Day 248. 158 pounds lost.
We entered month nine over the weekend. I remember a time when nine months felt like forever. Back in January, I couldn’t look nine months into the future to know how I would feel. However, I can look back and tell you now it was worth the wait. My head has been swimming for several days on everything that I have been able to accomplish thus far. I can’t help but wonder what the next 9 months will bring. Today I am officially 65% of the way through this mission of mine. I don’t know if I will meet the first goal of -200 pounds lost by December, but I’m just going to keep plugging along. It might be close, but it’s still possible, and I will fight until the very last minute of 2017 to get it.
I did another beach WOD this morning; just as exciting as the last one but today was pretty amazing; my legs are getting stronger. I couldn’t have envisioned nine months ago when I was struggling to walk around my house using my countertops as braces that my legs would be strong enough to have me jog on them. But nine months later here we are. It’s one thing when I notice the little things but when other people notice those things it means everything. I got into my car after the workout, and I found myself staring down at my legs in awe. “Thankyou……” was all I said.
Tomorrow night at 7:00 pm, I have a meeting with a total stranger because they want to know how they might be successful as well. The simple fact that people would be asking for my advice is mind boggling. Do I know enough to help other people? Am I capable? Will I be able to share in a way that could possibly be impactful? I don’t know, but I am going to try.
I will share this tomorrow night with this other person as well, but two things have been pivotal in my successes thus far. I want to share them with you because if you’re one of those people like I was 9 months ago wondering if its possible then you will need these as well. Those two things are Time…. And “ALL IN.”
Time is something that I had to make peace with. This weight didn’t stack on in a month, it won’t come off in a month. I know that 9 months or a year seems so far into the future and the idea of waiting can be painful. I will be honest with you and tell you that it is painful… In fact very painful. Time drags, and most days you won’t feel like you’re getting anywhere. We are pressured by time. “I have to lose 50 pounds by this date or else”….. I was one of those people that did that to myself over and over again and wondered why I hadn’t been successful. But control does not work. Control only turns joyful commitments into tedious obligations. Here is your lesson because it was my lesson. Time is a tool for reflection, not control.
“ALL IN.” What do I mean by that? Rather than tell you what it is, I will describe what it looks like.
- You’ve decided that you’re going to do something. It’s a must; non-negotiable. You dream about it, you’re hungry for it, and you feel it through every vein in your body.
- You design your entire day with THIS GOAL as the centerpiece. It’s your top priority. If that means setting your alarm for 5 am before anyone else is up, you do it.
- You tell everyone that you’re doing it.
- You’re willing to look stupid.
- You swallow your pride and ask for help if necessary.
ALL IN means you’re willing to do whatever it takes and DEFEND that goal because people and circumstances will try and break you. You must DEFEND it against all of the excuses that are going to creep in, and all the horrible things you are going to tell yourself. Either go ALL IN or cross that goal off your list and admit that it’s not a real priority right now. Because it’s never going to happen until you’re fully invested.
When I started this journey, I asked God for help. I can give you all the advice in the world, but it won’t be as powerful as the one you are going to find upstairs. I’ve never walked this journey alone.
Lovingly,
Bean
