The Unseen Changes in Before and Afters
I've always loved before and afters.
Growing up I would spend a great deal of time watching shows and reading books and magazines containing stories and pictures of people who had transformed their lives. They spoke of pain and struggle in their before and freedom and happiness in their afters. To me, it always seemed as if in "The After" the hurt was over. Whatever had caused the person to be miserable before was gone and somewhere along the journey they figured out the key. Depending on the show or literature "the key" varied.
If I follow this diet plan, I'll lose the weight and be happy.
If I follow this exercise plan, my body will be fit and I'll be happy.
If I buy these weight loss products, for sure, I'll be happy.
It's taken me literally running through my goals for me to realize that happiness is an inside job.
I've lost the excess weight. I've had skin removal surgery (well, one in what will be a two part process for me). The journey to inner peace didn't end there.
If you're waiting for the moment when everything will click and you feel at peace with where you're at, you need to make that day today. You have to be able to just BE in order to move forward. I know that doesn't sound like it makes a whole lot of sense but it's so necessary. It takes happiness and gratitude in the present in order to realize your dreams of the future are already taking place. For your mind doesn't know the difference between past, present, and future, only now. You have to behave in the now. You have everything you need to be the person you want to be. Ask yourself, what would the me that I would consider a success be doing? What does my dream life include? How does it feel? What does it look like? What does it sound like? What can you do today that makes you feel that way?
Being upset about your body in the present or what you feel you may be lacking is a sure fire way to kill your joy. There are so many beautiful changes that happen along the journey to transformation that have nothing to do with your size or looks at all. There are so many wonderful things to learn and do that don't correspond with the scale or the number of calories you burn. You are so much more than your BMI!
I know I'm not "supposed to" say that as a weight loss surgery patient, and one that has made goal and is happily maintaining, especially. But it's all true. I am happy to wear a size extra small but at the same time, I am more than my size. I'm learning more and more each day to be present and that goal isn't a place far off in the distance but a feeling that you have to "know" in order to "feel".
Celebrate you today. Cheer for yourself today. For tomorrow is a day we will never catch up to and the present is the life that we've been gifted. Be present and grateful in all that you are and all that you have because the you that you envision in your mind is the you that reflects outwardly. Love and light!
-Brittney Elysse
abariatricbombshell.com
