Sunday, January 29, 2012

"Aha" Moment...(Sorta)

     I'm not really sure that I can pinpoint one exact "aha" moment or any certain situation that made me want to make the change and take the weight off. It wasn't like there was all of a sudden a light bulb that suddenly went off one day. Maybe part of that was because I had struggled with my weight for so long and had lost all confidence and hope that I'd even be able to take the weight off, even if I tried. I had done the Zone diet years ago and lost between 30-40 pounds but gained it all back and then some within a year of when I finished. I think the thought of failing again lingered in the back of my mind. I guess I found myself comfortable with accepting or maybe not accepting who I was and started asking myself, "Why even try?"

     I do however, remember being at my heaviest - 278 pounds of all Paige. (I know, scary!)  I actually didn't realize I'd gotten that heavy, because I never liked getting on the scale. (Who does, right?) I think in some ways it scared me, and in some ways I didn't want to deal with the reality of what I'd gotten myself into. I do though remember one instance vividly. I was sitting in the recliner on a Tuesday night with my legs propped up, watching Biggest Loser, eating a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich, and I could hear myself wheezing as I breathed. I had recently noticed this had become a part of who I was. (The wheezing that is.) I didn't notice it often but it was there. It bothered me. It was then that I started thinking about my life, about my body, about the fact that it was a gift to me.  Yet I hadn't taken care of it the way I knew I should. Was I being selfish and not making good choices? Maybe some of the time.  Was it because I really didn't care? No, that wasn't it at all. Was it because I was just being lazy? Maybe. Was it because I was afraid of failure? That was part of it. Or did the real reason lie within the idea that I hadn't ever educated myself properly about food and how it works or doesn't work in our body? Yes, that was it! I had not a clue about how food worked. Along with that, I had no idea that there was no such thing as a diet. I always assumed in order to lose the weight you needed to diet. It was then, that I slowly started to realize that if I was going to decide to do something to lose the weight I had been carrying around, there would be a starting point but there would be no finish line. It would be a lifestyle - something I was comfortable with doing the rest of my life.


      I didn't jump into anything right away because the reality of it was I had to be the one to do the work in order to make the change. Only I could physically be the one to change me. Not a trainer. Not my husband. Not books, friends, meetings, diet foods, shakes, pills or any other advertised gimmick out there. I had to be the one willing to find myself in this big body of mine and make some lifestyle changes, ones that I would be okay living with forever. I often find myself telling people now..."Until your whole heart and soul is ready to make the change, don't bother! And if you are ready, take that leap of faith (no, that was not one bit easy) and just do it! Do whatever it takes to make it happen. There will be sacrifices, many of them, but in the end it will all be worth it."


     One of the greatest things I've learned on this journey is that food is my friend, not my enemy. Also, food is here for me to enjoy as a tool, not as a treatment. 
                     278 Pounds (at my heaviest)
                145 pounds (at my goal weight)



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20 comments:

  1. Paige you are amazing thanks so much for sharing I know it is going to help so many people.

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    1. Thank you Liz! (missed you at church today.)

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  2. Beautifully written! I think I'll read that everyday this week!

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    1. Melissa...you make me smile! Thanks for reading.

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  3. Awesome entry. So many of us can learn from this!

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    1. Thanks Laurie! That means a lot as I felt like I was rambling on in this post.

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  4. I tell ya darlin' you're picture is next to the word "inspiration" in the dictionary. I love your journey. Thanks for sharing

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  5. Paige! You are awesome for doing this! I'm so inspired.

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  6. No truer words have ever been said:

    ...It was then, that I slowly started to realize that if I was going to decide to do something to lose the weight I had been carrying around, there would be a starting point but there would be no finish line. It would be a lifestyle - something I was comfortable with doing the rest of my life.

    AWSOME!!!

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  7. You have to be one of the coolest persons I know. Finding inspiration in a world that doesn't support healthy living or reaching our peak performances is challenging. We live in a dysfunction world and your resolution to achieve what most won't attempt is astounding. Keep sharing the story.

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  8. Thank you Paige, you are truly an inspiration to me and many others.

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    1. Thank you Wendy! Glad it's blessing you in some small way.

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  9. You amaze me and today after a really hard morning I feel inspired. Thank you!

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    1. Abby..Sorry you had a rough morning. Hang in there. One day at a time. (Miss you living here right next to me, by the way.)

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  10. I am amazed at what you have done! And it truly was all YOU! Quite amazing and inspiring :)

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  11. So amazing Paige! I'd love to do a feature story on you in a couple weeks when all the giveaways are done!
    You have done an amazing job and I'm sure will inspire many people!

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  12. Paige,
    I just stumbled upon your blog and figured I should start from the beginning.. It is great to see and read about your success as I'm just getting started on mine. I'm even starting at the same weight you were. Thanks for sharing your story, you are truly an inspiration!

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