I’m not quite sure why I decided to start a series on discipline back in April when I did not have a disciplined bone in my body. Perhaps I was hopeful that if I wrote about it, it would somehow rub off on me and I would shift it into high gear. NOT! I try not to allow myself to think about the “if only’s” in my life, but I can’t help but wonder “if only” I had followed my own advice over the course of the series, where would I be?
In closing out this series (six months later), my final thoughts on the topic center around the idea of flexibility or lack thereof. I am not as flexible as I would like to be. In fact I can be quite ridged in my thinking. There is no gray in my life, only black and white thinking for me. I am either focused or I am not. I am either on program or I am not. I am either committed or I am not. I know this is not a good way to be, and part of getting help is acknowledging your weakness, right? So that is what I am doing, no judgement please
I share this darker side of Stacey to drive home the fact that unless we discipline our disciplines, unless we loosen our grip on the reigns of our weight loss plan, and unless we allow ourselves to “go with the flow” at times, we are are in danger of sabotaging our efforts.
The weight loss journey is not a one size fits all. Sure the basic principles of eating less and moving more must be adhered to but how each person accomplishes this is totally up to them. The idea of disciplining your disciplines simply means to lighten up on yourself. Don’t be so hard on yourself and for goodness sake STOP trying to be “perfect”. As my old Weight Watchers leader used to say, “perfect is the enemy of good”. Allow your good to be good enough.
The “rules” of weight loss are there to be used as a guide, not to be followed to a tee or else. Where is the freedom in that? Where is the fun in that? As “lifestyle changes” are made in our lives, I believe it is important to allow ourselves some wiggle room. Allow the new habits to sink in without penalizing ourselves for eating an extra cookie because it wasn’t in the plan or thinking the gym police will be after us because we skipped a day. As was my experience last week, things happen, life happens, and when it does, it doesn’t mean you’ve messed up, it doesn’t mean you were bad. It simply means that you get another opportunity to make some better choices the next time.
It is my goal to enjoy this process all the way to my goal weight and beyond. If I begin to allow myself to get caught up in all the “rules”, my joy will undoubtedly be squashed, and my journey will come to a screeching halt, and I’m not having that.
My simple advice to both you and me is to respect the disciplines in your life and allow them to work in the depths of your consciousness so that they become a part of you and what you do, but not to overwhelm you to the point where they start to work against what you are trying to do. Sometimes too much of a good thing can become unpleasant and have the opposite affect from what was intended.
Debra Westbrook says
I really liked this. I am on Weight Watchers right now. Here is what I was thinking. I like it a lot but when ever anything becomes a law for me, I end up hating it. You made some great honest points and I loved your honesty. So how to live without weight loss being a law? I am praying a lot through that one.
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Debra!! Thanks so much for stopping by. I love Weight Watchers. It is the only plan that works for me (or maybe I should say, it is the only plan that I seem to be able to work through with success). I need to go back for the accountability and the camaraderie. Your question “how to live without weight loss being law”, has caused me to ponder I think I may do a follow-up post on that topic. I would love to hear about your success with Weight Watchers. Please keep me posted, and best of luck to you. We are in this together
Tamala says
Discipline… it’s amazing how you can be disciplined in one area of your life and not another I wish I had some words of wisdom with regard to weight loss but I have been flip flopping on my weight ever since I was 24 years old. I am at this point where I purchased a book… by Marianne Williamson on the spiritual laws that impact weight gain.. and the real reason why we emotional eat. I haven’t read it yet BUT I’m hoping it provides some answers. I feel like we definitely need to be disciplined when it comes to our weight loss goals but something else also has to click.
In any event… I’m happy your mind and body are in the right space for SUCCESS!! Cheers to you winning
Tamala recently posted…A Little Advice About Your Heart’s Desire
Stacey Strickler says
Tamala, girl you are not alone when it comes to flip flopping with weight loss. Please let me know if you gain any insight from reading Marianne Williamson’s book. I need all the help I can get Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. Cheers to winning!
Melly says
Discipline, my old foe. Lately, I have been feeling like there are so many areas in my life that I need to fix…it is rather overwhelming. I will remember to give myself a break and allow myself that wiggle room.
Melly recently posted…Ten Things That Running Has Taught Me About Life
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Melly! Thanks so much for stopping by. You are not alone about feeling overwhelmed. I too have a multitude of areas in my life where discipline is lacking. I’m hoping if I can develop the discipline muscle on my weight loss journey, that it will filter into the other areas. However, whatever the area, I like you will be sure to give myself a break when perfection eludes me
Kirsten says
I think we need to make up a new word for it and maybe then it will be easier discipline brings to mind punishment if not followed and we definitely don’t want to punish ourselves hmmm what can be our new word?
Kirsten recently posted…What’s Your Plan for the Holidays?
Stacey Strickler says
Hey Kirsten, I think you’re right…we definitely need a new word for discipline…one that evokes excitement, action, and fun! I’ll be thinking of one too and I’ll let you know what I come up with. Maybe we can come up with a phrase or mantra. Let’s keep it other posted!