Showing Up
The past couple of weeks, everyone has been focused on New Year’s resolutions, goals, and fresh starts. And while I love seeing people motivated and inspired, I realized something about myself. I didn’t set New Year’s resolutions, not because I don’t believe in growth, but because my New Year already passed.
My New Year is Rosh Hashanah. That’s when I reflect, reset, and realign my goals. So when January 1st came around, I simply continued living my life the way I already was. And that’s okay. There’s no judgment for those who celebrate differently or who choose this time to start fresh. Growth doesn’t have one calendar date.
What I did notice, though, was something really beautiful. New faces at the gym, friends pushing themselves, and people stepping out of their comfort zones and choosing health. And let me tell you, getting out of your comfort zone is one of the hardest things a person can do. Trying something new, staying committed when it’s uncomfortable, and showing up even when motivation fades. That kind of change requires dedication, not perfection.
I remember when I started my own weight-loss journey. I weighed about 220 pounds, the heaviest I had ever been. I didn’t feel like myself. I felt heavy and uncomfortable in my own body. And over the last five years, through consistency and commitment, I’ve lost 90 pounds. Not overnight and not through shortcuts, but through real life changes, going to the gym, changing my eating habits, being mindful of what I put into my body, and getting enough rest. Choosing myself.
I’ve set healthy habits for myself, and it hasn’t been easy. It takes commitment. It takes real work on yourself, less phone time, more learning and reading, and getting to know the mind, the soul, and your purpose. Because health isn’t only physical, it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual too. We need motivation to be pushed. Sometimes that motivation comes from a friend who inspires you. Sometimes it’s a picture of someone you look at and draw strength from. Sometimes, it’s much closer to home. In my case, it’s my son. He keeps pushing me to go to the gym because he wants to get into shape and start building and toning his muscles. He inspires me to keep going. So I show up not just for myself, but for him.
Along the way, I learned something important. A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about building a relationship with yourself. When you show up for your body, you honor the life you were given. When you take care of yourself, you’re acknowledging that your body is not disposable, it's a gift.
I saw a quote recently that really stayed with me: “One of the hardest things for us to do is change, so why do we expect others to change?” If we know how difficult it is for ourselves, why place expectations on others? Instead, make that expectation for yourself. Trust that Hashem will guide your steps when you take responsibility for your actions. That’s where emunah turns into movement.
But it starts with belief, believing that you can do it, believing that Hashem is walking with you, and choosing every day not to give up. Because staying healthy isn’t just a resolution, and emunah isn’t only believing in Hashem, it’s also believing in yourself, in the strength He placed inside you.
Emunah