The Small Things Mean the Most

When you look at a fine painting and take it all in, it’s beautiful.  After a minute of staring, you may start to notice the small things in the painting that make it so breath-taking.  Well, trying to be healthy and losing weight can sometimes seem a little daunting, especially when you want a slice of chocolate cake on Girls’ Night Out.  But that’s just because you can yet see the result, the painting you are becoming.  

A friend once told me, to make it through the hard times, make a ‘small successes list’.  Every time you accomplish something on your road to a healthier lifestyle, write it down.  The next time you’re feeling blue, losing that motivation, or feel like your failing, you can pull out this list and remind yourself just how far you have come.

Here is a sample of what’s on mine:

1. I ran for 20 minutes today.
2. I haven’t touched ice cream in over a month (it’s a big weakness for me).
3. I went to workout in the snow.
4. I resisted splurging when I didn’t get a good grade.
5. I had to go get some new summer shorts, all the old ones are too big.
6. I can see my collar bones.
7. I ran a 5K today.
8. I tried a new veggie, eggplant, and I loved it.
9. I had to get rid of some of my shirts today, they look to big.
10. I went out to eat and didn’t splurge on calories.
11. My friend told me I look like I’m thinner today.

I try to put as many things as I can on it.  When I’m thinking of having that ice cream or feeling that I am not doing well enough, I pull it out.  Try it for yourself, start writing down what small things have made the painting of you breath-taking.  And remember as Curt Brinkman said, “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now”.

This entry is filed under SELF.