I saw this on Twitter this morning, and it was exactly what I needed to see:
I- and I know many of you do this too- sometimes focus on comparing where I am right now and where I want to be. Instead, I should be thinking about where I was compared to where I am. It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am, I should celebrate it, not dwell on the changes I haven’t seen yet!
October 2011
Today
These pictures are not the best for before and after, even though it is the same dress I am standing at different angles, but I think you get the idea.
I still have a ways to go, but I’m trying to retrain my thinking. I don’t want to lose sight of my goal, or lose motivation, but I also don’t want to dwell on the final 12 lbs.
When I think about my journey I want to think about everything I’ve already accomplished- not everything I haven’t accomplished.
In 10 months I have:
- Gone from being a couch potato to running a half marathon
- Changed from a fast food junky to a vegetable lover
- Lost 54 lbs
- Went from a size 14 pant to size 4
- Learned to enjoy exercise and sweat
- Found a whole community of people in my exact same position
When I read that I feel like a superstar- I don’t feel like a failure for not being done, would I like to be done at this point, sure, but I’m not- oh well. It took 24.5 years to gain all that weight, I shouldn’t be so impatient for it to melt away.
What have you accomplished?
Do you focus on the past or the future?
17 Comments
I think anyone that has lost weight (especially a significant amount) would have some slight disappointment that they are not where they ultimately want to be. I do it. But if you take a minute to reflect where you were and where you are now you realize how far you’ve come. Go girl! Congrats on a huge accomplishment. You look fantastic!
Thanks! You’re right, there always is a disappointment to not be at goal, but I just need to take a step back and think about what has happened.
Awesome before and after! You look amazing, Colleen! You inspire me … don’t know that I can run yet (or that I want to), but your positive attitude and success really motivate me to work at this!
One diet trick I am returning to is eating a grapefruit each day. I eat half for breakfast (along with some protein and grains) and have the other half before bed (my dessert?) I did this several years back and it really boosted my weight loss. Recent studies have confirmed grapefruit as a “super” fruit to aid with weight loss, improve skin/complexion, and boost your immune system. The fiber helps to fill you up, too!
Thanks for sharing your journey!
When you list all those things that you have accomplished you are right to think you’re a superstar!! That’s amazing and you should be so proud of yourself.
It’s very easy to find it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes and looking back at where you’ve come from can be the boost you need – life is only ‘normal’ now because of the amazing ‘abnormal’ things you pushed yourself to do in the past – keep going, I have no doubts you will achieve your goal!!
Plus you’re just the inspiration I needed to get out there and run!!
Thank you! I can definitely see the light, but I think it has become more daunting being closer to goal than when I couldn’t see the end at all. I’m glad you got out to run, it’s one of the only things that keeps me sane!
You are a super star! This is great. I know it is hard to always see how far you have come, I forget that a lot too. I hope you are so proud of all the healthy lifestyle changes you have made!
You are doing absolutely amazing. You should be so proud of how far you have come. Wow!
Thanks, I am proud, trust me, just sometimes its hard when I know I’m not quite there yet.
I definitely focus more on the work still to be done… not what I’ve already accomplished. I’ve always been heavy, since the 3rd grade, I was a size 8 JUNIORS, not kids. I was a size 14 by the 7th grade, and up to a 18/20 by college. January of 2009 I decided enough is enough, and joined WW. When I started I was 264.2. Which is terrifying. I lost about 20 lbs by the end of April, but then I moved to DC for the summer and completely got off track with eating and drinking. SOME HOW I lost another 8 or so lbs that summer, but when I went back to school I never fully recommitted, and sabotaged myself with snacking. My lowest was summer of 2010 when I weighed in at 229.4. I can make a bunch of excuses (valid ones at that) about why, but by May of 2011 I was back in the 250s. I re-joined WW and got down to 234 or so by November 2011. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore… but I’m pretty much stagnant at 240. SO FRUSTRATING. I keep seeing the number and thinking I NEED to loose 100. which seems impossible. But at least I’m not in the 260s. I’ve need to use the work I’ve already done as motivation to keep going. I feel much better where I am then were I was 10 or 20 lbs ago, and I’m sure I’ll feel much better 10 or 20 lbs down from right now. I definitely am guilty of focusing on the big picture and getting overwhelmed, then just throw in the towel. But with weight loss it really is all about the small victories.
Thank you for this post. It was really something I needed to see today. I can’t believe I’m posting all of this on the internet, but you’re so honest and candid on your blog, it inspires me to do the same.
Thanks love.
Small goals are really so important for weight loss, I try to NEVER look at the big picture, but it is extremely hard. Keep up the good work, and being honest is the only way you can conquer what you’re trying to do! I hope I can learn more about your weight loss journey.
THIS IS AWESOME! So motivating to see the progress you have made in 10 months! Congrats! I struggle with remembering where I’ve come from instead of looking to what I still have to do. Thanks for the reminder!
Awesome progress for sure!
I know how hard it can be. Keep it up!!
I think you are doing awesome!!! Losing weight is hard and I am inspired by anyone who has done it! Keep up the great work!!!
Thank you!
I love that quote! I am so bad about not remembering where I have come from. When I get down on myself, I can’t even look in the mirror without being negative. I love the idea of listing out what you have accomplished!
Wow! Amazing girl! Keep it up! You rock!
Thanks!
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[...] don’t know if you remember Colleen’s post from a few weeks ago about struggling with progress, but it really struck a cord with me. I first became heavy sometime around the third grade, and [...]