Motivation to lose weight & Sally's story

Dieting Myth number 1:

The word “diet” is incorrect. We are all on a “diet”. The food that we eat every day makes up our individual "diet"ary requirements. Therefore if we want to lose size, we need to modify them. In other words we need to change what we are eating from foods that have allowed us to gain weight, to foods that allow us to use that food stuff more effeciently and therefore lose weight. Losing weight is a simple equation – eat less than your body needs to use as fuel and you will lose weight. In very simple terms – eat less and exercise more by modifying your daily dietary requirements.

Sally's story:

I met Sally at the gym again today. A fey scottish grandmother who still bears the effects of a stroke almost two years on. It might affect her speech but not her spirit. Over the last couple of years, Sally and I have sweated over the small stuff (we're not into pumping heavy weights you understand). But she is more disciplined than I. Five days a week she gets up at 5am. Walks her dog, then walks to the gym. It doesn't matter what the weather is doing, or whether she wants to. She just does it.

Today I found out why.

She has beaten cancer, gone through a heart operation to have a pace maker fitted, and she lost the use of one side of her body for a while. I also found out that she had retired from her job as a counsellor for the second time this year at the age of 68. But that is not what is truly remarkable about Sally. Added up it is more than most people ever have to deal with. You see as Sally is walking home she is gearing up for the hardest part of every day.

She is going home to someone who looks like the person she married all those years ago. Had children with and grew together as they grew older. But is now a stranger in his own body and his own home. He doesn't  know that Sally still believes in those vows she spoke all those years ago - In sickness and in health, for better or worse.
 
So every time you feel like giving up or not doing everything that you are capable of, then remember Sally. I know I shall the next time the alarm clock goes off at 5.30 am.