My Optimal Health Journey

This morning I stepped on the scale for my regular once a week weight check. I looked at the number, then stepped off the scale and back on it several times hoping for a different result. I know I’m not alone in doing this with weight scales. For six weeks now, I’ve been seeing 2-3 lbs. or more lost each week. I wasn’t completely off my program last week or below the line. So, I was truly disappointed when I saw the scale clearly say only one pound lost this week. I felt dejected and defeated. I was faced with a fork in the path, similar to the picture I selected for this post, with a choice. The old Tony would have given in to that sense of feeling defeated and went out and got some hot fresh Krispy Kreme donuts to self-medicate away the sadness and disappointment.

But the new Tony who is working on mindset changes that will sustain weight loss and optimal health chose a different path and perspective. One pound lost may not be much, but it is still going in the right direction I want to go. I didn’t gain any weight, which is a good thing. And if I’m honest with myself, was I perfect last week on my program without a single deviation? The answer is a resounding no, I wasn’t perfect. None of us are perfect. And there are going to always be some bad days, even weeks. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I love to quote favorite TV shows and movies, often because the writers and characters have such amazing lines that fit perfectly for a real-life situation. In this case, I’m reminded of the quote from one of my favorite guest characters on the TV show Designing Women, Miss Minnie, a centenarian, “Everybody has troubles, and as the saying goes: ain’t nobody nowhere living no dream life” (Bloodworth-Thomason, 1990).

That quote reminds me of the mantra I live by now, progress not perfection. Could I do something different and better going forward into the new week? Absolutely, I have a fresh start to do differently, adjust, and continue working towards my goals. Nobody is perfect, and no individual day or week is going to be perfect. But I can be happy, present, and fully enjoy each new day given as the opportunity it is to make good choices, work towards my goals and passions, and be healthy and thrive. And that’s what I choose to focus on today. There are many physiological reasons why I may not have lost more than a pound this week. I won’t be too harsh on myself or overly critical. And even though I only lost one pound this week, I have lost a total of 28 pounds in the past seven weeks! Something to celebrate and keep in perspective. I know what works in my program, and I’m focused on all the elements I need to continue my health journey successfully. I will adjust and fine tune each day to do the best I can towards my optimal health goals. So, even with only one pound lost today, I’m celebrating because my win is that I didn’t give in and run out to Krispy Kreme to self-medicate with donuts. And in my book that is progress to celebrate! What is your health journey story? I’d love to hear some of the challenges, mindset shifts, and wins others are having as well. Drop a message in the comments anytime and reach out to connect. Community is so important to any transformation journey, especially a health transformation journey. I have a phenomenal community in my optimal health journey. And I’d love to welcome new friends to come together as a community encouraging and supporting each other in our health journeys. Wishing you all a happy journey to your optimal health

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