A Piece of the Puzzle

Placing the pieces of our own puzzle can be quite an adventure.  Sometimes we place a piece that does not “ fit” into that space.  When we turn this particular piece, in many different directions, to “fit” into this allotted space,  it just doesn’t“ fit”.  We may attempt to have this piece” fit” at least several times, but it will not go into the place we want it to” fit”.  There are similarities to the shape and size we’ve chosen, but still it will not connect to the other pieces.

Life seems to unfold that way as well.  When we make a personal effort to break the barriers and fit ourselves into a place where we don’t belong, it can be a painful experience.  Hasn’t our obesity taught us that when we didn’t fit into that place, but tried to remain there even though it was not a good “fit” for us?

The health issues we’ve endured by our own hands and ways of thinking?  We were forcing ourselves to be put into a place where we never belonged.    When we found another place, a place of value, the remaining pieces began to “fit” into place, and with ease….there it was all the time, a place without self-resistance.  The transition became smooth, and it felt right within our souls to feel “fit” and at home.  An abundance of comfort came from within, and the truth emerged!

When resistance repeats itself over and over again, then it’s time to get moving and take action!  Perhaps the struggle is part of the process of self-realization.  In order to move to the place of non-resistance, there’s no forcing, but finally falling to a soft place of love, honesty, and compassion.  When there’s a sense of calm within us, the puzzle piece had found its way into the right direction from the inner-compass.  Resistance has taught us pain, doubt, and hopelessness.  When we’ve finally realized after many attempts, to placing a piece where it never belonged, we moved and had taken action to be where it will “fit” it feels right, it feels good, it feels positive.

No pain, no resistance, just joy, comfort, love, hope, trust, faith, courage, finding, resolving, discovering, becoming, growing, living, acknowledging, accepting, teaching, reaching, encouraging, enlightening, inspiring, and it’s a perfect “fit”!

Linda Hegedus, ©

What I learned on the Journey so Far

I've learned so much in such a short period of time........

   

I’ve learned to take baby steps and not to be disappointed if my progress is slow.

I’ve learned that my relationships have changed with those who are the closest to me in my life.

I’ve learned that I can accomplish goals and pursue my dreams.

I’ve learned that my life is what I make of it, and not what others think my life should be.

I’ve learned that not everyone is going to support my success, and I will have to be my own best friend.

I’ve learned that my body will let me know when I’ve had enough to eat or drink.

I’ve learned that being thin doesn’t eliminate life’s challenges I must face.

I’ve learned that comfort foods no longer serve me well, but almost destroyed my life.

I’ve learned to focus on the positive in my life and try to eliminate any negative feelings I may have inside.

I’ve learned that opportunities are plentiful with my new appearance and attitude.  Doors that were once closed have cracked opened for me.

I’ve learned to respect my body and take better care of myself.

I’ve learned that this journey is a life-long  journey.

I’ve learned to trust myself and my food choices.

I’ve learned to say no to trigger foods that others want me in indulge in.

I’ve learned that I have to be forgiving and patient with myself.

I’ve learned to be grateful for the second chance I was given to change my life.

I’ve learned that I don’t need approval from anyone but myself.

I’ve learned I can do so much more physically with the excessive amount of weight I’ve lost.

I’ve learned that life is precious.

I’ve learned to be held accountable for my decisions regarding food.

I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and not beat myself up if I make the wrong food choice that day.

I’ve learned to express my feelings openly.

I’ve learned that fear held me back, and there’s nothing to fear.

I’ve learned that meditation relaxes the mind, body, and spirit.

I’ve learned that I’m a sexual being.

I’ve learned that I made this change for a healthier and happier existence.

I’ve learned that anger weakens my body.

I’ve learned that depression is temporary.

I’ve learned that food is vital for survival, but not an all-consuming factor in my life.

I’ve learned to be tolerant of ignorant people, who don’t understand me.

I’ve learned to give more of myself to others.

I’ve learned to create healthy boundaries for myself.

I’ve learned to adapt to my new lifestyle and accept this as a life-long commitment.

I’ve learned that there’s more to life than existing, but living your life is key.

I’ve learned I’m a much more approachable person now than I was before.

I’ve learned to feel vulnerable and not fear the outcome.

I’ve learned to feel again, and not suppress my feelings.

I’ve learned to walk the walk and talk the talk.

I’ve learned to seize the day for tomorrow may never come.

I’ve learned to cherish people in my life, who’ve been loving, caring, and kind to me.

I’ve learned to be compassionate with others fighting their own personal battles.

I’ve learned that I will continue to learn something new every day as my awareness has become keen with time.

Linda Hegedus, ©

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: The Key

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Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: Setting Boundaries:   Boundaries were never in my vocabulary.  The physical boundaries were always present by having my shield covering myself in a false s...

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: When Did You Wake Up?

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: When Did You Wake Up?:     I can recall a time when all that mattered was what I was going to eat that day.  It consumed my mind most of the time just think...

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: A Lot Can Change In A Day!

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: A Lot Can Change In A Day!:   As Esther Phillips sang, “What a Difference a Day Makes” 24 little hours ….Yes one day can make all of the difference!  Did you ever ...

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: Never Give Up!

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: Never Give Up!: I met with a friend of mine, who had weight-loss surgery eight years' ago, and had gained all of their weight back just to become ...

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: Change for the Better, and It Only Gets Better!

Linda Hegedus, Weight Loss and Life Motivator: Change for the Better, and It Only Gets Better!:   The other day I attended a picnic, which had many different food options to choose from, and the majority of food choices were surpri...

Change for the Better, and It Only Gets Better!

The other day I attended a picnic, which had many different food options to choose from, and the majority of food choices were surprisingly healthy ones.  More and more people, who are hosting parties, are offering healthier foods when entertaining since the majority of people are becoming more aware of the environment in which we live in.  GMO foods have been exploited for the negative effects they have on our health; and many people are growing their own food as the summer season has arrived.  People are becoming aware of which seeds to buy and re-producing their own produce by keeping the seeds from their own crops as opposed to buying seeds each season.

Change is all around us with food, and how we’re viewing the value of its content for long-term wellness.  Many people who’ve been afflicted with illness and disease have turned to modifying their diets to a non-hormonal, organic, and plant-based diet as opposed to consuming red meat, pork, or chicken which has been injected with hormones for larger growth and faster production.  I see a slow, but steady change due to this new awareness.  People are educating themselves with the insight to be healthier vital human beings and reaping the benefits of eating organic, non-hormonal lean protein, and plant-based foods.

If we encourage others to learn about their food choices and how they can improve their well-being just by what they’re eating on a daily basis, we can change an entire generation, who’s been raised on foods that were quick and easy to make and eat.  Change is on the horizon, and it’s moving in a positive direction.  Weight loss can be achieved by making these small but impactful changes towards a healthier and productive lifestyle.  As we also incorporate various exercise routines to our daily lives, it’s a winning combination!  Interval training with strength training has given me endurance, flexibility, and a wider range of motion, and I find that if I challenge myself to go an extra mile, or a higher level of intensity, or push my body to the limit, it’s almost euphoric! 

I’m also learning breathing techniques, which keep my cortisol levels in balance, along with a good night’s sleep, and a better frame of mind and outlook on life and the people around me.  The toxic habits I’ve once partaken in have changed dramatically.  It didn’t happen overnight, but as I overcame one of my habits, I began to work on removing the next bad habit, and then the next until I became completely clean and free from any and all toxic negative addictions.  I’m an all or nothing type of person, so I’m quite happy and proud of overcoming all of my bad habits and have replaced them with healthy, positive, productive, and spiritually evolving habits.  I’m a lot stronger and stable more than I’ve ever known and never needed the coping mechanisms I thought I needed. 

All I need is me and that’s enough.  If there are other like-minded people, I could certainly share the wealth with them as well.  Be well my conscience friends, and remember change is not only good for the soul, but it’s essential!

Linda Hegedus ©

Exercise and Healing

Exercise is a great healer to the body.  It oxygenates your blood, while building muscle and burning unwanted fat at the same time.  Each time I exercise, I feel stronger, more alive, focused at work, and relaxed before bedtime.  When I was not exercising as much, my body became tense, my attitude became shorter with others, and I felt a lot more physical pain as a result.

As many of us know, in the beginning of our weight-loss journey, we were not accustomed to exercising since that was one of the major factors that had led us where we were at, and that was being morbidly obese.  Exercise was foreign to many of us and it was not going to be easy to add this new activity into our journey.  We had to introduce or reintroduce this activity slowly into our lives.  Eating healthy foods that are comprised of low calories, but physically beneficial to our well-beings takes a front seat first and foremost on this path, but when exercise is incorporated as well, the results become not only beneficial to our entire well-being, but also something wonderful begins to happen to us.  Our bodies begin to transform and reshape into a firm, toned, and fit appearance, which we can take much pride with as we are able to endure longer workouts as a result of following through every day with an exercise routine.

If you’ve worried about having loose skin, or you’re feeling tired, and not satisfied with your appearance after weight loss, I would highly recommend that immediately after you’re able to begin an exercise routine, begin slowly and begin to challenge yourself each week on increasing the intensity of your workouts.  You will see that your skin will tone up nicely as well as the contours of your body will be in proportion with the rest of your physique.  Beginnings are not always easy, but they are essential for long-term success on this journey.  One day, one week, one month, and one year; it will make all of the difference in your new life ahead.  Eat well, sleep well, and be well.  I feel good most of the time and I attribute it to these factors.  Organic clean eating, and one hour of exercise per day.  I will rest when my body tells me to take it easy, but overall, I feel good, and when people ask me my age and I tell them, they’re surprised. 

Exercise is the key to slow the aging process down, and revitalize, refresh, and rejuvenate your entire being!  Get up and get moving!  You’ll begin to enjoy this activity and look forward to doing more as you progress! 

Linda Hegedus ©

Never Give Up!



I met with a friend of mine, who had weight-loss surgery eight years' ago, and had gained all of their weight back just to become larger than they've ever been before.  I had advised my friend to find out about having a revised surgical procedure done.  They had taken heed to my advice since they've seen how far I've come, and had another weight-loss procedure performed.

Six months had gone by and they were doing great!  They had lost 100 lbs. and went down quite a few sizes as well.  I had mentioned to them how wonderful they looked, and a broad smile would come across their face filled with pride and joy.  I  was so happy for them for taking control of their weight and staying true to their journey.  After their eighth month on the journey, a mutual friend came by to see me and told me that our friend was losing hope and had become discouraged.  He had asked me to check up on our friend, for he feared our friend was beginning to gain weight once again.

I thought to myself why???? They have come this far, why are they setting themselves up to fail again?  Every chance I had a to interact with them, I would ask how are you feeling?  What are you eating and drinking?  In the beginning of their journey, they had been extremely strict to the point of starvation.  They were eating only jello and tuna fish.  My belief is that they went to the other extreme, and when their hunger began to creep up on them, so began the cycle of "insanity".   The old patterns and attitudes were brought to the surface once again.  I've tried to contact my friend, and reach out to them before it's too late.  Once is a mistake, but twice is a habit.

The lessons were not learned the first time, and unfortunately being repeated for a second time.  They will not have another chance if they don't wake up.  I'm very concerned for their health and well-being.  They are too young to have a life filled with no hope, no future, no life.  I realize that I cannot save them, they can only save themselves.   I feel helpless to just sit back and watch this person destroy what they worked so hard to become up to this point.

Perhaps they have reached a plateau and feel it's not working.  I remember during the first quarter of my journey, the weight was coming off at a rapid rate.  The joy and anticipation of standing on the scale and seeing the numbers keep moving downward, was absolutely a natural high to feel!  Then about the same time at approximately eight months, the scale didn't budge....I was puzzled?  Why haven't I've lost more weight?  Was I taking in enough protein to meet my daily requirement?  Hydrating...did I hydrate enough to flush the excess fluids out of my body?  Did I need to rev up my exercise routine and make it more challenging?

One week passed by and still the scale wouldn't budge.  The second week passed by, and there still was no change on the scale.  By the third week, the scale began to move once again, but slower than it had in the past.  At least it was beginning to move in the downward direction again.  I pushed myself harder with my workout routine, focused on my caloric and protein intake to the exact number, and hydrated more than I had been just to trick my body and get it functioning again as a fat-burning machine!  If I had given up during that period, I would have never reached my goal, which was clear in sight.  I made sure I would follow-through for once in my life to finish what I've started.

The moral of this story is to NEVER GIVE UP!  Yesterday is gone and we've learned from our mistakes, tomorrow gives us another chance to begin once again, and today we can reach our personal goal that we set out to do.  I am going to contact my friend and share my experience with them as I just did with all of you.

May your journey remain a successful path that gives you the best quality of life that you truly deserve!

Linda Hegedus ©