Inspiration

Several things have inspired me to make this change in my life.  I think finding inspiration is an important part of making such a big change.  Weight loss takes time and effort.  It requires tracking, exercising, and limiting how much we eat and what we eat.  It requires a fundamental change in behavior which can only be maintained through a fundamental change in mentality.  Inspiration is what gives me the motivation to make this change.

My family is my first inspiration.  I have a wonderful wife who provides accountabiltiy for my actions.  She asks me lovingly if I'm tracking my food and if I'm going to exercise today while being very careful not to nag.  I've also got an adorable son who deserves to have a dad who can still throw a ball and run around with him when he gets older.  I've got a dad who challenged me to a weight loss competition last year and then lost 91 lbs while I basically lost nothing.  I've got sisters who have done and are doing wonderful things to improve their health and be active people.  My family is showing me that it can be done and that it's worth it.

A few months ago my wife and I also started watching "The Biggest Loser" on Netflix.  I have now seen several people completely transform themselves on that show.  While not everyone should be losing 5 - 20 lbs a week, they're showing that real people who have struggled with weight their whole life can make a change.  These people are making a fundamental change in their behavior.  That show has taught me that getting healthy and losing weight is a lifelong effort.  Getting thin and then going back to eating whatever I want isn't really a good plan.  It's been another inspiration.

My suggestion, find something that inspires you.  A picture of how you want to look or a goal of how far you want to run.  Look to family or friends.  Join a community online like Sparkpeople where you can find countless stories from members who are going through the same thing you are.  If you're going to take this journey, give yourslf some inspiration.  It'll keep you on the path.