Get Busy!

What motivates you to lose weight? Do you have a wedding you want to attend and want to fit into a dress size that you haven't been in since you were 13? Are you trying to do this crash diet to get to your ideal weight within 3 weeks? Is it true that after a week of  practically starving yourself you will be walking through the dress section of your favorite store with a box of Girl Scout cookies, almost in tears because you are tired of paying extra money for extra fabric? 
Why do you do this to yourself? I have known a lot of people, myself included, who have tried these "crash" diets that promise fast results only to be disappointed in the end because the weight comes back on. There has to be some effort to keep the weight off. If you have just a few pounds to lose, by all means drink that cabbage juice 3 times a day. You might be on the toilet all day, but you might just get into those jeans you used to rock like you did that mullet back in the day. 

I'd rather play it safe and make lifestyle changes. It's seem so easy-exercise, balanced meals, sleep, no stress-but it takes hard work and committed. I have stopped and started to get back on track so many times I lost count. I haven't tried crash diets. In fact, I haven't tried much at all. I did get excited there for a minute, was exercising and posting my "sweat pics" for my friends in our Facebook weight loss group, but then I lost my steam. I got depressed, stressed, tired, and just gave up. I turned to my comfort foods, and decided that I wanted to see just how wide my ass could get. Now I am seeing and feeling how much I have hurt myself. I am even more tired, stressed, and depressed because I am not doing anything to make it better. I miss the high that I got from exercise. I had less headaches, I needed less coffee, I had more pep in my step. Now to add to the emotional downfalls of not exercising my heartburn made a comeback. I haven't had regular heartburn since 2008 when I was at my highest weight of 250 pounds. When I was walking the trash up to the dumpster the other night that was the last straw. The trek to the dumpster is a small one with a tiny incline. Two years ago I walked up there with no issue. The other night I was panting like I had tried to climb Mt. Everest. I have friends that can run a 5k with no problem. I walked up a damn hill and felt like I overdid it. That is a damn shame and it's time I do something about it. 

I know, you've heard this song and dance before. I am not going to lie, I am sure there will be more stops and starts, but the point is to start, and not give up. I can't sit here and feel sorry for myself if I am not doing something about it. My dad has one leg now due to complications from his diabetes. My mom has had surgery to put stents in to help her heart. I am always afraid of losing them. I don't want my kids and boyfriend to worry about my health and worry about losing me. I can't be another statistic. I refuse. I can't continue to watch My 600 Pound Life while eating cheese fries. 

What is going to motivate me? Life. I want to live a healthier and longer life. 
I will end with a quote from one of my favorite movies, The Shawshank Redemption:
"Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'."