On my own

This will be short.

Can we please dispense with this notion that people who lose weight somehow don't do it on their own? I've talked about this subject before, but I keep getting agitated by ads on tv with people who bemoan that they "couldn't do it on their own" so they needed the help of some program or the other. This morning, the commercial I saw was for a very popular program in Canada called Herbal Magic. I know part of this is just advertisers hoping to sell a product by belittling people's efforts and should be ignored, but it settles into the general public's psyche and a cycle of "I can't do it" is born. This is a problem.

Of course, most often that phrase is associated with those of us who have had a bariatric procedure of some sort. I actually did do this on my own. The support of people around me was invaluable, the knowledge of my surgeon unquestionable, but guess whose ass is on the treadmill? Mine. Guess who makes the choices that have kept me in Maintenance Land since October? Me. Allll me. I don't even give my surgeon all the credit; he didn't save me. He provided me with the tool - literally, the tool - that enabled me to make the changes I needed. I went home and did the work, not him.

It's very important to own your power. Take credit for what you've achieved and don't let anyone tell you differently. Having the confidence to continue on your journey - whether you're still losing or are in Maintenance Land - is crucial. Get through every day knowing you can do it because you already are! You are doing it right now, this minute!

Just taking the initiative to admit you have a problem is earth shattering enough to change your life. And you did that. No one else. It doesn't matter if you accept help from Herbal Magic, Sparkpeople or a bariatric surgeon. We all do it on our own. Your power, your belief in yourself, will save you. I know it to be true.