As Lent begins and many people decide what they will be giving up, going without or sacrificing for the next 40 days, my thoughts turned to a different version of “giving up”
Often when you decide you need to lose weight, become fitter and healthier, the motivation can be so strong it makes the task appear slightly easier and less daunting. Sadly the opposite is also true, when all you can think about is the food and drink you will have to go without.
The countless occasions that you won’t enjoy because you’ll be saying I can’t have that! The nights out, the meals out, the celebrations, the weekends, the holidays…….the list is endless!!
Just for a moment, stop and really think about how you honestly felt about all of the above situations. Pause and reflect on the emotions you encountered while shopping for the outfit/or not, trying on every single item you possess. Looking at yourself in the mirror and hating how you looked. The dread that others would be looking at you. The fear of the holiday outfits, the journey, maybe the nightmare of the fear of the plane – that seatbelt!!! When you add up all of these negative thoughts and emotions, where is the pleasure? It really isn’t positive at all!!
So now let’s focus on what you WILL be giving up if you make that decision to embark on your healthier, happier and lighter journey.
Actually all of the above, it will be a joy to shop and wear smaller, more fitted clothes. You will feel more confident and your self esteem will be higher, you’ll enjoy the “getting ready” procedure, rather than endure it. You will be moving away from indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux remedies, possibly even statins and blood pressure medications. You will be decreasing your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. As you’re feeling fitter, healthier and being more active your water intake will be higher, if fact, you will be glowing!
It’s easy to only think of the food and drink you will expect to give up. But actually what you will be giving up is the unhappiness that is associated with being overweight, unhealthy and unfit. As you take control and make positive inroads to regain your self control, all of the positives will come naturally.
Sometimes, you just need to focus on what you are really gaining when you stop giving up on losing!
jackie and sonya
Success Lies in Mind 
Good points. Focus on what you’ll gain is really helpful.
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I really enjoyed the positivity in doing that👍
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Loved reading this. It puts everything into perspective and regains your focus on what you want 😊
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This has come at a great time for me as I feel like I’m no the track of giving up. I’m hoping the weather gets better soon so I can start walking to work again.
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It’s a great reminder of what we so easily forget as we move away from how we felt 👍
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Yes it’s easy to forget how we were at the beginning when you’ve been on this journey for a long time. Good to be reminded why we are doing this.
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Absolutely love this. It is so true. I had a family party on Saturday. Firstly enjoyed having a selection of dresses to choose from. Secondly when someone sent me some photos that I was in I actually went “what lovely photos” rather than “oh how fat do I look”. So it’s been worth giving up a few things to lose a stone and given me the boost to keep going and lose a bit more.
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So pleased it resonated with you Sally 👏🏻
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Fabulous article and resonates so much for me. I’ve had the seatbelt not fit and the humiliation of asking for an extension. Also the pain of choosing the clothes I least hate to take on holiday. When I’m in the zone I have an inner glow from the water the array of wonderful delicious food I’ve prepared an eaten and the knowledge and pride that I’ve smashed it. But sometimes when the journey is long it’s hard to keep that inner glow going but when you do the pride can’t be beaten ☺️
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Soo very true, and no matter how long the journey to reach the weight you want, it’s a lifetime of change to keep it there🥰
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Great blog, I think being at SLIM means that we don’t have to give up anything, instead we need to make better choices.. the meetings are helping to motivate me to do that, which means I’ll be gaining a healthier me x
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Oooh love it Sarah-Jane & exactly what we want to achieve 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻🥰
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I love this blog .We don’t have to give anything up ,just look at what you are choosing ,stay at the meeting and you can get lots of ideas from all the members.
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And that’s the secret in a nutshell 👏🏻👏🏻🤗
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Very positive
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