Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Dearest Readers:

Yesterday, I wrote a bit of a monologue about my struggles with weight loss. Today is Thursday — my weekly ‘weigh in day’ at Weight Watchers. Arriving at the meeting, I shared the poem that I mentioned yesterday, “Don’t Quit”:

“Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be nearer when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit.
It’s when things seem worse you mustn’t quit!”

After weighing in, I asked our leader, Kathy, if she would like to share the poem at the meeting. I explained to her that this passage was something I could relate to. “Many times it has given me strength while guiding me through the darkness of my life.”

Kathy smiled. “That is your anchor, isn’t it.”

Yes, definitely! I cannot tell you how many times I have read and re-read that passage just to lift me out of the darkness. While my dad battled cancer, I read it as tears streamed down my face. When my mother died, unexpectedly, I read it – giving me strength to forgive and forget the bitterness we shared. During fights with my husband, I read the passage, reminding myself “Don’t Quit…It’s when things seem worse, you mustn’t quit.”

Receiving rejection letters from publishers, producers, agents, I held the passage in my hands, reminding me I must continue this journey. Now, I’ve suddenly realized that passage is so appropriate for Weight Watchers. Just ask yourself — how many times have you wanted to throw in the towel? With weight loss, marriage, kids, or life? I’ve lost count!

Yes, these inspiring words are my anchor. They have served as a guiding light for my life, my desires, my dreams and my passions. Today at Weight Watchers I walked inside with the strength of confidence on my shoulders, a bright smile on my face. I was so ready for those scales to encourage me. This was a good week for me. I truly stuck to writing my foods in the journal, tracking, and I used the treadmill during the dreadful storms. A new Weight Watchers friend and I planned to walk the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, but the storms would not stop so we could ‘hit the bridge.’ So, I fought with my mini-schnauzer and let him walk on the treadmill for a bit, then I turned it off, so he would hop off and I could walk for thirty minutes. Then, I did side bends, arm and bicep exercises and I patted myself on the back for doing something for me. After all, when I joined Weight Watchers my slogan was, “This I do for me!”

How did I do this week? I inhaled and exhaled, held my breath and tried to watch as the receptionist wrote the number down. She smiled, handed my booklet back and said, “Congratulations. Two pounds!”

Yes, some of you will say — ‘oh, big deal. You only lost two pounds…in a week.’

If I wasn’t a Weight Watcher, just imagine what I would weigh today.

What will I do next week? Will I accomplish another loss? We are under tropical storm watches in Mt. Pleasant, but that isn’t going to discourage me. This I can do for myself. I suppose you’ll just have to stay tuned to this blog to read what this writer and singer is doing, and if she is successful. Until next week:

Don’t Quit:
“Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be nearer when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit.
It’s when things seem worse you mustn’t quit!”