Dealing with failure

I was speaking with someone who started Weight Watchers at the same time that I did. I hadn't seen the person in a couple weeks. She asked how I was doing, and then said "I'm a diet failure". To which I replied, "if I can do it, anyone can". I truly believe that if I can lose weight, anyone can. But, these words are little comfort and will not help someone change their approach. (It is almost hypocritical for me to address this issue. I know exactly how this person feels.) Unfortunately, dealing with failure in weight loss requires one to look within.

First, you have to define failure. Losing as little as one-half pound a week may be perceived as failure by some and success by others. Or, we might set our goals too high by trying to lose more weight than our body is ready to lose. (Losing 10 pounds in two weeks is doable, but it is not sustainable.) Failing to lose weight, or even gaining weight for a week is not failure. It may be a set back, but it is not failure. The only time you have failed is when you quit, when you give up on not only weight loss, but yourself.

Second, you have to look at your plan. How is it you intend to reach your goal? Is it workable for you? Is a high protein diet workable? A low fat diet?

Once, you have determined that you aren't a failure, you have to address why you had a setback. Was there a stressful event last week? Did you attend a party or function where you strayed? Are you just going through the motions with the diet and not really addressing the inconvenient changes that have to be made? Are you planning your meals? Are you tracking your food? Are there too many temptations or "trigger" foods in your kitchen? Are you accountable to anyone or anything (the scale)?

Determining why you had a setback is crucial to weight loss success. We all go through the "I don't care" or "I'm a failure moments". But, we have to make those moments less debilitating and recognize that we really are worth it. We are worth the effort. It's time to put yourself first as it relates to weight loss and your food intake. You are not a diet failure!!

The Truth Hurts

I have noticed more aches and pains as of late. I am quick to say it's because I'm getting old. I am slow to acknowledge that it is because I'm overweight. I go to the doctor with these issues, he doesn't say "lose weight" so I don't think it is because of the weight. But, I am hesitant to announce any aches and pains, because, in the back of my mind, I am fearful that someone might actually say it, "try losing weight!"

I have been in complete denial that weight has anything to do with these pains. There was a time when I was walking when I was trying to lose weight. Eventually, the pounding took it's toll and my foot hurt and I had to stop. Then, my other foot started hurting. I did take note that my feet had grown and acknowledge that it was probably because of the excess weight. A female friend kiddingly said, "now you know how we feel when pregnant." After many years of sitting at a computer, my back recently started hurting. I never had this problem before. Rather, than admit it was my weight, I was sure it was the chair or the way I lurked over the keyboard.

After losing a few pounds, my back doesn't aches as much and my feet don't hurt as much. The truth of the matter is that being overweight causes a lot of aches and pains.

It's Just a Number

Throughout this weight loss journey, it occurred to me that we tend to get hung up on numbers. My number is 40. That was the waist size I wanted to avoid. Or, when I gained weight, the number I wanted to get under. That number gave me my identity. If my waist size was over 40, too fat. Size 38, doing great. This is an arbitrary number. I have child bearing hips. So, a waist size of 40 gave no indication of my fitness, or even how I looked. I have no idea whether I was overweight when my waist was 40. I was too caught up in the number to be concerned with how I looked. In fact, I look back at pictures when I was younger, and had a waist size of 40, and I can't believe I was that thin. Although I realize this is a false number, I still want to get to a size 38.

Even should I reach size 38, that isn't the telling number anymore. Today, everyone is caught up in BMI. BMI is Body Mass Index. This is determined purely by your height. I have no idea about the science behind this number, but I believe it is bunk. According to whoever came up with this scale, a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 25. A 6'1" male such as me should be less than 189 pounds. I don't even remember when I weighed 189 pounds. It certainly is not a good indication for athletic people that are muscular. Perhaps when I get anywhere close to that number I will reevaluate and determine BMI is a proper index.

The numbers that I am most interested in is blood pressure and cholesterol. I also pay attention to my percentage of fat. I would like to get this number under 22%. I am a long way away right now. It will be interesting to see whether BMI and body fat are comparable numbers. I will certainly let you know.