Writers: Embrace the Moment.

crossfit-534615_1280Recently I’ve discovered that one uses similar paths when it comes to writing and losing weight. Both require self-motivation, persistence, determination and a lot of hard work.

A few years ago I joined one of those more well-known weight loss programs. Within six months I had lost ten kilos (22 pounds). It was difficult to keep eating certain foods (especially to keep off the chocolate!), smaller portions and exercising every single day, but the rewards were well worth the effort. That was until I had completed my weight loss program. My husband’s response was simple: ‘That’s good’, he said. ‘Keep going’. Between his words and being on my own to maintain my weight, needless to say, I put all it all back on again (and then some 🙁 ).

I had discovered the hard way that diets don’t work. People are always looking for the ‘quick fix’. Like diets, some people who say they want to be writers are not prepared to put in all the hard work and effort. They are not in it for the long haul – they are the ‘wannabes’ (and yes, I’m giving myself a good pep talk here, too).

Now I understand what my husband meant. I had made a good start, now I had to keep at it; this is where the hard work really starts. I had lost the weight, now I had to stay healthy. In order to do that I needed to be self-motivated and persistent in order to make sure all the work I had done had not been wasted.

If we’re really serious about writing, we don’t want to be lumped in with the ‘wannabes’. Less talk, more action. If we are doing something we enjoy, then we should make the most of every minute of it. Enjoy each step, even if at times, they may be slow. To be successful at our craft involves a lot of patience as well as hard work. It takes time to build publishing credits, become traditionally published and gather a loyal following. That is what will make all that time and effort all the more rewarding.

When your calf muscles cry out for mercy as you struggle up that hill, push yourself just that little bit further. No job worth doing will be easy. Just keep going.

Are you embracing where you are currently in your writing endeavours? Are you fed up with feeling like a ‘wannabe’ and afraid to make that first step?

Enjoy this article? Subscribe to my blog and never miss a post. You can also follow me on Twitter and Google+. You can also find me on Goodreads and Pinterest.

* I’ll be taking a short break from blogging during the Christmas/New Year period. I will be back on 14 January, 2015. Enjoy your Christmas everyone and have a safe and happy holiday season!

5 thoughts on “Writers: Embrace the Moment.

  1. Same happened with me. Lost more than 10 kg and now gained back even more 🙁

    1. Debbie Johansson 18/12/2014 — 10:32 pm

      Hi R.N. Sorry to hear that. Are you trying to lose weight again? I’ve recently started to exercise and watch what I eat, but doing it in my own way this time around. I know it’s going to be a long, hard slog – and packing on those extra kilos certainly doesn’t help! It’s good to meet you. 🙂

      1. I am glad to meet you too. 🙂
        Well I did try for 4 months this year but to no use 😛 I have pcos now so, it is kind of even more hard to lose weight. Nevertheless, I am starting again in Jan 2015. I hope to nail it this time. 🙂

      2. Debbie Johansson 19/12/2014 — 2:31 am

        Hi R.N. Sounds like we’re in the same boat, as I also suffer from PCOS. I’ve always felt like an ‘experiment’ with my gyno as I’ve tried many different things to make my life better. I’m now at an age where I just have to learn to live with it. I certainly don’t feel comfortable with this weight gain and like you, hope to nail it this time around – if I could just control my chocolate cravings! 😉 Best of luck!

  2. Haha, It seems like you are voicing my very own thoughts. 😀
    I love chocolates and basically we are not supposed to consume refined sugar. This is hilarious. Let’s be each other companion in our mission to get rid of these extra killos. 🙂

Comments are closed.

%d
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close