"Instant gratification often leads to delayed regret."
-annoymous
One of the worst ideas ever concocted was lay-a-way. When I was in the fifth grade my mother took us shopping to pick out clothes for the new school year. I can still remember roaming the isles of Kmart feeling like Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" as I tossed shirts, pants and accessories into my shopping basket. This was the first time my sisters and I were allowed to have our own say over what we picked out while also getting the rare privilege of putting together three complete outfits. This was very exciting because in the past we always had to piece-meal our outfits together throughout the year. Now as a parent myself looking back, I see how this would create a huge divot in my single mother's bank account since there were three of us girls and money was tight. However, the twelve year-old me was completely oblivious to that fact and felt elated at the thought of "having it all" (even if it was just Kmart). Well, like all good things it was too good to be true. By the time I had assembled the best looks for my fall wardrobe mom broke the news. She told us that we had to put it all on lay-a-way for three weeks! Now, three weeks to a fifth grader is the same as a year to adults. I was so outraged at having to wait, that I totally overlooked the fact that I still would be getting all the things I had picked out. This "having to wait" to "have it all" was devastating to me. And even though I am all grown-up I still feel like that twelve year-old me is struggling to wait...even if it means getting what I really want.
In this case as it relates to me losing weight, it's been a week and I still haven't lost all 50 pounds. Haha. I know that it's going to take more time than that to lose the weight, especially since it took about a year to put it all on. But in all honesty, I've found this first week slightly discouraging since neither I or others can really see any difference. It's during these times at the beginning of any diet that I always become doubtful that this is going to actually work. I've always had a hard time being willing to wait. So in order to be successful this time, I will definitely have to rely on Jesus and his promises of faithfulness. Another thing that I know will help is by looking at other peoples success stories on Weight Watchers Stay Connected app. When I read these stories and see their pictures it encourages me to know that having a healthy body is worth the wait.
