I’ve had a few difficult days.
I haven’t felt like working out. I even skipped a couple workouts and one day all I could manage was a lackluster effort on the recumbent bike. Ten minutes is better than nothing, right?
I’m also still trying to eat clean. I constantly read about fitness and nutrition, but it’s possible I’m suffering from information overload. I’ve mentioned how I struggle with perfectionism, and it’s taking a toll on my psyche. I’ve been using the My Fitness Pal app to track my calorie count, macro-nutrient grams, exercise, and more. It takes a lot of time and planning, but keeps me accountable — maybe a little too much. Rather than using it as a helpful tool, I’m taking it to the extreme.
I’ve decided to back off for a while. I still plan on eating clean. I’m just not going to meticulously track it. I’ve kept a food journal long enough that I have a pretty good handle on which foods add up to empty calories quickly. I’m actually not even focusing on counting calories. I’m simply adding healthy nutritious foods to every meal and trying to avoid things that are processed.
I’m not “on a diet.” I’m creating a lifestyle. The word “diet” implies something temporary, but I know the changes I’m implementing are going to be lifelong changes. I don’t know about you, but I want to start living my life TODAY! As I was thinking about this, I realized that every time I make a choice to love my body by feeding it nutritious foods, I am already a success.
Success is a Mindset
I still have 100 pounds to lose, but I’m not going to wait until I reach that goal to be successful. Each little choice I make is a small success. Every time I pick myself up after I fall, I can brush myself off and know that one little mistake doesn’t undo weeks of good choices. I have enough knowledge to be sure that good things are happening inside my body even if there isn’t much evidence on the outside yet.
I’m trying to remember that this whole journey is a transition from who I was to who I want to be, but in the meantime, I am determined to love myself exactly where I am. I know there will be a bunch of small steps, changes, and new habits along the way. Some days are super easy and some days I fall flat on my face and feel like I’m much closer to the person I was than the one I want to be. I just have to remember that each good choice I make gets me one step closer to the person I know that I truly am.
Success truly is a mindset. Acknowledge each step along the path, live your life today, and never forget that you are intrinsically special just because you’re you!
