“You carry it well.”
I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard those words since Friday. Almost unanimously, that’s been the response when I’ve showed someone my DXA Scan results. I’ve decided it must be like hearing, “You have a great personality,” when asked if that outfit looks good on you.
They mean well. What they don’t want to say is, “Holy Cow! How in the world are you walking around with 35% bodyfat? That seems really high.”
Yep, it does. 35.6% to be exact.
The optimist inside of me keeps trying to spin it, but can’t find a logical thought that works.
The rest of me has decided to accept it for what it is: a reality check.
I’ve been nearly sedentary for a decade and a half, consuming massive quantities of Dr. Pepper and cheese enchiladas – and it shows. I turned that around 18 months ago and started making changes. I’m proud of that, but I’m clearly nowhere near the finish line.
I’ll admit I’m frustrated. This isn’t where I thought I’d be right now.
And, oh how that sentence could apply to so many areas of my life. I have a couple choices. I could whine about how unfair it is, considering how much I work out and how well I’ve been eating lately. [Ok, that was a whine. I’m over it now.]
Or, I can use it as a measuring point – as one stop on a much longer journey.
It is what it is. And it’s not failure until I stop. So my four-week year-end challenge has turned into something much longer. I can live with that.
For now, I think I’ve got to quit focusing on the number and just take one day at a time.
What about you? How do you keep moving forward despite a mental setback?
Long-term goals are the toughest, because of the mental setbacks you suffer on that long, long road. Somehow, we’re never as far along as we want to be. I try to use my frustration to power me through the next mental obstacle, to turn it into healthy anger at the problem, and not to turn it into an excuse to beat the ever-living crap out of myself emotionally. It won’t get you anywhere (although I do think sometimes a few hours of sulking is only fair!).
My philosophy is this: keep your head down. Every now & then we lift our heads up and one of two things happens: you’re pleased with where you are, or you’re frustrated with how little progress has been made since the last time you picked your head up. Either way, the best thing to do is put your head back down & keep doing the work, knowing that you will get there, even if it’s not as fast you would’ve liked.
And after all, isn’t that the definition of adulthood? Delayed gratification?
Kick kicking ass. I struggle with things that I don’t immediately see results on… keep measuring your success and celebrate victories, even if small. You’ll get to your end result soon enough if you work at it.
Thanks y’all! I know you’re both right.
I wanted to know exactly where I was so I could know if I was making improvement. At least I know there’s plenty of room for that!