Why not me?

Recently, I decided I wanted to put up an inspirational quote on my refrigerator to remind me to stay on track on my weight loss journey. The only quote I could think of was Einstein's definition of insanity..."doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".  Ahhh, I love that quote but I wanted something more upbeat. So I did what any normal American would do, I googled it.  Do you know there are a multitude of cites specifically dedicated to weight loss inspiration.  One site offered 400 quotes.  I randomly read through them and discovered that many are applicable to far more than weight loss or getting healthy.  After reading for some time, I have narrowed it down to three and then added one of my own at the end.

Julius Erving: If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.

I love this one.  A friend and I were recently talking and we shared how we have "snuck" food at some point in our life. We both laughed because it is not about "getting caught"...your body knows.  Just because I hide the fact that I ate 1/2 a pizza to you does not equate with the scale being kind to me on Tuesday mornings.  You can't lie to yourself.  So this quote is very fitting.  If I chose not to get healthy the only one I am hurting is ME.  "'If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end."

Unknown Author: You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Again, this quote really hit home.  So often I here people say...well this happened and then that happened and that is why I made bad choices.  You know what, bad things happen.  We make mistakes.  We make bad choices.  But when I make a bad choice or I go a week without working out, I face a fork in the road.  Do I stay there, stuck doing nothing or do I say, ok I'm done with that and move forward.  "You don't drown in falling water.  You drown by staying there"

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.

God has blessed me so abundantly. I need to treat the life he gave me with respect. And I know I can do anything I put my mind too...I have Christ in my corner. How joyous is that!
    
Marybeth Doud:  Why not me?

Notice this is not "why me?". When people ask "why me" they are negating any responsibility for their life.  They are assuming they have no control.  They are feeling bad that something happened to them.  "Why NOT me?" is positive and affirming.  Basically asking, "if they can do it, why can't I?"  I CAN achieve the same success that others have.  There are people everyday who have great health and wellness achievements.  We read stories of people who've lost 100 lbs.  We see them on the Biggest Loser and on Dr Oz. There are success stories all around us. At some point every one of those people were just starting their journey--just like I did nearly 3 months ago. We all see their end result and cannot imagine what it would be like to have the same success.  What we need to see is how they started. They are no different then you or I.  That had a goal.  A life changing goal.  Too often feelings of doubt creep in our minds and the task seems monumental. They faced the same challenge...but they overcame. They persevered. So I ask, Why not me?