By Leighann Butler (Special to the Morning News)

Hello, everyone. I want to share with you what I have learned and experienced in my Biggest Loser journey so far.

The hardest thing for me to understand goes along with the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” I want to lose weight and I want for it to happen now, but I am here to tell you that is not going to happen. I have decided that, for me, this journey is more about the lifestyle change than losing the weight. Of course, I want to lose weight and win the competition, but I know that to do that I have to change the way I eat and start to exercise. The weight loss will naturally come along with the change.

Now let’s talk about changing the way we eat. There are lots of diets out there that say “Lose 10 pounds in a week.” That’s great, but those 10 pounds aren’t going to stay gone long.

I have tried to make sure I have changed my eating to something I can live with for the long run. This weight-loss journey cannot be just 10 weeks. It has to continue for the rest of my life. I hope I am not going to be trying to lose weight the rest of my life, but once I get to where I want to be I will have to work hard to keep myself there. This is something I have not done well in the past. This is about learning to live a healthier and happier life.

Another interesting thing I have learned thus far on this journey is how important it is to have a positive attitude.

In our first meeting Robin Lewis shared with us the statement “I can and I will.” I never knew that those five little words could make such a difference. In my situation, they have made me a morning person. I have never been a morning person.

After one week of going to the gym in the afternoon I realized that it just didn’t fit in my schedule. I told myself “I could and I would” get to the gym. I decided then that I would go in the morning. I never thought, and I mean never thought, I would be telling anyone that I am standing at the gyms doors when they open at 5:30 am. I love it, though! I have joined a Power Cycle class that meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I look forward to seeing those people and working out with them.

Believe me when I say, if I can get up and make it to the gym anyone can. I knew that going would make me happy and it is. That is what this journey is about for me. I know I need to be healthy for many reasons, but I want to be healthy and happy for myself.

So I leave you today with this… “you can and you will.” Make up your mind to make a change for the better. Maybe you need to make healthier food choices or exercise more. Maybe a positive attitude is what you are missing. Whatever it may be, make up your mind and do it.

 

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