For Some Of Us Struggling- "Throw A Wrench In It!"

Holly, a beautiful and inspirational writer/blogger, single mother and friend, from 300 Pounds Down just posted another thought-provoking, compelling entry about the way some of us may just throw in the towel when it comes to sticking to the lifestyle changes that keep us on our healthy tract. A Christmas cookie here, a piece of fudge there, and we spiral out of control, subscribing to the old "It's the holidays. I might as well wait until New Year's to get back in the swing of things" mentality.

Holly's brother, who has lost an astounding 270 pounds, reminded Holly, and now us, that there are SEVEN whole days between Christmas and New Year's. Seven days to do a lot of damage, or seven days to do great things for ourselves. We don't have to let that mentality take over us, yet again. We can throw a wrench in it and stop that runaway train right in its tracks. Here's what Holly suggests:

Thankfully, the Runner's World running streak challenge and my impending Ragnar Relay has kept me active, so I'm running at least a mile a day and getting in some other form of aerobics to fill at least an hour, but the sweets in the house are what's throwing me for a loop. I wish I had the resolve that Holly has when it comes to sugar. She has recognized that, to her system and her mentality, sugar is poison that will take over her and quite possibly derail her health journey completely. After losing over 200 pounds, she's not willing to chance anything. For her, she really views eating candy and crap as a choice between life and death. I wish I had just a smidge of that resolve! Even now, I'm still a work in progress.

So, you may not have committed to running a mile a day from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day, but you can do something. At 417 pounds, Holly could only commit to 30 seconds of walking, just to her mailbox and back. It was a true challenge for her. She had to start somewhere. What activity can you commit to doing the next 4 days? You wouldn't believe where that 30 seconds could take you. Holly walked 5 miles on Christmas Day. She only planned on being out for 10 minutes, but she felt so good she kept going. It's hard to believe she ever found walking to her mailbox difficult. It's hard to believe I struggled with running 1/8th of a mile. But we all start somewhere. Whatever you do, make today the start line. You'll be surprised at what you CAN do and where YOU'LL be in a week, a month, a year...