The journey to weight loss and healthier living begins like a toddler learning to walk. We toddle, and each tentative step is a test of our endurance and balance. There will be stumbles and bruises that come with feelings of elation and pain. Just as children become more confident in their footing moving from walking to running; we take our newly learned habits for healthy living and begin to cruise through decision making. Things that used to trip us up, like, what should I pack for lunch, or how should I schedule activity become less challenging because we have more experience.

I am at a point in my journey where I feel like an Olympic hurdler. I can run and glide over hurdles and make it look effortless to onlookers. However, that would be a huge misconception because making these changes stick requires a great deal of dedication.

I think it’s important not to underestimate the skill and determination that this journey requires of us. I can do it, and so can you and we should all feel proud of ourselves for meeting the challenge.  So if you’ve had a bad night, or have overindulged and now are feeling remorse, I tell you to get rid of those unhelpful feelings. They are weights on your feet and are designed to keep you down.  Understand that all of us stumble and fall and it hurts to get back up – that’s ok.  In the end, we are stronger for having tried and failed than never trying at all.  You got this.