So two weeks ago, I had a weight gain and started to freak out just a little bit. The following week I had a 3lb loss, and this week I had a 4lb loss. Why am I dumping this information at the beginning, well it is important. This week my routine got screwed up because life happens. I missed a workout and I stayed on my eating plan; one would think that it was just one workout, but to me that workout was critical to my success. I stressed over this workout not giving myself enough room to relax. Needless to say, there was nothing wrong with missing this workout- in fact it probably helped that my routine changed a bit. Now I wonder since I am back on track, will I be as successful? Just as athletes have a routine before batting, passing, or shooting free throws- I have a routine that in my mind makes me successful. I work out 5 days a week for a minimum of 45 minutes and when I am thrown off of that routine it is easy to go into panic mode ( it is like I can hear the music from jaws going down in the back of my head and it is like fat is multiplying at the speed of light.) I really had to do some damage control this week to my mind- I had to get it through my head that I am doing all I can to lose weight and I must afford myself grace when life happens, BUT and this is a A BIG BUT– I should not allow life happening to become a routine that allows me to excuse myself from exercise.
I have the book the Biggest Loser – Simple Swaps and I was amazed that almost all the previous contestants that have gained some weight back after the show and some will not even tell you if they have gained weight– they elect not to disclose. The contestants still look amazing and are maintaing healthy eating habits. I will say that life has probably interfered in their weight loss because they do not work out for 8 hours a day- they have a job, a family, and a life- they have become more balanced. I have to remember that my perfectionism can be my best strength and my worst enemy. This week it was my enemy- just a simple reminder that you have to swap perfectionism for a healthy balance. How do you do this? Simple- check out these steps from the Biggest Loser-
- Commit to making the best -healthiest choices you can at least 80% of the time!
- Leave time for planned and surprised indulgences without sabotaging weight loss.
- Allow yourself to rest or do what pops up– you have been more active during the day then you realized!
- Refocus on what inspired you to start your journey (mine was that I was tired of being unhealthy and unhappy- what a winning combination- right?)
- Drop the fear mentality- go to the gym by yourself! (Your friends did not make you fat, they may have helped- it was you! You are going to have to be the person that is active and you may have to do it alone! If you lean on an accountability partner you are placing your success and responsibility onto someone else when it should be between you and God.)
Remember I bought this dress several weeks ago a size or so too small — I have been staring at this dress and think I am ready to try it on—- well it zipped!!!!!!! (No makeup and sweat rocking the Hot Mess Natural Look – I ain’t scared!)
