(image source) My mom and I made a realization maybe a year or so ago: “You’re only as thin as you want to be.” Now I know there’s a stigma against the words “skinny” and “thin” and the like on “healthy living blogs” and some people face bigger physical and mental obstacles when it comes to losing weight, but there’s some truth in the statement. We had a summer where we both focused on our eating and my mom especially saw great change in leaning out (not like she needs it…she’s in amazing shape already!). We came to the conclusion that you’re really only as thin as you want to be.
I was thinking the other day about this statement as I’ve been trying to shed a few (vanity) pounds. I know there are bigger issues in life to think about, but being reminded that I’m only as thin as I want to be – that it’s a series of choices and their resulting consequences that make this happen – was a good reminder. It made me think that this principle is true not only in weight loss/management but also in other areas of life.
You can fill in the blank, really:
You’re only as _____ as you want to be.
Fit.
Strong.
Courageous.
Intelligent.
Kind.
Friendly.
…the list goes on.
Right now, I’m eating and training to really maintain where I’m at weight- and strength-wise, so I must not REALLY want to sacrifice for change. And now that you need to hugely alter your life to see changes in the fitness realm, but sometimes you do need to make sacrifices, and I haven’t really been doing that. Duly noted. Time to weigh the scales, as it were, and find out what’s worth it to me.
Furthermore, I’m aware of what my priorities are (or aren’t!) based on my decisions, how I choose to spend my time, the actions I’m taking (or not), etc. I read a great post by Carla yesterday about priorities; I highly suggest you pop over and take a look at it! Her thoughts on saying “yes” or “no” to things or people have helped me re-frame them as priorities or not, and when you think about it that way, the things that need value rise to the surface as the things that don’t sink further away.
So… What will you purpose to become? Do you want to change your body? Do you want to lose weight, gain strength, become more disciplined at school, be a more attentive spouse, become a faster runner, learn to listen to others better? You’re only as ____ as you want to be. Let’s put the work in where it needs to be, have patience and watch as our lives, bodies, habits and characters change.
Live well & be well, friends (and hold me to this, will ya?),
Bonnie
Oh I adore this post! It’s so true, we do control where we want to be. I might want to be a faster runner, but I’m not making the “sacrifices” right now. I’d rather enjoy the run vs make them all about training. That’s my decision. As always, thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks for reading, Heather! And it’s true – the extent to which we sacrifice or train or change will determine what happens in every area of our lives…but we also have to ask if it’s worth it.
This is such a breath of fresh air in all the other posts that circulate on weight loss, management, fitness, etc. Such an ‘a ha’ moment!
It’s true. I used to be WAY stricter about my diet and exercise. But that just ended up in a whole lot of stress! Right now I’m ok with loosening up a bit and having a few extra pounds hanging around.
That’s kind of the same boat I’m in! Loosing up a bit but then being okay with what that means…it’s definitely a balance!
YES! I agree with this wholeheartedly! Sometimes I prioritize my ‘leanness’ and sometimes I prioritize social functions. At the end of the day, you get what you give. I used to be overweight and have managed to maintain a healthy weight for years. Knowing that I have the power allows me to relax and enjoy flexibility in my day to day life.
Great post!
Love this! Knowing you have the power is so freeing – knowing we have control of those kind of choices is empowering! Way to keep the weight off and keep living well! 😀
This post was just what I needed today! Thank you so much!
T.
You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment – glad it was helpful. 🙂
love love love!!! just want we needed to read tonight to have has some motivation 🙂 hugs
yes, i so so agree and need this reminder. You are only as PURPOSEFUL as you want to be.
LOVE that one.
love your perspective! thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading! 😀
Great message, as always. I’m trying to shed a few %’s of vanity fat right now and like you it’s all about priorities. Wine with friends and dinners with family keep winning and I’m okay with that.
EXACTLY where I’m at right now. 🙂 So glad to hear another PT and fitness friend say the same thing. 😀
I wanted ur post to go on and on and on! So just want I need to hear right now! And so true! Have been challenged lately by a friend who can see that my slow-roll weight loss style, while it has been good for a long while, is now just me choosing not to be as fit as I can be. I’m at a level of fitness now where I absolutely could really be thinner, fitter, healthier but instead opt for status quo because actively trying to do more puts me at risk of failure. I have definitely been choosing to be at exactly where I’m at for now. Definitely time to start looking at sacrifices needed and wanted and take a real look at where I really want to be. Love ya! 🙂
I think to some extent we’re all in this same boat, Becca…we could be fitter, eat better, friendlier, closer to Jesus, a better servant, more flexible, etc if we just decided to go after it. It’s a good reminder to me too (which is why I wrote it! lol) and I’m glad it was for you too…keep me updated on the changes/sacrifices you choose to make to get where you want to be! No worries for failure – the ups and downs are so seriously part of the journey – in no way would I say you’ve failed so moving forward and going after it harder just means you’ll be even MORE successful than you’ve already been! WELL DONE! Now press on. 😀