On my way to work this morning, as I was grumbling out the door because I just didn’t want to go, I realized I’ve had a very negative attitude lately…. about everything. Work has been beyond stressful, as it always gets at this time of year, my leg still hurts and I can’t run, and my eating? Well, I’ve kind of had a bad attitude there too. I’ve been frustrated with my weight, and instead of being patient and making the right adjustments, I’ve been letting my frustration get the better of me.
I don’t have a very long ride to work— a positive, right?— but during the short time I was in my car, I’ve decided it’s time to change the attitude and focus on those positives. Positives like some of the good eating habits I’ve managed to maintain. Positives like while I can’t run right now, there are plenty of other exercises I can still do— swimming, strength training and walking— and I have no excuses not to be doing them. Positives like the weather is getting warmer and it’s lighter later. Positives, in general, like I get a paycheck every other Friday. Positives like I have this blog and I can vent when I’m feeling negative and share when I’m feeling positive and I get support either way.
This morning, I kept my focus on food and the positive changes I’ve kept there. I eat whole grains now, almost exclusively. I can stop after one slice of pizza. I drink tons of water, even during my crazy Chicago tradeshow weekend, I carried a water bottle with me everywhere I went and stayed hydrated. (Off the food track a little, I was able to walk the convention center for three days without too much pain and suffering and live to tell about it). There are foods I rarely even think about eating anymore. I can pass the Entenmann’s display in the supermarket without so much as a second thought. Homemade cakes however? Those are a different story. But I’m working on that.
I’ve made some not so great choices these past couple of months and the scale has reflected that. It’s easy to get frustrated. But I know what I have to do to get back on track. And the first step is to push away the negative “why am I bothering with this?” thoughts that have invaded lately, and focus on the amazing changes I’ve made and get back on that path. When the weight was coming off consistently, there was a snowball effect. I would have a good week, be encouraged by the numbers going down on the scale and have an even better week. When my weight loss stalled, the frustration had the opposite snowball effect. I’d have a good food/exercise week and the numbers on the scale didn’t change… so I’d eat more and then the scale would go up.
I realize I won’t always have control over what the scale says and throwing it away is not an option for me. When I don’t check, I get into even more trouble. But I do have control over how much I exercise each day, and what I put in my mouth. Instead of measuring by the scale, I’ll measure the achievements instead and stay focused on the positive. It’s really the only way to live anyway.
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Very nice blog Diane. Postives make such a huge difference in our life. It is great that you are looking for them.
Scales are a necessary item for people like me, and you, who have lost a tremendous amount of weight and fight the constant battle to keep it off. I would encourage you to weigh in at least 4 days a week. I generally weigh in everyday, which sounds obsessive, but by doing so I can gauge my daily intake appropriately.
I for one did what I said I wouldn’t do at Christmas. I ate way too much and needless to say they were not the right items of food to be eating. I had just completed my weight loss from the previous Christmas! Then low and behold 8 pounds slipped back on. I decided last week that it had to stop and I have droped about 3.5 pounds. I feel so much better! For me, if I can make it through the first week of a diet I become extremely motivated. So that’s where I stand right now, about 5 more pounds to get back where I started…and hopefully a few extra pounds after that to play with.
I lost well over 100 pounds a few years ago. I battle with my weight everyday. But like you if I can stay positive I will come out the winner!