Getting Fit

As some of you may know, I've been working on my weight (losing it NOT gaining) for about a year in earnest(It's actually been a week at a time for a whole year). There are some things that I have learned in losing weight that I would like to share.
First off, there is more to losing weight than counting calories and exercising. If you don't feel good about yourself at a higher weight than you normally are, then you won't when you are at your personal ideal. I have a wonderful husband who kept telling me that he didn't care how much I weighed--I still looked fine to him. Of course, like all men, he didn't want his wife to turn into a hippo. So armed with the facts that he liked me no matter what, I turned into myself. I knew I could be better and I had to find a way that worked into my life and schedule. I started walking, riding my bike, lifting weights, and aerobics (not a favorite). I didn't lose any weight until I had stopped nursing (a whole year after Sam), and then the work I was doing started to pay off.
Next, you really have to watch what you eat. Not watch it go into your mouth as some would say. No seefood diet either! For me, snacking is what gets to me. And chocolate. I had to start choosing healthier snacks like granola bars (getting sick of them), fruit (I happen to love bananas which to my family explains a lot), veggies, and low cal stuff. Lots of people asked me if I fixed a separate meal for myself and then another for the kids. Are they crazy? Who has that kind of time? Nope, I ate what everyone ate, albeit less. So if we had pizza, I did too but I would include a salad on my plate. If we had hot dogs, I would have one and then lots of beans (Shawn wasn't always happy about that). And I had treats. I am a firm believer that you cannot deny yourself forever--or try to. You are going to break down and then eat all desserts in sight eventually. So why not try moderation?
The last thing, which really isn't the last thing because I had to do all these things at the same time to succeed, that I did was to commit to a regular studying of the scriptures. For me, this was the biggest helper. I found that (still find too) when I read daily, I had more energy to exercise, clean house, my attitude was better with all around me, and I got more things done. I can't really explain how that works but it did.
To me, it is better to be spiritually fit that a perfect size 2. As each year passes and my body gradually changes into an old person, I find that perfection as a physical thing is pretty fleeting. I won't have the body that I had when I was 18, 20 or even 24. So while I can keep myself healthy and in shape, I can keep my spirit growing and getting stronger and stronger.
In my mind, you can't be fit and in shape without looking inside. The body is a shell and only reflects outside what is inside. We spend so much time trying to "look" good that we forget to "feel" good about who we really are. We are children of God, created in His image. What is it they say about stained glass windows? They are beautiful but the real beauty only comes out when there is light from within.
So I think that losing weight is good, to keep your body healthy and strong so you can do what you have to in this life. But I don't think it's the end all. We've got to work out a balance in our lives of being spiritual and physical. Eating right could be reading the scriptures, serving others, magnifying your calling(s). Exercise can be putting your shoulder to the wheel. I feel that if we try to lose weight without changing our perspectives on who we are, it's just going to be another diet failure. And as you start to eat right and exercise and make that a part of your life (along with the spiritual part), it will become a part of you. I know it has really helped me. Now I still struggle with eating right, reading my scriptures daily, exercising sometimes becomes monotonous, but I'm trying daily (one day at a time but forgive me I'm being redundant).
What I tell people now is that its amazing what watching what you eat and exercising can do for you. It is possible to become better, and what's even more encouraging, is you only have to do it one day at a time.