Diane's fabulous post, over at Fit to the Finish, shamelessly inspired this blog.

I know that an 'all or nothing' mentality is prevalent in the dieting world, and I am so grateful I have been spared it. I don't even know how I missed it except that I was blessed and moved to solid resources and common sense very early on in my weight loss journey.

This is really my one and only official attempt and I haven’t dropped it yet (modified along the way, sure, but not given up once). It would be so heartbreaking to have a massive regain just because I wasn’t measuring up to my mental idea of ‘perfect weightloss’.

The dieting mindset – drop the weight fast through some restriction and then be fit, fabulous, and on your merry way – has to be about the single most destructive lie we’re selling ourselves in the modern era. Teaching self loathing and self hatred never did anyone a bit of real good, even if it motivated a temporary streak of self-flagellating zeal. Helping one’s body with tender care and love, with an eye on things that REALLY matter and goals that are healthy for the body – that is what needs emphasizing to so many struggling people.

The single biggest thing that has prevented me from seeing weight issues as ‘all or nothing’ is realizing that, like everything else in life, this is a progression. My health is a journey without an end – as long as I draw breath, I have chances to improve myself or worsen myself. No decision I am making with food and exercise cannot be undone, so I turn that around to give myself endless hope that, no matter how many times I stumble, I can ALWAYS get back up.

I think, more and more, my dedicated soap box on this topic is that it is never, ever too late. With common sense and moderation, as well as a LOT of patience and understanding of how amazing your body is, you CAN improve your life. You can achieve just about anything if commit yourself to a course of action and do not give up. Especially in the realm of weight management, health is absolutely achievable if you set your sights on it and pursue the goal as your path for life. There will be ups and downs, but ANY choice that moves you in the right direction is a victory, and any choice tha moves you off course is correctable so long as you get back on the wagon and continue on.

You can do it!