He gave each son a stick and asked them if they could break the stick in half. 

Of course each one could easily break the sticks.

Then the father tied a group of sticks together and asked each son to break the sticks together. Not one of the sons could do it.

He said to them that individually they were all easy to "break", but that together they were strong and nearly invincible. 

This is from my memory so forgive me if I told it a little different than the story actually went, but the fact remains the same: when things are taken one at a time, they are much easier to "break."

When we are losing weight, it is very easy to look at the BIG picture and say, "I have 100 pounds to lose (or 20 or 30 or whatever the amount is). This is impossible."

However, when we break it down and look at it in smaller pieces, it is much easier to handle. "I want to lose 5 pounds this month," is a lot easier to take than to say "I want to lose 100 pounds this year." Even though the desire to lose the 100 pounds is still there, breaking it up into manageable pieces is a lot easier.

My first goal on my way to losing 125 pounds was to lose 25. I did that a few months ago.

My current goal is to lose a total of 50 pounds which I am at 49.5 pounds lost. So that goal is in sight!

I couldn't set my goal at losing 50 pounds initially, however. I had to take it in smaller chunks—25 pounds each goal.

Unfortunately I have been stuck at 45-49.5 pounds lost for about two months now so I am a little frustrated, but I just keep working on it, because I know eventually I will lose it all.

The important thing to remember is to take it a little at a time. Once I lose the 50 pounds, I plan to look at my next ten pound loss. I think it will be easier to look at smaller "sticks" that are easier to "break" than to go for the 25 pound marks.

Remember, I still am working out at 4 p.m. most nights. If you want to join me, please email me at: karin@inhnews.com for more details.