It's a new year, with a new set of hopes for the next 52 weeks, and an updated list of things I want to accomplish: lose weight, see about buying a house, fix my back, and loads of hobby-related things (like knit myself a cardigan...).
Obviously, the biggest thing on my mind right now is to lose weight. I have so many reasons for it, too. Logan is a very energetic boy, and getting more so every day. It will be hard to keep up if I'm too fat and out of shape. He deserves parents who can take him to the park and play with him, not just watch. I'm also tired of having to shop in plus-size stores. The clothes look great on the displays, but not so great on me, no matter what anyone says. I'd like to be able to buy a pair of real shorts this summer, and not feel self-conscious about my thighs and the backs of my knees. Another big reason for losing weight is for the health of my back. Extra weight is no good for any back, especially one with a slipped disc, and two bulging discs. By losing weight, my back will probably start to feel a whole lot better, without surgery.
Even with all these reasons to lose weight, I still find it really hard to motivate myself sometimes. Just this morning, I was trying to come up with "good" reasons not to go to the gym today. "Ryan needs the car", and "Logan didn't sleep well" seemed good enough at 7am, but I knew they wouldn't sound as good later in the day. So, I got up, drove Ryan to work, came home to get myself and Logan ready, and dashed out once again to go to the gym.
And it felt great. Not only was the workout good, but I get a great feeling from the volunteer service I do there. I clean for an hour when I'm there, to get my membership fee waived every month. This morning, one of the personal trainers asked me which machines were going to get "the Meghann Treatment" today. "The Meghann Treatment?" I asked, a little shocked. "Yeah, we all notice what a great job you do around here, and how hard you work!" she said. That, even above the post-workout feeling, made it worth going in today.
Yesterday, my good friend Angela commented that I looked great. It felt so amazing for someone to notice the change. I don't see it myself until someone else points it out, so when I get those kinds of comments, it really goes a long way to boost my motivation to continue.
As I did my workout this morning, I thought about all those "Secrets to losing weight" ads you see all over the internet. The only real "secret" is this: You have to be patient, and persistent. Don't expect instant results. Realize that it will take time, and maybe more time for you than for your friend or sister, but you will see results if you keep going. Don't make excuses, they only fuel your guilt.
Nike really did say it best: Just Do It.
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