MAINTENANCE IS BRUTAL!

MAINTENANCE IS BRUTAL!

“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”—Unknown

It's a new year - the time that we reflect on all of our past indiscretions and vow to do better in the future. Well, I am in that boat with everyone else I know.

“You have the ability not just to observe your life like a historian or a fortune teller but like a sculptor, through vision and painstaking hard work to make of it a life what you will.”—Devon Harris

I was fortunate to lose all the weight and reach my goal the week before we took our anniversary trip to Hawaii. I was able to reintroduce some of the foods that I love - mostly fruit - into my diet. I was amazed at how good the fruit tasted after not having any for so long.

Then came the maintenance part of the program. I have a somewhat restricted diet for five days -then I have a day that I can have anything I want - then back onto phase 1 for one day - then start the cycle over again. Well, that is what I am supposed to do. In actuality, I have had anything I want for 5 days - then the one day of phase 1 - and one day of the restricted diet.

I have had so many people ask, "Don't you feel sick when you eat something really rich that you haven't had for so long?". Unfortunately, the answer is "NO!" I wish I did, but the holiday treats really tasted good to me. I did discover that I cannot eat like I did in the past, or I will regain all that I worked so hard to lose.

“You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict your future.”—Terri Cole

I have told myself that it is due to the holidays that I have been tempted to indulge in all the goodies that life has to offer. I know that the entire time I was on program I was dedicated to following it exactly - and it worked. The only thing that makes one successful on any weight loss program is your mental attitude. And, your mental attitude is also what makes you fail. I am now committed to losing the 5 or 6 pounds that I gained over the holidays so that I can retain my new body.

I have pondered over the next update to my blog. I revealed in one of my past updates that I have a lot of extra skin as a result of losing all the weight. In fact, I look somewhat like a deflated balloon. As Bob so eloquently put it, "You look really good with your clothes on!". But, with them off, there is a lot of extra skin.

So, I have decided to take the next step in this transformation. I am having tummy tuck surgery on Friday of this week. I have revealed most of my most personal feelings and emotions throughout this journey, but I am not sure how to address this surgery. It is all part of the total make-over, so I will post occasional updates and let you know the outcomes.

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.”—Swami Vivekananda

The plastic surgeon said that this is the most painful of all the reconstructive surgeries, and will take the longest recovery time. But, I have lots of areas that need help so if I can handle this one, I am sure others will follow.

I am not entirely comfortable with sharing the (photos) of this next phase, although I did realize during my past updates that when I shared my most personal thoughts I was able to look inside myself and use those posts to assist me in maintaining the perseverance that I needed to reach my destination.

I have taken a 'before' picture, and will take during and after shots just so I can use them for my own knowledge. Whether or not I post them here remains to be seen...

So, until the next update, I am back on phase 1 for a few days - determined to lose the 5 - 7 pounds that I put on during the holidays.
Happy New Year, Friends!