Day 35: Never Stop Trying

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” ~Tony Robbins~

I’ve made many mistakes in my life and I will probably make more … that is just human nature. The key is not to repeat your mistakes and to learn from them. I’d like to think I have learned from mine. I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m focusing on the present and what is ahead rather than looking back at things I can’t change. I will hold on to the good memories but I’ve let most of the bad ones go. The fire was the catalyst for the changes. Things in my life had already changed but I wasn’t moving forward and the fire not only exposed that, it also forced me to deal with everything I had been avoiding. The nine months I spent away from home gave me a lot of time to examine my life but it didn’t prepare me for the emotional flood that hit me when I moved back home. There were a lot of ghosts in that house. Fortunately I was able to put them to rest and keep moving forward. Yes, I lost a lot of “things” but I can’t think of one thing I can’t live without today. Everything I do miss was taken from me long before the fire. Regardless, I feel I am incredibly blessed and I am thankful every day for what I have. I still remember the days when I felt like I had nothing and I wanted everything everyone else had. I felt like I was trying so hard but getting nowhere. I don’t have those feelings today. Today I have everything I want or need and I’m not envious of what others have. I don’t have designer clothes or shoes or bags but you know what … I don’t need or want that. I’m happy to admire your designer things while I wear my Avenue clothes, Kohl’s shoes and Walmart purse. I think freeing myself from the past has made me a happier person and allowed me to focus on working on the one thing in my life that I’m NOT happy about, namely my weight. I’ve tried to lose weight in the past and had some success but it never lasted. As Tony Robbins said, even if I make mistakes or the progress is slow I’m still ahead of everyone who isn’t trying !

Breakfast today was a 1.4 ounce 160 calorie harvest nut bar. I love all of the breakfast bars I’ve had so far ! I had 2 string cheese (100 calories) and some French vanilla coffee with it. Morning snack was a 120 calorie vanilla shake. I forgot to eat the veggie cake ! Lunch was a 4 ounce 200 calorie broccoli and cheese melt with cottage cheese and raw carrots. Afternoon snack was the usual peanut butter sandwich (2 slices 45 calorie whole wheat bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter). Dinner was a 7.2 ounce 270 calorie chicken parmesan with some green beans. I got 64 ounces of water in at work so whatever I drink this evening is a bonus !

I’ve been coming close to the recommended 1400 calories the past couple of days so I’m a little nervous about what the scale will say tomorrow. I feel like 1200 calories made more sense but I’m no expert. I will be taking a new set of measurements this weekend to see what change there has been. I’m told losing inches is just as important as losing pounds and my plan is to check my measurements once a month. One thing I haven’t been ready to tackle is exercise. Every day I talk to myself about it and every day I don’t get there. I get home and once I take care of the cats and have dinner all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch tv. I can use that excuse Monday thru Friday but I have no excuse for Saturday and Sunday !! I don’t know what it will take but I can promise you I WILL get on that treadmill before the weekend is over !!