Wednesday, October 21, 2009

It’s Time to Look Inside

You’ve spent a lot of time gazing at that too-fat frame in the mirror, frowning at the double chins and loathing those love handles. You’ve stared hard, trying to locate that thin, healthy person that wants so desperately to get out, wants so badly to take his or her place in this bright shiny world.

You know, I really do want this for you, but at the end of the day, that really matters not a whit. You’ve got to want it for yourself. And when I say you’ve got to want it, I mean something entirely different than “Gee, it sure would be nice if I dropped a few pounds one of these days.” You know as well as I do that one of these days is none of these days. In my mind, wanting it equates to resolution and responsibility, it equates to strength and sacrifice.

I have no doubt that you’ve got fortitude you didn’t even know you had. In fact, we all do. It’s just a matter of finding that reservoir of purpose and persistence that exists deep inside you and tapping into it. Find the strength to embrace healthy life-choices and do what you have to do to push away traps and temptations.

What’s stopping you? Your job? Your family? The stresses of your daunting and difficult life? Puh-leeeze! Don’t tell me it’s too hard, because there’s no damn way this is too hard for you. Too hard is losing a child or being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Too hard is becoming the victim of random violence or facing financial ruin. No matter how dire this weight problem seems, it is something that you can overcome. It is something you are going to overpower.

So again I ask, what’s stopping you? Or let me rephrase the question: why aren’t you doing it today? Six months ago I was in a bad place, feeling (at nearly 300 lbs) both as large as I’ve ever been and, at the same time, as small as I’ve ever been. A small amount of self-confidence, a small amount of pride.

The changes I made in my life were miniscule, in retrospect. They were the common sense corrections that each of us understand is the game plan for successful weight loss… eating less, eating healthier, exercising more. It really doesn’t have to be any more complex than that, but you’ve got to feel it somewhere deeper than your head or your heart. You’ve gotta reach down and find the “want-to” that’s going to power you past every roadblock, every hurdle, every barricade that stands between you and your goals.

If you’re here, reading these words, then chances are you’ve been talking this over with yourself for quite some time, debating your future with your full-figured reflection. Maybe even talking with others about this journey you know in your heart you need to make. Talking’s all well and good, my friend, but I invite you to start walking the walk. Start owning up to the challenge that’s right there in front of you. Start putting your health and happiness as the #1 priority on your to-do list.

When you’re down in a dark hole gripping tightly to a shovel, there’s an illogical, unreasonable temptation to dig, even though digging can’t get you back to safety and can only make a perilous predicament even worse. Now’s the time for you to set aside the spade, take a deep, cleansing breath and start making that long climb back into the sunshine. Climbing is hard work, to be sure, but you know what?

So is digging.

43 comments:

  1. Thank you. You made the hard words into a gentle conversation, and I think that will make the difference for a lot of people.

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  2. I've been playing victim lately, Jack. Having faced some of the things on your list of truly hard things, I find myself using those as an excuse to stay where I am. So, thanks again for the mirror.

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  3. Thanks Jack. No more digging my own hole, I am finally starting to get it.

    So happy for your success.

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  4. Hey jack thank you for pointing out the obvious. I am not being sarcastic sometimes the most obvious answer is right in front of us and we ignore it.

    You keep giving us hope, and encouragment to do the obvious, eat less, eat healthy and excerise....

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  5. Well now there seems to be a theme going between you and Tony "the Anti-Jared". Are you two in cahoots?

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  6. Absolutely awesome post!!!!!! YES, it takes digging & hard work and persistence and patience and strength and sacrifice BUT you & your health & your family are worth that!!

    I continue to fight the battle. Bodies change with age so learning to do this sooner rather than later will help with that. Keep fighting!

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  7. Jack -- great post! I'm having a tough week. I didn't "relapse" into bad habits but had to struggle not to do so. Thank you!

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  8. I have to admit to no longer being convinced that there is a slim person inside of me trying to get out... and that's where I fall over. It's not stopping me, because at least I am taking control and not endlessly putting on weight as I once was... but after 11 years and only ever getting to 162lb, I'm not even sure what I'd look like at my goal weight. I've never ever been slim before.

    But you are absolutely right - and I ALWAYS say this to people who moan to be about not losing weight and then I hear their excuses. They have to REALLY want it. One of my "friends" is resorting to a gastric band. I don't think it'll solve the underlying problems, and I suspect that if she had it removed, the weight would go right back on. She lost 3st with WW and then just gave up.

    I am as guilty as the next person of making excuses, but I know they are just excuses and that if I really wanted it, I would do anything that it took (the healthy way!)

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  9. Great post as always Jack! I'm glad to say I'm in the sunshine for the first time in my life *smile*.

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  10. I used to work for a man who would say "Ain't no step for a stepper." Thanks for the encouragement.

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  11. the changes we have to make really are miniscule in the grand scheme of thanks!

    thanks for another great push!

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  12. You're right. I have no excuse as to why I won't do it. Just that right now I'm not, and I want to.
    Thank you for the gentle kick in the ass that is sometimes needed to come from an outside source in order to see the 'light'

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  13. Great post. I'm going to put away the digging equipment and get out the ladder. Thanks for the boost.

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  14. Awesome, inspiring post. :)
    Felt good to read that and knowing that I'm already doing all the things I need to do.

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  15. I appreciate the compassionate nature of your post :)

    Thank goodness I am not waiting anymore.

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  16. Another great post that just cuts through the BS and makes me think.

    Thanks again.

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  17. Way to make me realize I should go for a run on lunch break, jerkface. I was contemplating blowing it off (again) in favor of donuts.

    Thanks. Seriously.

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  18. When you are down in that hole, it's so hard to see the light. I know. Everything seems so impossible. But the small changes you spoke of, that's the only sure way out. One small change at a time. Next thing you know those changes are habit. Pretty soon those habits become a lifestyle. Nice post Jack. Just the sort of thing that would have motivated me when I was back in that dark hole where I'm sure some of your readers might be right now.

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  19. Great post!

    This journey is as hard as I make it. True story!

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  20. deep cleansing breath. should start each day with one of those. re-dedication has to start each and everyday day, doesnt it?

    havent drilled in almost two weeks. in just a few days the habit of not sweating is already entrenched. uncanny, and NOT acceptable!

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  21. Great post. I think many many many people are in need of motivation right now...with the Fall season upon us. I have had to re-invent my intentions this week, too...and keep myself headed the right direction instead of spinning around in mindless circles. The cool thing is....that it is easier to roll a boulder DOWN hill than UPHILL. Once you get started....the momentum can carry you forward one good choice at a time. And that is what this is all about...making good choices. We ALL deserve to make good choices...our bodies deserve it, our loved ones deserve it...and our minds deserve it. Here's to GOOD CHOICES for the week ahead...the weeks ahead...the months ahead. Health and fitness vibes to you all. None of us is alone....we have such a great nice support system out there...even if the one in our own backyards is not as swell as it could be. Blogpower, baybeeee! :)

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  22. I love this post. For years I've been only talking about wanting to be healthier, exercising more. Excuses, excuses.

    In March my best friend thought: "well all she does is talking about exercise, I'll sign her up for a 5K race in June, then she has to start running". And I did and I'm still grateful that she put me in the right direction.

    I still talk to her a lot about healthy living and exercising only the difference this time is I'm really doing it.

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  23. :)
    The excuses can really get in the way for me. After an injury I've been pouting and slacking at getting back into fitness again.
    Thanks for the kick in the pants.

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  24. Right on! Yeah, that was one of those awesome aha moments. When I fell in a little hole (say, an unplanned piece of chocolate cake), is the logical thing to do climb out of it and keep walking (eat the next meal super healthy) or keep digging (give up and eat crap because I "failed"). That's why I'm totally a fan of moderation in everything (even moderation!).

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  25. For some people, all they've got is that shovel. Calling from the top, telling them to quit digging and start climbing...well, they have to trust that what is up there is worth climbing to...That's where the people who have made it, the people who drop the weight and maintain the drop...that's where they come in. Once I hit maintenance...I am going to start blogging about all the new crap I am doing now that I am (will be) fit and thin.
    DROP THE DAMN SHOVEL....START CLIMBING...Somebody has to be at the top encouraging. Go Jack Go...

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  26. Excellent post, Jack. I was in a car accident, nearly died, about 20 years ago. I could use this as my excuse...

    And I do, sometimes.

    But ya know, I still want, and the want can be stronger than the hurt. And the more I lose, the less it will hurt. So, working on less excuses, and more ex... ersizing.

    Thanks,
    Cat

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  27. Great post, Jack. getting started has always been one of the hardest parts for me. "digging" or "climbing". Never thought of their similarities. But you are right. They are both hard work, but onlu one of them leads to a longer more quality life. Good stuff.

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  28. Yet another great post. I especially like the last paragraph. It's so true! We do illogically keep digging (at least at first). I think I'm past the digging stage, but it's like I climbed halfway out of the hole and thought, "Well, I'm tired, and there's a bit more light here. I'll just rest here for a bit." But it's been something like 4 or 5 months! I need to start climbing again.

    Could you do a post on motivation? Like, tips?

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  29. It's what's on the inside that counts most. You're right. :) Like the before and now pics. Awesome!

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  30. You're right, the doing is as hard as the getting of a reward. No goal is unattainable. Thanks for the pep talk!

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  31. You *would* have to post this the day I was contemplating dragging out my shovel and digging yet another rose out of my yard...

    Seriously, it's a great post!

    And it's possibly too damp to go digging after the rain anyway.

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  32. thanks! I've needed some motivation lately. Great post!

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  33. Wonderful motivational post Jack. You are a good guy!

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  34. You know Jack, I threw my shovel away 4 1/2 months ago...and posts like these still bring a tear to my eye. I love to keep hearing it...I need to. It keeps me focused. It keeps my head down, my blinders on, and my big, fat ass on the straight and narrow. Never stop saying it, 'cause I never want to stop hearing it. Thank you. :)

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  35. Two serious posts in a row.

    This and the Corn Dog one.

    I love it!!!

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  36. I didn't read all the comments on this post- but I knew I wanted to comment and as I scrolled down, thinking about what I wanted to say (and scrolling and scrolling...you've got a TON of comments), one comment in particular caught my eye. Rachel421 said- you've got to rededicate everyday, don't you (or something to that effect) and I thought...YOU DO! You totally do. I love it. The one thing I wanted to contribute was this: I read once in an article that will power is like any other muscle in the body- the more you flex it, the stronger it gets. I love that quote too. I am learning to flex my will power muscle- and one day it will be pretty strong. I can't wait! Thanks for the motivation Jack!

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  37. I started my new, healthy lifestyle in April, and I've seen so many positive results. I've lost weight, gained inner confidence in myself because I know I can do this...and you're right. I can do it. I am doing it, and next April I'm going to be really glad I started last April. I'm already thrilled.
    Thanks for that post...

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  38. *nods*
    ever so wise. i always find myself nodding to your posts and saying out loud so true so true. thanks jack.

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  39. Oh my GOD... those are JUST THE WORDS I needed to hear... and you're right... digging that hole and climbing out of it both take it out of you. But where would I rather be.

    Honestly...wow....

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