I recently posted this picture in one of my challenge groups for Funny Friday:

There were some lively and funny comments that went a little something like this:

“LOL I totally agree!”

“This post motivated me for a different reason- I can’t lose my chest to save my life”

“OMG, me, too!”

“The struggle is real and different for us all”

This conversation made me realize a few thing.

1. I LOVE THESE GROUPS!  I love putting people together from all different places in their lives who all have the same desire; to get healthy and live happy!  I love the conversations we have and the friendships that are made.  We all do struggle and have different “problems” but in the end we are more similar than we are different.

2. WHY CAN’T WE LOVE OURSELVES FOR WHO WE ARE?  I do believe that the women in my groups are all working towards this, but it is almost ingrained in us to be critical of ourselves and especially our bodies.  I have worked to lose almost 20 pounds over the last year.  I have lost it and kept if off!  I have built muscle and feel stronger!  I feel better- physically and mentally!  I have more energy!  I have more patience!  BUT there are days I look in the mirror and the overwhelming thing I see is that I am flat as a pancake!  I have actually contemplated plastic surgery.  Please don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting plastic surgery, but why can’t we look in the mirror and see the good?  Is it really harder to do that, than it is to go under the knife???  We are all made uniquely and I am working on loving the person I see staring back at me- training bra and all!

3. WHY DO SO MANY OF US GIVE UP BEFORE WE REACH OUR GOAL?  On the flip side of my flat chest is a big butt.  While my chest disappeared in no time, it took a long time for me to see a difference in my back side.  That is why this Friday Funny found its way into my group.  I will never have a tiny butt- that is not the way I am made.  BUT with a little hard work and dedication I have made a big change in how my tail end looks!  Too often we give up before we get to see the real magic happen.  Life is full of ups and downs.  We are also going to experience plateaus!  Not just in a weight loss journey, but in ANY journey.  We have to have faith in ourselves and in the universe.  If you are willing to put in the work and truly believe in what you are working towards, you have to be willing to push through the the bad times, brush yourself off and keep going!

The moral of this story- surround yourself with like minded, supportive people, love yourself and Never give up!  Oh and make sure to laugh along the way!