My Own 600-Pound Life

Sometimes we look at our journey and wonder why we're even bothering to do it.  For me, personally, I have over 400 pounds to lose and that is a daunting task.  Why do I want to keep on doing something that doesn't follow with what my body has been used to for the past 20 years?  Why do I want to do something that is going to get rid of one of the best coping mechanisms out on the market right now - food?

That's when we have to deploy our "anchors".  We each have things that we hold on to that keep us going in our journey.  Whether it be the fact that you have a wedding you have to get skinny for or that summer bikini you want to wear - we each have our own anchor that holds us in place.

Mine personally is the praise of others.  This sounds a little conceited, but I don't mean I want everyone to be like "oh - you're getting so skinny!"  That's not the point.  I have a few close friends and family that I care about what they think.  When I hear, "wow you're looking good" from them, I feel amazing.  I feel like this is worth doing.  My other secondary anchor is my health.  Even though I've avoided diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, I now have weeping leg edema that just will not quit.  While this isn't necessarily a good anchor, it does remind me on a daily (and sometimes hourly) basis as to why I am doing this.

Find that thing that keeps you going and hold on to it.  Keep it in your mind at all times.  If it's a picture, put it in your wallet or purse.  If it's the praise of others, just remember what they say when you feel like eating that extra cheeseburger.  You can do this and you have your anchor to help you.