The Little Train that Could...............

I have been focusing a lot on my eating strategies, but all along, the main reason I have always failed in the past is because I often find it hard to keep my motivation. I either give in to food, or I get discouraged because I don't see the scale moving or moving down enough and then I get upset and completely give up, and return to my old ways of eating.

Although I have always said that my problem is motivation, I do realize that much of my problem was also about commitment and really wanting it. To accomplish anything in life, you have to really want it.

I have spoken to many people in life who are trying to lose weight and live a healthier life, but often hear them say, "I can't do it." "I just don't have the willpower." "I don't have the time to shop or cook." "It's too expensive to eat healthy." "I had a busy week, I just didn't have the time to worry about what I was eating." So many excuses.....I know, I was the master of excuses. I have used most of these over the years and I believed every word I told myself. Not only did I believe them, but those excuses became my mantra's in life. It was almost as if I was on a mission to show everyone that all those "excuses" were really true. Like I wanted to fail, but I wanted to be justified in my failures. It's really amazing the power our words have. I mean, you can believe anything you tell yourself, and I mean ANYTHING! But as I said, our words have so much power, but most of us don't use our powerful words to say anything positive.

For instance, when we come up with excuses like "It's too expensive to eat healthy". Wow, Really? Well, you are right. Healthy food is more expensive, but how is eating out a lot instead of buying healthy foods and taking the time to cook them up? I know I was. So, I budget my money using a free online budget software called Mint.com. It is actually a product of the company I work for, so I really trust it because I really trust the products we distribute.

But I looked back at an area called "Trends" and this shows me a pie chart of all the categories I have spent my money on for the month. When I look back to January, I spent $388 on groceries and I spent $225 eating out...Just for the MONTH!!! So, I spent a totally of $613 on food! And my grocery bill at $388 wasn't healthy food. Maybe the first part of the month, but the second part of the month was junk food!! and $225 on eating out? WOW!!! That is A LOT!!!

So, although this month isn't over, I have finished all the grocery shopping I am going to do for the rest of the month since we only have 2 days of this month left.

This month, I have spent 496.64 in groceries.....ALL HEALTHY FOOD! Ok, so that is a lot more than the amount I spent on groceries in January, but I only spend $72.64 on eating out this month. For a total of $496.64 total money spent on food.

So, although eating healthy might cost more, over all, I spent $116.36 LESS in this month on food than I did in January. So, what I have learned over these last 3 weeks is that I am really enjoying eating good. I have made some really yummy, tasty foods, I don't feel deprived and although the weekends are still a little bit of a struggle, the way I feel really helps to keep me motivated. I feel so good and energetic. And I still tell myself stories, but I tell myself more happy and positive stories, and I believe those stories instead of the bad ones. Kind of like the Little Train that Could. "I start off with I think I can, I think I can, I think Can and as I get momentum and as I the going get's tough but I grow more determined, I now say, "I know I can, I know I can, I know I can." And I do.....I know that I can do this and I won't stop until I reach my destination.....Destination THIN, here I come!!