Who We Are Today

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” ~Margaret Young

I read this quote and thought how much it applies to weight loss as well. So many times we think if we lose weight, when we lose weight, then and only then will we really be able to be happy. Until that happens, we are doomed to a miserable life of deprivation and unhappiness. I felt like this for SO MANY years and it was like banging my head against a wall! HELLO, McFly….it’s the opposite! Find happiness in who we are RIGHT THIS MOMENT…I mean really find it, not just idle lip service, and then start acting like the healthy person you aspire to become. The best way to find happiness in this moment is to exercise gratitude for what we have today.

You may not love they way your thighs look, but do they work? Do they move the rest of your body? Do they get you where you want to go? If the answer is yes, then maybe we should re-think disliking them so much. How about gratitude for understanding portion control. Do you feel better after you have eaten sensibly or after you have gorged? Be honest with yourself. Do you feel more energized and satisfied after a healthy snack or one that is sugar and fat laden? Again, be honest. Sometimes we think we want things just because we “shouldn’t have them’ when in reality, when we stop and pay attention, we realize they don’t help us to feel our best. How about our meetings? Are you grateful for all the people who support your healthy behaviors and weight loss and take the time to share their ideas to help others? I certainly am!!

Let’s not live “backwards” today, wasting time wishing were something or someway that we are not. Who we are right this moment is somehow exactly who and how we are supposed to be. The sooner we accept ourselves and start to love ourselves as we are today, the easier it will become to make healthier choices without fear.