It's a Cliché

True. I can’t refute it. It is a cliché. Where the rubber meets the road. That’s where I am right now. The journey up to this point has been easy. I’ve known what I need to do to lose weight, make myself be healthier, and generally roll with a new lifestyle; however, I am close to THE goal. What in the world do I do now?

As a general rule, people are expecting me to fail. A leopard never changes his spots, right? You can lose the weight but can you keep it off? If you can keep it off, how long can you keep it off? Can you maintain for the long haul? People lose weight all the time, but how many can actually keep it off? It is a cliché.

Doughnut anyone? 11-29-2012

I don’t intend to be one of those people that experience the yo-yo effect of weightloss. At the same time, only time will tell. I’ve made this journey very public by putting it on Facebook, on social media, and telling everyone that I know. My tweeting was intentional. I wanted the accountability. I wanted to bring out the skeptics. I wanted the feedback. I just have to ensure that I don’t run with my tail tucked between my legs. Now, I have to decide on the plan.

I’m scared straight (well, that’s a true laugh). What if I can’t actually maintain? The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, right? Fortunately, for me, a cute little pedometer I keep in my pocket is counting the steps. Egad! I’ve only walked 2132 steps today! I better not get my sexy camo panties in a wad. In order to be the healthiest version of me that I can, I need to sit at my desk and work because lord knows I’m not made of money. Naturally, being in Information Technology, I’m not a walking cliché.

I can do this though. There’s not a question in my mind. Since July 8, 2012, when I made a conscious decision to live better, I’ve followed the same plan. I haven’t faltered because it’s not a diet. It’s a way of life (more on the plan coming soon). I have diabetes. It truly is life or death and that’s not a cliché. 

Watch out world, I’m fierce, I’m ready, and I’m brave as a lion even if I am weak as a kitten. By the way, that weakness is on the chopping block too!

Why?

The why. It's always the question I struggle with the most in life. Why should I get up for work every day? Why do I love fried food? Why do I adore New York City? Why do I do what I do when I do it? The answer is usually simple, and lots of times it's very selfish.

All those questions *might* be explored in this blog. The main reason I've decided on the "why" for this blog is to explore the even bigger question. How? Just as important as "how", "why" will be a recurring theme. So don't be surprised when "why" drops in to say hello.

Yes, I  know I'm rambling, but isn't that the point of a blog? Also, yes, I'm intentionally vagueblogging. Without further adieu, welcome to my blog, refocusonlife.

11/8/2011--the rose

Refocusonlife came to me in the course of my 2 year long photo-a-day project. It ended on December 31, 2012. To me, it meant that I had to stop and smell the roses; or, more importantly, stop; look at the rose, move its petals around, get the camera lens as close as I could, and modify all the surroundings in order to be able to see the rose in the way that nature intended me to see the rose, maybe even tearing the rose; petal by petal, until something artistic struck me.

Regardless, refocusonlife simply put, meant that it was time to look at the smaller picture. I felt I needed to dig down, stop being concerned with all the nonsense of day to day life and enjoy the small beauties that surrounded me at all times.

Towards the middle part of 2012, I started applying that concept not just to photography, but to my life in general. It changed who I am. It changed me to the core of my being. So, the "why", even though not simple in this instance, is because I needed to. That's why. Oftentimes, as a Dad, I remember saying "because I said so, that's why!"

In 2013, I plan to carry this even further. I am going to redefine who I am even further. I'm going to embrace the things about me that I love and I'm going to demolish the things about me I loathe.

Even though I haven't said it yet, this blog will also be about the most important change I've ever made in my life--my decision to be healthy. That encompasses so many aspects of my life. I continue to work on it every single day--as I will for the rest of my life. If I can add one extra minute to my life that I get to spend with my children, my husband, and my family--then I have been successful!

I will cover my weightloss journey in depth. I will explain to you the changes I've made, the changes I continue to make, and my results (be they negative or positive). I will explain my resolutions for 2013 and beyond. My bucket list. My photography. My life.

December 28, 2012--191 pounds

February 25, 2011--258 pounds

I will start by sharing two photos. A before (left) and a current (right). Notice how I didn't say an "after"? I ain't done yet. So, the after shot is forthcoming.