Don't Give Up - February 2015

“Don’t ever give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
—Winston Churchill

A month ago, you, me and millions of others welcomed in the New Year with renewed hopes, dreams, aspirations and…resolutions. We were filled with zeal and exuberance. The energy on the starting line of 2015 was palpable, as if we were all in the starting gates at the Kentucky Derby. It was glorious and exciting!

Well, how’s it going? You probably don’t want to answer that question if you are like the millions whose resolutions don’t even make it through January. I don’t know the exact statistics, but right about now is when New says goodbye to Year and takes our enthusiasm with it.

I have to admit, I am having a hard time. I gained weight over the holidays, I’m angry with myself for it and I can’t seem to get back on track. After being resolute about weight loss for over two years, I’m wondering where my unwavering determination has gone.

There has been a series of events that have changed things—my workout partner was injured in a car accident and hasn’t worked out since, my trainer was sick for all of December and Mr. Holiday Cheesecake convinced me he was my friend—but nonetheless, change must always be expected. The first 20 months of my journey was travelled alone, and alas, I can do that again, if needed.

To get back on track, I keep saying my mantra out loud every day—Never Go Back! Never Go Back! Never Go Back! And, while I may have slipped, I am never going back. I’ve come too far to do that to myself. And, so have you! The purpose of this article is to get you, and me, back on track, to remind us not to give up and to stick together in achieving what’s important to us.

Here are four tips in reviving determination:

1. Remember why you set that resolution: You set your resolution because it is important to you, because it is something you have wanted to do for yourself for a long time and because it will make a positive difference in your life. It may even be life changing. Remind yourself of this every day.

2. Fight for it: Since this singular resolution was important enough to set a whole year around it, you better fight for it. If you don’t, nobody will. No one has ever become successful by being comfortable. Get out of your comfort zone and fight for your goal. There were many times I had to refuse to eat what others were eating, refuse chocolate being brought home for me and fight for my path. Get your boxing gloves on, Girl! This IS worth fighting for.

3. Decide this is your year: Don’t wait! I waited 19 years to lose the weight—19 years of being uncomfortable in a bathing suit, 19 years of shopping in the plus size section, 19 years of ignoring my health, 19 years of living life as a 200+ pound woman—and I truly regret not doing it sooner. Just do it—make 2015 the year to achieve just one resolution. Don’t you deserve it? I know I do and that’s why 2015 IS the year I will divide and conquer!

4. Don’t you dare quit: To quit is to give up hope and accept defeat. Don’t do this to yourself. If you quit, a part of you dies. You also diminish your confidence. The worst person you can ever lose your reputation to is you, because we are harder on ourselves than anyone else—unforgiving. Even if you have to start over every single day DO NOT QUIT.

Here are some of my favorite quotes about not quitting, in which I hope you will find inspiration:

“Don’t give up what you want most, for what you want now.” -Anonymous

“Never give up. You only get one life. Go for it!” -Richard E. Grant

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.” -Marilyn vos Savant

“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the 
end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow’ ” -Mary Anne Radmacher

“You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just one star 
to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.” -Richelle E. Goodrich

“Never give up on something you really want. It’s difficult to wait, but even more difficult to regret.” -Unknown

“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.” -Jose N. Harris

When my workout partner, Tracy Blusewicz, and I think we can’t do something, we always look at each other with stupid grins and say, “We got this!” Every time we achieve what we thought we could not do. Every time! So, are you ready to renew your resolve and make 2015 THE year? I am, but I definitely needed this pep talk. I feel better now and determined. I may need to read this everyday, but I’ve got this and, I fully believe you do, too. Are you grinning? I am.