Perspective
A few days ago, when Tia asked me about my weight-loss journey, I realized I have not updated in this space for a while. And it got me thinking, why not?
Here’s why not: I’ve plateaued. At first, it was amazing to see the weight disappear. Changing my eating habits was much needed. Having workout goals that I would’ve done anyway (running in races) led me to greater focus towards that weight loss goal. I was seeing results. Feeling good.
I had high hopes of achieving my goal.
And then I hit that magical plateau. I’ve heard about them before. And it’s not that I thought I was immune. I just didn’t think about it at all. I figured if I stayed focused, I’d hit my goal.
The problem was, I lost my focus.
It’s been months now where I lose a few pounds and gain them right back. I’m hovering around 10 pounds heavier than my goal weight. I’ve gotten discouraged, which further distracts me from my goal. I’m grumpy when I go for weigh-ins and skeptical when my food counselor offers me support and advice.
I need a change.
The other week, my food counselor asked me whether I needed to change my goal weight to be my current weight. Essentially, she was asking whether I needed to change my perspective. You see, if my current weight was my goal weight, I wouldn’t have more work to do. That means, I wouldn’t be discouraged. I wouldn’t be distracted. I’d be maintaining my goal weight, which is actually a really good thing.
I shook off that question. To me, that’s failing. I don’t want to stop at my current weight. I really do want to lose that next 10 pounds. But, the question is how? And when?
I need to focus on a strategy to achieve my goal.
After a little thought, I came up with the following steps. Objectives. Goals.
In March, I’m kicking off the running season with a 5-mile race in Chicago. It’s a pre-cursor to a 10-mile race I will run in May. Both of which are leading up to at least 2 half marathons I want to run this summer and fall. My athletic focus will be my running, with a dose of yoga and a dose of weights.
As of May this year, I will have been following the Jenny Craig program for a year. By that time, I want to have resigned from the program. Or resign from the program as I know it (i.e., maybe eat a few of their meals each week, but be mostly in charge of planning/cooking my own meals).
And as far as that weight loss thing goes. I am going to focus on eating right. Eating proportionately. Exercising in ways that bring me enjoyment. Being active. At the end of the day, if I lose that extra 10 pounds, I will consider it a success. But, if I stay just where I am and still feel healthy, then I will not consider it a failure. I will consider it a changed perspective.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I like the idea of changing perspective. I am constantly changing my fitness and “weight” goals to fit in with where I am. So basically, I DO make goals, but when I don’t meet them, I re-adjust, like you are. Training will tone you up for sure. Ha! Just make sure you don’t get too hungry. I am starting to be hungry all the time from exercising. Not sure if I should cut back on exercising, because that may be easier than trying to eat more without eating too much.
Which halves (and races)are you doing? I am doing one 5/1 in Kenosha (hopefully ($$$)). Shall we have our running date in Feb.?
(P.S. Someone is sending me some yoga DVDs to try! Yay. But it’s no HOT yoga. Is that still what you are doing?)
January 7th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Sometimes a little change in perspective is a good thing, New Year or not! I have adjusted my goal weight a few times mostly based on the way my clothes fit me and how I feel.
Kudos to you for being ready to resign from the program and cook everything on your own; that’s a huge step!
And I am definitely considering the May 10 mile run… I will keep you posted =)
January 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Weight is a universal struggle. Actually, maybe body image is the universal struggle, but weight loss is really freaking hard. Good luck. Making the adjustment to cooking your own food should be exciting.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:24 am
We resolved to start cooking our own food for new year’s and I was actually concerned it might make me gain MORE weight – at least in the store you can see all the fat content and calories right there on the label! I’m about 10 lbs more than I’d like to be, too – and I’m going to start exercising this year. I spent all of last year moaning about how I wished I could lose the pounds and not doing much about it and so this year I’m going to start little and do some strengthening first before moving onto cardio. I have so much respect for anyone who can stick to a diet program, so a big high five to you for doing it for so long, and I wish you all the luck in the world in the transition! :)
January 7th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Weight is such a tricky thing and I’m pretty sure it affects us all. I really try to focus on how comfortable I am with myself and not the number (I actually rarely ever weigh myself). If you know what you want (as in your goal) then definitely stick to it until you are happy that you have achieved it.
I’m guessing maybe winter has had a bit of an affect because it really does make one slow down with all the lovely arctic blasts and snow. Or maybe that’s just me?
January 7th, 2010 at 9:40 am
That is really interesting that your food counselor asked if you wanted to change your goal. i would have had the same reaction as you did, “Change my GOAL? no, that’s failure”, but it IS an interesting concept when you think about it. You HAVE progressed and to me, failure is not progressing in life, and other things. hmmmmm, something to think about, for sure.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I woke up a few days after my birthday and laid in bed contemplating turning 40 in three years. And for the first time, wanted to know that when I hit that age, I didn’t want to be the sedentary and slightly overweight woman that I am. I’ve ignored it for a long time because frankly – I’ve had much more important things on my plate. But. What I came up with is that it has nothing to do with weighing less in my mind. It has everything to do with being healthy for the long haul. And that has helped me put my weight loss in perspective.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:43 am
It can be discouraging to be in the plateau, but re-focusing your energy on making different goals. Learning how to cook healthy will be a great thing because you can have a creative outlook and experiment.
Good luck!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:45 am
i think that as long as you’re enjoying what you’re doing, being active, and having fun, that’s what really matters. i think you look GREAT, by the way. but i know how it feels to want to lose those last ten, five, three pounds. but it’s true, it does make a difference where your perspective is on the whole thing.
you get me so excited by the way, with your race talk! you’ve motivated me to get back to my running blog. just because im not actively training for a race right now, doesn’t mean i can’t still blog about my running and fitness and what not. did you already sign up for the march and may races? im doing a half in may as well… on my way to chicago! woooo!
January 7th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I’ve made some goals as to what weight I want to be and when I would like to be that weight, but my top priority is to get in shape. The weight loss I want will happen along the way. I think the change of perspective is what each person needs to do in order to continue down the path of reaching their goals.
5 and 10 miles runs sound great. Can’t wait to read about them.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:37 am
weight plateaus are no fun. but the good thing is I firmly believe that no matter what the scale says, you can change the shape and tone of your body and be healthy. That kind of happened to me. I got a lot more toned and my cardio really improved, but the scale is exactly the same. No better, no worse.
BTW, I almost said, “good luck with the runs!” ha ha. that didn’t quite come out right. lol ha ha ha. come out right! man i crack myself up. :)
January 7th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Plateau’s are difficult and a change of perspective is sometimes needed. Maybe you haven’t reached that last goal weight yet, but if you’re feeling more fit and healhier, I think that is incredibly successful! Your new goals sound very realisitic and I am sure you will reach them all.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:09 am
I’m stuck in a similar rut and need to blog about my revised goals. Ten pounds is not that much in the grand scheme but I understand that when it’s your own ten pounds it can be distressing and upsetting. I think your new goals are great and I have every confidence you are going to achieve success.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Ah, the dreaded plateau. I love the new perspective. It’s so easy to consider everything other than the lowest goal weight to be failure, and disregard all the successes that you’ve had along the way. So glad you’ve decided to avoid that trap.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
This is great. My perspective on exercise has changed recently, too. Before it seemed like such a chore, something I HAD to do. And whenever I HAVE to do something, I really don’t wanna do it and usually don’t. Now, I just think to myself, “If I work out today, I will feel/look better. If I don’t, I won’t. Decide.” So it’s a conscious decision to be healthier, every day.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I like the way you are going about this and can NOT wait until I am battling the last 10 pounds, because honestly, I have no idea how that feels.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I don’t always think weight is a good way of measuring things – because as you work out, you gain muscle and that can make you weigh more. So maybe you’re at your “goal size” or “goal fitness level” but not the weight you thought you should be. Could that be a possibility? I try not to weigh myself often – I just pay attention to how things fit and how I look and feel. Your strategy sounds great, regardless. What half marathons are you doing this year? Two is mighty impressive!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
What does the lady in the Wii TV say about your current BMI and weight? Talk about a change of perspective: I have always been the “weakling” between the hubs and I – he’s strong, me – not so much ;) I think he has more agility than I do, physically, as I tend to tire easily. However, the lady in the Wii screen, much to my dismay, told me that I need to gain 12 pounds (haha – really?), and that I have excellent posture (this is especially ironic since I have mild scoliosis!). On the other hand, the Wii lady told the hubs that he needs to loose 30 (really?!) pounds and that his posture sucks. We are both a little floored by this since we have always figured he is the “stronger” and “fitter” one. That said, our perspective has changed, too – while I could work on my agility and weight training, the hubs is now working on his balance and weight.
In the words of Michael Scott (The Office)… “My how the turn tables have…. turned…?!”
I am really impressed with how dedicated you are in your goal! I mean, you are running races around the average gal, literally! This time of year finds many people talking about weight loss and working out – but you have been running that route for almost a year non-stop! You go, girl!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I’m at the start of my very own journey, and I know that perspective has to shift throughout—or else we would go crazy. Congrats on your success so far—very impressive!
January 7th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
What about changing up your form of exercise? When I feel like I’ve plateaued, that often works. Maybe swim instead of run? (I’m currently running instead of swimming.)
January 7th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I totally understanding hitting the plateau. I’ve been lingering there for a while. I need to focus on not getting back in bad routines, exercise and food wise. Lately the latter has been a bigger challenge. We’ll both get back on track!
January 7th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I think it’s great you aren’t changing your goals just because you’ve hit a plateau. I know you’ll figure out how to get past it and accomplish what you set out to do.
And if you’re looking for a good half (or full!) you should come up to the mitten and run in Detroit!
January 8th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
I love the way you’re tackling this! I’m working on running now that we have a treadmill, and next month I’m going vegan to see what that’s like. I’m totally scared and excited, but it turns out that I own more vegan cookbooks than vegetarian ones lol
Mister is training for a half marathon though, I’m excited to see how it goes- it might encourage me to try this kind of a 5 mile race goal myself!