Once the weight is gone.... can you REALLY be happy?

[Maren]

Im have been thinking about this a lot lately. It is something that has been swimming around in my mind and I really want to answer my own question. I also know that it something that swims around in most of your minds and it is a topic that comes up alot. As you all know...in May I reached my ultimate goal weight of 125 pounds. Since then, I have successfully maintained give and take a few pounds .At first maintenance was really tough but lately I have seemed to find my groove. I plan my meals for the week and I know what I can and can not eat and what triggers me. Things are good and I am finding strength in my journey. I really do believe that the longer you make good choices and try your best... the easier it becomes. I honestly truely believe this. I am living proof. When I first started to lose weight, it was hard. I often thought about food and obsessed a little. I often wondered if I could really lose the weight and if I was really strong enough to do it. When I started running I also questioned my abilities. I was a weak Maren at the beginning but something burned within me and I wanted change. Somewhere I found the desire to keep going. I had lost weight before and I wanted to look good and feel good again. I wasnt happy with myself. I didnt like my body and most of all, I didnt like being controlled by something. Food controlled me and I hated it. In my opinion it is much like any other addiction. I use to smoke. I know. I smoked for many years. I started young and finally quit when I was about 25. Cigarrettes controlled me. I hated it. It was such a waste of money and so bad for my health. One day, much like my weight, I had ENOUGH! I quit cold turkey. I knew I could do it and I did all I could to be successful. No excuses! It was all me and I knew I could change. We really are stronger than we think we are! Now....I cant even stand the smell of smoke.It makes me sick. I have absolutley no desire to smoke anymore. This is very much like the way I feel about food now. It doesnt have the hold on me like it use to. I have no desire to eat bad and I dont think about when Im going to eat next. I know I am strong and I have a very balanced relationship with food now. Often times most of us wonder if we will ever get there and I have to say..YES! Yes..we can. I am in a really good place but have worked very hard to get here. My last 5 pounds were the hardest but I am finally content. My body is not perfect but I am content. My body never will be but I have come to that realization. I dont compare my body to other bodies and I have to laugh at the fact that my boobs are gone! Oh well...it could be worse right? I mean really...how is wishing you looked better and being hard on yourself going to get you where you want to be? I have learned that the negative thinking gets me NOWHERE! The postive thinking does. I find this in running. I mentioned earlier that I use to doubt my running abilities when I first started. A year later I ran a marathon! Totally mental! It wasnt because I had this strong physical extraordinary body. It was because I made a goal and knew that I was strong enough menatlly to do it. A lot of our struggles are mental. We have to remember this and we have to remember that our minds are strong enough to win the battle. Another thing that has helped me find happiness, is that I have also worked on who I am as a person and I have tried to make some changes with in. I am not perfect and I will always need to continue being better...but I am happy when I am moving forward. When we are stagnant or digressing, it is an unhappy place. We need to always be trying to be better and work on the things that need work within ourselves. Just like maintenance it will be never ending...but it will get easier as we grow. I now believe that I can do ANYTHING. I never thought this way. In fact, I missed out on alot of oppurtunities in life because I never thought I was good enough. I was afraid of failure so I never tried. What a bummer! Now...I believe in myself and I know that the people who accomplish great things are no different than I am. I also just have to add that everyone CAN get to this place. I am no different than any of you. Yes...the weight loss helped me be happy.... but it is more than that. Being a good person, doing good things and raising a family make me happy too. Sometimes, as we go beyond ourselves we can find more happiness within. That doesnt mean dont take care of yourself because you should always come first. Once you are happy, you can then pass that on. You will find that being in a good happy place will make it easier to do so. Anyways....life is good. Yes...you can be thin and happy. You can also be IN the journey of losing weight and be happy. So dont forget...while your in the journey to take care of YOU so that when your weight is off ......its just all gets better! You can be thin and miserable too so take the time to change the things that need changing. It not ALL about the weight. Usually it is what lies within us that needs the most change.

[Ana]

You are FANTABULOUS honey! This post affected me like you will never know! You have this power within yourself that not only motivates you to success but you also have this power to affect everyone else. You're an incredible inspiration and a mentor. You're so positive and it makes you RADIANT. And you're right, perfectionism hurts us and instead of choosing to be happy, we choose to be critical. We can learn so much for you, I'm glad you posted this. You have an incredible story and the fact that you overcame the negativity and took action, instead of staying helpless. You're a GODDESS, you're a STAR. Your words shine light on all of us. Thank you, you beautiful ANGEL.

[Christine]

Thank-you Maren...I don't know if you will ever realize how important and meaningful your posts are. You are in such a good place and I am happy for you. I am getting there and I have you to thank for helping me with this part of my journey. Life gives you so many challenges and how you deal with each one is what helps you become who you are. Thank-you again :)

[Alison]

Awesome post. Thank you! I hope to be in the same place you are someday...one day at a time I will get there :)

[Katrina]

What a fantastic post Maren, just what I needed to hear today! Although I am at my goal weight I still struggle with fully accpeting my body--it's so easy for me to find flaws! You reminded me that I need to accept who I am and be happy with who I am!

[pamelabee]

This post has definitely set my own thought process in motion. It's amazing to me how all-consuming our relationships with our bodies become. So often we view it as a separate entity from ourselves, that we're constantly trying to control, or beat into submission. But it sounds like you have a great concept of balance, and have found a way of achieving it. It's what we should be focusing on, not just the number on the scale. Thanks for writing this great post!

[Jill]

Thanks for that. I am still processing it all....there were several things you wrote that I needed to hear. Thanks!

[Carolyn]

Right on!!! Its all about being kind to yourself and accepting who you are. Sometimes we forget that, and focus on the physical, and forget about the emotional. Weight loss is about shedding the emotional weight and being kind to your inner self, just as much as it is about increasing your fitness and changing your diet. It is a complete process. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. You are truly a beautiful soul, through and through!!

[Tanie]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks so much for that post! It is what we all need to hear. I love that you know you can do anything! Congrats and keep posting things like this! It is good for you, me, and everyone else!

[Joni]

Maren... Can I just say that I love you? I mean I really do. You are such a great example of a wonderful change in lifestyle and balance. When I read your blog I just just feel how similar you and I are. In fact, I often could write your blog myself. You have really achieved something wonderful. You were gorgeous before you lost this extra weight baggage and you're even more physically beautiful now, but your wonderful attitude shines through :) Amazing!!!