Monday, March 29, 2010

What I don't see...

Yesterday I was talking to a friend about my weight.  HE brought it up.  I don't mind since he is also trying to lose a little weight.  I told him I was frustrated because the scale wasn't moving and I still struggle to get into my Levi's.  HE said, "I can tell you have been working out.  I can see that you look like you are losing weight.  Even if your scale isn't moving. I can see some changes."

This made me realize something - when I look in the mirror I don't see the changes because I am used to what I have looked like for the last few years, and if the scale isn't moving I must not be changing. Right?  Wrong.  Apparently, it is showing in my face, my arms, and a little around my waist.  Now the scale just needs to catch up.

While it is not always comfortable to talk to a man about weight our little chat motivated me.  Not because it was negative - it wasn't - but because it was positive.  Someone can see something about me that I don't see and what I don't see is the good that is happening to me because of the healthier choices I am making.

5 comments:

Megan said...

I hope you are keeping track of your inches--inches tell the story, not the scale! When I am losing weight its the inches that keep me going! The last time I was successful at losing weight, I lost about 20 lbs in five months. I kept it up for another six months--never lost any more pounds. But I kept losing inches. I went from a 12 to a 10 without losing weight, just inches! 41 in all! So keep track of that--it will keep you going! Now I gotta start doing something about my OWN weight which is once again out of control...Grrr...

Amy said...

Thank you, Megan, for the reminder.

About once a month I have been having my sister come over to do my measurements. This month, I was too disappointed in what I wasn't seeing that I didn't. I think I will this week and see what the tape measure says.

just call me jo said...

With the grandkids here I just eat all their scraps and eat because I'm nervous. I'll have to start over once they go home. I was doing better until that. It's a constant struggle. Glad you can feel some inspiration with the inches. I NEVER measure...too afraid.

Katie said...

I can so relate to this. What you described is how I feel a lot of the time. I don't see the difference even when I work hard. But, I do feel better and that's worth a lot too.

Cynthia said...

I think the other problem we have is all or nothing thinking. As we both know, I have a lot of weight to lose. If I look at the total, it's too overwhelming. Last year I lost 35 lbs. Unfortunately, I've found 8 of those pounds again but as soon as my life calms down, I'll start working my way down again.

Even though I only lost 1/3 of the weight I need to lose, there are still big changes if I chose to focus on those. My cholesterol went from 199 (200 is high) down to 151- normal. My bad cholesterol went from 250 down to 125- cut in HALF. All of that from only losing SOME of the weight.

Take your time and learn to be content with the small changes because it's making those changes that helps you KEEP the weight off. I'm glad others are noticing your efforts. That's awesome!