3.23.2010

You ARE doing it...

Hey all...
First, I got a few comments on how hard it was to read my blog...I sometimes allow my love of color or style to over rule function...but if it's that hard to read..and this being a blog and all...lol. Thought I would switch it up...and the name of this style is Pookie, which is my little brother's nickname...so I thought I would go with it...anywhoozle..on to the post.

How are you today.
It's snowing here.
yup
snowing.
it's spring.
I just want to say right now..
If I ever see Al Gore...
I'm going to smack him in his big fat Gob.
That having been said, I did my workout today. 1 hour on my elliptical and 200 sit-ups and 36 push-ups. (those are a recent addition...when I saw my arm fat flapping in the breeze I thought, "Hey, maybe I should do a few push-ups"...so I did.)

moving on.
I want to talk to all of you out there who are in your first couple of weeks of your 'new lifestyle' or maybe even a month or so in.

I bet you do what I did.
Look around at blogs.
Think
WOW!
This person has lost a ton of weight.
Look at that weight roll. (;oP Mine's at the bottom of the page...lol)
week after week after week....
They have been at this for a very long time!
I have only been doing this for a few weeks.
Can I keep it up that long.
What if I fail?
What if I lose all my fat and I have so much loose skin I can take up a second career as a flying squirrel?
What if I get all gung ho, then lose my mojo and make myself a laughing stock at the next family get together?
What if someone finds out I BLOG...reads it and finds out how much I WEIGH!!!
Well, as terrible as all those things MIGHT be..they don't compare to continuing to live in self imposed misery.
All I have to say is this;
You ARE doing it.
If today was your FIRST day...
my Goodness...
congratulations on the first day of the rest of your life.
This could be the day you look back on as the day you turned your life around.
That is a fantastic thought, isn't it.
I said once that you shouldn't ask yourself if 'this is the time' until you can answer yes.

I meant that.
The best way to muddle through is the same way you got fat.
By doing it.
You do it until it's just what you do.
It sure doesn't feel like it's just "what you do" when you first start, Does it?
It feels like an uphill slog through a thousand pounds of dog poop.
Fear Of Failure dogging your steps at every turn...Aunt Mathilda hounding you with her fat o the month club recipes...husbands balking at the idea of chicken burgers...children and good friends telling you your 'just fine'.
It can feel like you are alone.
You aren't.
In the land of blogdom, there are some of the nicest and most supportive people you will ever want to meet.

Fight off the doubt in your own head and keep going.
You see, the momentum of time...the constant slide of hours...the in and out of days.
In the beginning, they are like a hill to climb.
You put one foot in front of the other...
You will have days when you feel like you've been on this hamster wheel of hell forever...
Then there will be days when You feel like you have just begun.
There will be days you muff it on a scale so epic it makes the movie Cleopatra look like a small town summer run production.
There will be Days of Victory when You are convinced...given time and a few more pounds, Jillian Michaels will be out of a job, and you will be hawking your own particular brand of bad @ss.
Then one DAY, you will look back and realize that you have been doing
IT
for months and months..
Heck, maybe even a year or two.
But just know, that day is no different than today.
YOU ARE DOING IT.
Every day counts,
including today...
today most of all because
Today is all you have.
It's all you can control.
You are doing it.
Keep up the great work.
Hugs,
Chris

26 comments:

Brenda said...

Good thoughts and encouragement.

I agree, Al Gore needs a swift kick in his global-warming pants!

Shae said...

Thanks Chris!

paulawannacracker said...

I needed to read yours and Sheryl aka bitch cakes post tonight. It's not easy. We have set backs but we gotta just keeping pluggin away. Doing our thing.

Your workouts have really inspired me of late. Today I walked 2 miles and did the elliptical for 30minutes. Feels really good to mix things up.

You're awesome!!! and I like the colors

Julie, The Accidental Fat Chick said...

Great post for those just starting out (and probably anyone struggling). I love how you've been thinking of the newbies; I'm sure they really appreciate it. :)

Kim said...

Thanks for that. :) Awesome post. Yes...I will be my own brand of BADASS!! Eye of the Tiger baby!

Kelli Campbell said...

wow thanks chris..you are so cool..such a great friend..iam a month and two days changing my life..almost a month blogging..i like it! loveya,kelli

Boozy Tooth said...

I absolutely adore how inspiring you are Chris. Even at goal, we diet chicks need support and inspiration to stay focused while we maintain.

As usual, all your words are spot on {and hilarious... flying squirrel!!}.

Love you girl. And three cheers for chicken burgers~

Anonymous said...

As usual, a wonderful post. And you are one of those amazing people that stands out to a newbie surfing blogs. Just sayin.

Vagabonds Mercantile said...

Previously I could only skim your post because it was so hard to read, but it was cute.

So today I read it word for word , great post. You are so right, one day at at time starting with today.

karen@fitnessjourney said...

First, thanks for changing the color. My poor old eyes are not what they used to be. LOL!

Great thoughts for the day. It isn't easy to stay on track when we live in a culture where 2/3 of the population is suffering from clinical obesity. Overeating and inactivity are a way of life. It does sometimes feel (because it's true) those of us struggling to lead a healthy life are in the minority. We need each other as support.

I hope Jillian Michaels is never out of a job. Hopefully she will have a long career helping people further their fitness. Besides, I am developing a soft spot for the Devil in a Sports Bra. (Sorry Chris, I know you love her!)

Helen said...

"The hamster wheel of hell forever" pretty much describes my life since I turned 30. But where would I be if I gave up? Way worse than where I am now so I keep on.

Laura said...

As a "newbie", I really appreciate this post. I've been thinking lots about making this last and I think your post really helps me with the reality of the situation. This is the time just because it is, I just got to take it day by day and keep chipping away at the fat! Thanks Chris :)

Dutch said...

I was one of those people that were having a hard time reading your blog but I never want to say anything because everyone has there own style on how they want there blog to look.
Your post was very inspirational to me today. I have been on my better lifestyle since Jan. 8th and the last few days I have been struggling. I might come back and read this entry a few times today so I can remember why I am doing this.
Thanks for this post and have a great day.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the comments over on my blog...yes, the world is opening up for me. This divorce I think will be the BEST thing to happen for me in a really long time!

Great post! The newbies and those struggling with their weight loss journey will definitely benefit from your post! Great job!

Unknown said...

Everyday counts!!! So true! :)

Putz said...

i ate a piece of bacon today, am i lost LOST lost/????????????????

Retta said...

I have pretty good vision, but was having a hard time reading the bottom portion... it got darker on my screen. So thanks so much for your consideration. That was nice of you!
Loretta
=^..^=

Tony said...

There is light!

Sean Anderson said...

Very nice. Very good post.

I love the new layout by the way.

My best always
Sean

Anonymous said...

First, THANK YOU for the background & font color changes! So much easier for me to see. I appreciate it very much!

Second, 200 sit ups!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure I can do 1. You go, girl!

Third, Loved this post. Yes, one day at a time. We can do this--that doll's not gonna win this time.

Fourth. "Flying squirel" lol. lol. :D

Deb

MB said...

Love the new look. It's so much easier on the eyes - thank you.

Another great post! You are so inspiring.

I'm happy to finally be able to say "it's just what I do" instead of beating myself up about not doing it.

M Pax said...

Toning, weights and time will take care of the flabby skin. Patience. It takes a lot of patience.

Some good skin lotion can help, too.

At any rate, does it matter? You're going to be healthier and living a better quality of life. :) You can hide the flappy skin with cute clothes.

Love the new layout.

Tammy said...

lmao @ flying squirrel.....

And I still remember Dwayne balking at my delicious chicken burgers...he ate one a few months ago and hasn't had another one since, lol. Whatever.

Linda Pressman said...

Great encouraging words for people new at this and it helps to remind you where you came from.

Tara said...

Thanks for the great post...

3 months into this journey and I still feel like a newbie. I often wonder if I'll ever make it to the big leagues and then I remind myself that 30 pounds gone is pretty big leagish!

But I'm still a newbie, always learning from those ahead of me so that I can teach those behind me.

Anonymous said...

Great post Chris...I feel like running across the room and hugging you!!!

I also love your new layout. I have eye problems and was having a really hard time reading your posts.