Happiness vs. 'fatness'

As I was climbing Mt.Fløien yesterday, busting my butt, I felt happy. I was exhausted, I was sweating, I was panting like someone was trying to drown me .... but I felt great. For some reason, I have started to find joy and a sense of accomplishment just by making an effort in my weight loss journey - and not solely from reaching goals on the scale. Take a moment to think about that. Finding happiness through trying, as opposed to only being fulfilled by a number.

I am still over 240lbs, but I feel better than I have .... probably in my entire life. I am getting fit again, my endurance is better, I am making the choices I used to wish I had - but never did. Suddenly, what was so hard.... is so easy. I give myself credit for all the positive changes I am making, and I know in my heard that they will amount to something great. Through baby steps I have found confidence in my own abilities. You can't take your soul and mind out and weigh it, but it can sure weigh you down. If I was going to get stuck on the number my scale shows, I would still have that cloud hanging over my head. The one that says I am fat. I am disgusting. People are revolted by me. And worse. You know the thoughts I am talking about.

The thoughts that say I am not worth anything.

 
'Fatness' can not equal unhappiness, or not being worth anything. Finding a voice inside you that says "you are worth it", and just as important "you can do it" - is something you can not succeed without. Keep a journal, write about your positive steps and accomplishments! Brag about your killer workouts! Take pictures of your healthy foods and make a tiny book of them for inspiration. Get involved, get your family involved. Make that fat friend come with you, if they resent you for it at first - they will thank you later. Write down all the things you are doing well, and read them time and time again. If you can't judge yourself fairly, let others do it for you. Some days 10 minutes of exercise is all you can manage, fine - make it happen. Make all the changes you need in your life; know that you can - and let the act of doing so provide happiness, and not just the results that will follow.


Yes, I am fat. Obese, even. But I am more than that! I am the change I need to turn my life around! I am responsible for making my life better! I am taking charge and climbing mountain after mountain thinking that this will save me! I am making those chicken salads, and I am making those packed lunches. I am changing into my workout clothes the minute I get home from school, so I know I won't drop out. I am everything I need to succeed. I am pretty great.

I make myself happy because I keep working on what will change my life.

I am doing it. Every day. Step by step, bite by bite, choice by choice.

That's worth being happy about!!

Happy hiker ♥

Please - pretty please, write a post about this topic yourself. I sincerely believe that it will help you in your journey, as it has helped me. And I can probably guarantee that it won't hurt you at least. Link up, because I would LOVE to come read your thoughts about it - and I'm sure others would too!!