Friday, August 22, 2008

Nothing, or No One, is going to Stand in my Way

I love the consulting part of my business because I always get a consultation myself! Everytime I talk with someone about dieting and weight loss I remind myself of things I know to be true....I know they're true, because I've already lived the experience of successful weight loss. Like many of we just forget, or we use excuses. "I don't have the time", "Life is too stressful right now", "I've tried before, and the weight came back, so it must not have worked" (that's one of my favorites!).

Well, with all of these excuses, and more, why is it that we are ever able to lose weight? Because we all have been able to lose weight at one time or another, haven't we? I mean, it might not have been all the weight we wanted to, but we have all lost excess bodyweight, even if it's been only a pound. I think we all know that's weight loss is pure science, calories in....calories out. Then why is it easier sometimes than others to chose to eat less? Motivation.

Where is your motivation level? What's it going to take for you to do what you say you want to do?

I've been saying for months now that I want to weigh less. But I'm still eating too much food....no mystery, the scale tells me so. Why am I eating too much food? Don't know, don't care. I obviously don't have the level of motivation I once had.....but can I get it back? Hell ya!

I had to ask myself what is different, now, than it was the last time I was motivated to do what I said I wanted. I had to look deep, to feel deep inside for the answer, what was the truth about it? This is what I came up with.....

When I decided...when I reminded myself, that I knew how to lose this extra weight, I was going to do it......no one, and nothing was going to stop me. I didn't care what anyone had to say about how I was doing it, it was no ones business. I knew what I needed to do and I did it. Do you know, besides the 6 other women I started the 'weightloss bet' with, I told no one what I was doing? No one. Not my friends, not my clients, my own mother didn't find out until I had lost 90lbs! I didn't need anyones opinion, judgement or advice....especially because they had never done what I knew I was going to do, which was to lose 100lbs!

If that meant not eating out, or eating someone else's food, then that was it....no exceptions. No birthday parties, no workplace potlucks, no wedding receptions, etc. that I couldn't take my own food choices to....period. If that meant staying within a particular range of daily calories, then that was it....period. If it meant walking everyday, even having to wake up early or walk during a lunchbreak, then that was it....period. And you know what? I didn't have to lose all of my weight to start feeling better, to feel in control again, it happened every moment I made myself the priority, because I knew what I was capable of.

Letting myself gain so much extra weight I had fallen asleep, I had disconnected from my body. I was looking for blame, looking to prove that life wasn't fair. Trying to feel better about myself when I couldn't be thin I looked to be perfect in other areas of my life to try and prove I was worthy. Well, I am worthy, we are all worthy, and capable to do what we say we want, no excuses. And nothing, or no one, can stand in our way.

15 comments:

Nikki Shlosser said...

"I didn't have to lose all of my weight to start feeling better, to feel in control again, it happened every moment I made myself the priority, because I knew what I was capable of."

I love this quote, Tracy.

Christine said...

That last paragraph got me. Sing it, sister!
-C

Tracy Reifkind said...

nikki,

I always knew I was capable of losing the weight, what I didn't know was the miracle of the body's resislience. Thanks to KB's I look as if I never weighed 250lbs for a good portion of my adult life.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Christine,

Excuses are what we let stand in our way...so I guess it's us...WE stand in our own way.

Concrete Queen said...

Tracy,
You hit the nail on the head. Let nothing Stand in your way ... Like Christine said ......
" Sing it Sister ! "

Franz Snideman said...

"Letting myself gain so much extra weight I had fallen asleep, I had disconnected from my body. I was looking for blame, looking to prove that life wasn't fair. Trying to feel better about myself when I couldn't be thin I looked to be perfect in other areas of my life to try and prove I was worthy. Well, I am worthy, we are all worthy, and capable to do what we say we want, no excuses. And nothing, or no one, can stand in our way."

Awesome Tracy! I am still waiting for a book to come out?

Christine said...

I would have never guessed for a minute you once weighed 250. You look fabulous and your face shows you feel fabulous! You are a great motivator!

Concrete Queen said...

Some of you know Tracy, others know her Story...
She's a Fantastic Motivator ! been lucky to have her in my life, Proud she's been my Friend for more than 25 yrs.
"Here's To You Chika !"

Wee Little Me said...

"Letting myself gain so much extra weight I had fallen asleep, I had disconnected from my body. I was looking for blame, looking to prove that life wasn't fair."

WOW that really strikes a chord with me.

Anonymous said...

great post tracy! your work has inspired me, I am down to 155lbs from 170 lbs since May 1 the day after my 37th birthday......thank you for helping me understand that I was standing in my own way and for introducing me to putting anchovy in my salad LOL !! You are the luckiest bitch on the planet!

Regina

Tracy Reifkind said...

Concrete,

You have never let anyone or anything stand in your way, now it's time to apply that to your body and your health. I'm so proud of you for showing up, doing your workouts.... every week, witout fail...that, already, is way more than most people are willing to admit they neeed to do, much less do it!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Franz,

I guess I'm still "A work in progress". Soon though, I'm finding my niche.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Christine,

I think I'm starting the "boost protocol" today...yikes!

The body is amazing, in the fact that it can regain such health, and strengh.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Wee,

I really think that my compulsion to overeat is connected to wanting to "even out the score", in relation to life not being fair.

In other words I feel as if I have to eat all the food I can get my hands on, before anyone else does, or before I "miss out".

Tracy Reifkind said...

Regina,

15 pounds!!!! Sounds like you're the luckiest bitch on the planet, LOL! Congratulations, keep it up.