Tools glorious toools!

Irony:  There are so many weight loss tools and methodologies available, yet we’re nearing the highest percentage of obesity in the United States of all time.

I was speaking with a friend of mine who had weight loss surgery about a year and a half ago.  She said that she recently realized that the surgery was really a tool and not a cure-all.  She continues to struggle to lose the last 50 pounds as her body has settled into the comfort zone.  She looks amazing though and works hard to maintain her loss to date.

Her story has put some of the random thoughts floating around in my head about long-term weight loss– into context for me.  Weight Watchers, the YMCA, weight loss surgery, weight loss methodologies, etc are all just tools and NOT cures.

The only cure for obesity that we really have resides in obtaining the mental fortitude to turn the want into change.  If we don’t want to change our patterns and behaviors; if we don’t want to change our lives, then no tool will be able to help us (no matter how AWESOME said tool(s) may be).

Taking it one step further (and as an example):  alcoholism is an addiction-based affliction (very similar to food addiction).  Alcoholics have to first realize that they have a problem before anything else.  Once they realize they have a problem — they have to want to change (you can recognize that you have a problem and still not care to change it).  Then, steps are taken where they surround themselves with a support system (first and foremost) and like-minded individuals and they follow everything one day at a time and one step at a time.

Putting all of the above into context for myself, I realize that for someone like me — it is not enough to just have available tools.  The want has to be there as well.

I was inspired to write this excerpt from Dr. J’s recent article entitled “You Have To Want To:  A Free eBook on Weightloss“.  If you haven’t read the article or Dr. J’s blog, I highly recommend it!  He is able to offer wisdom, truth and tools as it pertains to weight loss.

Hubs is away from home this week. He will be back on Christmas eve (early in the morning thank God). The kids and I miss him a bunch but we are managing.

There is no snow on the horizon; for the first time in about 20 years, I will experience a green Christmas!

I am off from school until after New Year’s, so I am taking this time to catch up on some entertainment-reading.  I have made it my mission to start reading some of the classic American novels.  I remember enjoying my high school English class because of the classic novels we had to read.  One of my favorites — Animal Farm by George Orwell was like politics 101 for me (well in a way) and I loved it!  I am currently reading “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Other than that, I have been prepping and watching sappy Hallmark Movie Channel Christmas movies.  Lots of warm fuzzies going on over here.

How is your holiday shaping up?  Is everything pretty much done or are you still doing some last-minute prep?

One of my favorite things about my e-reader is that I have been able to connect with many weightloss authors. Those who have been through the journey and have experienced the ups and downs of getting healthy have shared a wealth of knowledge with me through their writing.

I am always looking to tap into the wisdom of others. We can all learn from each other and help guide one another. I have found so much inspiration and wisdom not only from these authors but also from weightloss bloggers!

Do you have an e-reader? If so, what is the best ereader in your opinion? Have you downloaded any materials to help you along on your journey?