Oprah, Weight Loss, and Me

“If you’re looking for an excuse to fall off the wagon,

the universe will provide one.  That’s what I’ve learned.  It’s

not enough to simply claim to care about yourself; when you

believe that you’re worthy of the space you occupy on the

planet, you demonstrate that by insisting that every last one of

your choices – from the food you put in your mouth to the

commitments you put on your calendar – moves

you toward the life you want.”

Oprah, The Oprah Magazine, January 2009

How does that quote make you feel?  Before May of 2007 I would have brushed it off as not for me.  The thought that I have to make time for me – make me a priority.  Yikes, that goes against what I think that the Bible teaches me.  I’m to be a servant for God – doing for others and not for me.  That would be selfish.

But then I started on my weight loss journey.  I was at the end of my rope, so sick of the person I was seeing in the mirror.  It was affecting all aspects of my life.  I wasn’t a confident person before, but it was to the point that I was disgusted with myself.  I used to be fit – able to ride 50 miles on my bike in less than 2 hours and now doing laundry caused my breathing to be heavy.  Here I was, living the life of my dreams as a mother of four, but dying inside.

I made the step that only I could make – a choice only I could do.  I started a weight loss plan – Weight Watchers was my choice.  I had seen my parents have success with it while I was younger, and they still were healthy.  I asked my mom to join me (she didn’t need to lose weight, I just wanted a buddy) and in May of 2007 I joined.

This past year and half has changed me more than I could have imagined.  I am 4 lbs from my goal weight, having lost 42 lbs so far.  I have learned how to eat the foods I love and still see a weight loss.  I have had energy to play with my children.  But, most importantly to me, I have become the most confident in myself that I have ever been.

And that takes the story to me.  It was all about finding myself – a confident woman that was more than ready to serve God.  He had made me a new creation when I accepted him as my Lord and Savior, and with His strength, I had found the person on the outside that could take the steps He was calling me too.

Now, I have to agree with Oprah – that if you’re looking for a reason to fall off the wagon – whatever your wagon is – the universe will give it you.  You have to chose your own path though.  What path will you take?  The one less traveled?  It might be harder, but along the way you will be surprised at the person you will find in you and the support you will receive.

I’ve had an amazing journey.  I am so glad that I took that step.  And, you know what, without the support of my mom, I think I might have failed.  She was with me at the weigh ins, giving me hints on food choices, buying fun things for me, and sending me notes in the mail.

My journey isn’t over, it never really will be.  I will always try to remember to journal my food and get my workouts in.  I will remember my old self and do my best to not fall off that wagon.  It might happen, but as God forgives me so quickly, I will forgive myself, get back on the narrow path and march on.