If we are trying to accomplish anything in life, it’s vital that we stay focused, but on the right things. I’ve been helping people lose weight, tone up and change their thinking for many years now and I’ve noticed some interesting things, especially in the area of weight loss.
I’ve seen men and women, boys and girls obsess over scale weight. “I want to lose 20 pounds by my birthday or wedding” or “If I could only gain 30 pounds before football season”. You name it, I’ve heard it, and I’ve also heard the “stress” of those statements. Jumping on the scale every day is not going to help you accomplish either of those goals, in my estimation; it will only lead to frustration. Frustration will only lead to stress. Stress will only lead to stalled results.
We’ve all heard the sayings, “stop and smell the roses” or “Rome wasn’t built in a day” right? If we agree with those cliché statements, why then can we not apply that thought process to our physical journey? I believe it’s because we place too much emphasis on the wrong aspect of the process.
My goal here is to help you understand that our physical transformation must be bolstered with the understanding that it is a process, not a daily check in to see if we gained or lost an ounce. I’ve mentioned in other articles what stress does, it raises cortisol…the “stress hormone” which in and of itself is a normal hormonal response, but in the context of losing weight, it can hold you back and cause you to think what you are doing isn’t working.
I’m here to tell you that most any plan that you follow consistently will work, but only if you allow it to by not obsessing daily over weather or not you see any marked progress. I’ve also discussed NSV’s (Non Scale Victories) the things you should celebrate and look for as you forge ahead on your physical and mental journey.
I’ve seen it countless times, people who give up on themselves because the daily weigh in isn’t producing the results that they imagined it would. My question to you is, what do you want…a daily pat on the back, or lasting results that will manifest over time and consistent effort? Many will say, “ a daily pat on the back” mostly because we, as humans, need affirmation and praise. I get it, I really do, but I also understand the feeling of accomplishment when we reach a goal or win the prize.
Run the race as to win the prize, don’t grow weary in well doing, stay focused and allow yourself the freedom to fail from time to time and more importantly than anything else, don’t wake up every day and judge yourself according to what your stupid scale says. You are better than that, you are more worthy that that and you have more to offer the world than how much you weigh.
The prize is living in your healthiest body, and functioning at your highest level, regardless of your age and if you keep your eyes on that, and not the scale…BAM I promise you will feel much better along the way.
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