How many times have we all been there!
It got me thinking: Why are we so hard on ourselves? I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to downplaying my achievements and focussing on where I fall short. I think women are more susceptible to doing this - after all, we set such lofty goals for ourselves.
If you listen to societal expectations, we are meant to be successful in our careers, lifting up our friends and family when relied on, perfect wives, loving mothers, eternally patient, a sexpot between the sheets, well groomed, and ever smiling, all while maintaining a spotless house, running the household like a well oiled machine, able to fix anything from owies to holes in socks and be able to whip up a dinner for 8 at a moments notice when visitors descend unexpectedly.
Wow! No wonder we are tired!
Yet we are also meant to miraculously find the time to make for ourselves to pursue hobbies, a healthy lifestyle and maintain our sanity!
My friend did the right thing by reaching out to those around her. There are many times when we feel that putting our hand up and saying "I'm not doing so well, please help" could be perceived as Failure. How many times can you recall being stretched to the limit with a million things jammed into your day and someone comes along, offering help, and you catch yourself saying "No thanks, I'm fine. I've got it under control" when you are close to ripping your hair out.
We want to seem on top of it. We want to do it ourselves. And when things go wrong and we look back, we wonder how we ever thought that we could manage alone.
Weight loss can be like this. There is no shame in asking for a leg-up at times. Sometimes it can be as simple as saying the words out loud and verbalising how you feel. If this doesnt do the trick, an empathic supportive ear can do wonders for our peace of mind. Just knowing that there is someone in your corner, backing you, can really help. At times when we struggle to believe in ourselves, knowing someone else believes in us can be all we need to get through.
Take stock. Next time you give yourself a telling off for sliding off track over the last days or weeks, think back to the start of your journey. Focus on all the good days and weeks that you have had. Look at your achievements. Remember when you thought you couldnt get through the day without a full-fat Mocha Latte and its now been 3 months since you had one.
Look at how much exercise you get now, how much better you feel for it. Your clothes are smaller and you have become someones inspiration because of your commitment to yourself.
A bad day or a bad week does not a failure make. Giving up because you slipped is not going to help anyone.
And if you hadnt started this journey, where would you be now? Same weight as you started? Maybe more?
Give yourself permission to feel proud of yourself. You made the decision to look after yourself, feel better and look better. Focus on how far you have come instead of how far you have to go, and dont let negative self talk beat you.
Chances are that you are inspiring someone without even knowing it, and you owe it to yourself to keep going.
Fight the good fight, pick yourself up and climb back on the wagon. You deserve it.
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