's MotD Mon Nov 12, 2007

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's Daily Message

Monday

November 12, 2007

THE LADY IN BLACK

Several yeas ago, I wrote a book called Never Give Up. It was a

collection of short stories about people`s lives and their successes at

losing weight.

One of the chapters in the book was about a lady who always dressed in

black. Her story was called, simply, The Lady In Black.

And she wore black only, because at her weight, it was the only " color "

of clothing she felt even semi-comfortable in.

Now I know many of you who are overweight right now are very much like

the lady in black. You`re upset with yourselves for having gained so

much weight. You remember how, when you were thinner, shopping for

clothes was just so much fun. Oh how you once loved flipping through the

racks of clothes at Dillard`s or Macy`s to find that perfect outfit for

yourself.

After making a few selections, you`d be all excited as you took your

choices to the dressing room to try them on. Oh how you`d pose, vogue

and admire yourself in that three-way mirror. You smiled at yourself

with such a sense of pride and admiration.

And when you wore your new outfits, you`d delight in the compliments you

received from people telling you how good you looked and what a great

figure you had.

As the years go by, of course, something happens. It`s called life! We

get married, we get divorced and we have children. We also often have

the face the challenges of illnesses, trouble at work, emotional

problems or depression.

And amidst all of these challenges, often very quietly, the weight comes

on. First it's only ten pounds and, before you know it, you`re up 25

pounds, 50, 100 pounds or even more.

And finally, one day, you look into that closet of beautiful clothes you

once had so much fun shopping for. Now all of those clothes just hang

there, all lonely and forgotten because they are no longer worn.

You`ve replaced all of your pretty clothes with pull-on pants and lots

of sweats, all in the strikingly fashionable colors of black or navy

blue. You don`t try to dress up your figure anymore, you try to hide it.

People no longer tell you how great your look. Whereas you once walked

down the street, head held high with pride, you now walk with your head

hung low in a sense of shame.

Sometimes you look through your closet and get upset with yourself, now

that you can`t fit into any of the pretty clothes you used to wear with

such pride. You`re so very sad now because, well, your closet doesn`t

fit you anymore.

Now, I want you to listen to me and listen carefully. Give those old

dark sweatshirts and pull-on pants away! I want them gone from your

life. Then, go shopping and buy yourself some new clothes that will make

you feel good about yourself again!

I`m sorry you gained the weight, I really am. And I know how you`re

feeling because I`ve felt the same way in the past, myself. But my

goodness, why punish yourself even more because of the weight you`ve

gained? Really, what good does that accomplish?

If you want to be successful at losing weight, then look as nice as you

can while you`re working to lose that weight. Hey, I know many plus-size

ladies who dress beautifully! But it`s because they choose colorful

fabrics and nice patterns for their wardrobes.

Even though you`re overweight, shouldn`t you still try and look good?

Well, of course you should! I mean, do you think you should wear all of

those drab, dark clothes until you reach your goal?

All of the major stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl`s and TGMaxx are

having great sales right now. So why not pick up a couple of pretty

blouses and some nice pants to go with them?

The holidays are almost here and no matter what you weigh you should

look beautiful this season and every season!

I`m sure you have a list of things to do this week. But I want you to

put clothes-shopping on that list. I want you to look and feel as

fabulous as you can, no matter what you weight!

New fashion rule...Color is the new black!

Love,