Have you ever had an epiphany? I get them sometimes, and last night I had one while driving home in evening traffic.
I don’t live in a big town, but our population has grown faster than our infrastructure and at several times during the day we have some traffic congestion. It is mainly focused in the area where I enter the highway after work and for three to four entry/exit points after that.
When I get on the freeway I try to get all the way over to the left because that lane is moving the quickest. The problem with that is I have to watch the traffic in the left hand lane behind me for an opening. Well we all know when I’m looking behind me I’m not really focusing on what is going on in front of me. If I do that for too long then I’m going to get into trouble. When you are driving it is way more important to pay attention to where you are going, not where you’ve been.
As I was getting on the highway yesterday glancing back every few seconds I realized that this can also apply to weight loss. I spend so much time looking back on the mistakes I’ve made in the past that that sometimes I have problems focusing on what I should be doing in the present.
It also applies when you concentrate on your ultimate destination. Do I need to know where I’m going? Of course. I need to plan out a route to get to where I need to go, but once that’s been done my main focus needs to be following the map, i.e., executing the plan. Based on my experience, concentrating to much on my end goal overwhelms me and I slow down and end up stopping at a convenience store on the way for a snack… so to speak.
I’m trying really hard to take one day at a time. I do plan out a menu for the week, but once that’s been done I focus on the day to day. I try not to think too hard about how long it will take or where I will be if I do X.Y.Z and just take each day, each challenge as it comes.
I don’t always do it, but as my daughter says every night when she goes to bed, “all you have to promise is to try, it doesn’t mean you’ll do it, just that you’ll try.” So today? I promise to try.
Week 3 Loss: 1.2 pounds
Total Loss: 4.2 pounds
{ 26 comments }
Great perspective and congrats on the progress. That’s a nice steady number!
Thanks. I’m hoping if I can change my perspective then I can change the outcome.
Oh I think this is excellent! I do this too, ALL THE TIME! I think so much about where I’ve failed before and about all the poor decisions I’ve made… rather than looking forward….
Thank you for the eyeopener!
I think a lot of us do this. Sometimes it easier to point out our failings than it is our successes.
You’re doing such a bang-up job. I’m so proud of you and your stick-to-it-ness.
You got a wise little girl, too. Way wise.
She does surprise me sometimes between the he’s-so-cute boy talk and the can-I-have-that begging.
That’s an amazing epiphany!!
I am so proud of you. You are doing awesome. Keep up the good work.
I love a good epiphany.
Hey! You’re doing a great job and gaining wisdom. That’s awesome.
The older we get the wiser. Or something like that.
You are doing great! And I love the reminder about attitude. I have a lot of weight to lose, so it’s hard to think about “being good” for forever. So maybe if I just try to be good for today . . . (and the brownie I ate before reading your post doesn’t count. That was BEFORE.)
It is so hard to think about the end goal, and discouraging. That is why I have to focus on the today.
I had many bad days while “changing my life” as I call it. I can promise you one thing. You will NEVER be alone in this. When you have a bad day I won’t let you give up. You never let me give up.
I think you’re on to something here!
Great job on the loss this week.
Thanks. I love it when that number goes down.
I think you are doing great. Keep looking foward.
Thanks. That’s the plan.
Sounds like you are making great progress!
I think any progress is great progress.
EXCELLENT perspective and I love that you thought of that while you were driving. That’s when some of my best thoughts come to me too.
And GREAT JOB on another loss! You’re on your way, my friend! xo
I always have the best ideas when I’m driving. The problem is that I usually forget them by the time I get home.
Wow–what a great analogy! Hooray for continued loss. Bigger hooray for what seems to be much improved mental health in regards to your weight loss struggles. So proud of you for continuing to try and sharing your story!
That Big Girl is one smart cookie! I love that she said that to you. I’m proud of you for trying. Looks like it is working with your weight loss! Keep up the good work!
Great epiphany! Changing your way of thinking, silencing those negative voices and winning the mental challenge is more than half the battle.
I completely fell off the wagon these past two weeks. It’s time to get started again! Good luck to you!
Well just get back on. One day at a time!
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