One Good Day

Sometimes when I'm struggling with my Weight Watchers resolve, I resolve to be perfect with my efforts for "the next week". Well, I'm not perfect, so inevitably this fails, and I'm consequently disappointed in myself and ultimately the situation is not made better by my valiant effort to have a perfect week on the program. We talked about this sort of negative thinking several months ago in the meeting room. This "All or Nothing" thinking is a recipe for disaster. None of us are perfect- and if we set ourselves up with that expectation and then don't achieve (which we won't- let me remind you again: NOBODY is perfect), we are consequently frustrated and can all too easily turn to undesired responses: overeating, giving up, pulling our hair out- you name it...

This particular aspect of the Weight Watchers philosophy if you will has taken me several years to actualize. In fact- I'm still working on it. Last week, as a leader, I heard myself saying to myself "C'mon Braelin, you're a leader after all- you should be a perfect Weight Watchers example!". No sooner had I said this, some sort of bizzaro flip switched in my head and it became that much more difficult to stick to my POINTs, to workout, to get in my Good Health Guidlines, etc. Really!

Here's what's happening when we strive for perfection (or at least when I'm doing it...): Our smart selves know that we can't be perfect, so we may subconsciously use this as an excuse to sabotage our efforts all together. Afterall, we think to ourselves in the subconscious, "I'm not going to achieve this unrealistic goal, so why not just blow it right this very second (and with a fist-full of chocolate chips at that!??)." Doh!

What I realized over the weekend (and do know that I've been thinking on this for some time...) is that it only takes 1 good day to get me back on the wagon. I truly do not need to be perfect for a week in order to get back on course. However, if I have one really good day on the program, this provides me with the momentum I need to move forward in a positive- yet not perfect-direction.

So yesterday I had a really good day on the program. You know, having a goal for a really good day is attainable, sustainable, and feels really great when accomplished. Hmmm... these are the same traits that I suggest members strive for when setting their weight goals. In any case, I did it! I had one good day. Now I have the motivation to have another good day, because I know- and really believe- that it can be done. So here's to another good day, and another one the day after that, and yet another one after that. You see where I'm going here?

What does this small realization mean for me? Gone are my moments of striving for lengthy periods of perfection. The next time that I'm faltering and need some additional "umph" by stating my commitment to the Weight Watchers program, I'm going to commit to having "one good day". That's it! I can do that! I truly think that this seemingly small shift will have a significant impact on my overall well being and will allow my success to shine through- in all of its slightly tarnished imperfect glory.

Make today one good day on your end too!