Words to live by.

I always thought it was important to have a mantra. Something you can repeat to yourself when times get hard in the weight loss journey. Because, let's be real, weight loss is hard. It's one of the hardest things I have ever done. And sometimes it's lonely and frustrating and awful. Sometimes it makes you want to punch your friend in the face as they eat a burger, or curse under your breath while you munch that salad. It can make you a mean person. So I find comfort in the words that keep me going. It can be something small someone at a WW meeting said in passing that will stick with me throughout the week. Or it can be a motivational picture I found on pinterest. Anything that motivates and inspires you is a good thing. These are some of my favorites. Not all of them directly relate to food or weight loss, but I think this whole journey is weaving in and out of every part of my life. So for me, it connects.

^ I can say it a million times. Weight loss is hard. There is no easy route, as much as some people will tell you. Some days you just have to be the person that works harder and gets shit done. It won't happen unless you work at it consistently. 

^ Raise your hand if you've said, "Oh, I can't possibly work out today. My head hurts." Or, "That burger is only 1,305 calories, come on!" And I know I'm not the only one that's used, "I'm not a morning person." At some point, you have to be stronger than the excuses. It hurts and sometimes it sucks but if you want something, the work is required. And it's worth it! 

^ It happens. Know that at some point, you will want to give up. I have a bad habit of not being able to follow through with things. I get bored easily and suddenly it's easier to find another task to focus on. I have given up more times than I can count on weight loss and healthy eating. The only time I started seeing real results was when I fought through that restless period and decided I was through giving up.

These are my favorites. Another one that I have in my office says, "Most people give up because they look at how far they have to go rather than how far they have come." I have lost 17.8 pounds. That's a larger number than ever before. I know I still have 50+ pounds to go, which seems daunting, so I don't focus on it. I try to focus on where I have come from and keep going every day.