An Emotional Testimony

Wow -- thank you to everyone who has subscribed to my YouTube channel, posted comments here on the blog, and sent me notes of encouragement via email. I am truly thankful for your kind words; you have no idea how motivating they are!

Today I'd like to address the number one question I receive when I first tell someone that I have decided to give up soda, Starbuck's, alcohol, and soda for an entire year. And that question is: "Why?!"

As in, why would I give up all the creature comforts that make everyone else so happy? How could I possibly turn my back on the things that millions profess that they JUST CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?? How about this:

1. I'll save at least $1,000 alone in kicking my Starbucks habit. ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. That's $20 per week for 52 weeks. I used to go four times per week, and spend $5 per visit. And that was just on "coffee," and does not include what I spent in addition to the drinks, such as a muffin or scone. How much a week do YOU spend on Starbucks? Why don't you just write me a check for $1,000? At least I'll put it to good use . . .
2. Since we're talking about Starbucks, I'll address what I used to drink four times per week: A "Double Venti, Extra Hot White Mocha with Whipped Cream." Seriously. And I wonder why I'm so frigging fat? Try this on for size: That drink contains 450 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 53 grams of carbs. If you're a point-counter, that's a 13-point drink. Which is more points than a McDonald's Sausage Egg McMuffin!
3. About the alcohol . . . I was more than your average casual drinker. I'd go out for cocktails a couple of times per week, as well as indulge at home. I won't even begin to try to count calories on that one, I just know that (a) I'll be saving an additional $200 per month on drink bills and BevMo receipts and (b) I'll be doing my liver a HUGE favor.
4. I hate my teeth. They're yellow and I've always had problems with cavities. Know why? Because I was addicted to soda. Hopefully kicking my soda habit will brighten my smile as well as reduce my waist size!

Last, but not least: How about, "I'm just tired of being fat."

Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm tired of people looking PAST ME, not at me. I'm tired of how being morbidly obese makes me feel. I'm tired of pretending that I'm happy with shopping at one store because they're the only one who carries my size in anything that looks halfway decent.

Why can't "I'm tired of being fat" be a good reason to drink only water for a whole year? Why can't people understand that I'm not crazy, I'm not pregnant, and I'm not broke? Is everyone so brainwashed that they can't process the fact that there are people in the world who really CAN live without Starbucks and going out for drinks?

*Sigh*

My husband and I have always taught our kids that life is about choices. You can choose to be happy or sad, grateful or selfish, and fit or fat. In the past, I always chose fat, because it was the easy thing to do. It was what everyone else did, right? Easy is awesome.

And after 38 years of choosing easy, I'm learning how difficult it is to re-train my way of thinking.

Not a day goes by where I don't wish I could be drinking a Pepsi. Or a "Double Venti, Extra Hot White Mocha with Whipped Cream." Or a Raspberry Lemon Drop.

I say to myself, "No one will know. You can just have one Pepsi. Or one little cocktail . . . and nobody will be the wiser.

But somewhere between choosing easy and choosing fit, I grew a conscience.

I'll know that I did it. I'll know that I broke down and had some Liquid Satan. And I just can't do that to all those who received a personal guarantee that I'd finish. Or most importantly, to myself.