WOW!!!!
So I just read Jo’s blog and after first blushing to high heaven, I reflected and felt very very humbled by her kind words (Thank you Jo!)
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I am now inspired, of course, to write my own blog…
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You see, I am often asked on this site, directly in private emails, “How did you do it?” and my answer is always the same…
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I feel like I have been an open book so to speak about my methods. But in case there is any doubt, I count calories, I exercise 5-6 days per week, and I keep a food journal…
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When I write it out like that, it all seems incredibly simple…I have heard back from individuals on this site every response imaginable…From simple “Thank yous” to “Oh, I could never do that…Its too hard and I dont want to deny myself”…
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Well, let me tell ya…Here is some tough love folks…
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To be successful at all on this journey, something in your life must change…You can not do everything the same as you are currently doing it or the results will be no different then what you currently have…
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Somethings gotta give…So if you take away nothing else from this blog, take this: You are going to have to deny yourself certain things…Whether it be food, toxic friendships/relationships, or even time in the form of exercise…Something MUST be sacraficed…
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Now…Some of you may at this precise moment be saying…”Well, I cant do that. I am not willing to do that”. And that is PERFECTLY fine…That means you probably arent ready to start your journey…
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Trust me. I was there many many times…I understand that…I also know without a doubt, you will not be successful until you are ready to do that…
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But for those of you who have already reached that point, I need you to know that those sacrafices are somewhat temporary!!! Losing weight does not mean you can never have a cheeseburger and fries again!!! It means you have it once a month maybe as opposed to once a week!!! Changes, folks, sacrafices…They must be made…
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Why am I blogging about this today? It’s Jo’s fault…And I might as well throw Shari and Nikki into the mix as well…
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These three individuals have touched me on a personal level. They are all struggling right now and have reached out to me, and I to them…The amazing thing is they are all at entirely different points in their journey, yet the underlying theme is the same…
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Self love vs. FOOD FOOD FOOD and your relationship to it…
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Remember, the comfort that food brings is ALWAYS ALWAYS temporary…The joy of looking in the mirror and loving yourself inside and out and from head to toe, that is permanent…
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I read Jo’s blog today (all week really) and I find as my journey winds down a bit, and I feel in my heart I am heading to the finish line of at least this race (Have no doubt folks, I will immediately turn around and begin the next race!) I know that part of the reason I found this site, and started this journey is to help others…Yes, I beleive my mission is to help others acheive their goals…So hearing Jo’s very kind words, I was struck again by how clearly some of lifes messages come through!
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Yes. It has taken me three long years to get here. I have fallen off the wagon many times…Some times I lept off myself fully aware of my actions, sometimes I fell off accidentally, and sometimes I was pushed off by life…
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BUT I ALWAYS GOT BACK ON and I always knew that I absolutely WOULD do this…There was no doubt in my mind ever that I wouldnt finish this journey. EVENTUALLY…
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I also knew, thanks to my very first WW Leader that I would go at my own pace…I kinda knew from the start that it would take me a while…It had too, if I were to make permanent changes…It took here 4 years to lose 100 pounds…So I kind of knew I would be one of those people! 
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In closing, I guess I just want to say that old adage, “If I can do it, you can do it!” I never ever even attempted to lose weight before January of 2004…NEVER thought I could…YEt each milestone…My first 10 pounds. My first 10%, my first new jean size, breaking through to the 100’s, each one of those little little milestones showed me that YES. I can do this. As well as anything else I set my mind too…
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So good luck to you all. Thank you Jo for your words, Thank you ALL Of you for being in my life, and LETS GET THIS DONE!!! ALL OF US!!
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Lets make 2007 OUR year!
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Love Dawn
You have been an inspiration to a lot of people. And you’re right, even small changes can make a difference…if only more people would realize that and try it instead of just saying forget it. If I can do it after all the failures I’ve had in the past, anybody can.
Tough love, that’s the way to do it! You are absolutely right Dawn, something’s gotta give.
I think that sometimes people view their diets as if it were a ball of glass. One slip and it shatters, gone for ever. The truth is that it’s not fragile, just the opposite, it is resiliant and we can pick it back up and carry it through another day.
As long as we are blessed with a tomorrow there is a chance to get it right.
Dawn…Thank you for posting that. It does take tough love & discipline to overcome your old eating habits. I myself need tough love to get motivated. My weight isn’t going to come off by me wishing it off, I’m actually going to have to get the ball rolling. I have one question..I have counted calories & kept a food journal, but my problem was that some foods I ate I didn’t really know how to count..any suggestions on that?
Have a great day!!!
Thank you for sharing giving us your support. I will start journaling my food intake like you and Mary have suggested, because that seems to be my very weak spot. And you are so right on with the language with the “I am not gonna deny myself”s or the “Why should I have to give up on this favorite food of mine”s - But you are right - that big huge change requires sacrifices, and a lot of us really need to figure out what those are gonna have to be. I wish you the best of luck - you have a little more to go and make it to your goal, and with your great mentality, you’ll definitely get there soon!
Wow, girl you are soooo right! I also keep a food journal and count calories. I also log calories burned. I feel so good since I found this place. So I just wanted to thank you. I firmly believe you help yourself by helping others and from what I see your pretty incredible.
I’m honored and humbled by your words and because of putting my name in your blog…gotta love it!!
I am with you 100% with everything you have said and it’s so true. I know that my journey is different than most people on here but my relationship with food is still dysfunctional and desparately in need to be fixed. I want you to know that thanks to you and Dave, I’ve had the best couple weeks in a long time. I’m sitting here, having my protein shake after a great morning workout and I can tell you, nothing tastes as good as this feeling of self satisfaction….and that’s what I’m striving for. Keep me with you the next few months….pllleeeaaasssseeee. 
thanks for your inspiring words.
I wish I could find something inspiring to say in response to such a great journal, but all I can come up with is: AMEN, Sista, and it’s great having you around!!
YES YES YES, lets get this DONE this year!!
Thank you Dawn once again for sharing your experience with us and for giving me the hope and umph I need to go on…to not give up and to continue to be optimistic. I think I am just like you….it will not finish my journey in record time, but I will finish and like you said, continue on to the next challenge—maintaining! Thank you once again!
Dawn. You are an awesome buddy! I just love reading all of your posts! Thank you so much for this one. I can’t tell you exactly what it means to me right now, but hopefully someday.
Thanks!
Wow Dawn another masterpiece.. You are certainly right.. Without sacrifice you will continue the same path.. You have to give up something to get something it happens in every part of our life I think. But I think as we continue these journeys we find that that sacrifice is worth it for the results… I mean come on a cheeseburger for a size difference in jeans? A workout or 2 a week for a much tighter butt or no man boobs? Those are the things we sacrifice.. It is well worth it for the gain.. You are an inspiration to so many here Dawn… And well you are certainly one to me!!
Hugs!
Scott
Dawn,
What an inspiring and amazingly positive blog this is! You have clearly got IT and I am so proud of and happy for you. You are right, while we initially come here for support, it is our responsibility and honor to help our buddies along the journey. Thank you for this blog. You are truly an inspiration and by the way, have you considered writing a booK?? LOL. Keep up the great work girl and thanks for all the support!
Hugs,
Angie