I posted my own honest reflection (see below) of 2013 on Facebook:
"Mitch and I did our annual "year in review" conversation tonight. I don't usually reveal such personal details on FB, but I thought that my story may encourage others. For me, 2013 was the first year I actually submitted to bettering my physical, mental and spiritual health. With the encouragement of a dear friend, I agreed to pursue Christian counseling, and have been going for the last 10 months. It has been such a blessing, and an overwhelming "gift" to allow Gods redemptive healing take root in the broken places of my otherwise messy soul. To God be the glory, the shackles of anxiety have been broken, and I have learned how to truly cast my burdens onto The Lord. Lastly, I have finally owned the issue of obesity, and decided to not make excuses anymore, I've spent the last 5 months focused on getting "healthy" not skinny-- while I'm not at my goal weight, I'm almost there-- and that's a lot to be proud of, it is with Christ's strength not mine I have done this. Psalm 34:4 " God met me more than halfway, and freed me from my anxious fears.”
Some people sent comments of encouragement, and a few others private messaged me, stating they too struggle with similar issues. I was so blessed to talk with some of them more about counseling, and others about Ideal Protein. Some of them even said that they were planning on starting IP in the New Year. That made me think about New Years Resolutions. I know so many of us (myself included) make resolutions year after year, and always come up short for one reason or another. In fact, businesses prey upon people like you and I for the “busy season” of “losing weight”. Gyms, diet pills, infomercials, work out DVDs and books are all the rage come January 1, and by March so many people have already failed the resolution they committed to for the entire year. Why is this? These people (myself included) are well intended, and motivated.
I think its for several reasons, 1) people do not realize that the resolution will require sacrifice. This does not only mean sacrificing the junky carby food we like, but also our time; and at times social outings with others in order to accomplish our goal. 2) In America, we want results and we want them now. Impatience wins on this one. People simply are impatient with the process, and give up before they can fully see the results. Many times, we want impossible results in an impossible amount of time. Now we all know, it most likely took a long time to gain weight over a period of time, why do we think its possible to drop it in such a short period of time? Makes no sense! 3) We lack self-discipline. It’s easy to join the “losing weight” bandwagon for New Years, millions of people do it, and those same people struggle with maintaining that resolution because, they (myself included) struggle with achieving results through self-discipline. We (myself included) instead make excuses: I don’t have time to exercise, I don’t have time to make my lunch to take to work, etc.
I think if we’re honest with ourselves and set realistic and measurable goals, we can be successful with this year’s resolution-- whatever, that may be. 2014 can be the year, where a change is made!
- Make your goal(s) in month increments, this way you can have accountability to ensure your on track to meet your goal. In addition, doing this allows for the natural ebbs and flows of life.
- Have friends, family, etc that are “in” on your goal- they can help encourage you towards your goal, and keep you honest.
- Be kind to yourself. You will have bad days, you will have days you want to quit. Air it out, and start the next day. No guilt, no beating yourself up. Just get back in the saddle and start again!
- Reward yourself in small ways when you reach one of your goals. This will make the accomplishment real. For me, its little things like- a new pair of jeans, a sugar-free London Fog at Starbucks, or buying a new book I’ve been wanting to read.
- Believe in you! I know this sounds silly- but truly believing that you can accomplish whatever you have set out to do, will carry you farther than self-doubt and negative talk; especially when you feel like throwing in the towel.
Thanks for reading friends, and Happy New Year to YOU! May it be filled with unexpected joy and blessings as you pursue your resolutions!
- Ideal Protein Tiffany