Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill
Today marks one year since my surgery. Today I weighed in at 203, which is 62 pounds lost in 2020. The practical part of me wants to always caveat my success with a “considering.” …Considering that a lot of people gained in 2020. …Considering that I haven’t been to the gym since March. …Considering that I work from home.
Truth be told, 62 pounds is an amazing feat, no ifs, ands, buts, or considerings about it. There are always greater success stories, but I have to celebrate that I made a huge change, I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m happy with the results. Life is a journey, as they say, and I’m only on the first leg or so.
I could have done better. There will always be “could haves.” But the biggest truth, for me, that came out of this year is that for this endeavor to be successful, it has to work for me. And that means sometimes having M&Ms, sometimes having cheesecake, and eating foods I love–even if it’s just a few bites. There have been times (and there will be many more) where I overdo it for days on end, then I get back up and continue on. I may never become a runner. I may not be cut out to exercise regularly. But I can try, and ultimately, I have to make a commitment that I can stick to. Less exercise means fewer calories, and that’s something I can stick to.
So whatever journey you are on, whatever commitment you make for 2021, remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life, a journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step, and it’s a marathon not a sprint.