When you start any kind of diet or weight-loss program around the first of January, you tend to stay very strong for the first month.
The second one can be a little tougher, but you probably pulled yourself together and stayed with it.
But for some reason, the last week in February is when dieters begin to falter.Maybe you’re just tired of doing your program day after day. Perhaps you’ve had a few setbacks that are starting to wear you down.
Your exercise program that was so strong, perhaps even daily, seems to be weakening as well. Sometimes you realize it’s been almost a week since you did any exercise.
It seems that real life has gotten in the way of a lot of things, and your exercise program is a victim of your schedule or your stress.
So now what? Do you just give up and let go of all of your wonderful goals and intentions?
NO! Do. Not. Give. Up.
If you’ve been struggling lately, view it as a setback, not the end of the world. And the great thing about a setback is that you can make it temporary.
After a short rest and getting rejuvenated, you can jump right back on your program and make it work.
It all comes down to the difference between being “interested” or “committed” to your program.
My setback and recovery
Over the two years when I was working on my master’s degree, I had to drive an hour and a half each way to my evening and weekend classes. I was also working long hours as a hospital nurse, which often left me tired.
But I was determined to get my degree, so I stayed up late a lot of nights, writing research papers and studying for exams.
Not that it was easy. I’m a fairly good student, but I found the challenge of handling both work and school to be exhausting. At times, I doubted my ability to finish the degree and wondered why I was even attempting to do it.
One semester, I registered for a weekend class that was scheduled to meet all day Saturday and Sunday, then repeated the same schedule two weeks later.
On Friday before the first session, as I began gathering my textbooks and notepads, I realized I felt totally overwhelmed and almost sick with exhaustion.
As I continued to prepare, I found myself thinking, “I can’t do this! I’m so tired, and I just can’t face the weekend.”
The class was an important one, and I knew I’d feel very disappointed if I missed it. But as the day went on, I became more anxious about how I’d ever be able to make it through the class.
Finally, I built up my courage and called the professor.
As soon as she answered the phone, I started to cry. “I just can’t do this!” I sobbed. “I’m physically and emotionally exhausted, and even though I need this class, I can’t imagine how to push myself through my fatigue and attend the entire weekend.”
“Then don’t,” she said.
I wasn’t sure I’d heard her right. I’d expected a pep talk where she’d tell me to buck up and do what was required to get my degree.
But in her warm, gentle style, she continued, “Linda, I know you’re committed to getting your degree and missing this class won’t change that.
“So instead of forcing yourself to go this weekend, I want you to relax and take care of yourself. Eventually, you’ll have to replace it with some other course, but right now, you need to let go of your high expectations and allow some time for renewal.
“View this setback as a gift, and let it strengthen, not weaken your commitment to getting your degree.”
What an interesting idea! Using a setback as a way to strengthen commitment!
During that weekend, I spent time thinking about all the reasons WHY I was taking classes and writing papers. I pictured the excitement I would feel when I walked across the stage at graduation and received my degree.
Over time, that vision grew stronger, and it sustained me through the hard months of completing my studies.
And when my degree was placed in my hands, I knew it was because I had stayed committed, even during the setbacks.
Handling setbacks
In your weight-loss or maintenance efforts, take a close look at how you handle the setbacks.
If you haven’t already done this, write a list of at least ten reasons WHY you want to lose weight. Or pull out a list you’ve written before and review it.
Build a vision of the outcome you want, and this week, march forward, confident that you will continue to stay committed to achieving your goals.