Incentives

It's been a while since I've written - partially because I'm still kind of stuck on that last post, mulling it over.  While I still agree with it in theory, the practical application is lost on me.  Here's what I know: if I'm not going to be happier having lost this weight, I'm not entirely certain that I'm going to be able to suck it up at 5:30am to bounce and jiggle my way to ... what?  To slimmer thighs?

I have had a lengthy series of jobs that always seem to fall short in some capacity.  Predominantly, it's been in the area of benefits.  I cannot help but believe that attractive, happy people have more good things happen to/for them.  They draw good things to themselves... I see it; I know it.  I want that.  Newton's laws don't apply just to the visible world.

It's hard for me to want this just for myself.  I started this weight-loss group because I know that I am always more inclined to do things for other people than I am to do things for myself.  I don't know if it's some stupid self-sacrificing martyr complex or if it's more simply that I just *really* enjoy doing nice things for other people.  It's probably a combination of the two.

I had really hoped to be inspired by the weight-loss of my peers in this group, but everyday life seems to have gotten the best of each of us.  We have agreed to no more weigh-ins until the final one at the end of August.  That gives me 17 days to kick it into high gear and hope that it's enough to win the bet.  Otherwise I'm out fifty bucks!  But more importantly, I need to figure out how I'm going to move forward after the next 17 days.  Even though this was a fun summer project, as mothers our busiest time of year starts this month.  School.  Homework.  Sleepovers.  Sports teams.  And all of us work. 

How do I stay on track to keep losing weight and eating healthier without the competition?  I know the most basic incentive: extending my lifespan.  But against whom shall I compete?  The calendar?  Maybe that's the answer... plotting out realistic goals.  Certainly I was unrealistic to believe I could lose 40lbs in a summer... well, that's not totally unrealistic, only within the time constraints I have.  If it were a full-time job losing this weight, I think I could do it.

I guess I'd better go break out the calendar and start plotting.  The end of the month is just around the corner, and we all know how the holidays come out of nowhere as soon as school starts.