It's January second and I'm ready to be a New Year's cliche. I've eaten a lot these past couples of months. Let's start that around Thanksgiving. Right after my two weeks of clean eating I just threw in the towel and ate. I'm bloated and craving sugar, but I'm ready for this.
I'm going to lay it all out here: This year I am going to be healthy. I am going to lose weight. I am going to be able to move. I'm going to do things that frighten me. I'm going to buckle an airplane seat belt and tighten it. I'm going to find out what it's like to stop being polite and start getting real. Wrong show, but you get the picture!
I've been reading Julia Child's : My Life in France (which I highly recommend) and I love what she says on page 77:
I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make. When one's hostess starts in with self-deprecations... it is so dreadful to have to reassure her that everything is delicious and fine, whether it is or not. Besides, such admissions only draw attention to one's shortcomings (or self-perceived shortcomings), and make the other person think, "Yes, you're right, this really is an awful meal!"
This philosophy can be applied, not just to food, but for any instance where we put ourselves out there for the public. I have made big claims around here, I've accomplished small goals, I've forgotten about many big ones, I don't need to make excuses for myself as to why I weigh eerily exactly the same as I did January 2009. Or why I've lost and gained the same 20 lbs. for two years.
The truth is, is that I am not unlike so many people who are trying to lose weight. The only difference is that I have chosen to share (albeit less and less this past year.) I could feel bad about my failed promises with myself or you, the people taking time to read my blog all this time, but what good would that do?
Losing weight is more than keeping up with a weight loss blog. It's real work, not words. And I realize that now more than ever. I've worked hard to get my blog where I want it to be, Josh has worked hard so that people can find me in google. And they do, but what are they finding? I want them to find hope and inspiration and I have that in myself this year.
I'm moving on. This is where I stop making promises and excuses. It's now or never. The plan is simple: to lose 12 lbs. a month (some months may be more, or less, but overall a general loss of 12 lbs), to photograph myself at the beginning of every month and to blog about the process.
2010 is a blank book waiting for us to fill in the pages. What will be your story for the year?
Today I weigh 290.5
Very well said…I love your outlook. It is very similar to mine this year. 2009 is gone and my pages to the new year 2010 are blank, time to fill them up with much success. I am here with you…one day at a time.
Let’s go!
Wow, you and I have a lot in common. I weigh just about the same as I did last year. I tried numerous times over the year to get it in gear, but failed each time.
A few years back I lost 75lbs over 2 years. I remember my mindset when I began that January. I didn’t really make any goals but took it one day at a time and stayed focused. I realize that it’s not a race, it’s our life and it’s something we are going to have to deal with for the rest of our lives. I have to face the facts that I can’t hurt my body by what I’ve been doing to it lately or it’s going to start giving me health problems that I won’t be able to turn around.
I’m ready to change my lifestyle and take care of my body the way it should be. Let’s get going!!
Woo woo girl! It’s our year!
‘Atta girl! I can’t wait to see your posts for this year!
Kudos to you for getting back to the writing. You are an inspiration to others and you give us all hope. That is why we Google you and then follow you! Whether the scale says you have made it or not, is not the outcome. Focus on your true goal…the one of inspiration!
You inspire me!
I hope you’re proud of yourself for taking these first steps, because you should be. Life is hard, losing weight is harder, and meeting your goal weight is the hardest of all. This is your year!
Good luck with 2010. You are really brave to put yourself out there. Maintaining your 2009 weight is not really failure–consider the alternative. I once gained 19 pounds in my first Christmas season in WV (all kinds of home-made things that I had never tasted–who actually makes CANDY!!). Those 19 pounds are still with me along with a lot more. I hope that this is our year!
Great quote from Julia, and what a wonderfully honest and refreshing post. This is not an easy process - not by a long shot - but it’s what you learn and who you become along the way that’s most important. You’ve seeded your roots and are about to blossom. Can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for you.
I can’t wait to see your posts this year. Have a great time in Baltimore! That’s only about 2 hours west of where I am.
Cant wait to do it right along with you!
Sounds promising. I love that passage. Can definitely be applied to life in general.
I wish you the best of luck. I totally understand what you are saying. I will be following you and maybe together we can stay motivated. Losing 100lbs in 2010! @Fatmangettingskinny
Good for you. I am beginning my weight loss journey all over again today. I just discovered your blog and really enjoy reading it and the other blogs I discovered. So much so I just began one. Look forward to reading more about your journey.
I discovered you blog early last year and it was one of the blogs that influenced me and made me ultimately decide to create my own blog. I wish you well in your journey and look forward to seeing you complete you goals.
where has your blog been all my life? i just stumbled upon it and felt like i could be reading my very own. i love your honesty, but most of all i love that you mentioned julia…love her. thank u!
I just saw your site. I was looking for motivation to keep me on my quest to finally lose a little weight. Keep it up, it’s going to be a struggle, but definitely will be worth it in the end.
you really are inspiring! im in the same situation and i totally know where you’re coming from! my mom and i have already signed up for the downsize program at work and we are going to do it this year! best wishes to you!!!
Good Luck Girl! I look forward to watching your journey and hopefully following the same one. I am starting out at 284.2…and i know what its like. Heres to a new you in 2010!!
You have a great outlook!! You will get to where you want to be. I can hear it.
Onward~ Jill
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog (not really sure how…linking from site to site…) and I plan to follow your journey! On January 4th - when I started mine, I weighed just 1 pound more than you…and posted my weight on my blog…first time letting the public know this info (let alone my husband!). I wish you the best in your endeavors and will add you to my blog roll and follow your journey!
Holly in MN
i really like that quote! good luck with your journey this year! Cheers to 2010