This is not a race and I should stop seeing it that way - we all should. Yes, it's nice to make goals for ourselves but we need to accept this as a lifestyle change and realize that once we make the PERMANENT change, the results we want will more easily come to us.
We need to stop beating ourselves up for "only" losing .3 pounds and for "only maintaining". These are victories my friends. Any step toward your goal is indeed a success. Something as simple as "maintaining" your previous steps is also a success.
I say this to encourage myself and to get myself excited about my "new start" on my weight loss journey. I've been floundering nearly all summer and I was feeling bad for that 'lost time' for a while but to be honest, I've maintained (mostly!) for nearly the whole time I've floundered soooooo is that really bad? I don't think so.
So with that, I proudly pull back the curtain of this weight loss confessional and step out into the light and get back on the horse. If you too have been floundering and beating yourself up for those "only" victories, I encourage you to join me! Place one hand behind your head and firmly pat yourself on the back for a job well done in "NOT QUITTING!"
I've also been thinking along these lines. Just the other day I thought I've "only" lost 33 in the past couple of months. Then I stop myself and think.....What the **** are you talking about? You've lost 33 pounds or as I like to refer to is as 132 sticks of butter! in just a few months (11 weeks). You've worked your tail off and this will not stop. Just think, you could have gained in these last few months, but instead you've lost as much as your 3 year old weighs. Now suck it up butter cup and be happy.
I want all this fat to just "melt" off. I know I didn't gain it in a day and I it's even harder to lose it. But still......we want what we want, when we want it, even though the rational side is there telling us it's just not possible.
So I try to remind myself of the future. I picture what I "hope" to look like when I hit my goal weight. When I can look back and think, been there done that. When I'll be able to stand inside an old pair of pants, and hold them out with proud.
Everyday is a new day. A new start. It can be hard when you've been doing all the right things, making the right choices and then you stand on that "almighty scale", and the little booger doesn't say what you "know" it should say... But I totally agree with Chunky spice.....every thing is a victory! As long as it doesn't continue to go up week after week after week. There are always plateaus and small gains here and there. Our rational side knows this. But we have to be strong and continue on our journey.
You are so right Chunky Spice (by the way-- have I told you I LOVE your name?? I wish I thought of it, really!)
Anyway, I know we all want the weight off yesterday (or now), but it aint gonna happen is it?? We all need an attitude adjustment especially when we have a lot to lose. We didnt gain this all in a short time and it wont come off in a short time either. And if we did lose it quick its more likely to come back that way too!!
I do however like the mini goals like labor day, halloween, etc.. because it keeps me focused on the smaller picture (lose 10 pounds not 90 more pounds).
What would we do without this website??
laura
65 down!!
Absolutely I love the short challenges too. In fact, I think they're much more healthy to us than long term goals - especially when we set them low enough to achieve.
I've never gotten involved in any of the challenges here on the 3FC board but perhaps I should. I normally do challenges with my other support group (which is just a SMALL group) but I think I'll join in the next on here.
What is it? LOL : ) Halloween is my birthday so I'd like to get in on that one if I see it get started : )
AND Thanks for the compliment on my name! I sort of got the idea from one of my friends who calls herself "Chubby Spice" : ) We don't have a Tubby Spice or a Fluffy Spice so jump right in there if you'd like, LOL : )
Chunky Spice,
LOL-is laughing out loud or laugh out loud
Tubby and Fluffy Spice is too funny really!! We are having a halloween after Labor Day is over.Someone suggested this as our next goal day-ideal for you!!
I agree... what a GREAT name. (Take that compliment from someone who's young enough to be able to say that she was a Spice Girl fanatic way back in 1997! LOL... --which means laugh out loud---) LORELEI--- I totally agree. I don't know where i'd be without this website. I don't even want to think about it. I'm getting all fired up about this Halloween challenge too. I can't wait. Peace everyone. -Apryl
Okay guys, you will hate me for this (not too much, I hope!!) but I'm going to throw the old spanner into the works here!!
For me personally, I feel that this IS a race. The longer it takes to do this, the less of a life I'll have left to enjoy at the end of it. I don't WANT this to take years and years... I can't AFFORD for it to take that long. It makes me miserable at times.... it depresses me to be fat. I don't WANT to be fat!!!! I don't WANT to spend years hovering at 20-30lbs from goal. I don't CARE if I'm "doing well" to maintain for months. It's good, but not good ENOUGH.
What on earth am I putting myself through, if I allow myself to become so complacent that I have to do this for years on end?? Why should my whole life be centred around losing weight?? Why do I not give it one damn good go... give it my best (and be honest enough to say when I'm NOT giving it 100%)... give it absolutely everything I have inside me to give??
The strength and determination that lost me 92lbs, and that I had inside me for a whole year has vanished, and I need to find my way back again!
Well if this IS a race, I'm way in back, chugging down the gatorade because I'm already tired...LOL Oh well... I've stopped doing the mini goals, I will, however stay on the 30 day challenges, because they focus more on what we do, instead of what we WEIGH... quite frankly, I'd rather be HEALTHY than skinny, these days, and we know that that CAN be achieved... this last burnout has taught me that while the numbers are great to see changing, we DO get all tied up in them, and lose sight of the health issue sometimes... as of tomorrow, when we do our shopping, no more diet this, and slim fast that... I'm going to eat! I'm going to try to eat sensibly, and control myself, drink my water, and exercise, if that doesn't do it... I'll be happy with the stronger body that the exercise provides me.
for me the race is off. I do have goals and try to reach for the goals but i have come this far in 2 years. I wish it was sooner but i know what letsme down is the fact that i have not done this faster. but that just leads me to failure. and that leads to depression which will lower my selfesteem which will lower my resolve as i feel i am not worh this effort. I have stepped away from the race and focus on the exercise and eating now. that may be why i have slowed down but i am so afraid of not continuing i do not want to let my self down. so for me it is goals but not unobtainable goals. if i do not make them then i reevaluate so see what i am doing wrong and reset the goals so i do not let my self down.
Karen, of course we don't hate you for your opinion. Anyone who has lost 92 pounds has my deep respect. I hope your motivation will come back and you won't be hovering near goal much longer.
But, dear, you're no longer FAT. You may still have excess poundage (and you will go lower). While you've been maintaining you've been learning how to live/eat when you reach your goal. So too must you learn to think of yourself as someone other than a fat person. Sometimes our bodies need a break before we can go on. (Delta Burke said on TV that she loses 20 lbs or so, takes a break so her body catches on to where it is and then starts again and loses another 20.) So when you're re-motivated (and we're behind you there), go for that BURST.
I agree that our lives should not be totally centered on losing weight. I'm focussing on healthy eating, what I think I could/should if I am/were at a good weight for me. So far, I've b een losing but I've also been living and focussing on other things and enjoying as I go along. Maybe you're just having a down spell. I certainly do and I've noticed reading the posts that many( if not all) of us do have times when the motivation isn't as strong.
Can we bribe you somehow to join one of the challenges? Maybe the Halloween one? Or the new 30 day?
Has the new bathing suit had a lot of use this summer?
We want you to need another new one (smaller, of course) for next summer.
Karen, LOL no one is going to hate you for your opinion ; )
I do understand what you are saying however for me, it doens't work. If I try to rush, I end up not meeting my "timeline" and then is when I get discouraged and quit.
I think this is an excellent example of how we all have to find our own way. For me, I need to determine that I will finish this no matter how long it takes or how many times I backslide, I will keep going no matter what date on the calendar passes.
In fact, that's my whole goal. To keep on doing the right thing FOREVER, not to just do it until I get to the end and quit and then gain it all back again.
Oh boy I wish I knew how many pounds I've lost over and over and over. Quitting is what gets me in trouble.... this time, I won't quit.
For someone who was 23 lbs away from goal and then had a regain....this really touched me.
I am still looking for that determination and I've been doing pretty good..but not good enough. I am still not losing weight.
I don't want another year to go by. It's been a LONG LONG time since I started this journey.
"This is not a race"
..not a race!!
