I technically started a (most recent) weight loss journey 77 days ago. Tracy and I laid out a 12-week plan to lose 10 lbs. I’m now 7 days away from that 12 week goal, and have been stuck at 8.4 lbs for a some time now. The past 11 weeks have been fraught with frustration, plateaus, successes and (dramatic pause…) advice.
It seems every step I’ve taken, there’s been someone to tell me how to do it better, different, or not at all. Despite flaring knee pain (from previous knee surgery) a coworker harassed me for taking the elevator. I was moving along just fine with my low calorie diet when any one of a few people told me that it’s not enough – I need to add whole grain, eggs, omega-3s, etc. Some people would say, “Eat whatever you want, just in moderation,” while others told me to stick to a strict diet without cheating.
It’s simply maddening. Some days I feel like I can’t take two steps without someone pointing out that one of those steps was a misstep. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been telling someone about my diet and they provide their unsolicited, “Well you’re not supposed to….” And it all makes me wish I hadn’t told anyone about my attempts to lose weight. It makes me wish I could keep it all private and to myself like I have in the past…
But then I remind myself that the past is full of failed attempts.
Having friends, family and coworkers on my side means that when I’m out with my family, they are keeping a watchful (loving) eye on what I eat. It means I have a coworker to prepare heaping salads with – where we both bring our favorite toppings. It means I have a friend getting me to the gym and pushing me to work out harder.
It means on the days when I don’t feel accountable to myself, someone else is holding me accountable.
The words, “You know what you should do…,” still grate on my nerves… and I will forever wish people would bite their tongue on their unsolicited advice, but I’m learning to take it in stride. Even if their advice is the most annoying, frustrating or discouraging thing to hear in that moment, I know it’s well intended.
I wish you the best of luck with your goal. I completely understand everything you’re going through and are about to go through. It’s hard, but it will def. be worth it.
Thanks! Love the encouragement
I find the same thing with advice. Don’t eat milk, eggs, or dairy. You have to eat dairy. You should only eat three meals a day. You should eat six small meals a day. Eat fruit. Don’t eat fruit. It’s confusing to figure out what the latest healthy guidelines are. My only advice (and take it with a grain of salt) is to read a lot, come up with a plan that you think will work for you, and tweak it as necessary. Ultimately, you have to decide what is sustainable for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Good luck!
[...] about advice (again). Advice has continually challenged me throughout this journey. From being overwhelming to annoying, I’m admittedly stubborn and just have to do things my own way. That’s not [...]