Loss: -.4
Total loss: -76.3
Emotion: Dogged
Ever taken an unruly dog on a walk and nearly gotten your arm jerked out of the socket as he struggles and strains against the tug of the leash?
That's how my weight-loss journey feels these days. I'm trying to do right but seem to be constantly fighting forces beyond my control.
I have a long history of massive losses followed almost immediately by inexplicable climbs back up the obesity ladder. Even though I know better, my mutt of a body seems to catch a scent of something it wants to chase and it’s all I can do to keep my fingers clenched tightly around the leash.
I have a bad week, see a jump on the scale and give the leash a hearty jerk. I loosen my grip for a moment, thinking I've got things back under control, and then... LOOK, A SQUIRREL!
However, I have a leash and it’s strong and well-made. It’s woven out of sweat and commitment, forged from well-earned wisdom and the support of family and friends. It’s triple-reinforced with the will of a community of like-minded individuals, and while there may be a little give in it, there’s no way that sucker’s gonna break.
Sure, there’s a part of me that longs to break free and run wild as I have in the past. But there’s a stronger voice that takes over these days. A voice that instills confidence, demands discipline. It’s the voice that will keep me on the right path and lead me back home when the day is done.
We are all the masters of our own destinies, keepers of our own leashes. Whether yours is way-too-slack or trim and tight, I encourage you to hold on for all you’re worth.
->
I got a new leash recently...it's like a bunge cord instead of a hard, fast leather strap...it lets me chase the squirrels but keeps me within the journey...........LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy!!!! Comparing losing weight to walking an easily distracted, large dog that wants to go here (chocolate cake) and there (pizza) and everywhere (a buffet) is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think I can use this one in my own journey. Thank you for the insight.
Love this analogy....
ReplyDeletefabulous post, Jack. I feel like i've finally got the leash hooked and starting to get under control. :) FINALLY
ReplyDeleteI love analogies and this is a great one.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jack!!!! Who's leading who ? I'm trying to lead the dog here!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post Jack!!!!
ReplyDeleteRight on the nose, Jack. As always. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteJanece
@gourmetmama
I've got nothing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post.
The end.
Great analogy. I know I need to train my dog on this journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack. It helps to see the voices can be tamed, even if they never go away.
ReplyDeletethis is my favorite post of yours I've ever read. including all the (hilarious) notecard posts.
ReplyDelete"
We are all the masters of our own destinies, keepers of our own leashes. Whether yours is way-too-slack or trim and tight, I encourage you to hold on for all you’re worth."
Thanks. I needed that.
had no idea that you were into s&m. good to know. and? great post. ;)
ReplyDeletehey jack..
ReplyDeletei know you mention you typically gain after you lose substantial weight but from having read you from the get-go, you've made genuine changes.
it's not like you chose your current situtaton, so your doing what you can to get by, and a 0.4lb loss is pretty darn good.
Hi Jack, I saw this on FB. I love the Profile picture. Today you weight 215, isn't that about a perfect weight for a guy? You're very inspiring, and now I have another blog to read. Way to go Jack!
ReplyDeletekate
I put my dog on Valium and doubled up on the leash to get myself back on the path. It is hard to regain weight that you have already lost. I've done it 3 times now and I am determined not to let it happen again. I do want to make it to the goal line someday.
ReplyDeleteCelebrate that .4 lb loss. You worked hard to fight back against some real crappy times.
Jack, you can do this & are doing it!
ReplyDeleteI already know what happens when I let the leash slack a bit too much. My bod type is one that gains very easy & the older I get the easier the weight comes on so I know not to let that leash get unraveled. I control that leash! :-)
I'm with ya Jack, hope we can both rain in that dog. Right now I say we just do our best to hold tight I know it will be ok we know what to do. Hang in there *hugs*
ReplyDeleteamen jack.
ReplyDeleteGo Jack!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I think that's a great analogy! My inner dog saw "squirrel" tonight as I was picking up cat litter at Wal-Mart. My brain did not *see* any food, but it *knew* that there was an aisle of lovely, sugary nut cluster/dried fruit snacks not far from the cat litter aisle and a little bell went off in my brain!
ReplyDeleteFortunately, immediately after, my newly trained "OK, what do you want more, junk food or ebook?" response kicked in... and the answer was ebook, as usual. Ebook seems to be my little Pavlovian trigger these days!
Anyway, I hung tough and am hoping for at least as good a weigh-in tomorrow as what I had today.
Hang in there Jack! Once, I hung on so hard to an actual dog's leash, that even after I threw myself face down in the grass to stop him, he broke his collar and kept on running. Some days, that's exactly how dieting feels!
SO TRUE.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice as always, Jack!
ReplyDeleteYou know, this started as a weight loss blog and maybe it still is, but you have caught the losers biggest challenge. Keeping it off. Which I would imagine makes your blog even MORE valuable at this point. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post and right on target. Where do you come up with this stuff??
ReplyDelete