I've Found the Answer to Success
Or, better still, I've discovered the key to staying on track
If I want to set myself on a path to failure concerning weight loss, I need only make a New Year’s resolution. As someone who has struggled to commit to new routines, I often find my resolutions futile. That gym membership I bought years ago for one year went unused, along with my Jenny Craig subscription, which produced disappointing results because of my mismanagement, aka not adhering to the plan.
But 2025 already looks different, and it feels different, too. This year, I know I’ll succeed.
I understand the eye roll, but bear with me.
The difference between this year and the others is that I haven’t made a New Year’s resolution; I’ve created a vision. I haven’t resolved to lose weight; I’ve committed to feeling 70% greater vitality in my body by the end of the year. I never agreed to exercise. Instead, I’ve promised myself to move more—no small feat for a person with my sedentary lifestyle.
Reframing the wording has made a world of difference. I am not only succeeding, but I’m also feeling inspired. It’s been a month since I gave up the daily Hostess cupcakes, chocolate bars, and candies, trading refined sugar for natural sugar, which I find in green apples, berries, and sweet potatoes. It’s amazing how sweet these foods taste when you eliminate treats with added sugar.
My daughter told me, “Sugar will never be the answer!” This has become my daily mantra whenever sugar cravings arise. It’s been a lifelong pattern to feed headaches and sorrows with sugary treats, believing my body must lack it if I crave it, but of course, that’s untrue. Thanks to my vision, when I now look at products with refined sugar, I see a poison label flashing in front of it, causing me to pause. It’s been highly effective, and as my resolve strengthens, my pattern dissolves.
For the past four weeks, I’ve focused on healthy eating: fish, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and quinoa. The list of beneficial foods I ingest goes on and on. I’m not dieting. I eat lots, but what I put into my body is nutritious. And to my pleasure, I’ve begun shedding pounds.
As for moving more, I’ve started briskly walking on the spot. While I’m surprised I opted for exercising rather than random outdoor walking, it’s going well outside of specific complaining muscles. However, in four short weeks, my butt, thighs, and calves are firmer. Who dares to complain about that?
Despite things moving well, I know there will be bumpy roads ahead. That’s where vision comes in. I learned from last year’s vision while focusing on completing my children’s picture book that getting what we want never strictly entails smooth sailing; it involves hardship, too. Through tears, perseverance, and confidence, I forged past roadblocks. Picturing the result vividly and hungering for the completed book as part of my legacy gave me unwavering cause to see it to the end.
Today, I imagine myself healthy, energetic, and closer to my goal weight by December. Whenever I need a reminder of what fulfilling my vision feels like, I look at the copy of “Huey, No!” on my shelf. I then think of all the children with copies on their shelves thanks to Amazon sales.
There’s no way I will fail.
I have every reason to succeed.
In the past, by now, I’d feel defeated. Today, it looks like I’m on the right path. If I can say anything to inspire you to create something you don’t yet have, it’s choosing a vision that lights you up, leaving you no room to give up.
So, forgive yourself for breaking your New Year’s resolution, and why not create a vision instead?
Dear readers, I wrote a story on Medium about a subject you may not have considered. It’s about rehoming your pet if you die before they do. If you own a pet, it doesn’t need to be a cat; this read is for you. I’ve provided a friend’s link so you can read it for free. (Note to readers who know my kids: my children have opted for pseudonyms.)
It’s always a pleasure engaging with you.
Until next time, take care!
I know the feeling of the NY resolutions now working. Losing weight has been a big challenge for me in recent years. I lose perhaps 10 pounds, then something happens, e.g. I catch a cold and start eating more. And before I know it, I'm back to square one.
This is encouraging. Maybe I can just commit to moving more and eating better.