Coming Clean

Welcome to Losing My Behind, my personal journal that will document the loss of 120 pounds off my body in the space of 52 weeks! I have made up my mind to get my thin body back. It's been buried for nearly 20 years, covered up by layers of emotions that I didn't want to deal with at the time. No more. I am now arranging my life in order to find those beautiful bones and muscles that I know for certain are there, and prioritizing their care and nourishment as they emerge! I expect bumps in the road but will not take my eyes off the prize. My heart is set. My gaze is fixed. I won't be deterred, so help me God!

I think it's good and helpful to come clean, and sometimes in the public eye, so here's my confession: I have reached for food when stressed. Lonely. Sad. Frustrated. And even happy. Food became my friend which sounds kind of dumb, doesn't it? Well, some friend! That "friend" has cost me dearly. Lost opportunities. Lowered self esteem. Health challenges that require daily meds. These have been my expensive, constant and very annoying traveling companions. I invited them along every time I used food to deal with my emotions.

But!  January 1, 2010 marks the spot in the road where these feet are turned in a different direction! An about-face if you will. I've researched and read all about this. I've talked it to death. I've made half-hearted attempts chock full of planned short cuts. Now, folks, it's just time to get down to business and run the race that is in front of me.

This journey is not about extremes. It's not about a crash diet or becoming an exercise freak. It's about me learning to live life and to enjoy the simple pleasures in the proper amounts. It's about feeling my emotions and allowing them to flavor my life. It's about having a body that serves me, looks great and is as healthy as possible. It's about eating to live instead of living to eat. And, for nearly the first time in my life, it's about me. Me.

So, those traveling companions I mentioned? They've been put on notice! I'll be picking up some new buddies along the way. Confidence. Self Respect. Courage. I can hardly wait to meet them.

And, I hope you will come along too, because I think I'm going to need all the encouragement, support and love I can get!  If you or someone you know is pulling out all the stops on the same road as me, tell them about this blog.  And, feel free to comment with whatever you want to say...ideas, thoughts, inspiration, your own experiences....I think it will all be so helpful!

This is going to be a trip I will never forget, and I hope by me sharing it publicly, we will all reach our goals, no matter what they are.

Cheryl