By Angela Verges

I’m working once again to lose my post-pregnancy weight…it’s been 25 years since the baby. There have been peaks and valleys, fitness regimens and meal plans. Just when I thought I had things under control, menopause slapped me in the face. I hit a plateau. A brick wall. A stand-off.

In school we learned the theory of man against man, man against nature, and man against himself. We can now include woman against her waistline. There are many days that I wish my superpower was appetite control, but since it isn’t, I go with Plan B–live joyously anyway.

I’m not going down without a good fight, and if you’re facing a challenge, you don’t have too either. How do you encourage yourself through a challenge?

Here are three fun ideas to survive a challenge:

Play the song I will Survive by Gloria Gaynor—sing along with the song (really loudly). Sing the words like you believe them.

Play the Rocky theme song—do this one at home. Put on a pair a loose-fitting jogging pants, leggings, or anything comfortable. Bounce around your room like you’re preparing for a boxing match. Let the song lead you. Here are some of the lyrics to put you in the moment—Trying hard now. It’s so hard now. Getting strong now. You can count this time as part of your fitness routine for the day.

Go easy on yourself. Allow yourself to relax, do something fun, then regroup later to refocus on your situation.

You can apply these ideas to a weight loss journey or any difficult situation you’re facing. I’ve found that it helps to sprinkle any situation with humor.

My sons are encouraging when I complain about my weight struggles. They say things like, “Ma, you look fine, you’re probably gaining muscle.”

I started to buy into their theory—maybe I am gaining muscle. I looked at my right arm, then my left, and lifted each one into a bicep curl.

“I see your muscles, Ma.” My son gave my arm a firm squeeze.

A toothy grin erupted on my face. It was a proud moment for my arms, but then—

I looked down at my stomach, it looked back at me as if to say, I’m not with them, don’t set your expectations too high.

And that my friend, is how I use humor to make it through.

If you’re on a weight loss journey, or another challenge, silence your inner critic and keep pushing forward. Go through your day with laughter as your sidekick. There is hope and healing through humor. There was a study conducted at Texas A & M University that concluded that humor may be effective in increasing a person’s level of hope.

My grandmother used to say, “if you want to grow up big and strong, you have to exercise and eat right.” I apply this theory to humor. A laugh a day keeps stress at bay. If you want to build your mental health, exercise your humor muscles one laugh at a time. Discover your humor happy place and go there often. Perhaps you need a ten-minute break during your day to regroup, refresh, or recharge. Read something funny, reflect on a funny memory, or make someone else laugh.

One of my favorite children’s books is Alexander and the Horrible Terrible No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst. Just as Alexander had a bad day, we have bad days as adults. There will be times when you have to uncover the humor, as it lurks in unlikely places. I have done that by poking fun at myself (not in a mean way). Here’s what I mean:

You know it’s going to be a rough day when…

Your portioned snack goes wild—maybe it’s just me, but there are some snacks that I can’t keep in the house because uncontrolled eating may occur. It happens often with peanuts. One time I decided not to eat the nuts from the can by the handfuls, but to shake a small portion into a bowl. The only thing is my hand didn’t cooperate.

As I shook the can it slipped from my hand and knocked the bowl over. Nuts scattered as the can hit the floor. There may have been ten peanuts that made their way into the bowl. That must have been the day that I said, “Lord, help me control my eating.” Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?

Or maybe you’re looking through old photos and discover how you’ve grown…out. As I was cleaning and purging files, I came across old photos. I sat crossed-legged (well I sat with the one leg I could comfortably cross), on the floor, and reminisced. There was a picture of me and my sons at a family reunion about 15 years ago. We were all smiling for the camera. The first thing I thought was, aww, I remember that day. I weighed 150 pounds…the good old days.

I’ve learned that weight loss and establishing a health and wellness routine require a lifestyle change. It doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a journey that begins with a first step: consistency pays off. Humor helps when hurdles pop up.

E.E. Cummings wrote, “The most wasted day of all is one without laughter.” So, treat yourself to a scoop of humor every day!

Angela Verges is a native Detroiter who writes books for children and blogs about parenting experiences as she practices being a grown up. You can find her on stage bringing laughter to others. Follow her on Instagram at writermama223, on Facebook @angela.verges or visit her website angelaverges.net.