Dancing with two left feet

In July 2011, I found myself deeply entrenched in an "I-can't" attitude. "I can't get motivated... I can't lose weight... I can't bend over in those pants... I can't find time to exercise... I can't find anything that fits any more..."

In August, a friend mentioned SparkPeople to me. I signed up and found myself gradually switching from "can't" to "can".

To begin with, I set a reasonable long-term goal: to lose 50 pounds over the course of a year. To achieve this, I followed SparkPeople’s advice and set small, reasonable, and attainable goals. I joined several SparkTeams and joined in with some of their goals and challenges. One advantage of doing this is that the majority of those are small, reasonable, attainable goals. For someone who’s prone to setting all-or-nothing, do-or-die goals, it was instructive to see goals of a different sort.

I started with a "Streak". I committed to exercising 10 minutes a day, and over time this paid off with rich rewards. I no longer got winded walking around the block. I took advantage of a program sponsored by my employer and got a gym membership at reduced cost. I "switched streaks" after a while, making a new goal of going to the gym for at least an hour three times weekly. Over time, that became easy and rewarding, so I've "upped my streak" once again. Currently I exercise at the gym an average of 5 times a week, participating in water aerobics and Zumba classes on a regular basis.

When I started, I was worried that I'd get some negative blow-back from my husband, who was even more overweight and out of shape than I was. And although I occasionally get some resistance when I serve healthier recipes, he's eating them. He even asked me to add him to my gym membership, and he goes faithfully. Sometimes when I'm feeling a bit uninspired by the thoughts of putting in an hour or so at the gym, he provides ME with the encouragement I need to get off my butt and go!

Wow.

I've learned to celebrate smaller goals. Each 5 pounds lost is a victory. Each 100 SparkPoints earned is a victory. Each article of clothing I can no longer wear is a victory. Each new (smaller) outfit I'm able to wear is a victory. Each time I make it through an hour of Zumba represents a MAJOR victory! Now THAT is a REAL challenge for me!

I'm sure I look a bit ridiculous trying to imitate some of the more complex dance steps, because - as the title of this post indicates - I have two left feet. But I'm willing to look a little ridiculous to look and feel better. And I do!!!

Since signing up for SparkPeople nearly 5 months ago, I've lost a bit over 25 pounds... more than half-way to my long-range goal of 50 pounds gone in one year. I've dropped several clothing sizes. I feel more confident. I can bend over in my pants without fear, and when I stand up, I can see my toes without bending over. I sleep better. My mood is better. And though I dance with two left feet, I no longer do the can't-can't.

I do the can-can!