On "Getting There"

Here’s the deal: You never really “get there.”

We set a goal to lose weight. And we attack that goal with focus, determination, commitment, enthusiasm, passion, vigor, and fun . We begin to pay attention. We pay attention to the food we put in our mouths. We pay attention to how much food we put in our mouths. And we pay attention to moving our bodies more.

Then the magical day comes, and we achieve the amazing number we’re seeking, either the number on the scale, or the number on the inside of the waist band of a pair of jeans.

We enjoy the moment. We feel amazing. We feel great. We feel powerful.

And then what happens?

We quit paying attention. In many cases, we may quit doing all the things that helped us achieve the new number on the scale or the new size of clothing, because see “losing weight” as a temporary and short-term goal, rather than viewing it as a life-long commitment to a healthy body.

I know in my heart that developing a healthy relationship with my body is a journey that I will be on for the rest of my life. There is no destination. There’s no finish line. There is no end-point. And I’ll never “get there.”

The secret to maintaining a healthful weight? Continue to pay attention to your body. Continue doing all the things that helped you achieve that weight. It’s a journey. It’s a life-long activity. It’s a process that never ends.

Once you achieve the body weight you’re seeking, the only way you maintain it is to continue to do all the things you did while you were “getting there.” It’s really about going the distance.

And in this case, the distance is the rest of your life!



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