It May Feel Impossible – But Quitting Is Not An Option!

It May Feel Impossible – But Quitting Is Not An Option!

Whether we are morbidly obese and have more than a hundred pounds to lose or whether we have a stubborn 15-20 pounds keeping us from our ideal weight, we can experience feelings of frustration and hopelessness. From a morbidly obese perspective, the sheer number of pounds ahead of us can seem so overwhelming that we are discouraged before we even start. From the perspective of someone trying to lose those last stubborn pounds, we can become quite disenchanted when they hold on, as if cemented to us, and our efforts don’t seem to produce our desired results.

I have now been at both ends of the spectrum and have first hand knowledge of these feelings. What I can very happily share with you is that it is possible to overcome these feelings and to shed the unwanted pounds. It takes dedication, perseverance, support, encouragement, motivation, self-talk, friendships and a “can do” attitude that adopts the philosophy that “quitting is not an option!” READ MORE...

Start by focusing on small attainable goals consisting of 2-5 pounds. For those of you who are morbidly obese, do not look beyond that point.

In either case, as your mind starts to think of the task at hand being too burdensome, I want you to remember a story taught to me in childhood … one of Aesop’s fables.

An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.”

The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the bundle. The other sons also tried, but none succeeded.

“Untie the bundle,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he told them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken.

You see there are several lessons we can learn from this.

1. Just like the bundle of sticks could not be broken at once, we cannot shed the unwanted pounds hastily. We can focus on 2-5 pounds and then achieve our goal, one pound at a time.”

2. As the sons worked together and each took turns in breaking a stick, we can join together; there is strength in union. There will be periods of time when the going gets tough, but your friends can provide encouragement and empathy during those times and fill you with the motivation to break one stick at a time.

3. Stay engaged in your support community before, during and after the periodic challenges. United we stand, divided we fall.

4. We all tumble occasionally. Forgive yourself quickly, reach out for group support and get back up. Quitting is not an option! You only fail if you stop trying.

In my youth, my parents gave me the childhood dream of having a pony! His name was Caesar. He was a brown and white Shetland. While he was small in stature, he had the spirit of a wild mustang and, in the manner he approached the other horses, he must have thought he was as big as a draft horse.

One day, while riding to my grandparent’s farm, he uncharacteristically put his head down and bucked me off. I cried and vowed never to ride him again. My mother talked to me and explained it was necessary for me to get up and get back on. While I initially balked at the idea, I yielded to her wisdom. The lesson she instilled in me was to face my fears and not give up when the ride was bumpy. The emotional benefit, and longest lasting lesson, was the feeling of accomplishment and pride when I conquered my apprehension and gained self-confidence.

Adopt a “can do” attitude and made a pledge that “quitting is not an option!” Stop expecting overnight changes and enjoy each day of your journey. The lessons that are learned, the people you meet and the experiences you face are more valuable than a king’s ransom and you will be profoundly changed!