Let’s get real here, life is hard! It doesn’t matter how many perfect smiling
photos you post on Instagram or how many “look at how great my life is” status
updates you post on Facebook, the truth is you got problems just like the rest
of us! While I’m not suggesting we start
a new social media movement of airing out our dirty laundry for all of the
world to see, but perhaps it’s time to stop wearing the ridiculous masks of
perfection we’ve been hiding behind for so long! These disguises we so diligently
wear create a barricade between our pain and the world around us. We don’t want others to see our wounds, our
scars, our heartbreaks, our disappointments, or our failures in life. So we stuff those suckers down deep inside,
in hopes that they never become exposed for all to see. Our desire to do this is likely deeply rooted
in the fear of being rejected, judged or criticized by our family and friends. And since they are all busy wearing their own
masks of perfection, we’re likely blinded to the fact that they’ve got some
issues too and maybe even the same ones as us!
We’re shocked when we hear the news of certain celebrities, who have
remarkable talent and seemingly amazing lives, yet, make the decision to prematurely
end their own lives. The personas they
present to the public do an amazing job of masking the pain and suffering they
were secretly fighting. While the
societal norm may be to mask our pain, suck it up, and hide our scars from the
world, in adhering to this trend we are doing ourselves a great disservice. We were not designed to walk through life or any
trial in this life alone, my friends! Love,
encouragement and support serve an essential role to someone who is fighting
any life battle. If we think we’re alone
in fighting our battles, we’re more likely to throw in the towel and give up,
but if we know there’s someone out there who’s willing to get in the pits with
us and stand by our side in the darkest times we’re more likely to keep fighting.
As someone who lost over 160 pounds the old school way of
eating healthy and exercising, I can tell you that losing weight is very much a
trial! Certainly, it is not as grim as
some life trials may be, but it most definitely is one that will push you to your
psychological limits. There is an old African
proverb you’ve likely heard before that says, “it takes a village to raise a
child” and from my experience I would pose the argument that it also takes one
to successfully lose weight and restore your body! Trying to lose weight without any support
from family and friends can be likened to sending an untrained and unarmed soldier
out on the battlefield alone, it likely won’t turn out well for him. The same is true for weight loss, sure, you
can do it solo but without the proper training, equipment and support, the odds
are stacked highly against you! When setting a weight loss goal, it’s important
to create a plan on how to reach that goal.
I’ve written previously on the importance of having a battle plan and
how to create one,
here. After you have
created your battle plan, it’s important to assemble your army of supporters to
help you reach your goals. These are
your biggest cheerleaders, the people you can call when you mess up and need to
be encouraged! The people who will lift
you up when your strength to fight is dwindling. The ones who remind you of the importance of
what you’re fighting for! These are the dear ones who will stand by your side
in hard times and also be the first ones to celebrate the victories with you along
the way! If you’re ready to conquer the battle of the bulge, it’s time to assemble
your army!
