Guest Blogger shares her motivation for weight loss and controlling her destiny!
Guest Blogger Dominique…check out her blog here. And, check out her Before/After pictures below. She has a motivational story we all can learn from.
A few months ago Maryann requested me to write a guest blog entry on my recent weight loss and what keeps me motivated. My initial thought was, well it has to come from within, and that’s not enough to write about. Then something happened, something I never thought would occur in this lifetime.
A friend told me she was joining the gym and wanted my assistance to get started. She said in watching me transform this year, she’s now been inspired to begin living a healthier life. If that doesn’t keep one motivated I don’t know what will. As a result of that conversation, I am ready to share my motivation.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”-Reinhold Niebuhr
As I entered 2008, I entered it with this prayer/quote as my guide to live a better life. I love these words so; I bought a plaque to hang in my bathroom so I would never begin a day without saying the Serenity Prayer. When I stepped back and realized what the true meaning of this quote is, it was crystal clear. I couldn’t/can’t control everything; and I needed to focus on what I really wanted out of this life.You see I’ve always been one of those career driven people, meaning that was the only thing I’ve ever really cared about. For example, at just 21, I was a Guest Service Manager at Walt Disney World, after working my way up from internship to internship. Perhaps that’s what sparked me to dream big and reach for the stars.When I really thought about it, the #1 thing I could control and do for me, was living a healthier life and managing my weight. I told myself no more trying to control moving up the corporate ladder until I get a strong hold on me. Don’t get me wrong, my career is still very important to me, but I’ve learned you can only control a small percentage of what happens in the workplace. I started my life changing transformation by believing in myself like never before. This time, I wouldn’t let myself down or allow quitting to be an option. I started small, by cutting my food portions in half, or pushing away the plate when I started to feel full(this is still the hardest part). I then began reducing my number of sweets, fried foods and basically anything else that I’ve grown to love. Slowly I started to notice the difference in not only the way I looked but also felt. After a few months of concentrating on my food and overall mindset, I added in the final and most important layer…exercising. My initial routine was working out 4 days a week totaling about 3.5 hours. Almost 6 months later, I’ve increased to 5 days per week, and 7 hours total, a number I had idea I was able to achieve.I can’t begin to explain how my life has changed since I started to accept the things I can not change, and asked for the courage and strength to change what I really could. In addition to being down 40+ pounds and 3 dress sizes I feel incredible. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Life is good, the bad things or trouble that may cross our path, only come to make us stronger or healthier in my case. I must say for the record, I am not on a diet! If I want something not so healthy I’m going to eat it, but I’ve learned when to stop or not give into temptation. I am however on a quest, to continue to change my life for the better one step at a time.Best Wishes,Dominique
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