Woohoo!

I have made it to the 20 pound mark!!  I have lost exactly 22.2 pounds since I started my weightloss journey, and let me tell you, it feels GREAT! My next short-term goal is to hit the 30 pound mark, and thankfully, it really feels within reach.  I have determined the major keys to my success, and I'll share them because even if you aren't on a weightloss journey, I think these keys can be to success of any kind, in any aspect of your life. 

1.)  Stay positive.  One of the most inspirational things I have read says that telling yourself you're fat doesn't make you thin.  I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have referred to myself as "fatty" or "chub-a-lub" or any number of other derogatory terms.  If you have a tendency to do this, make a conscious effort to stop it!  It doesn't help you, it doesn't motivate you, it doesn't do anything but keep that "fat" persona in your mind.  If nothing else, refer to yourself as "a work in progress."  That's what we all are anyway, just a work in progress. 

2.)  Push HARD.  I have found that even when I feel like I'm working really hard, if I tell myself to work harder, usually I am capable of picking things up another notch.  Your body and your mind are wondrous things and can do things that you probably never imagined.  So you're sweating really hard keeping it at 75 strides per minute on the elliptical?  That's great!  Now push to 80.  So you've worked up to lifting 110 pounds with your legs?  That's wonderful.  Now push to 115.  You'll see that you can do it.  Stop letting those mental barriers get in the way.  Your mind is going to tell you that what you're doing is good, and it is, but you can do better.  Remember that.  Now matter how good you are, you can always get better.  

3.) Make good choices.  This is the key to EVERYTHING.  You make choices and decisions thousands of times per day.  Focus on making GOOD ones.  Be proud of the choices you make.  Pick a V8 juice over a soda.  Pick a grilled chicken salad over a grilled chicken sandwich.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  When you think you're hungry, drink a glass of water and then decide if you're really still hungry, or if it's something else triggering the desire to eat.  Chew a piece of sugarless gum rather than popping some chocolate candy in your mouth.  There are MILLIONS of choices to be made, some harder than others.  The most important time to make good choices is when you're out with people who aren't working on the same thing you are, and it's easy to cheat.  Think about how guilty you'll feel afterwards if you give in to the tempation.  Or think about how good you'll feel if you resist and make a positive choice.  This goes for anything in your life, not just weightloss, but it is DEFINITELY key to weightloss. 

Take these things and use them!  And if you need any other motivation or support, just let me know!!