Community Highlights - Me and My Shadow

SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!

Week of 7/16/2009 - Featured Board Post

Me and My Shadow

TKT123

How does that song go?

I was walking the other day and looked down at the sidewalk and saw this stranger walking with me. I stared at the image and for a brief moment I asked "Who the heck is that?" "This person doesn't have all those lumps and bumps of ugly fat on her that I do"... A brief moment, then tears came to my eyes as it hit me. This was ME.

I weighed myself yesterday. The scales said 141.6...I realized that I had now lost 70 pounds! Then I put on my gift to myself- a pair of size 8 Kymaro jeans I was saving for this moment. Never in my life have I worn a size 8. They look good, yes, I can honestly tell you that. Oh, the journey is not over, far from it with another six pounds to go in order to reach my goal and then toning up my body. All in good time, but for now I reflect on some of the things I have learned on this my journey of a million steps.

I have learned that the prison of shame and guilt that I had built was my own creation and that I had the power to tear it down, or to build it up. It is all up to ME

I had to learn to take personal responsibility for every bite of food that I put into my mouth, and that I had to eat healthy to BE healthy.

I had to learn that you either do IT (diet/exercise), or you don't -- there's no middle ground and that life is full of choices and I choose to be happier and healthier with mine.

I learned that I could acknowledge myself in ways other than eating. I no longer have to be an "emotional eater" to do that.

I learned to admit to myself that I was fat and unhealthy because I chose to overeat and I chose foods that were unhealthy and fattening.

I learned I just needed to find a diet plan that worked for ME. For me this is the idiot proof diet plan. Eating the right combination of foods, eating small portions knowing I will eat again in two hours, and eating healthy food was and is my key to success.

I learned that I am not a failure even though I may have "failed" when I dieted in the past.

I have learned that "temptations" along my journey are merely a test to my commitment. And, if I give myself the "gift" of an occasional temptation it makes the journey go much better.

I have learned that losing weight is not the end result but the beginning of a new chapter -- complete with new challenges, commitments and dreams!

I have learned that the journey will NEVER be over for me, that this is just the beginning of another journey to a happier and healthier life full of mountains and valleys, but with the help of all my SparkFriends I will accept the hills and valleys and travel with them...with the knowledge that I CAN continue, and I CAN do this, with their help and support.

Read and reply to this board post.

Our goal is to make the SparkPeople Community the most positive online community in the world for reaching goals and getting support. In this weekly email, we share an inspiring member post from the millions of posts at SparkPeople each month.

Winter Workout Safety Tips

Baby, it's cold outside--sometimes too cold! Learn which weather conditions every outdoor exerciser should avoid, and the signs that it's time to bring your routine indoors.

Squat with front shoulder raises
A total body workout in one move!

Balsamic Strawberries with Ricotta Cream (Chef Meg's Makeover)
Submitted By: CHEF_MEG

Strawberries are combined with tangy and sweet balsamic vinegar and creamy ricotta in this quick and simple dessert. Chef Meg took a member-submitted recipe and made a few changes--and even tried this recipe with her own homemade ricotta. (It's easy!)

TIP: Use a local honey in this recipe to add even more flavor. Each honey has a unique taste. Full Recipe

Search Over 200k Healthy Recipes:

Calories Burned: 7,549,364,048
Pounds Lost: 9,990,541
Cups Water Drank: 230,889,166
SparkAmerica Minutes: 1,112,204,873

Get a personalized diet and fitness plan, great newsletters, post to our message boards, and even your own personal SparkPage!

Join Now For Free!