I started out two years ago this month with the idea of getting to the root of who I am as a person. I am thrilled to report it has been an absolutely amazing journey and continues to be so every single day. I wake up every single day feeling blessed and connected with the world. My ultimate goal was a simple one, it was all about Finding Fritzie and living a happier, healthier life. As a result of this ongoing journey in my life, I have lost over 150 pounds, I eliminated many things I didn’t need and I gained a brand spanking new perspective along the way.
Being Positive Made All the Difference…
↓↓↓ (Click on “Read more…” below to view the rest of this post) ↓↓↓
So, as I have mentioned in previous posts, this journey wasn’t just about losing weight, it was a quest to be a happier, healthier person. Over the course of many years, I have gained and lost more weight than I care to remember. It seemed like each time I attempted to lose weight in the past, I would always gain it back plus even more. I used to be an emotional eater, always trying to comfort myself with food. Instead of dealing with depression over losing my father and a few other issues along the way, I chose to try and bury my issues using food instead. And then when the Joplin Tornado came along, I was overcome with grief and sadness that took me down a dark path for quite some time.
After being angry and sad for so many years, in May of 2013, I started to wake up. I came to realize that I could turn my life around by changing my attitude. Instead of thinking the whole world sucked, I started to find all of the great things about life again. It was all about baby steps for me, it was one little step at a time. I started eliminating all the negative things in my life and started focusing on all of the positive things. I worked on everything day by day, step by step. I told myself that every single step I made was a step in the right direction. I didn’t try and stop all of my bad habits all at once (oh my gosh, can you imagine?!), I dropped them one at a time.
My Weight Loss Journey.
As far as losing the weight goes, I didn’t have any particular plan other than the fact that I was not going on a “diet”. This time, instead of thinking of it as a “diet”, I made a conscious decision to make a complete lifestyle change. I would start eating healthier and keep eating healthy for the rest of my life. This meant getting away from sugar, processed foods, soda, refined carbs like white flour and such. I started eliminating one thing at a time, week after week and eating fresh, whole foods and a lot of vegetables and fruits. Instead of diving head-first into a bag of candy or chips every time I felt bad, I would talk about my feelings or write them down. I found keeping a journal of my day to day thoughts to be very helpful. I only ate when I was hungry and went for healthier options. Instead of cabinets full of processed foods, I filled my fridge with foods that would nourish my body and feed my soul.
Every Day is A Gift.
After changing my attitude about food, I worked on overcoming my hatred of exercise next. I found my love of walking again last fall and I have been walking regularly ever since. Walking daily makes me feel so much better. It is something I greatly look forward to and I look at it as a way to re-charge myself for each day. Not only is it a chance to be outside in nature, but it is a chance to be alone with my thoughts. I often find tons of inspiration on my walks, it is an opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh. I highly recommend it! 🙂 Something else that has made a world of difference for me is gratitude. I wake up every single day now feeling blessed and grateful for SO many things. I enjoy and celebrate life’s successes now, big and small. There is actually no such thing as a small success, they are ALL big wins in my book.
If you are considering making positive changes in your life, GO FOR IT! You have absolutely NOTHING to lose and a whole new amazing world to gain. Speaking from experience, I can honestly say, that switching over to a positive mode of thinking has utterly changed my life and it has ALL been for the better. I have learned so many amazing and awesome things along the way. Not only have I lost over 150 pounds in my journey, but I also found a whole new perspective along the way. And let me tell you, it has been SPECTACULAR.
Please, please, please, feel free to comment and share your thoughts on your own personal journey. Blessings to you all and thank you SO much for stopping by. ♥
Woo hoo!! Congratulations on your success. I have been inspired by your story along the way, along with others. (I needed a LOT of inspiration! LOL) I chose to go to Professional Weight Management, as I kept starting & stopping my weight loss journey on my own & never really accomplished anything lasting. I’m down just 16 or 17 pounds, but to me it feels like a ton! I have many more to go, but it is so motivating to read stories like yours and know that I can stick with it and get to my goal eventually. And a good attitude does really help you enjoy life so much more. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you so much! And that’s fantastic LizaJane, thanks for sharing! 🙂
What an inspiring testimony! I appreciate you sharing it. I’m at my heaviest ever and I’m trying to just find a little motivation to get started. Your story is inspiring.
Thank you so much Nettie. I was too when I started out two years ago.
You can DO it, Nettie!
Yes! 🙂
You look fantastic!
You could be writing my thoughts, my story. I too have spiraled into darkness…from loss. Loss comes to us in many forms, doesn’t it Fritzie? I think that over the years I have faced every form of it. Until finally, I myself became lost.
I am now on a journey to finding that woman that I used to be. I miss her. Reading about your success and your steps to get there, is both joyous & inspiring.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us.