I have one... but it's a little depressing and more than a bit embarrassing to admit. However, maybe by doing so, it will give added strength whenever I say it. Alright...
I've been overweight for nearly my whole life. I'm genetically predisposed to both diabetes and heart disease though thankfully I've managed to never had any sign of having either. I've always tried to keep a healthy lifestyle despite my weight, but it's always something I've had to live with. Even with the weight, I've never had any real problems making friends, though I've also never been in a lasting relationship that I was entirely happy with. I'm almost always considered the life of the party, and I have so many people who love and support me. Mainly it's because I boast a very positive attitude that easily rubs off on everyone around me, or so I've been told.
Anyway, in recent years, I've been taking serious measures of diet and exercise to bring down my weight to a more reasonable standard, and over the course of it, it's been very successful, losing over 50 pounds of fat in the last year alone. I've dropped a couple clothing sizes, and overall I feel more energized than I have before.
Even with all this success, the most detrimental part of the experience is that, while I feel different, I still look the same as I ever have. Superficially, I know, but it isn't great for morale when there's no visible progress despite what the numbers tell you. Truthfully, it's been miserable for my social life as well. I've turned down hanging out with my friends so many times simply because I was too exhausted from my workout previously in the day. And I can't tell you how many I've pulled a muscle in the worst way, or all the back pain I get now if I overwork myself. Even worse, those weeks where there won't even be any statistical progress even after spending many hours overtime at the gym and working very hard to improve my routine overall.
During those bogged-down times when I have to push myself beyond my physical limits despite the seemingly hopelessness of it all, I keep repeating this to myself:
"It is better to be in pain than to be alone..."
Depressing, I know, but it keeps me going. Truth is we live in a shallow society. I've been told multiple times, and I quote, "You really are the perfect guy a girl could ever want," or "Any girl would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend," in rejection. I've even been told I have a very handsome face, if only I didn't have the extra weight. Admittedly, over the summer, I was in a "friends-with-benefits" relationship with one of my sexier friends, but she honestly only did so because she felt she owed me for all the times I've helped her and been there for her, so I broke it off not wanting sex out of obligation.
To be honest, that kind of rejection has spurred me on even more to slim down as much as possible. Whenever I hit another of the many, many roadblocks I constantly face, I just keep repeating my mantra to help me power through, even when it seems hopeless. There's no other option. I can't spend my the rest of my young twenties sitting around hoping someone will come along that "sees me for what's on the inside" or some other Disney bullshit. I've got to do something. If it's the way it is, then that's just how I'll have to deal with it or spend my days alone.
I've made my choice. And that's why I have my mantra.
I've been overweight for nearly my whole life. I'm genetically predisposed to both diabetes and heart disease though thankfully I've managed to never had any sign of having either. I've always tried to keep a healthy lifestyle despite my weight, but it's always something I've had to live with. Even with the weight, I've never had any real problems making friends, though I've also never been in a lasting relationship that I was entirely happy with. I'm almost always considered the life of the party, and I have so many people who love and support me. Mainly it's because I boast a very positive attitude that easily rubs off on everyone around me, or so I've been told.
Anyway, in recent years, I've been taking serious measures of diet and exercise to bring down my weight to a more reasonable standard, and over the course of it, it's been very successful, losing over 50 pounds of fat in the last year alone. I've dropped a couple clothing sizes, and overall I feel more energized than I have before.
Even with all this success, the most detrimental part of the experience is that, while I feel different, I still look the same as I ever have. Superficially, I know, but it isn't great for morale when there's no visible progress despite what the numbers tell you. Truthfully, it's been miserable for my social life as well. I've turned down hanging out with my friends so many times simply because I was too exhausted from my workout previously in the day. And I can't tell you how many I've pulled a muscle in the worst way, or all the back pain I get now if I overwork myself. Even worse, those weeks where there won't even be any statistical progress even after spending many hours overtime at the gym and working very hard to improve my routine overall.
During those bogged-down times when I have to push myself beyond my physical limits despite the seemingly hopelessness of it all, I keep repeating this to myself:
"It is better to be in pain than to be alone..."
Depressing, I know, but it keeps me going. Truth is we live in a shallow society. I've been told multiple times, and I quote, "You really are the perfect guy a girl could ever want," or "Any girl would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend," in rejection. I've even been told I have a very handsome face, if only I didn't have the extra weight. Admittedly, over the summer, I was in a "friends-with-benefits" relationship with one of my sexier friends, but she honestly only did so because she felt she owed me for all the times I've helped her and been there for her, so I broke it off not wanting sex out of obligation.
To be honest, that kind of rejection has spurred me on even more to slim down as much as possible. Whenever I hit another of the many, many roadblocks I constantly face, I just keep repeating my mantra to help me power through, even when it seems hopeless. There's no other option. I can't spend my the rest of my young twenties sitting around hoping someone will come along that "sees me for what's on the inside" or some other Disney bullshit. I've got to do something. If it's the way it is, then that's just how I'll have to deal with it or spend my days alone.
I've made my choice. And that's why I have my mantra.
