down the scale, if anyone wants to check it out: http://bit.ly/AqlE8
Great point. It can be easy to become lax once one’s at a comfortable place, but it’s not the end of the world (or one’s confidence). Thanks for your positive outlook.
http://masteringpublichealth.wordpress.com
It’s amazing how easy five pounds can creep on and multiply if you don’t take action. Sometimes I find that its the extra 3 or 5 pounds that are the hardest to lose! :)
http://www.lessonsinmoderation.worpress.com
This is the perfect post for me right now. I am about 5 lbs up from my ‘feel great weight’ right now, and I totally need to up the strength training and cut back on the desserts!
Thanks for the inspiration TINA!
thanks for the great quote and continued motivation!
This is sooo funny because I have been talking about the extra five pounds I have gained and I am on a mission to get back to my feel great weight!!!