These side-by-side pictures of me were taken almost exactly one year apart (the skinnier one was taken last week).
While I'm proud of the progress, there's still more work to do.
The result didn't come from Photoshop or fasting; it came from a consistent application of focus and activity.
On a day-to-day basis, my weight went up or down (seemingly randomly). Nonetheless, over time, burning more calories than I ate, measuring results, and adjusting the plan -- led to meaningful progress on many levels.
Change can happen in an instant ... Yet, it's often easier to see over time.
The goal, itself, can act as a compass heading - pointing in the right direction. The best next step is often simply being willing to take the best next step.
Entropy and inertia are always there if you stop along the way.
It's easy to get distracted by the practical realities and minor urgencies of life. This can pull you off track.
Likewise, while it seems like human nature to focus on how far you still have to go in order to reach your goal ... this can be de-motivating. A better strategy is to recognize the progress you've made towards the ultimate goal, and use it as fuel towards more progress (or something better).
Samuel Johnson said, "If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
Given enough resources, you can do anything you commit to do. Some of those resources include money and time; but I believe that focus and energy are important as well.
As long as you continue to make progress, and don't give-up, possibility turns into probability ... and probability turns into realized successes.
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