Over the last couple of decades, summer has been a time where I let myself relax. I usually tend to want to take a bit of a vacation from watching everything I eat and any formal exercise routine. That usually equates to some weight gain each season.
This summer has been different. Why? Because of a certain Red Dress. I purchased the dress last March for our sons wedding in August. I love the dress but it fits very, very snug in the upper body. Hence, I had to be careful this summer. No problem. I know what to do.
So summer came a long and at first I was great. I walked 6K a few times a week and tracked everything I ate. I even lost a bit. I was being so diligent. Then as the calendar turned to July and August was in sight, I started to slip. I battled each day with cheese, chips, chocolate, ice cream, wine and anything that I could get my hands on. The closer the wedding got, the harder it was to stay on track.
I started to obsess. I tried on the dress a couple of times a week. I could feel it wagging its finger at me from the closet every time I opened the fridge. I even went out hunting for a new dress. Nothing was to be found that even compared to this one. So I continued the tug of war between the pantry and me.
I joked in my Weight Watchers programs with my members that the day after the wedding would be a total free for all – a chip and cheese party at my house!
But the dress had other plans for me. It had a lesson to teach me. Because, after wearing it on that beautiful day (See: The Perfect Day). After feeling as close to pretty as I have felt in a long time. After loving compliments from family and friends. Well, I just had no desire to gorge on goodies. I learned that nothing, yes nothing, can taste as good as that felt.
So, my journey of self-discovery continues. (It will never end). I have learned that when I “feel” backed into a corner or that I have limited choice or limited time, I don’t respond well.
That is why I have to continue to look at living a healthy lifestyle as a lifetime journey, not a temporary solution to lose weight. If I have my whole life to figure this out, then I can relax and get to it at a pace that works for me. I can get over the days that the fridge wins. I can overcome the fact that I don’t like to “exercise” and struggle to find ways to move more.
Learning to live a healthy lifestyle is not a journey of perfection, but it is a about persistence. Like anything worthwhile, it is worth hanging in there. Don’t give up on yourself.
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