At some point in life, you realize that be pace that you have set for yourself was one that was forced on to you by others that feel that you should keep up with them.

If not just with them, then their demands to have something completed in a set time. People that disregard that you are doing enough for them and yourself, and wish you to “step up” to their demands, or have sharp, one-word replies about your needs and wants.

And they wonder why you grow more distant from them, or display a sense of anger when you’re around them. And the longer you’ve been submissive to them, the more reason they will reject your need to be away. To walk, or even crawl in the race that you want to move in for yourself.

But you still take those first steps. First they hurt, then you keep moving until the pain is more of a nuisance than a barrier. They’re going to hate the amount of self-love that you’ve generated in that time, especially as a quiet counterpoint of their corrupted definition of “love.”

The people that care for you the most, ones that have seen and felt the changes you have been making, they won’t judge you for how fast you do it. They’re not counting your steps, or the calories that you’re burning. They only care that you are taking those steps needed to get where you want to be and deserve to be.

When you ask for help or advice, they’ll be the ones who are glad you did. Because even they know that so few can go alone in this marathon of the heart and soul.

No matter who wants to keep up with you, root you on, or who leaves you behind because you’ve outgrown them, keep going. Not to say that you won’t leave others behind, either. Truthfully, that may be the only weight loss that matters in this trek of yours.  

D.F.