“Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.—-Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Or were 10 pounds lighter, I think the quote could read!!—-When we’ve struggled with being over weight for a long time, it’s easy to start to blame things that go on in our lives on the fact we are not thin enough. We do this even when our size may have nothing to do with the situation. In our minds we make being thin the end all, be all, so to speak and in the process we miss a lot of good in life going on around us. When I read this quote, that’s just what I thought about. I can look back and remember so many times that I was so preoccupied with how I looked (or didn’t look) that I missed out what was going on around me. Although I’m still challenged with it, I can now see how much of this challenge resides only in our minds. When we hold on so tight and are so dead set on weighing a certain “magic number” that will supposedly allow us to finally “feel good” (we think), we drive ourselves absolutely nuts in the process.——— Living healthy and being within a range that is personally healthy for you does improve our quality of life but it doesn’t change everything. A lot of beauty exists right now that won’t change with your weight. A certain number on the scale won’t make a kiss from your child any sweeter or watching your son hit his first home run any more special or the love of your spouse any greater. Being 30 pounds lighter won’t make the sunset tonight any more beautiful or the smell of fresh cut grass any fresher! We are what we are today and that’s that-accept it! If you want to make changes, go ahead! Plan different choices for today but don’t be so obsessed with not wanting to be where you are right now that you miss all the gifts given to you today. As I sit and look at the ocean right now and smell the warm salty air as the sun comes up, it’s a rare moment that so clearly screams—NOT EVERYTHING in life is about weight! When we let go of the obsession and just make rational changes to consistent healthier behaviors I know what happens. I’ve watched it for myself and seen it for so many others over my 9 years of helping people with weight management–we become more relaxed and realistic and we start to lose weight.—–See the beauty around you today without a background voice of your evil twin nagging you about weight. See the beauty and get out experience it for yourself. Realize how good the changes you are making feel RIGHT NOW. Have a fabulous day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m off to the beach for another day in paradise!!! Ahhhhhhhh-vacation!!!!!!!!!!!———-