With Lent starting yesterday, I began the process of thinking about what I am willing to do without for the next 46 days. I was thinking about what foods I could give up, and what treats I could do without and brainstorming with a co-worker when she said something interesting "shouldn't you give up something that would really kill you to have to do without?" Somehow that comment got me thinking about what I have sacrificed (or given up) because of my weight over the years and what I have recently been willing to do to reach my weightless goals.
 

It could be said, for years, I have set aside my personal life goals because I had little self confidence (or assurance rather) that someone else could find me attractive. Let's tell a story to explain. I have always had this idea that I was going to get married and have kids in my late twenties. I had the notion that I would meet someone special around 25 and get married by like 28 and have kids soon after. I had always seen myself as being a young fun mom. Through the years I had come to realize that I used by weight as a shield against rejection. I came to believe that no one would want to date me because I was fat, and I just settled on that notion sometime in college. Along with those thoughts came the revamping of my plans for family and a meaningful relationship. I began to wonder whether or not it was something that I would ever have and I began to except the possibility of not achieving that major personal goal. I let go of a dream because I was not willing to put myself out there and I was not willing to put myself out there because of my physical appearance.
 

Since I started this weightless journey, I have defiantly regained the notion of having a family someday and defiantly began to embracing my new found confidence. I am much more comfortable in my own skin and a willing to do almost anything to reach my weightless goals. In pursuit of my goals I have taken up running. I run over 20 miles a week and I actually enjoy it (when I am done). Exercise is a daily part of my life now. I can no longer spend an evening watching television, I have to do something! I have adopted a healthier diet. With my tool (surgery) I am able to control my portions, but I have to continue to make good food choices everyday. I drink my 8 glasses of water (plus some) even though I am in the bathroom 20 times a day. I am running a ½ marathon in May. I will reach my goal weight by July! I go out and have fun and I am willing to try new things every day. I am lucky in that I did not have to sacrifice much in the pursuit of my goals, I just had to change my mindset and embrace the changes that came my way. As for the relationship, it is still a work in progress, but I am a firm believer in the notion that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else. (BTW I LOVE ME!)
 

To bring this all back around, for lent I am going to give up using my credit cards and go back to paying for everything in cash. It has nothing to do with losing weight, but weightless is my focus 24/7. Every choice I make in pursuit of my goal can be considered a sacrifice and I want to make them beyond the 46 days of lent.
 

So my fellow readers….what are your willing to sacrifice (or not) in pursuit of your goals?