It's gonna stick

I took a chance on myself this week and it felt really, really good.

I finally got rid of about forty pounds of clothes that no longer fit. And yes, I'm bragging a little when I say, they're all too big.

When I took up running a few years ago, it wasn't very long at all long before most of my clothes started to hang and sag. I'll never forget slipping off what my husband called my, 'good ass pants' without undoing the buttons or zipper, just a few months after buying my first pair of running shoes.

I have now run through two pairs of shoes, and have settled and stayed at about 30 pounds lighter than when I started. However, instead of getting rid of the the clothes, I stored my too-big items in one of those big bins, in a back corner of our jam-packed basement.

Yesterday, finally, prompted by the search for spring sheets and jammies, I sorted through the bin and bags with a girlfriend and what she didn't want was delivered to the Sally Anns.

I don't know that I can accurately describe the feeling of driving away, leaving behind those clothes. I sort of felt like I was leaving behind a version of myself, one that didn't know the joy of such solid legs, a jutting collarbone or donning a bikini without feeling bad.

There was a lightness, a sense of accomplishment and a satisfaction in knowing that not only had I taken control of my weight and health, I have managed to stay where I want to be for all this time, which means I feel capable of staying here as long as I choose to.

For me, getting closer to having the body I want came down to deciding I wanted it more than I wanted certain other things, then deciding to take the steps (for me, strides) to get there.

If you're not happy with your body, it might be that you aren't willing to make the necessary trades to get it. In our busy, connected world, you might not want to trade a few extra minutes playing with your kids or a precious few minutes sleeping in, for exercise. With so many fabulous food choices available to us, you may not want to trade in those tasty tasty burgers or beer for salads or smaller portions. That's perfectly OK; get on with what you would rather do, but do yourself a favour and admit that you have made this trade-off. You'll be happier for it.