Monday, March 3, 2008

Just keep on keepin’ on

I have to confess; this past week I’ve been feeling a little weary when it comes to my weight loss journey. I’m losing weight, there’s no doubt about it, but for the past month my average loss is less than a pound a week, so it’s slow going.

I’m not giving up – I’m on plan and actively working to find my motivation. I tell myself that losing slowly is the way to go, since I’ll be more likely to keep it off. And I tell myself that going at weight loss reasonably, without depriving myself all the time, is going to teach me how to watch my weight and still live life at the same time. I tell myself that I should focus my mental energy on exercise, and try to get my mind off the scale. And I tell myself that I’m close to goal, and to hang in there. But all the messages I’m sending myself aren't always effective motivators.

I think learning how to send ourselves positive messages is an important part of the process of getting healthy. I think that what we believe will come true - if we send ourselves negative messages we’ll lose faith in ourselves and get off track, and if we send ourselves positive messages we’ll have faith in ourselves and stay the course. But, no matter how important positive self-talk is, sometimes the positive self-talk isn’t enough. Sometimes re-energizing words come from other people’s mouths.

I get an enormous amount of positive energy from reading other people’s blogs and the comments on my blog. I get positive energy from hearing people’s weight loss and weight maintenance success stories. And sometimes, I get positive energy from VERY strange places.

Over the weekend I was in the car clicking around to find a radio station, and I ended up on a 70’s station. Time passes, I’m day dreaming and chatting with my husband and half-listening to the radio, and Ease On Down the Road by Michael Jackson comes on the radio. I’m half-listening, but the more I hear the closer I listen. As strange it as it sounds, I found that song very comforting. I’m not a huge Michael Jackson fan, the man clearly has issues, but put that aside for now and look at some of the lyrics …

… Come on, ease on down, ease on down, down the road

Pick your left foot up
When your right foots down
Come on legs keep movin’
Don’t you lose no ground
You just keep on keepin’
On the road that you choose
Don’t you give up walkin’
‘cause you gave up shoes, no

Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Don’t you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road

‘cause there may be times
When you think you lost your mind
And the steps you’re takin’
Leave you three, four steps behind
But the road you’re walking
Might be long sometimes
You just keep on steppin’
And you’ll just be fine, yeah

Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on downEase on down the road …

(Etc. etc. etc.)


I’m sure ol’ Mikey was not thinking about weight loss, but his song is so appropriate for what we’re all going through. It sends a message about just keepin’ on keepin’ on through the long journey down the weight loss and maintenance road, and not getting discouraged when you take a few steps backwards, and if you keep on walking down the road you’ll be OK, and … I tell you, back in the day, Michael Jackson might have been able to lead a Weight Watchers meeting or two.

So, as cheesy as it sounds, my Monday message to you all and to myself is that the road we’re walking might be long sometimes, but just keep on steppin’, ‘cause we’ll be just fine.

19 comments:

Mom23QTs said...

Don't give up! I know its frustrating when you don't lose the weight you're hoping to lose but you're doing great so far! I heard recently that the more variety you have in your diet the more you lose...maybe try to find some new food ideas! *hugs*

Miss July...not...yet said...

I am so with you. when I started this last year I was nursing and talk about a slow down w/loss...I think for me, I have to keep reminding myself that I am being Healthy and that is my ultimate goal. (although losing weight helps).

Kathy said...

I think sometimes we set very high expectations for the rate of weight loss we should see. When you think of all the complex processes that go on in our body and the body's own need for homeostasis, I think losing a pound a week is remarkable progress.

And if we all made the moves that Michael did back in the day, we'd all be in great shape!

Kate said...

I think as we all near our goals our weight loss slows down, which is your anything like me, you start to get antsy and want it now now now. Hang in there, we will get there together...that I promise!

Paul said...

I had wondered whether it would be less emotionally exhausting close to one's goal, and I guess this is my answer. I have kind of stalled at the half way point for me, and I'm getting tired of the whole affair.

I guess I'm still learning how to send myself positive messages! :>

P.S. - Thanks so much for your feedback on my charts. I almost didn't post, as I wondered if anyone would wanna see them. And in general, thanks for your encouraging words.

Tina said...

I love it! Thanks for the post.. I needed to read this. Detour. Ending. Soon.

JavaChick said...

It is hard, that's for sure. I know slow weight loss is good, but it's hard to stay motivated. I just have to keep telling myself that as long as I keep making the effort, I'm doing something good for myself. If I give up, I won't get anywhere.

Anonymous said...

It can be incredibly freustrating when you don't see what you want to see on that scale. But I have found thhat if I take things day by day, I feel better about it.

sauchagirl said...

That was a very positively motivational blog post. You have it in you to stay positive and you are so close. You are such an inspiration to others and that should help to bring you closer to your goal. Keep up the hard long journey. Your doing great!

Kristy said...

I agree completly that you need to be very positive and happy and I love this post especially the song... It is funny where you find motivation. I am watching for it all the time and it may be a quote at someones desk or in a magazine or even real life stories or people.

Your doing a great job and as people say any loss is a step in the right direction (also you may be building muscle, which weighs more, but takes up less space)... :)

Felicia said...

ACK now I have that song stuck in my head!! *doing the jive dance*

Well I think you are doing AWESOME and you inspire me daily to do better so not getting down on yourself ya hear!!

Have a SUPER rest of the week!
*huggles*
=0)

Heather said...

ohh I so hear you!! I am feeling that way as well. I am losing very little every week in comparison to what I was, and I cant help but feel depressed and discouraged. but you are right, it is about attitude and being positive, and I know we will make it to our goals, even if it takes a while!

MomOf4 said...

This is such an awesome post! And so true. It is easy to get discouraged. People can be very inspirational and at other times, they can bring you down hard. It is your own inner voice that will get you through. Ease on down that road! (I used to love MJ until he went nutso.)

Grumpy Chair said...

I love when I'm listening to a song and the lyrics seem to be speaking to me!

Interesting, though I couldn't read it without actually singing the song in my head.

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

Excellent post! Negative self talk is a total deal breaker when it comes to trying to get healthy. And all the things you're telling yourself are absolutely true(even if you're inner self is pouting in a corner, she's still listening).

And yeah, what grumpy chair said.. Im gonna be singing that song all night! thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

Hey! Dont give up! You are doing a great job and we all have those days. Feeling down and moody that all this weight loss thing is not working. BUT at the end, you need to know that everysingle day of your healthy habits is giving you a greater life. Keep it going! U can!!!

Nicole said...

Are you putting on muscle, maybe? Have you taken your measurements?

Anonymous said...

There seems to be a big focus this week on positive self-talk, which I think is great. I don't think there's anything more important.

You are so right, that slow losses (while incredibly frustrating!) are infinitely better in terms of maintaining. It's so hard to not see the scale move and concentrate on behaviors...but you are doing so well and are such an inspiration. Maybe you need some of my stars? :-) You'd have a lovely calendar, I know, because you are really very focused and strong.

I have found music very motivating, too...you want to talk about silly, I do my treadmill sessions to the High School Musical soundtrack! Cheesy as heck, but what's more motivating than "Get Your Head in the Game" or "Bop to the Top"? Silly, but it keeps me strong. :-) Whatever it takes, right?

Have a great week, you are doing wonderfully.

V.

Le Butterfly said...

Well done on the weightloss.

Cyber Claps