One of the fun things about blogging is that I’m always meeting new people in the blogosphere. This is especially important this week, because I’m writing about weight loss…but as you know if you read my work regularly, I have a lot on my mind about many subjects, so I’ll be leaving this topic after today. For ongoing support, take a look at Inspired Weight Loss, which is providing a great service to the online community. Go visit Patsy and friends, and you won’t be sorry.
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The trouble with resolutions is keeping them. I started my weight loss resolution in December because I didn’t want to put on yet another pound over the holidays. So far, so good. However, here are the facts: I am basically where I was this time last year, within less than a pound. I started 2011 with the same good intentions, and it fell apart.
One of my guilty pleasures is watching The Biggest Loser. Even though I have never had a lot of weight to lose, I do know that my personal issues have often kept me from living to my highest potential. As I watch the contestants work through their fears and unresolved pain, I see hope for myself. It also inspires me to keep working out when I don’t feel like it! Anyway, this season they are focusing on “no excuses,” so I thought I would confess mine (you may relate!), along with strategies for overcoming those excuses.
- I have too much going on — There’s never a good time to lose weight. Life is always happening! I think the key is to see healthful eating and exercising as necessary fuel to get through the stressors that come at us at all times.
- I have perimenopausal mood swings — At 53, I’m getting damned sick of this one. I am STILL having periods, though they are at least getting more erratic. With them come tears for no reason, dark moods, and irritability. During these times, the last thing I want to do is have a salad. Bring on the cake! To counter this one, I meditate more, take my Omega 3 supplements, and nourish my system with herbal infusions. I write down whatever is upsetting or confusing. I let myself have a good cry. And yes, I have some chocolate — but in small amounts, and only the dark kind. It really satisfies my cravings without blowing the diet.
- I hit plateaus — It’s harder to lose weight than it used to be, so I get discouraged easily. Last year I got sick of trying. It seemed as though it didn’t matter whether I ate like crazy or didn’t, my weight was about the same. I’m hoping that by tweaking my fitness regimen and measuring my food, I’ll be able to break through plateaus this year. I’m also willing to go to Weight Watchers meetings if need be to get support and help.
- It’s hard to lose weight when traveling — I covered most of my nutritional strategies a few days ago, so I won’t repeat them here. I have gotten much better. Sometimes I still get fooled and order something less healthy than it looked on the menu, but I’m doing my best, and that’s what matters. As they say in 12-Step programs, “progress, not perfection.”
- All or nothing — It’s easy to give up when I have had a “slip” and eaten too much. It’s important to take things one day at a time. If I fall, I can forgive myself, and get up the next day and begin again.
- Fear of success — And this, folks, is the winner. Every time I have come close to my goal weight, I’ve been scared about just how darn good I look. I have a lot of thoughts about this subject…so I’ll revisit this one soon in more detail.
What about you? What are or have been your excuses? How do you counter them?