"Comparison is the theif of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt

One of the more frequent questions I'm asked is how long it has taken me to get where I am. While this is a legitimate question, the answer should in no way effect your own personal journey. I've been working on this process since the beginning of January, which means I've been at this for almost 8 months. While that is kind of a short time in which to lose 60 pounds, I did not do anything unhealthy or strange to do so. There is no secret pill or secret workout or anything like that. I've truly done this the old-fashioned way! So, the reason I'm writing this post is to elaborate on the subject of pace. Your pace is just that, your pace. No one else's.

Everyone's personal pace is going to differ from mine. Period. Just because I've done this in 8 months does NOT mean that you're going to do this in 8 months. It may only take you 6 months, it may take over a year. It really depends on your body and how strict you are in your eating and exercising habits. I've been, for the most part, very strict in my routines and eating. Its the only way I've been able to do this. But someone else may not have the discipline I've (miraculously) maintained throughout this process. If you're more relaxed in your habits, then it will probably take a lot longer to see results, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! Honestly, the slower you lose, the more likely you are to keep it off! Yes, I did lose pretty quickly, especially in the beginning, but now that it has slowed as I'm almost to the finish line, I now know how to maintain. Oh yes, I'm an expert at maintaining my weight..

I freely admit that I struggle with this. I struggle with this often. I hate the struggle, but its there, and it will be there for the rest of my life. As a food-addict, I will have to think about it and work on it for as long as I'm alive. I would love to be one of those people who is just naturally skinny, but ya know what? Those people haven't had to endure the struggle I'm in the process of overcoming. They haven't had to fight to be their size. I feel a true sense of victory by overcoming my past lifestyle. While this process is ongoing, I feel confident in the pace in which I've gotten here. Just because you don't see results immediately does not mean you should give up. On the contrary, fight harder! Fight for those numbers on the scale and on the clothing tag! If you truly wish to change yourself, you truly have to fight! I fight small battles every single day in this war against my former inner-fatty. And honestly, I don't always win those battles. But that doesn't mean I'm surrendering. This just means that I have to fight harder and push myself further.

The quote in the title of this post is a good statement to remember. Don't compare yourself to me. Don't compare yourself to anyone except the old you. Only compare yourself to that person you no longer want to be. The new you is just that, a new person. Forget that other person who used to say "I can't do it" or "I don't care". Focus on the now and focus on the task at hand and don't forget that you're stronger than you think you are! You are your own person and should focus on doing what you can when you can. Don't try to keep up with anyone else but yourself. You are your own person with your own individual life, keep up with yourself.

Me and my Mommy who is accompanying me on this journey :)