The Smallest Reward Can Taste So Sweet

Forty-five days ago I got on the scale,

and the scale told me the truth I had been avoiding. Seeing the number was the reality check I needed to get to work. I love being a healthy weight, so why was I not allowing myself that privilege?  Instead of choosing utter discouragement, I decided to treat my weight loss goal as a job. I decided to love doing the work it would take to lose 12 pounds.

The first thing I did was open my calendar to find six weeks where I could actually make this happen. Six weeks when I wasn’t traveling and didn’t have back to back work events scheduled. I needed the time to focus on this weight loss goal just like any other job I take on. If I had started before I was ready to “show up” for this challenge, I would have failed.  April 5 was the date that worked best for me; and of course, it was right in the middle of Deepak Chopra and Oprah’s 21-Day Meditation: Shedding Weight – Mind, Body + Spirit. This was a good sign. And I like signs!

I met with a nutrition consultant who manages my goal and keeps me on track. I agreed to weigh in each week with her which makes me accountable. Weighing in is the game changer to weight loss. I went shopping for protein, vegetables, sea salt and the perfect glass bottle for the 64 ounces of water I drink each day. And let’s remember 64 ounces of water in a 54-year-old bladder is not pretty! I plan my entire day around bathrooms.

Next, staying organized is a BIG part to successful weight loss. Every night I chop my 4 cups of vegetables, measure out my sea salt and olive oil and have my protein prepared in the refrigerator. I feel like I am in control and actually enjoying the process. It’s the same feeling as having an organized desk and being completely caught up with work, personal phone calls and bills.

Today marks 45 days–45 days on my diet and 45 days I have lived without wine or bread. Well, almost…  A few Sundays ago, when I was in church, I took communion.  When I returned to my pew to pray, I realized I had bread AND wine in my mouth! I broke into a huge smile! I savored every drip of that wine and every crumb of that bread; and you can bet I’ve been in church every Sunday since! The body and blood of Christ has never tasted so good! It’s a dieter’s dream AND a blessing!

Now that I have reached my goal, the real work begins. Maintaining my weight loss is what I fear the most. Life starts happening and next thing I know, I’m drinking my 3rd glass of wine, eating my second loaf of bread and ordering dessert. That’s when I will really need Jesus! But I have made a promise to myself that I will manage this one day at a time and I will try not to let fear overwhelm me.

Losing weight is hard work, but ultimately, it is the greatest way to truly love ourselves. It really is a labor of love and I am enjoying the fruits of my labor–my body aches less, I have more energy, my clothes fit and I am excited for the challenge each day. Yes, I want wine, yes I want bread, yes I want the banana chocolate chip cake I bake for my family; but loving myself tastes way better.