Rise to the Challenge

This is hard work, isn’t it?

Day in and day out, battling against all types of temptation, against time and apathy, against the inner demons that would see you fail in this quest to remake yourself.

Each day is its own unique challenge, that’s what I’ve found as I’ve baby-stepped my way through nearly a year of eating a little less, eating a little healthier and making exercise a daily part of my life.

Some days I feel like I’m on top of the world and that continuing my good work will be nothing short of child’s play. Every meal satisfies me, every workout invigorates me. I do not question my plan or myself. I make my way through the day with pride and with purpose.

I am on track.

Those are the good days.

Then there are the times where I wake up wondering when the inevitable backslide is going to happen, when that messed-up part of my brain will begin dragging me back into the abyss that I’ve fallen into time and time again.

I get hungry and feel weak. My workout feels like slogging through wet cement. I wonder if I’ve got the strength, the stamina to keep doing what I’m doing.

I feel lost, alone, afraid.

Those are the better days.

Crazy kookoo, huh? They’re the better days, because I work my way through those miserable patches, and I wind up a little stronger in the process. I get through those dark days and I realize that there’s no stopping me now, no quitting on this journey. No going back this time.

I am on a great adventure.

I don’t know how things are going for you right now, but I suspect you’re having the same mix of good days and not-so-good days as I am. Times when it seems easy as pie, times when it seems tougher than nails.

I encourage you to take the good times as they come and marvel at just how good they can be. Rejoice in the empowering sensation of saying “no” and pat yourself on the back for all the good decisions you make during the course of a day. Celebrate the incredible feeling of a well-earned sweat or a mini-goal attained.

As for those rough times? Grit your teeth and get through them with as much grace and good will as you can manage. It doesn’t have to be pretty, doesn’t have to be textbook. Just stagger through it as best you can and keep in mind that no one… and I repeat, no one… gets through this without suffering setbacks and detours.

It just doesn’t happen.

I firmly believe that we will make it to where we’re headed. I know I will, and I suspect you will, too. We’ve simply come too far to turn back, experienced too much to be satisfied with giving anything other than our very best effort.

No matter what kind of day it turns out to be, I have faith that we… you and I … will make it through it just fine.

Be strong.

Have faith.

Believe.


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