What I have Learned

To say I have struggled since my last post would be an understatement. I have re-read some of my previous posts, and yes I did struggle, but not nearly as much as I have in the last five months. It has been a constant roller coaster ride for me. I'm up and then I'm down, trying so hard to make the climb back up. As so many of my friends have told me, this is a journey, there are highs and there are lows. It's what you learn from them, that is important. I would like to extend sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported and encouraged me in these past months, it couldn't have been easy. And I'm not here to promise it is going to get better immediately, slowly but surely I will get there.

Here is what I have learned:

• I need God. He has to be a part of my journey. In 2012 I gave this weight loss journey to Him. I prayed while everyone else ate dessert, prayed for that extra 2 minutes on the treadmill, prayed to make a healthy choice at a restaurant. My relationship with God grew immensely in that year, it's really amazing to see how God worked in my life. 

• We are sinners, so there will be rough seasons of life, but there will also be very joyous parts of life. Struggling is part of the journey and it's ok. But it's not ok to sit around and do nothing about it. Then this weight loss was a fade or a time of my life and not an actual life style change. I have gained weight because I have not made smart choices, but I am not willing to give up on myself.

•  I have an amazing network of friends who listened, supported, encouraged and prayed for me! 

•  I put to much pressure on myself. I am not perfect, and I need to stop trying to be. It is important for me to make healthy choices and push myself while working out. But I am trying to learn to not beat myself up for the times I don't think I gave it my all.

• Most importantly, I learned that in 2013 I did not put God first. I thought I could make this happen on my own. Granted, there were some outside factors that have impacted my health, but I know that  my physical and mental health are better if God is at the center.

Time to refocus- put God first. It's not the first time I've said that, and probably won't be the last.
I'm going to do the Daniel Plan. The Daniel Plan is 40 days to a healthier life.
Faith. Food. Fitness.Focus.Friends.

As I said, I put to much pressure on myself, set goals, don't meet them and give up. I'm going to try very hard not to do that. With that said, I am going to give it my best to blog everyday about The Daniel Plan and how it's going.

"Setback and comebacks are part of the journey, and graciousness must be part of both."- The Daniel Plan