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The journey of life improvement has taught me, no one can carry this burden but you alone.
I use to have an attitude of whatever will be will be. Funnily, I still have this attitude but the context within which I believe it has changed. Let me put things into context.
Previously, I was neglectful of myself. I ate whatever I wanted, was barely active and yet believed some miracle would change how my life looked – someday.
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I wanted results without graft. I’d miraculously come into some unexpected monies, meet the man of my dreams and somehow lose weight with minimal effort applied. Surely, the universe needed to balance the bad cards I’d been dealt all my life?
My mindset was buried in fantasy. Whatever was for me, would be for me and if certain things didn’t happen then well, they were meant to be that way.
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Fast forward to present day, my mindset is unrecognisable to my old self. I became proactive, acting on the life I wished to have, actively taking the steps to get there.
When I say whatever will be will be, the difference now is it comes from a mindset of gratitude. I still have dreams and aspirations yet overall, no matter how things turn out, I’m grateful.
The biggest change I was after, I didn’t realise I needed, was truly changing me for the better.
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Let’s rewind a moment.
In 2019, I stood on weighing scales horrified by what I saw. I stood at a height of 5’5” and a half and weighed 230 plus pounds. I would talk myself into accepting the person that I was, unapologetically.
It’s expedient to have self-confidence but self-awareness is of equal importance. To seek real change, we must reflect on our reality and be truthful to ourselves. I had allowed my confidence to hide the true matter of fact. I needed to improve my health.
In recent years, we’ve seen a push in Western media glorifying the plus size physique as a way to level the marketing field, and express equality for all. In many ways, I agree. Everyone, should love themselves and there should be a display that represents real society.
Similarly however, self-reflection is necessary, and we must hold a level of accountability for our own lives that we owe to ourselves. I say this following what I’ve learnt from my own experience.
It was great that I loved myself when I was severely overweight. The problem I had however, was I dismissed and indirectly neglected the true state of my health as a result.
There needs to be balance. Love yourself as you are that’s important. Equally, if you know there are areas that require improvement, you seek to improve them. Love yourself, by bettering yourself and yet, embrace yourself throughout the journey.
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The older generation of my family were experiencing health issues they suffered from as a result of their overall lifestyle. I knew I needed to make changes now, if I were to improve my life prospects in the long-term.
The truth is, I knew what the right things to do were. I was just too lazy to do them. To excuse my laziness, I’d tell myself lies. I was fine how I was, I should appreciate the way I am, embrace it and live life. In reality, I’d become comfortable with my poor quality lifestyle and was simply hiding from the truth.
What I’m saying may seem a little harsh or press buttons for some readers. The reality is, we need to take ourselves seriously, prioritise the way we wish to see ourselves in future and take real action in the present. Waiting for the perfect time, giving excuses and procrastinating, are just means of escapism.
I encourage you to seek better, for you. When you do, it can truly change your life.
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There was nothing a health expert would tell me that I didn’t already know to be true. If I wanted to live a vibrant life of energy in my later years, I had to change now and I needed to work for it. The dreams I envisioned were attainable, I just had to make the journey there.
As a Christian believer, I can tell you that many Christians will pray and ask God to do things in their life, myself included. In most cases, God is waiting on us to take the first steps in faith, by our actions.
He’s given us the ability to achieve more than we think we’re capable of. This is why he asks us to apply faith and to implement belief, whether we actually believe it or not. That’s what it means to have faith. You apply intentionality to your current level of belief, however that may look like.
There are multiple stories of Jesus healing people in the scriptures. With many of these individuals, he’d ask them if they believed he could heal them. From this, I’ve come to an understanding. God isn’t always going to simply act for us. It’s a joint effort that requires our contribution.
It’s not just the faith and belief. We must apply appropriate action in accordance with our faith and consequently, this develops our level of belief.
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If you desire change as much as you express, you’ll be willing to invest whatever is necessary to improve you. You need to believe you can change things around but not just belief alone. Take steps towards the change you desire. This law is universal, Christian or not.
I’ve ventured this journey on my own. No cheerleaders, no bench supporters. Although it’s nice to have external support, you must press on irrespective. People can be flaky and unpredictable but when you solely rely on yourself, there’s only one person that can let you down.
You’ll keep going because you’re reliant on no one but you. I became my biggest supporter, fan, coach, medical team, you name it. The change was something I needed to do for me. I chose to show up, everyday.
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I’ve held myself accountable, set my goals and I’ve sacrificed consistently because I owe that much to myself. I’ve laughed, cried, had good days and bad days but most importantly, I’ve stayed committed to me.
Perhaps you’re reading this and you know you’re into bad practices or habits that are slowing diminishing the person you are. You have the power to turn things around, if you desire it. Don’t let pride, procrastination or laziness, prevent you from living in your true potential.
Enough must be enough. Take yourself seriously, look out for you and experience the real beauty of life because change today, is unrecognisable progress tomorrow.
