Weight Loss Struggles and Successes
I blogged a few weeks ago about how where I eat is directly related to the amount I eat and my ability to judge fullness. I have used the table more, but even with good intentions, I’ve slipped back into old habits and still eat in front of the television a lot.
Struggles
The truth is, I like eating in front of the television. It’s a reward after a long day of work, and when I force myself to sit at the table, I feel deprived. I don’t have the same reaction eating on the patio or at a restaurant .
I also continue to struggle with late evening snacks. Sometimes I’m hungry, sometimes I just want the snack. Last night I waited for signs of hunger, and when they didn’t appear, I chose not to have the snack, and I felt good about the decision.
I still struggle with portion sizes. I want more than I’m hungry for. In my mind, the size on my plate looks minuscule, but about 20 minutes after I’ve finished eating my stomach tells me it was the perfect amount.
Successes
I’ve had successes, too. In the almost two years since I began this quest for healthier living, I’ve started eating slower and learned the signs of fullness. The truth is, I’m not even tempted to overeat. I don’t like that uncomfortable feeling, and it’s something I avoid.
I’ve also been successful with exercise. It’s become something I do without thought, without having to remind myself. I rarely go a day without some kind of 
workout. And I want to exercise—I miss it when I don’t move.
I’ve widened my exercise horizons, too. I used to mostly ride my bike or walk, mainly because it was something I knew I could do well. Trying something new was risky and there was the chance I might fail, but as I’ve mentioned in previous blogs—I am the Klutzy Athlete. I admit it. Exercising won’t be pretty when I’m involved, but I don’t care. I’d rather try and fail, than not try at all.
If you don’t believe me, come by my kickboxing aerobics class and watch me. I will be the student with two left feet, no coordination and absolutely no rhythm, but even so, I keep moving. And sometimes I finally get it right, other times I don’t, but what matters is I don’t quit.
Legacy
Last week Diane Carbonell, author of 150 Pounds Gone Forever posted a blog on passing on a legacy of healthy living to your family. Her blog really made me think about the memories I’m leaving. I could allow my fear of failure to rule my life, or I could stand up and fight that fear. I’ve chosen to fight. So, as I think about the legacy I’m leaving behind, I want it to be that I faced my fear of exercising and kicked it in the butt—literally.
What are your struggles and successes with diet and exercise? What legacy do you want to leave behind?