DecemBer 27, 2022 - Enjoy the ride!

Many of you know, last weekend, I turned 49! Whew!! (As all of my older friends say together..."you're just a baby!!!") Well be that as it may, I'm still 49 and I'm truly blessed and grateful for my life, my health and my healing! While celebrating, a dear member gave me a card and in it she wrote, "Although my journey is far from perfect, I am enjoying the "ride" with you there to guide me." Those words really made me smile for so many reasons. But the part I want us to take away and into this new year is enjoying the ride.

I know some of our progress has been less that what we would have wanted. I know many of us planned to lose on weeks we gained and gained on weeks we hoped we stay the same. I know we've been frustrated and just down right angry at the scales and at ourselves. But I hope if you step back and look at the bigger picture and the whole journey, that you were able to at least say you're "enjoying the ride." I hope that you consider the family moments, the milestones you celebrated, even the the challenges you faced and overcame, and just all that 2022 has thrown at you and realize that while you've possibly shed tears, that you've also smiled, laughed until your stomach hurt, been fulfilled, felt loved and given love, that even in some of the hardest days, you are still here and some good has come from all of the bad.

Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect, life is not perfect. But it does matter that you enjoy the ride, because life is meant to be enjoyed! Happy New Year!! Let's just keep going!

December 20, 2022

December 13, 2022

november 29, 2022

AUGUST 30, 2022 - I need to apologize

I just want to say I'm sorry! All this time I have been telling you that our greatest enemy in this journey is the scales, and I'm starting to think I've been totally wrong. While I do believe it is def one of them when it comes to our frustrations and what we see as failure, I've been remiss in my thinking that actually, IT'S THE CALENDAR!

It is not only the scale that seems to take us out and make us feel defeated, but it is the calendar in that it's actually what many of us race against, and try to outsmart. It is the upcoming event on the calendar that we feel like we have to lose weight for, and depending on how soon it is to come, that will also determine our methods. It is the past years that we recall when we were in a good place and wonder why we're struggling so much now. It is also the days and months and years between now and when we think we should reach our goals, when we may actually reach our goals or why we haven't yet met our goals.

There have only been a couple of instances in my time as a leader/coach that the time really did matter...a woman trying to have a baby or perhaps even a needed surgery that was scheduled, but nowhere and in no time have I ever had anyone who had a threat to their lives if they didn't lose a certain number of pounds or get to a certain weight by a certain date. Getting healthy, eating and living a healthier lifestyle, making progress, even changing our mindset are all things that can happen today, and one day at a time. They're things that can happen over time, they are things that, regardless of the number on the scale or the number of lbs loss, still mean you're trying, they still mean you're successful, they still mean that you are working for this, and that's what matters my friends. Not the number on the scale, not the time it takes to get "there", but simply the work you're putting in.

So, I'm sorry for telling you our only fight is with the scale, because unfortunately I think our bigger fight is with the calendar...but if we can face that, we can beat them both! See you at your workshop this week...no matter what the scales say or how long it's been and no matter how long the scales have been saying that!

AUGUST 23, 2022 - Just for today

Back in June 2020, we had an amazing monthly topic about what happens in your body when... Well one of those weeks dealt with stress. And of course many of us knew or came to learn that what happens in your body when you stress is that it tends to rest right in your midsection. In turn, just so we all know, stress can weigh on you...literally! But it wasn't that that really caught my attention, but what I've been carrying with me since then is that stress happens when we focus too far in the future or too far in the past.

With all the heartbreak and heartache that not only I have experienced but that I've also watched so many of you go through, I began to remind myself that my only job is to get through today. Because honestly, that's all there is...TODAY! Yesterday is gone and tomorrow will still be there. But what we have right now, is TODAY! So I want to encourage you as you're on this journey, no matter what you're struggling with, your only job is to get through today. Your heart is broken, your job is crazy, them kids are taking you out, this journey is frustrating, you wanna eat everything in sight, you wanna move but you just don't know if you have it in you, you know you need to track but it feels so overwhelming, that big project in front of you, all the things on your to do list, that thing that's heavy on your heart...no matter what it is, YOUR ONLY JOB IS TO GET THROUGH TODAY!

So what will you do just for today? Just for today I will... And whatever that thing is, run with it and when you start to get too far into the future wondering if you can keep doing it or you dwell on your past and wanna beat yourself up for what you did or didn't do, remind yourself MY ONLY JOB IS TO GET THROUGH TODAY! So just for today I will _________________. And then tomorrow you tell yourself the same.

AUGUST 16, 2022 - Just one thing

I don't know about you, but some days are just harder than others. Some days I feel like I'm doing all the things...and some days I feel like I'm not doing anything. And with that the journey can sometimes follow those same lines. And sometimes it's not for the lack of trying. And with that we can become frustrated and so defeated.

But from where you are right now, if you feel like it's all out of control or nothing's working or everything is crazy, I want you to find just one thing. Just one thing you're proud of, just one thing you're doing well, just one thing you're grateful for and when your thoughts of total disappointment, frustration, defeat or failure rush in, remind them and yourself that you have this one really great thing going for you and focus on that thing.

When your weight is stuck, be grateful you're maintaining. When you hate that number, be grateful it's not another number. When those pants don't fit, be proud of the fact that the other outfit did. When you can't go on, be grateful you got this far. You see, there will always be a negative, but if you focus on the positive, that's the thing that keeps you going. That's the thing that matters, that's the thing that pushes you forward and that's the thing that is worth celebrating.

So find just one thing great. Do just one thing right. Check just one thing off that list. Eat just one thing that you know will help your goals. Drink just one thing of water. ​Try just one new thing. ​Just for today, just for this week, Just one thing...because one will turn into two eventually, and then three, then four and so on...

AUGUST 9, 2022 - Trust the process

I don't know about you, but when I buckle down, I want instant results! My body gained easily, I want it to lose just as easily, like out of control behavior equals out of control weight, I think when I'm in control, my weight should fall in line...but guess what? That's not how it works.

As I shared with you a few weeks ago, I had elbow surgery, and wow, it was a doozy those first few days. I remember thinking, did I really need surgery? Was it really worth it? Maybe I should have just accepted the pain. But honestly, that wasn't an option. I really needed my arm to feel better. And as I sat at Physical Therapy yesterday, all I could do was marvel at how far my arm has come in just 3 weeks. It doesn't mean I don't have any more pain, but I know I'm getting better and the pain of getting better is so much better than pain without an ending.

Well just like my surgery, when we embark on our weight loss journey or recommit to it, those first days can be a doozy. We'll wonder how much we really want it and we'll wonder is it worth it, especially when the frustration comes in that it's not happening as quickly as we wanted. But if we have goals, if our health isn't okay, or if we just really want to feel better, change is necessary. And beyond that, everything we do is making us better. I know it won't seem like it in the beginning but as we keep going, we will realize we're doing the right things. We'll start to feel better and most of all, if we keep going, we will marvel at how far we've come in just a short amount of time.

But we have to trust the process. As you adjust, make changes, track more honestly and we move more consistently, we start to chip away at the challenges between us and our goal. It's not overnight, but nothing is. Everything takes time...healing, grieving, improving, growing, and changing, but the challenge is to be patient in the process. And remember even though you might not SEE better yet, just doing better is its own reward. Remember, the time will pass anyway, it's what we do with it that matters. And in 3 weeks I hope you can look back and marvel at how far you've come, too.

AUGUST 2, 2022 - Just some thoughts

***New month. New beginning. New mindset. New focus.

New start. New intentions. New results.***

"You may not get where you want to be tomorrow, but the steps you take today can get you closer." - C.Biscoe

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

- Maria Robinson

“There’s nothing wrong with being a beginner, we all start there.” - Unknown

“Dear Past, thank you for all the lessons. Dear Future, I’m now ready.” - Igue Deborah

“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity.

Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” - Oprah Winfrey

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” - Gail Devers

“A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” - Serena Williams

July 26, 2022 - Expectations

So many of you know I had tennis elbow surgery last week. Now let me say, my list of surgeries is so long that the last time I was asked to list them, the person actually interrupted me and said, "ummm, okay, so all I need to know is do you have metal in your body." But they've all pretty much been minor, just necessary for my wellbeing. So when everyone would ask me, "are you nervous?" and "are you gonna be down long?" my answer was pretty much to the extent of, it's all good. Been here before...they knock me out, I wake up and it's over, then I recover. And after having the surgery on Tuesday, my expectation was to return to work on Saturday. Easy peasy, right?

Well let me tell you...while the surgery process was just as I thought, you go under and the next thing you know you're waking up...man, was the recovery totally anything but what I anticipated. Tuesday as I left the surgi-center, all I felt was tiredness and pain. But I got home to relax and was pretty certain that my pain was under control. I was on schedule with all my meds, icing and elevating as instructed and of course being taken good care of. Cool. But then the next day would prove to be anything but easy. I found myself in the most excruciating pain I think I've ever experienced in a post op situation. And I know I've heard the knees are the worst, but that's one I'm hoping to put off for a very long time. But this pain woke me up in the middle of the night and continued for the entire day. And all I could think was this isn't what I was expecting. I mean I had done all the things, taken all the meds on schedule, and simply done my best to manage the pain. I iced as instructed and elevated and protected as directed. But even with all of that, my pain level was intense. But be that as it may, my only choice was to ride the wave and pray that things would get better soon. And they did. Thursday ended up being a far cry from Wednesday...Friday was a bit better than Thursday, and Saturday was an improvement from Friday. Sunday was like night and day to Wednesday, but Monday came in like Sunday but was off and on like Saturday. But even through all the pain...little by little, I began to feel less pain, and little by little I was able to move my fingers better and then my wrist better and then my arm better. And now on Tuesday, I'm ready to return to work and looking forward to seeing all of you this week. I'm still feeling some pain and PT doesn't start for a couple of days, but I'm making progress everyday and despite what I expected this to look like...I'm getting there and in getting this far, there was no other choice but to keep going. Sometimes the only way you can get through is to go through.

Why am I telling you all of this...well one, so I don't have to tell this story 125 times this week, lol, but two because as I thought about this last week...I could only think about the expectations of our weight loss journeys. The idea that especially in most cases, we've done this before...more times than we can count...and we know what to do...and sometimes that first week or two is just fine, but then it's slow or worse, we gain, and then we're struggling. It's frustrating and challenging and for some of us, yes painful, especially when you feel like you did all the things...only for it to not go as well as you had expected...and now you're at the crossroads of "is it even worth it" and "can I even do this again" and "maybe I'm just too ______ (insert old, tired, undisciplined, etc.) to lose weight again".

But just like my pain wasn't expected but I had to keep doing all the things, this journey will be filled with things you expected to go a diff way, too. Like you expected to lose faster, or more, or you expected to be in control at the dinner, or make good decisions on the vacation, or get back to your workout routine quicker...but just as I had to go through to get through, so do you...and here's the beauty of it...what seemed like so long, has only been a week of my life...with lot's of progress along the way, and the best part is, I'm getting better and not continuing to be in pain like I was before the surgery. And the same applies to our journeys, what seems like will take so long, is only months, or a year or even a few years, with lots of little successes, victories, and wins along the way...and the best part is, you're getting better. You're not where you were, but each day you're one healthy choice closer to your goal, and the discomfort, unhealthiness and frustration you once felt will be a distant memory because you're gonna be better for this in the long run.

Even as I hold my elbow in discomfort from typing this, I'm so grateful the worst is behind me as exactly one week ago today at this time, they were discharging me and the pain was just beginning, but look how far I've come in just 7 days...and you can say the same...as long as you don't give up in and on the process.

July 19, 2022

I'm having a bit of writers block this week...so until I remember what I had planned to write about this week :) - I'll leave you with this...

July 12, 2022 - Under construction

As I was driving to work today, I couldn't help but think about all the construction that's going on on 522. I remember last year when they said they were going to be working on the bridge, they said they were going to be diverting traffic to the 1 lane for the next 12 months! I remember thinking, "good Lord...what the world!!" But as I've been looking over at the bridge the last couple of weeks, I can see all the progress they have been making. What's more, I realized it's July and it's only 2 more months left of their scheduled diversion.

​Thinking about that, it reminded me​ of us and our journeys. Improvement takes time. It's messy and sometimes we even have to take some alternate routes from time to time. It's frustrating...it can seem like it's taking forever and it's never gonna get any better. But it is...rather we see it or not. A member recently told me that Jessica Simpson used the phrase "Determined Patience". And I couldn't agree more. That's def what this journey takes!

This journey is not easy, but when you think about it even the things we enjoy most come with challenges. As much as I love my pups and as much happiness as they bring me, picking up their crap, regulating my activities and life around them, paying for their vet care and kenneling them, and sometimes even waking up in the middle of the night when they're sick or need to go out. Everything in life comes with challenges, but if we can focus on what we gain in the process that's what makes it worth it.

I had the privilege of taking progress pics for one of my young members last week. The look on his face as he saw the clothes he had on when he first came in, his tears spoke volumes. But when I asked him if he could hop up on a wall and he did without even thinking, the look of sheer joy in realizing what he had just accomplished made my whole day.

It's all hard. Losing, gaining, maintaining, losing again...but pick your hard. Find the joy in it and no matter what it looks like keep going and keep trying. As we often say, time will pass anyway, it's what you do with it that matters. And there is nothing wrong with being Under Construction...just keep making progress!

July 5, 2022 - The Baggage of Weight Loss

Lately I've been having a lot of conversations about losing weight...again. If you're reading this, chances are this ain't your first rodeo! No matter how long you've been doing WW, it's very possible that you have found yourself at one time or another having to "re-lose" some or even all of your weight. And if you've felt any of the last 2 years, it's definitely possible. Some time ago, I wrote a blog called the Weight of a Gain...with the premise being that the weight of a gain is only as heavy as we allow it to be. Meaning one person can come back from a vacation, gain 3.6 and blow it off knowing they were out of their element and easily push forward, while another person can feel like they did everything absolutely perfect that week and gain .4 and it can feel like they just gained back all 28.2lbs that they lost and it can derail them like the dickens and start a downward spiral.

But it's not just the weight...if you've ever found yourself feeling like you're starting from scratch or just trying to make up some lost territory if you will, unfortunately, it's not only the weight we've gained that we seem to carry. First of all we're already carrying whatever got in the way or caused the gain in the first place, be it person, place or thing loss or even just change...but in addition to that we're carrying the guilt, the shame, the defeat, the failure of having the lose it again, the challenge of trying again and facing the scales, as well as anything else negative we find to carry on our shoulders as well...you know that f_ _-word I hate and any other thoughts or jokes we think we're creative enough to come up with. We all know the past is like that jealous person that just can't stand to see you do better than them. It will remind you like nothing else what you did, where you went wrong, and how much you screwed up.

But I have to tell you, I can't make you not carry that. I can tell you it's all lies and it's all in our heads to hold us back all I want to. I can tell you we've all been there, or heck, a lot of us are there RIGHT NOW! But the truth of the matter is we all carry our own baggage and no matter how light someone else is able to pack, we have to figure out our own suitcases. You are the only one who can fight those negative thoughts with positives. You are the only one who can put on our big girl and big boy britches, get your butt in the car and drive to the studio or dial into a workshop! You are the only one who can decide enough is enough, I can do this...it may take time but how I'm spending my time ain't working right now, and I have to make a change before I add 1 more pound of pressure to these knees, before add another medication, before I put on 5 more pounds that will add to my situation.

But what I can promise you is that coming back means you don't have to carry it all on your own! Coming back means you get a weekly (or daily depending on how many workshops and coachings you decide to listen to) dose of inspiration, encouragement and motivation. Coming in each week says I matter, I'm worth it and I deserve 45min to myself with all that I give to others. Putting you first is NEVER wrong when your health is at stake. Putting you first isn't selfish, but it's putting yourself in a better position to be a blessing to those in your life who need you. This journey ain't for the week, being overweight is hard, losing weight is hard, maintaining is hard, and yes, losing again is hard, but pick your hard! As I always say, you have 2 choices, do nothing...or take the first step to fixing it, right now! Let's carry it together...because we really are BETTER TOGETHER!

June 28, 2022 - Just showing up can change everything

As many of you know, I took a little break last week. I hadn't taken a day off since the day of my mom's funeral in November, and with the 2nd anniversary of losing my daddy, I thought it was a good idea to take a break and do something fun! Since July of last year, the plan was to go to the National All GM Show in Carlisle, PA. Of course as the time got closer, I can't even tell you all the stuff that was going on in my head. (Hi, my name is Charmissa and I'm an Over-thinker!!) But for real, showing just hasn't been the same since losing mom, as she was always my first call after I showed, win or lose. When I went to call her in May after getting Top 50, and couldn't, it just hurt. It was one thing to not share it with Dad, but to not be able share it with her either...whew! Not only that but about a month ago, I popped the trunk and 48 kicked in and I forgot to get what I popped it for and that I even popped it in the first place and the battery died, as I didn't realize it until 2 days later. Then 3 weeks ago I bought a Harley and suddenly the Motorcycle Rally that my husband was going to near his hometown sounded WAY more exciting, and less lonely, as I was going to be taking the trip to PA by myself! I even called the President of the Fiero club I'm in to tell her I had a room at the host hotel I was about to release and I wanted to know if she knew anyone who needed it. She impressed on me to just think it through, she understood as we lost our dads a month a part and it was a hard weekend for her, too. But remember, I still had to get the car fixed and make sure she was truly up for the ride 3 states away!!

But after much thought, a whole lot of conversations and a whole whole lot of prayer and soul searching and so many things God worked out, I ended up going to the Rally in MD...IN MY CAR, lol, hanging with my husband for a couple of days then leaving, coming back to VA, changing out my Harley stuff for the Fiero stuff and packing up the car and heading to PA! And boy, was I glad I did! It turned out to be an amazing experience and if that wasn't enough, Daddy's Girl, mine and Dad's Fiero, brought home a Celebrity Choice Award, given to me by the Fiero President, herself! I can't tell you how much it meant to me, especially on that day, as June 25, 2020 was the last day I saw my daddy alive, hugged him and told him I loved him. I was at one of the biggest car shows on the East Coast with people from all over the country, 90 other Fieros and I got an award for Daddy's Girl! And I couldn't have been more happy if I had gotten 1st place!

But what if I hadn't have gone? What if I let fear or even my grief get the best of me?? What if I had made the choice to stay home or stay in MD at the Rally?! Honestly I don't even want to think about it...all I would have missed out on, the people I wouldn't have met, and the AMAZING weekend I wouldn't have enjoyed all because I didn't show up?! Because showing up matters! Showing up for yourself, with all of your fears, frustrations and concerns...showing up when it's hard, or showing up when you feel like you're alone on your journey or you feel like others may not understand. But I need you to know that's never the case. Matter of fact, next to the Fiero President grieving her dad, too, the first friend I made buried her 24 year old son in January! Another guy I met, was showing his car too, after losing his dad in January as well. I met so many people carrying on their dad's legacy or just grieving their own losses, who mustered up the strength and the courage to show up this weekend. Wednesday member (and Car lover), John and his son, even made the trip to cheer me on! But I faced it all! I even walked on the treadmill 3 of the 4 days I was gone...I made good choices and I indulged, I moved and drank water and I did my best to be in the moment of every situation I faced. Was it hard, yup! Did I have tears, yep! Did I have moments, absolutely! But I did it, I went and no one can take that away from me. And I didn't do it alone...because there was no way I could have gotten there without the support from my husband and so many friends, new and old.

Our journeys are no different from my weekend, because our journeys are a part of our lives. The questions, the frustrations, the losses, the struggles, the challenges, the crazy moments, but also the best experiences, the days that make you smile and the friends you meet along the way! So I say, FACE IT ALL! Do the best you can when you can! Live in the moment! Create the life you want and enjoy it. Will it be hard, sometimes!! Will there be tears, you betcha!! Will you have your moments, you best believe it!! But you'll be glad you did, you'll be glad you showed up, that you fought, that you tried, that you learned about you that you met others, that you found out you weren't alone, and yes, you will be ECSTATIC that you did it, and no one will ever be able to take it from you! My life was forever changed this weekend...all because I showed up. Please show up for you! Show up for your loved ones. Show up for your dreams and your goals. It'll be like the Christmas outfit you really really wanted, and you got it, but more importantly, you get to wear it every single day! That's what a healthier life and lifestyle feels like...but you have to SHOW UP!!

June 21, 2022 - find your perspective

I'm just gonna ​​admit that this WISDOM entry will def not top last weeks, so since that's the case, I really just want to give you a couple of nuggets to encourage you and motivate you.

As I shared with you last week, my weight has been a lot, literally! LOL! But as I put in my weight this week I noticed something...I'm losing! Consistently losing! And it really feels good to see the scales finally going in the right direction. But I have to tell you that before that first loss, despite my best efforts, I was stuck at that same, higher, defeating, frustrating number for the ENTIRE month of MAY! My results for the month were actually up .9! Talk about wanting to throw the scale...but I kept asking myself, what's the alternative? So I kept going...and June has def been better.

But as I weighed in on my normal Friday, which happened to be the day before my 17th Anniversary, my mind went back to the day before my wedding. Yes, I was struggling with my weight even way back then...but I realized that compared to what I weighed 17 years ago, I was only up 3lbs. In that moment, I could only smile! I'm only 3lbs up from where I was at 31 years old. Now that was before WW and yes I've gained weight since I reached my WW goal 10 years ago, but the other part of the story is that before Weight Watchers I gained and lost 30lbs, 3 times...until I came down on WW this last time in 2010.

My point is, we can beat ourselves up about the gains or we can be grateful for what's good and what we still have the opportunity to change. And maybe your comparison is diff, but please factor in those kids you gave birth to, or those kids that kept you up all night. Please factor in the life challenges you've faced or the life changes you've endured. Please factor in the illnesses and health issues you've had to deal with rather they were yours or ​involving ​someone you loved! But please find your perspective in where you are...even if it's realizing how CRAZY the last 2 years have been, but knowing you're still here!

If you are a current paying member, lifetime or monthly pass holder, who is purposely avoiding coming into the room because you feel like you've gained, because you're afraid to step on the scales or even because you just feel like it's not working, please, I implore you, come back! You don't even have to step on the scales, but just come in so we can chat with you and help you pull your journey together. Find whatever perspective you need to get you back in the studio.

June 14, 2022 - YOU ARE NOT ALONE

I'm not sure if ​you ​noticed, but I have truly tried to speak to you from my heart since I started these Wisdom emails. But incase it hasn't been clear enough, let me say this for anyone who is still struggling or feeling like you have to lose it before you come back, or if you feel like you just can't come back, or you're embarrassed that you gained it back or whatever is keeping you from taking that step, coming back or coming consistently, I wanna make it plain!

These last 2 years hit me hard! When I lost my dad almost 2 years ago, I was the lowest weight I had been in a couple of years. Then over the next year I gained 20lbs...being in a workshop each week, being your leader, being your coach and standing right in front of you! When the new program started, I took it as an opportunity to make a new start! And I was doing great...lost 10lbs then boom, my mom died suddenly, and over the next 5 months, I gained back the 10lbs I lost and found 7 more!

For those of you playing along at home, that's 27lbs. 27lbs while showing up every week, while still going to workshops, twice a week, while coaching every workshop and teaching you things I was trying to do, but all the while my emotional eating was winning. Am I embarrassed? Ashamed? Disappointed? Yup...so much to the point that May 22nd was my 12 year anniversary of the day I walked through those doors, and I never told anyone, and never said anything because I didn't feel I had something to celebrate. But that was the furthest thing from the truth! You see, even in my gains, all is not lost. I'm still almost 50lbs down from my heaviest weight! I'm also grateful that it's not more, proud that I'm still here and glad that I never quit on me. Cause what I know is if I gained in the room, I can't imagine what I would have gained not coming in, not coaching and not at least doing what I could when I could. Plus I continued to put myself in a place to get the information, and the help I needed to turn this around, not only as a coach but as a member!

When I first started my journey I called it "fighting a losing battle"...literally. And some days it felt like what we usually think this saying means, but most days what I'm saying is I'm FIGHTING a "losing battle!" I'm working on my journey, I'm being patient, I'm trusting the process and I'm giving myself time to get where I want to be. I'm taking steps every day to track, to move, to make better choices and just to live a better lifestyle! I'm fighting for a better me! I'm fighting for a healthier me. And like I shared with you all last week, I'm fighting because I'm tired of being overweight being the first thought and the most all consuming thought of my every day!

And I'm inviting you to join me! Rather you gained like me or gained more than me. Rather you have missed 2 weeks or been MIA for 2 years. Rather you have lost people like me or you can't even pinpoint where it all went sideways. What I know is that we're not starting from scratch, we're starting from experience! Come back, try again, start again, pick up where you left off or just keep pushing and get to your goal...I'm right here! I'm in no place to judge anyone so please, stop thinking about it, stop finding the perfect day or the perfect week, or waiting until you're "ready". If you need to do this for whatever reason...you're ready!! Come on in and we'll do it together! I can't promise it'll be easy. I can't promise it'll come off like it did last time. Heck, it may take some time, even more time than it did the first time, because it's not just your weight you're losing, but it's also all of those feelings I mentioned you're feeling. And that's fine!! Because no matter what challenges we face, WE CAN DO THIS!!!

JUNE 7, 2022 - When You Know Why…

I can’t tell you how helpful last week's topic was for me! Not just hearing some of your WHY's, but it’s been a long time since I truly knew WHY I was on this journey! I mean like many of us, I just wanna lose weight, I wanna look good in my clothes, I wanna feel better, and for me, ummmm, it also kinda comes with the job! But even knowing that, something still hasn’t been putting, or working or helping to be that driving force.

And trust me, I’ve thought about this. Especially since things have seemed so out of control lately and I find myself truly needing to lose a significant amount of weight again!! I’ve tried to let you all be “my why”, wanting to be an example for navigating through this journey. I tried to let my job be my why, trying desperately to create some accountability by telling myself I needed to lead from the front! Heck, I even tried to make it about my late parents and how I don’t want to let them down since they were so proud of my weight loss, but even in that, it just wasn’t sticking. All those reasons didn’t stop me from making some food choices that took me away from my goals. They didn’t stop me from going back for seconds or even going on a nightly binge for that one last snack that never seemed satisfying enough.

Even when we went through this topic as employees, I was still drawing a blank! Then Tuesday night during the workshop while I was leading, “my WHY” hit me like a ton of bricks! And it was so clear! I want to lose weight and get healthier because I’m so tired of the thought of being overweight being my first thought every. single. morning. of every. single. day! That cut me deep and it really hit home FOR ME. And I can honestly say that reason, that thought, that WHY has gotten me through this last week, to make better choices, to be more consistent, to be patient with the process, to think though my options and to make every day matter, in a way that it was almost a no brainer to make better decisions, to track, to move and just to keep pushing so I can get to my goals!

If you don’t know what your WHY is, search your soul, search your life, search what matters to you! And keep asking WHY until you get to the heart of the matter, and you will know you’re there when it grabs your heart, when it means something to you, when it hits you so hard that it chokes you up or your eyes well up with tears! Someone said last week, if your WHY doesn’t make you cry you need a new WHY!

They say when you know your WHY, your HOW becomes easier! A strong WHY will change your whole outlook! It will adjust your perspective and it will put you in check. I hear people say all the time, I have to wait until I’m ready! No, you just need a WHY that weighs on your heart enough to outweigh the challenges! You need a WHY that is powerful enough that it reminds you daily that you, your life and your health are worth fighting for. In the nutshell, you need a WHY that’s strong enough to get you past your gains, so you can get to your GOALS!!! What's your WHY?!

If you need help, email me at charmissa.biscoe@ww.com. If you've been missing us, please get into a Workshop this week! Stay Connected! And if you're a New/Returning Member, please press into your new chapter of your journey!