Overcoming Obesity

Monday, February 8, 2010

Expecting Too Much of Ourselves

This morning I weighed in and felt a tinge of disappointment when I realized that I only lost 3 pounds last week. Hold up, was that three pounds? Yes, three glorious pounds that are gone, gone for good!

I told myself that it was good and it was only 7 pounds away from my 10 pound weigh loss goal for February! I did my best to tuck my tail between my legs and believe that 3 pounds was good (I lost 18 pounds last month which was an average of 4.5lbs a week).

I began to check emails and before you knew it, I was on Spark People and I found it, Do we expect too much of ourselves? I click on the link and there I am, a message board. I thought for a moment and began to think of one of my closes girlfriends. She lost 20 pounds last month (WAY TO GO CHICA) but for some reason, was not completely satisfied.

My response:
I believe we do, a friend of mine lost 20 pounds last month, which is incredible... she was disappointed. I had to reminder her that losing 5-12 pounds a week is not realistic unless your on the Biggest Loser and are working out 8 hours a day. Sometimes we put to much pressure based on someone elses accomplishments, be happy with your success and enjoy every moment of it. Don't rob yourself of pride, happiness or a simple treat (nice cup of hot tea, walk, bubble bath, new book) for doing your best and giving it your all!

Then it hit me, this is exactly what I am doing right now. This morning, I was not pleased with my 3 pound loss, I wondered what I should have done differently, did one of my new snacks have to much fat? Did I eat one to many bags of popcorn? Uh,oh... maybe I didn't work out as hard as I could have,oh wait, I think it is getting close to that time of month. Just one excuse after the next. I lost, not only did I lose, I took off 3 pounds, cooked dinner 6 out of 7 nights (one night we had subway - veggie delite, 230 calories) worked out at the gym 5 days, walked 5 days for a total of 6 miles. Come on, even if the scale didn't move... those are great accomplishments.

Today, I am taking my own advice. I will celebrate my success and not compare what I have done to anyone else. I will find happiness in my new lifestyle and enjoy my journey as it has been, I am doing great!

6 comments:

  1. You are doing such an incredible job! Keep up the great work. 3 lbs is still 3 lbs you never have to see again. I do the same thing too. If someone else loses more i think, well thats not fair, i'm working out harder then they are and i'm not losing as much. The jealous monster rears its ugly head.

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  2. Thanks, Steph! Its crazy how the jealous monster can do that! I won't spend another minute thinking about those 3 pounds, cause your right, gone for good!

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  3. RIGHT ON sister!
    I would have to agree with you on all of that! You are doing an fantastic job! I didn't get what I wanted on the scale this week either, but I told myself I wouldn't beat myself up about it. I will just keep pushing on. Your words have reinforced my pushing on..
    Thank you so much for being such a great motivator for me....and Keep UP the hard work!!! :)

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  4. Thank you Kelly, I appreciate you so much and trust me, you motivate me constantly! Thanks for being honest and sharing your journey with all of us!

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  5. Le sigh. I want to lose 3 lbs in a week (she whined.) Oh well, each person is different. When I get frustrated about how little I've lost, I try to focus on being proud of things I can control, like how well I've done meeting my diet and exercise goals. See you on SP!

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  6. Yea, I think it is so easy to get caught up in a number and really, the fact that we read labels, exercise, and are striving to be healthy... those are great accomplishments. Just two months ago, I would have smoked another cigarette and oredered a Pizza. That is not even an option now. Thanks for your support, Julie! Hang in there, that weight will come off!

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