Stop using weight loss as a barometer for happiness

Stop using weight loss as a barometer for happiness

When I see friends and family that haven’t seen me since losing 180 pounds, I’m often met with the same declaration. Inevitably, someone always cries out, “you must be so happy!”

Pretty happy here, even at 276 pounds!

It’s so indicative of our society, isn’t it? That we couldn’t be happy unless we are pursuing something greater. How many times have you thought to yourself, “I’d be happy when _____”? Maybe it was about losing a certain amount of weight, or about that promotion at work.

But, what usually happens? You work hard and finally hit your goal. Then, you stand there waiting for this wave of euphoria and happiness to hit you and maybe it does. But, it usually doesn’t stick around.

When people give me the whole “you must be so happy” scream and hug, I must look like a crazy person because I always pause and slap a fake smile on my face. The truth is, I am happy but it really has nothing to do with what I physically look like. In fact, I’m still unsure of this new body and what it can do.

Still happy here but definitely starting to come into my own!

Losing weight didn’t ‘make’ me happy. But it wasn’t supposed to! Losing weight did exactly what it was supposed to: my health has improved, I feel better and I am no longer limited physically.

So what did make me happy? What made my eyes shoot rainbows and become scary sparkly? Seriously...they glow now, it’s kinda weird. I finally….FINALLY let go of others’ expectations of me about who I should be so I could focus on who I actually am.

I ditched my Colby suit and feel comfortable with what’s underneath. I’m no longer the Colby that could be something if this or but that.

Now, I’m just CoJo. The loud, sometimes foul-mouthed woman who loves boxing and running, being a dog mom, sleeping, hanging out with her husband and lots of coffee.

I’m me, like it or not...whether you think I should be something else.

Happy CoJo, living life on HER terms!