When I started my weight loss journey, I was mad at myself for getting so big. How could I let that happen? I've been overweight since about the second grade, but when I tipped the scales at over 300 pounds and didn't fit in the booth at a restaurant anymore, I was upset. I was embarrassed. I was straight out mad.
I know exactly how it happened. I eat when I'm happy and I eat when I'm sad. I eat when I'm stressed and I eat to celebrate. I eat when I'm tired and I eat when I'm socializing. I eat all the time. I never had good exercise routines. I didn't get enough sleep. I didn't understand what foods were good for me and what foods weren't. Frankly, I only ate food that gave me the most pleasure.
More recently, I've gained back almost 20 pounds from my lowest weight. Some of the clothes I bought then are getting a little snug. Am I mad?
I would have been a month ago. I was mad a month ago. I took a break (and gained 12 pounds) but I can see a little more clearly because of it. I'm not mad anymore.
I think the key to getting to my weight-loss goal is going to be acknowledging my failures and learning from them. I could make excuses like I wasn't really happy at my last job or I was too busy to exercise, get enough sleep, and eat right, but in the end I know I'm the only person to blame. So I'm not going to let it get under my skin.
I can't move forward unless I forgive myself. Sometimes we don't meet our goals. Sometimes we backtrack. If we harbor resentment toward ourselves for our failures, we'll forget about our goals. If you're holding on to feelings of self-resentment, you'll probably be more likely to eat emotionally.
I can't change the past and neither can you. I gained 12 pounds in two months and that's okay. It is within my power to change my trajectory and I'm going to do it.
If you gained a little holiday weight, don't stress about it, change it. Work hard in 2012 so when the holidays roll around again, you'll have the tools you need to make it through without a gain (or at least a little extra room to let your belt out).
I would have been a month ago. I was mad a month ago. I took a break (and gained 12 pounds) but I can see a little more clearly because of it. I'm not mad anymore.
I think the key to getting to my weight-loss goal is going to be acknowledging my failures and learning from them. I could make excuses like I wasn't really happy at my last job or I was too busy to exercise, get enough sleep, and eat right, but in the end I know I'm the only person to blame. So I'm not going to let it get under my skin.
I can't move forward unless I forgive myself. Sometimes we don't meet our goals. Sometimes we backtrack. If we harbor resentment toward ourselves for our failures, we'll forget about our goals. If you're holding on to feelings of self-resentment, you'll probably be more likely to eat emotionally.
I can't change the past and neither can you. I gained 12 pounds in two months and that's okay. It is within my power to change my trajectory and I'm going to do it.
If you gained a little holiday weight, don't stress about it, change it. Work hard in 2012 so when the holidays roll around again, you'll have the tools you need to make it through without a gain (or at least a little extra room to let your belt out).
Very inspiring. I not only felt angry with the past I also made excuses for why I can't change for the future :)
ReplyDeleteWe can shed this holiday weight! The important thing is for us to believe!