Making that lifestyle change...

[Melissa]

Have been getting lots of positive feedback on how far I have come and found that lots more people are wondering how I did it but know that what I did will not always work for someone else. I have also gotten stuck in a rut a few times along the way. Was wondering what you have found that works best for you that you think others will benefit from...anything from diet to fitness. Please share so that others may benefit!

[Cbriddle]

I think you have made some great progress and let me say that I am impressed and proud of you. You commited to how you wanted to look and you took the steps needed to get there. I have learned over the years that when people want to change - they will. What I'm saying is that if someone truly and whole heartedly wants a change and they commit to doing what it takes to change - then they will. There are no half assed efforts that produce great success. I find that people that are strict with their diets and strict with their workouts and most importantly they are honest with themselves then they will reap great rewards. Let me restate that HONESTY with themselves is most important. We have all slipped on our diets and we have all done a workout with less than full effort. I can hear myself say "Oh that's good enough or one cookie won't kill me" and thats ok once on a while but the key is to not make a habit of "sliding by" and not doing what you are really capable of. How many times has someone said I'd really like to lose 10 pounds and then they diet for a day or two and then they quit on themselves? They fall back into the same rut and some time will go by and then the next thing you know they are eating crap and not exercising. It's the people that make things happen that get ahead. I think if we all were to really be our own worst critic and accept our own advice then we would all have great success.

[Melissa]

Have to whole heartedly agree with you there Chaz! Part of the honesty is figuring out how you got to the point you did and then dealing with it so you can concentrate on where you need to go IF you want to get there. This was not a 'going on a diet to get to a goal' it was I need to change my life as I am living it now for a better me kind of thing. Oh, and thanks for the feedback!