Today is Mother's Day.
46 years ago, on Mother's Day, I gave birth to my first child.
This changed my life forever.
Motherhood does that for us all.

Each of us goes through Life Events that change us,
and that process continues all throughout each of our lives.

So whatever your life is at this moment...
...there will be changes.

Our Attitude about those changes is what will determine
how positive or negative any change is.

We can't stop Change,
but we CAN learn to develop a positive attitude about it.

Even though the general scientific rule is "3500 calories = 1 fat lb",
that doesn't mean this loss (or gain) immediately shows on the scale.

Although, with effort, we can control what food goes into our body,
we cannot control what our body does with that food...
and the timing of how fat is lost is a very large part that we cannot control.

Our bodies are always shifting water about,
and the majority of our lean body weight is actually water.

Also, our bodies don't always react the same ways,
and just because we achieved the same result a few times,
doesn't mean the same behavior will always result in the same outcome.

I've found my predictions can be accurate IN GENERAL,
 but frequently are not SPECIFICALLY accurate.

Furthermore, even with careful weighing and measuring of food,
carefully reading all labels, along with the careful daily recording of our food,
all calorie counting is STILL only an ESTIMATE.

 We do the best we can.
But labels can have a 20% (or more) error,
the sugar count of fruits etc. can vary from season to season,
and there are often individual differences in the way we measure,
and the way the food company measures.

For example, I measure 1/4 cup of oatmeal as a level 1/4 cup,
but when that is compared to the gram weight on the label,
I see that the listed gram weight is the same to an amount that is below the rim of 1/4 cup.

Therefore, we do the best we can to measure and record the calories in what we eat,
but we must be aware that this is NOT an exact science, 
and most of our errors tend to be underestimates.

Regarding graphing data.
I have a great deal of personal data about my own calorie intake,
and my body weights etc.

I enjoy making graphs of that various data,
and am always looking for new ways to look at the data,
hoping that this will help me to spot something new.

 But the key words here are "I enjoy".
I find it an enjoyable pastime, but it isn't necessary,
and it really isn't all that helpful except to keep me focused on the issue.

Although I am responsible for my Behavior with food,
I am not responsible...and have no control...over the Results that my body gives me,
including the timing of the weights I see on the Scale.

Perseverance = Steadfastness

Steadfastness =

firmly fixed in place;
not subject to change;
firm in belief, determination or adherence;
loyal;
faithful

To everyone who chooses to run – or walk - a marathon,
Congratulations !!! 
I won’t be joining you. 

I totally lack the herd instinct.
I don't like crowds, and I don't like to exercise with other people.

I like spending that time alone. I enjoy choosing music or programs of my personal choice or using the meditative aspect of exercise. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I'm finished, and the internal and external strength that exercise gives me.
 Small goals are worthy of celebration. Exercising for 10 minutes a day, running a mile or walking a 5K are all accomplishments of which to be proud.

We don't all have to run a marathon, cook everything from scratch, or bench press our own body weight. I choose not to feel like a quitter for deciding to set my exercise goals lower than others might, or for listening to my body and changing those goals

No one judges you but yourself,   and really, cut yourself some slack! Whether you need to lose 100 pounds or you're just trying to maintain a 5-pound loss, we're all fighting the same fight, taking the same journey.

My body is unique, and so is yours.
What works for me won't necessarily work for you, and
What motivates you might not be what inspires me.

Love yourself. 

"If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

This is a quote from Desiderata, music popular in 1972,
which I posted here on April 15, in 39 Years Later.

We can judge the progress of changes and improvements in ourselves 
by watching ourselves and our own individual behaviors.

At the end of the day, our ability to lose weight or maintain weight-loss
comes down to whether we're willing to pay the price;
whether we've reached the point of being sick and tired
of making the same old choices and excuses.

 Successful weight-loss requires consistently paying the price
by working to eliminate previous habits and to make healthy choices
over and over every day. It takes Consistency and Commitment.

When we commit ourselves to paying the price, we are improving our lives.
We're saying "No" to blame, shame, excuses, disappointment, and self-loathing.
We're saying "Yes" to purpose, striving, integrity, and character.

Paying the price over time doesn't require perfection.
It requires persistence.