Saturday, November 12, 2011

The difference between "maintenance" and "permanent"


Recently I've become less tolerant of this idea that I'm "maintaining" my weight loss. So much so that my blog description exchanges this idea of "maintenance" to one of "permanence". I will never be fat again. I will never be that unhealthy again. I will never be unfit again...I just will never be those things, ever again.....period. If that is not permanent then I don't know what is!


I am not the same person I once was. And let me point out something....there was nothing "wrong" with me before. I needed what I needed, when I needed it.....but now I need something else....I've moved on. Part of my evolution is deciding what it is that I need, and want now.



I'm so lucky. I'm so lucky because I know I'm lucky! Lucky is fun!



What I need and want now is "space". Space to expand my potential. My original blog had, I think, three title changes, the first I can't remember at this moment! The second was "Rediscovering Strength" and the 3rd, "Living My Physical Potential". It was the best I could come up with at each transition to describe what I was feeling at the time.



This blog has gone through it's own changes, the last just recently updated about 1-2 months ago, and who knows how many changes will take place in the future. The point is that things change whether you want them to or not. Life moves. You can chose to be a victim of what life deals out to you, or you can chose to be the dealer....



I'm in charge now! I'm in charge of not making excuses, and I'm in charge of only expecting the best of myself.....and it doesn't feel "hard". It feels exhilarating! As I clear the physical space around me I expand my physical possibilities, and this is how everything I do in my life relates to being my best.



Think of "thriving", instead of "surviving". We did not come here (in our physical bodies) to "survive". We came here to thrive. I'm not maintaining being my best, and I'm not surviving being my "worst". I am permanently hooked on being and feeling my best, and I know the difference! This doesn't mean that I never "react" to old habits, it just means that I recognize them for what they are.....old habits!



I am a different person than I was 10 years ago, and 10 years before that, and 10 years before that.... I am not "maintaining" the old me, I'm living the "new improved" me! Permanently!





Pictures above....could this be the same woman? Left side picture, Oct 2011 taken with my BFF Fawn Friday in St Paul MN. Right side picture, Easter 2004, over 250lbs, at a family reunion, Moorpark Ca.






16 comments:

Ciao Bella said...

I love how you continue to improve! Great to know a wonderful spirit like you.

Maribel said...

This is a great perspective. That's why I love being a witness to your experiences.

Haley said...

You're exactly right, Tracy. We are here to thrive! We're not promised tomorrow, so enjoy the hell out of today!! You've been such an inspiration to so many people because of what you've accomplished, and continue to accomplish. Enjoy the hell out of it! :)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Ciao Bella,

Improving is fun! Thank you!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Maribel,

We are going to have to spend some coffee time or something together! I've go a ton of things happening at light speed and I think you would dig some of it!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Haley,

The first time I met with my editor at Harper One Publishing the last question she asked me during our "interview" was why I wanted to write a book about my story. My answer?

"Because I want this for everybody!"

"this" is the hope and knowing that you can love yourself, love your body and it's never too late!

Everyday has the potential to become another "best day".

Anonymous said...

Great post, Tracy.

Peace~Barney

Marie said...

Are you saying that that is Fawn in both of those pictures???

Tracy Reifkind said...

I'm in both of the pictures, Fawn is in the top one, next to me.

Marie said...

No WAY!!! Oh My God! Seriously!! You have just become even MORE of an inspiration! WOW- look at you all sexy now!!! I can't believe that! Really, you should be so proud! I can't wait for that day. I'm going to swing even harder today. Amanda and I are going to do/try your 1000 swings today (two hand x 100). Swing them bells!!! (I have Ring them bells lyrics in my head!) LOL Still working on the diet...

Marie said...

I have printed your before and after pictures for my own motivation. I have them taped to my my ipad case, so I will see them often. Thank you!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Marie,

Crazy huh?

And thank you, I feel sexy...and I didn't feel that way in the "before" photo! Never too old to feel sexy again!

Work on the diet, along with the swings, the body will follow.

Maribel said...

As soon as Philz opens we have a date!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Maribel...what's up with Philz? Good Lord I'm almost to pissed to give them my business!

Maribel said...

It's actually The City of Palo Alto. I overheard a conversation at the other Philz about it. Apparently the city has a really slow process for all their approvals. So they couldn't build the coffee bar without some approval and that took forever...then they did and had to wait for inspection and I guess that took forever. So they can only progress so far at each phase. I think they're at the last inspection right now.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Maribel,

Thank goodness, I thought I was going to have to get all pissy about it, and boycott them....whew! Philz here we come!