Think About It Thursday - If you don't want to start over, don't stop!

How many times have you stopped and started a work out or healthier eating plan?  I know I started and stopped so many times before something really clicked - I DO NOT WANT TO BE FAT! It's not just about looks or appearance, although I'd be lying to say at least some of my motivation isn't vanity.  But when I was overweight, I felt like I was cheating myself out of life.  I would avoid situations because I felt uncomfortable or out of place.  I wouldn't try new things, especially new athletic things because I thought I can't do that or I'll look like the fat fool if I try.  I would criticize my body, vow to change, make dramatic plans to stop eating this or that or run every day but then completely lack the follow through.

What changed?  I wish I could say there was some magic thing, some pill or some epiphany moment that made the last time I decided to start being healthier the time that stuck.  I can't say that.  Or I could but I'd be lying.  Truly the only thing I did was pick one simple thing and then drive myself to stick to it no matter what.  For me, that was working out.  I told myself that Monday, Wednesday and Friday I HAD to least show up to the gym and do 20 minutes of cardio after work.  No matter what.  Come hell or high water.  I HAD to be there.  It didn't make it easier to go, it just made it something I committed too and I was sick of letting myself down.

It took almost a year for that one commitment to be something I didn't have to think about all the time.  And man were there ever days I just really didn't want to go.  But I think deep down I knew that if I stopped, I'd just have to start again.  I didn't want to start again, I wanted to keep going, to keep moving forward.  Obviously over time I've gotten way more intense than just 3 sessions of cardio a week but that's where it started.  And it started from a commitment to myself that this was THE LAST TIME I would be starting.

So if you don't want to start again, don't stop!