On Motivation, Anniversaries, & Maintenance

I'm approaching the 4th anniversary of this healthy journey. I really have four healthy anniversaries that I note. May 25th - Memorial Day - when - I looked in the mirror and stepped on the scale and knew something had to be done. July 21st - when I started this blog. And my birthday - Sept. 9 - it was my 29th birthday that inspired this fitness journey and every subsequent one is a reminder and a celebration of being healthier. On this date 4 years ago, i celebrated 15lbs lost. December 31st - I finally dropped to my goal weight and fit into my jeans from grad school.

I can't believe it's been 4 years already! I'm so glad that I made the decision to get healthier, eat better, and move more.

Over the years, I have found my motivation to stay healthy wax and wane. I have maintained the weight loss (more or less) over the years. I have learned & relearned & still learning about healthy eating and recipes. I've experienced many great workouts. I've prepared for and run several organized races. I've taught fitness and Zumba classes.

I remember reading a fellow blogger who has maintained a 100 lb weight loss for over 10 years on motivation and how it changes over the years. How you'll need to find new ways to commit and new challenges to keep you going. I try to remember that and keep learning - keep doing - keep trying.

Maintenance is about diligence, vigilance, and perseverance. It's about staying focused. It's about reversing small gains. It's about never giving up.  Maintenance is about progress not perfection. Maintenance is about remembering  milestones.

The anniversaries help me maintain. Compliments fade as people get used to my new size. My new, smaller wardrobe has become my regular wardrobe. But every May, I look to be active and fit as I had hope to be 4 years ago. Every July, I hope to become better than I was when I started this blog. Every birthday in September, I try to feel flat out fabulous. Every New Years Eve, I try to be in the best body I can be for the new year (and fit into those jeans).

This May will be the first since starting this journey that I won't be as in shape as I'd like. I'm working hard to be down to around 10 lbs over my acceptable weight range by my May anniversary. But, I know that by September I'll be back to where I want to be.

I'm determined to get back to the pinnacle of fitness. Right before I hurt my ankle I was in the best shape of my life. I will get back to where I was! If not, better! I will run, I will teach Zumba, I will get back to hiit workouts. I'll wear my bikini proudly :) But in the meantime, I'll celebrate what I have accomplished over the last few years.