“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?