"Today is a very special day." That thought just popped into my head a minute ago, and I thought I'd write a blog. What is the significance of today? Absolutely nothing, in the scheme of things. I've been feeling really focused and motivated since I hit my "reset button" last week and I suddenly just realized that every day - every single day since the reset - I've felt like it's a special day.
I have re-designed my Spark Page on a regular basis through the course of my Spark journey since January - updated pictures, changed statuses, revised goals, and other housekeeping tasks. But the one thing that has been constant is the "theme" for my page: JUST FOR TODAY. That theme has been critical for me, because I'm a person who has always easily fallen into the trap of instant gratification. I lack patience waiting for change and reward. It has helped contribute to my chain of failed "diets" over the years because I JUST COULDN'T STAND TO WAIT SO LONG FOR "IT" TO HAPPEN!! I decided that by focusing "just for today" I could get reinforcement to stay the course during the slow process of adopting better nutrition and fitness habits and integrating them into my life.
People toss around the phrase, "well, it took a long time to gain the weight, so naturally it will take a long time to come off." Well, NO, it actually doesn't take a long time to gain weight if you put your mind to it, LOL! You can put on fifteen pounds in a couple weeks! Taking it off does take time though, and nothing can rush that - and so I decided to try to ignore the fact that my entire year would be spent in the weight loss portion of my transformation, before I could even consider the bigger challenges that come with maintenance.
Time has equaled success so far. Therefore days are meant to be ticked off, for they bring me closer to my goal. HELLO? This is not living in the moment. This is not JUST FOR TODAY. Early last week when I was feeling unease, and wrote a blog about feeling adrift, I was worried about being content with the way things were, and losing motivation with going forward. Looking back a week later, I realize that I was possibly experiencing a good change...but one that I was initially unable to recognize. What if I was learning to appreciate TODAY?
Having a special day doesn't detract from the potential of my future todays. It doesn't mean that I want every day in the future to resemble this moment. I can grow, evolve, and experience singular unique experiences today and it doesn't detract from where I'll be in three months, three years, three decades...or three minutes.
Today is a very special day. I feel it.
Wonderful way to look at things!!! Stay focused and motivated every day one day at a time!!
I really enjoyed your blog. It is a great reminder that every day is special and a chance to do the best for yourself. Thank you.
Great blog and so very true, I have always tried to focus on 1 day at a time!!
I love this ... Thanks!
Thanks for the BLOG! This is exactly why i took the screen name brand new day! I love the thought that yoo convey here!
Your outlook will ensure that you have many more special days to enjoy!
I definitely agree that it doesn't take a long time to gain weight if you know what you're doing. Having a good day, instead of just checking them off as stops along the journey, is probably better motivation wise. By liking what is going of in life, it is easier to keep doing it. If all we think is "well, when I am done losing weight, I can start eating what I want/doing what I want/etc.", even if you are motivated enough to do it, maintenance will be unsuccessful.
Here's a suggestion, do a line dance in celebration of your good day.
Great blog!! Loved it. Wishing you many more special days ahead. What a wonderful attitude!!
Good attitude and certainly food for thought!
I loved your blog. I too have to focus on being successful one day. If I start looking at how long it will take to reach my goal i get so discouraged.
I'm wishing you great success!
What a wonderful blog!!! I agree we do spend to much time worrying about the future or reliving our past. I am going to just enjoy today and relish the specialness of it!!
Congrats on your special day today,enjoy it !
By the way we must eat in the same places cause yeah I can gain 15lbs in 3 weeks too that's a no brainer add any booze or desert & it could be 20!!
Enjoy the rest of your journey day by day!
thanks for your thoughts - a really good way to think!
Awesome blog!! I like that idea Just forToday! I too hit that reset button and I feel better. I am really getting it together this week with new training sch etc. I did one for the first week of PMP but a trainer at the gym sale d between runingand all this strength training I was over doing it! I have to slow down some! You are going to do great I have no doubt!!
Thank you for sharing this blog. Great attitude. We gotta enjoy the journey, or what's the point?
I love this! I hope you continue to enjoy special days!
That's a great way to live life. Each day is a gift and we should take the time to appreciate it. Thanks for the reminder.
Just for Today...a great way to live! No two days are alike...you are so right!!
You write the best blogs! What a great message. Thanks!
What a very nice thought !!
Every day IS a special day when we choose to make it so!
That's funny, here I was thinking it was MY special day. Guess we'll just share, ok?
You are so right, today is special. I need to remember that every day is special and precious. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. That is the truth I realized once again while nervously waiting for some medical test results this morning. FYI test results were okay.
We can feel it, too. Thank you!
FANTASTIC message! Thank you so much for sharing - I think I'll make it my special day too!
I figure I should be at my goal weight by February 2012 if I continue to lose at my present rate. It sounds like a long way off but its only 5 months away ... less than 1/2 year.
We can do this if we will only look at what we have to do today! Thanks for the reminder.
blog, I love it. Enjoy your special day, something to live by everyday.
Great blog!! I love it. Happy Special Day! Today and everyday.
You've got it! Happy special day to ALL of us. Let's make it count.
I was thinking about the "Just for Today" theme last night - as I continue to refocus constantly. As Julia ran the track with me as I walked.. I longed to be her... the one running instead of walking. But JUST FOR TODAY I focused on what I COULD do... and got it done. Refocusing again today and so far - maintaining. Thank you for the constant sight into your mind. It helps me to analyze myself in similar ways. Thank you for sharing your special day!