The Long Haul

I've been thinking a lot about what it takes to truly stick with something for the long haul. Whether its a career, marriage, civic involvement or something else, what drives a person to keep working at it over the years?

Of course, this question translates into one relevant for this blog: what drives a person to stick with changes they have made regarding lifestyle, especially after they have managed to take off a significant amount of weight?

This blog has documented my ability to achieve weight loss, no question about that, but this blog has also documented my inability to keep the weight off, which in my mind is the real victory. So what's going on?

For me, it all boils down to choices, but what drives those choices?

By far these days, my budget drives my food choices more than anything else. Currently unemployed, I find my trips to the grocery store to be strategically planned and executed. Trust me when I say, with limited funds, there is no junk food coming into my house these days simply because I refuse to spend my money on "junk." I'd rather buy a symphony ticket instead. When I'm working, though, I find that I do tend to purchase the junk and bring it into my home. I consider it a "treat" to have such things around, but is that really the right way to think about it? Instead of it being a treat, I should think of it as poison.

Time available and my current schedule also factor in. What have I committed myself to? Who has expectations of me? Where do I need to go and what do I need to get done? Have you ever asked yourself these questions at the beginning of a busy day? Do you remember also asking yourself when you'll get to take time for you? What will you have time to eat and when will you be able to get some activity into your day?

Finally, priorities is a consideration and, frankly, probably the most important as it applies to both budget and time, as well as many other aspects of our lives. What is your priority? Do you have a "big" priority for your life? Does it translate into your daily priorities? For myself, I find that I do have "big" priorities, but somehow they get lost in the daily needs of everyday life. Budget, time and the needs of others often crowd out what is a priority for me and my world.

I think this is an important realization and one that you may find in your life, too. Getting back to the original question, what drives our choices?, the bottom line becomes priority and what we give our time to each and every day.

Where are you on your priority list today?

K