What is Success?

The Daily Dose at Nutrisystem today was about success and had some good questions in it. It got me to thinking about what I define as success.

Success as defined by dictionary.com is "the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted". I think all of the things NS listed as definitions of a successful weight loss program were correct. Many of us do define out success in terms of pounds lost, inches lost, clothes fitting and smaller sizes. It's about so much more than just the numbers, but we all focus on the numbers.

NS also listed definitions of success as controlling cravings, maintaining control under peer pressure, figuring out what full really is, changing bad eating habits to healthy ones, gaining confidence and self-esteem, and the 'after' pictures at the end of the journey. Those are also good indicators of success but what is success to me?

"At what point will you feel you have succeeded in your battle against your weight?" For me, success will be finally feeling comfortable in the shell that is known as my body. It will be being able to move where I want to move when I want to move and knowing I no longer have to worry about my body fitting into a tight space. Success will be knowing I'm in control and can choose to have that cheesecake after lunch because I can control how much of it I eat. Success will be wearing clothes that fit and make me feel good about who I am. But you know what? I'm already a success. I have already lost 120 pounds and I know I will continue to lose until I get to where I want to be. Every time the scale shows I lost another pound, I am a success. Remember the definition in the beginning of this post? Success is the achievement of something desired (boy do I desire to lose weight), planned (I definitely plan to lose this weight with every single morsel I put into my mouth and every glass of water I drink and every step I take), or attempted (I attempt to lose weight on a weekly basis). Every time the number on the scale goes down, I am successful because I have achieved what I set out to do.

"What moment will define victory for you?" I actually feel that every time the scale goes down, I am victorious. Complete victory will be the moment I am finally okay with the number on the scale, coupled with how clothes are fitting, coupled with how I feel physically and mentally. I'm sure that emotionally, it's going to take longer to catch up and I realize that.

"What will you feel like at that time?" I will fell like I have accomplished what I set out to do. I set out on this journey over a year ago with the intent to lose 325 pounds. When I finish, I will know where I started and where I ended and I'll be content with that knowledge.

I am successful EVERY day that I eat the right foods, drink the water, and move my body. I am successful because I believe in myself and know that I can do this and I also believe and know each of my readers are successful as well.

Enjoy your Monday, everyone!