Now that we’re into the second week of January, many of us are heading back to the office.
So, let me ask you a question…
“How’d that glance go?”
You know the one. That furtive one in the full length mirror as you dashed out the door.
Did it confirm your worst fears….that your New Year’s weight loss resolution has failed, yet again?
If you told the reflection, “A few extra kilos isn’t really that bad,” you’re not alone.
According to the research, 4 out of 5 good folk have ditched their NY’s resolutions by mid-January.
Goodbye resolution. Hello frustration.
Grrrrr.
If your NY’s resolution has the wobbles…
The good news is it ain’t over.
You can get back on track. You can stay in the game. Your resolution just needs re-ignition.
Right here, right now.
Are you up for that?
Good.
All you need to remember is this:
It’s about progress not perfection
Repeat after me…..
“It’s about progress not perfection.”
Weight loss is ALL about subtle shifts which gather momentum and create radical change over time. It’s about staying in the game.
That’s it.
I know, I know… it does sound a wee bit dull. I hear you. You’re impatient for change. I get that.
You want your svelte reflection, now. You’d like your jeans to fit, right now. You want those wobbly bits gone, like yesterday.
Good on you, I love your enthusiasm!!!
And, by focusing your attention on progress – not perfection – you’ll achieve your weight loss. Promise.
The imperfections of perfection
We are sold this lofty ideal of perfection. Advertising, media, and society constantly extol the virtues of perfection. The result? We’re seduced into needing to do everything, well, perfectly.
And, if we perceive we’re ‘imperfect’, then we’ve ‘failed’.
Perfection is an illusion, and a major, major, major trip-hazard if you want to lose weight.
It’s the ‘perfect’ way to unconsciously sabotage yourself and take yourself out of the game.
For example, when a perfectionist eats one biscuit, the perfectionist monster takes over screaming, “You’ve totally blown it now, you may as well scoff the entire packet… in fact, why not eat EVERYTHING in the pantry….since you’re clearly no longer perfect, right?”
A non-food perfection example from my life
Before I hit publish every week on these blog updates, my very own perfection monster rears its not so pretty head with gems like, “Just who do you think you are helping women lose weight – it’s not like you’re perfect?!!!”
Or, “You’re no JK Rowling – how dare you pollute the ether with these words??!!!”
I think you get the picture ; )
If I allowed myself to focus on the need for perfection, I’d never have the courage to hit publish. But when I focus on progress, I feel confident enough to take the next step, whatever that is.
And so will you.
So, darling, you now know how to master the moments when the perfection monster kicks in. Simply bring your attention back to progress not perfection and stay in the game.
Re-ignite your weight loss resolution. Imperfectly. Now.
Progressive love etc, Avril
PS: Speaking as a reformed perfectionist, if you feel you might have unconscious tendencies which cause you to self-sabotage – perfectionism or procrastination, for example – and you’re ready to lose weight now, let’s talk. I’m here to help you ignite your thinner sparkle.
