It's not all or nothing for me anymore.

I tend to review in my mind the changes that I have undergone in the past few years. I think the biggest one is that I got rid of the ‘all or nothing’ mindset. Not just in dieting, but in a lot of areas of my life.

I tend to be a perfectionist – so to not exceed with the utmost of goals on the first try would be very discouraging to me. I think that’s why I couldn’t lose weight and keep it off. I would expect 2 pounds a week consistently, and if I didn’t get that, then I would just eat whatever and give up.

Or with a new exercise program – pop in the DVD and expect to be at the speed and fitness of the instructors (perfectionism doesn’t = smart, sometimes). And then be irritated with myself that I didn’t wake up fit the next day.

Patience really is a virtue, and it can be learned. I am proof of that, at least. I know that when I tried the C25K program a couple years ago, I gave up because I thought it was too hard, and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just up and run, since I biked and worked out. Well, I needed to learn to be patient with my body while it learned a new skill. That’s what running is, training your body.

So, following the C25K with the mindset that I didn’t have to be able to run a 5K in 30 minutes by the end of 9 weeks was a big breakthrough for me. I knew I could do the 5K, but it just took me 50 minutes to do the first time. And I decided to celebrate that instead of beat myself up. I have now reduced my time for the 5K by quite a bit from 50 minutes, and now I feel victorious with each run (even though I still am not at 30 minutes).

I feel that way about the weight loss now as well. I know that I am unlikely to lose even a pound a week, and have now accepted that as perfectly fine. I also know that there will be times when the scale goes up, undeservedly – and I have to accept that as well. Since I’m not in a rush, and I have learned to be less self critical, the weight has come off and stayed off. I no longer have something off plan and then decide it’s okay to take the rest of the day off, or beat myself up. That has been the path I am following to radiance.

Maybe I could have learned this stuff 20 years ago, or maybe it had to take me until I got to 40 to figure it out. I don’t know. I am just glad to be at this point right now.

3 thoughts on “It's not all or nothing for me anymore.

  1. debbyweighsin

    Lori, loved this post and also the article you recommended in the previous post. I am noticing more and more that there are certain similarities among people who have successfully lost weight AND kept it off. They have lost it in a variety of ways, but certain thought processes are the same. Your post and the article about lying to ourselves really point out some of these important traits.

  2. Mimosa Faith

    Hi,
    In one of your preveious posts you mentioned being worried about not eating enough. Honestly, from all the research I have done, I think you should analyze your low calorie consumption. The average body needs 2000 cals a day just for normal bodily functions like breathing, digesting and walking around. But the main thing is that you learn how to eat without counting the calories. Check out Intuitive Eating. That book really helped my mom learn how to eat when she was hungry and stop when she was full.

    I know you don’t want to mess with your metabolism and make your body go into ‘storage’ mode! You really inspire me and I hope you visit my blog. YourFriendInIreland.blogspot.com

    Mimosa Faith

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