What I have learned . . .

So I am new here.  Following CC for almost 3 weeks.  I have had a couple of what I call 'mirror' moments (would I be doing this if I had to watch myself in the mirror), and a couple of realizations.

1.  I don't really need that snack.  While my kids and husband are enjoying an after dinner treat, I can just enjoy their company and don't need to indulge.

2.  Feeling bloated all evening isn't worth the extra splurge.

3.  I thought I ate 'healthy' before, but am completely amazed by how many calories I was actually consuming.

4.  Working remote (in my home office) doesn't give me permission to visit the kitchen every hour.  I need to think of the kitchen as only 'open' during breakfast and lunch.

5.  I can fit in a work out every day and it is not 'indulgent'.  My family needs to understand the importance of being healthy.  By working out, I can show my family that being healthy and active is an important and necessary part of life.

6.  Wanting to feel comfortable in my own skin doesn't require losing weight.  It requires a new outlook and mindset.  Specifically, if I take control of my health - eating right and exercising - I will feel better about myself and the weight loss is a wonderful by-product. 

7.  Learning a new way to live, making a lifestyle change, requires constant vigilance and most likely will be something I need to 'think' about for the rest of my life.  I hope I won't always be thinking about the scale, especially once I reach my goal, but I will always need to think about what and how much I am eating, why am I eating it, and whether or not I got in a good workout.

That's a really good list!

#6 is particularly poignant for me and while I have figured it out too and agree whole heartedly it's still a tough one for me.  I feel better about myself and my body now than I probably ever have in my life, but I still have those days where I feel gross no matter what.

Original Post by jen_2525:

5.  I can fit in a work out every day and it is not 'indulgent'.  My family needs to understand the importance of being healthy.  By working out, I can show my family that being healthy and active is an important and necessary part of life.

I particularly like this one.   I think many people make the mistake of seeing their healthy lifestyles as something slightly selfish... which is silly really.   And also I think it's setting things up for a fall to try living your healthy lifestyle apart from your family.   Eating different foods, or living by different rules.    They definitely have to be included in it for it to be effective long-term and they'll benefit from your good example.

I think it is a great list as well. You have your head wrapped around things good, so success will follow. I learned a lot of these things as well, mainly the one about not realizing how unhealthy i was eating! I can no longer eat a bagel or a blooming onion in peace! lol/

I love #5 as well - heck, I love them all - but I relate most to #6 and #7. I want to print out your list and make it my mantra. :)

What a great list, and a great philosophy on life!

Amen to those words of wisdom!

No. 5 was the biggest for me...

Not grasping that needed attitude, caused me to fail in stressful times-- almost total regain of hard-won losses-- and I had to Conquer that to be where I am this very morning!

After beginning over on April 28th, I weighed today to finally see my old Lowest Weight again-- plus .2 lbs. more, lol!

Those are Great Points-- and definitely valid. Thank you for sharing!