One of my favorite expressions is “It is what it is”. This reminds me that not all things are in my control, and it helps me to stop stressing over those things which are not. It’s my reality check so to speak.
When it comes to my weight…it is what it is…and while I’m working to make it better or improve it…the reality is that I may never see my high school weight again. And why would I want to? To be honest, I’ve never had the body of a “twenty-year old”, but even if I did, that Stacey is no more.
With age comes change – change in how we think, change in how we see the world and ourselves in it, and change in how we look (for better or for worse). Whatever the case may be, my job is to embrace it and accept “what is”. The following reminders keep me grounded and disciplined to accept “what is” in my life:
Stop Beating Myself Up – Regardless of what number appears on that scale each time I step on it, I must remind myself to be gentle with myself. I have to pretend sometimes I’m consoling a friend, because I would never be as hard on a friend as I am on myself. The number is “what it is”. Sometimes it accurately reflects my actions during the course of a week and sometimes it doesn’t. And although it is what it is, it DOES NOT define who I am!
Rid Myself Of “If Only” Thinking – If only I had gone to the gym. If only I hadn’t had that piece of pie. If only I had gotten up when the alarm went off to hit the pavement. “If only” thinking creates limiting thought patterns that make us feel that nothing we have or do is ever good enough. Regardless of whether we do or we don’t (fill in the blank)…it is what it is AND we are good enough RIGHT NOW!
It Is What It Is Until It Becomes Something Else – Whatever “it is” in our lives right now, will not always be the situation. Things change. If weight loss is your goal as it is mine, it will one day be our reality as we continue to work towards that end. But until then, there’s no use in stressing over “what is” on our way to what we want. Does that make sense?
Regardless of whatever your goal and desired outcome is, you will ultimately begin to succeed when you surrender to “what is”, pick your battleground and begin to fight. Live your reality one day at a time because “it is what it is” and what it is changes from day to day. Embrace it!
Your Turn To Share
What situation, as it relates to your weight, must you accept as “it is what it is”?
Penny McDaniel says
It is what it is! Sometimes what is, is what is supposed to be, too. These are wonderful words of wisdom! I do my best to maintain a healthy weight, but I also realize that I’m getting older and gravity is taking over…and it’s perfectly okay! I love myself the way I am!
Penny McDaniel recently posted…Finding Your Focus
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Penny! I love your attitude and I feel the same way. My body may not be all that I would like it to be, but it’s mine, it’s strong, and I love and accept it now as I continue to work on making it better! Thanks for sharing!
Ray says
It is what is and I for one realize and know all to well I am never heading back to a high school weighted version of me. However, I do still need to get my weight down for a little bit more healthy me. Progress is being made. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ray recently posted…What the Linux Desktop Needs
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Ray! Thanks for joining the conversation. Progress not perfection is my personal goal. Progress is always a good thing…keep going
Gary E. Weller says
Indeed!
I think you’ve hit upon the most important parts of achieving any goal. It does take small steps and as you say, “it is what it is until it’s something else.”
Keep on reaching!
Gary E. Weller recently posted…Haiku Thursday: Waking
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Gary! I’m so glad you stopped by. I am taking this journey one day and one step at time. I will definitely keep reaching. Thank you for the encouragement!
Kathy Widenhouse says
What a great expression — one that allows us to face reality and move on. Thanks for the wisdom!
Kathy Widenhouse recently posted…Aug 8, What Kinds of Newsletter Articles Should You Write?
Stacey Strickler says
Hi Kathy, so glad you enjoyed the post. Facing reality and keeping it moving has been my personal motto on this journey. Thanks so much for stopping by and joining in on the conversation.
Keisha Broomes says
It is what it is. I’ve definitely had to use this phrase when accepting my body type. I always wanted to be long, lean, and naturally thin. My mother and niece have that body type. Instead, I’m curvy and even when I lose weight I have a firm, curvy, muscular body type more than a thin willowy one. But this is the body that I was given, and I’m determined that I’m going to thank God for the fact that I can run, swim, jump, step, and dance with vigorous energy.
Keisha Broomes recently posted…Inverted Rows, Walking Lunges, Salmon, Quinoa, and the Trouble with Resistance
Stacey Strickler says
Keisha, I honestly think acceptance is half the battle. When we give up on unrealistic expectations and stop striving for elusive perfection, that’s when real progress begins to take place. Our word for the rest of the year is self-acceptance.
Lynn White says
Stacey this is an excellent post and applies to so many aspects in out lives. “It is what it is” has always been a favorite of mine as well. Spending time on what coulda, shoulda, woulda, takes us away from what is and what is to come. You can’t see what is in front of you when you are looking behind you. I am a slight control freak so letting go has always been difficult-I may have gotten to travel a less difficult road in some areas of my life-if I would let go, but I also would not have had the success I have without that difficult road. It’s all about perspective. I for one choose to join your outlook and keep moving forward!
Lynn White recently posted…Design Project: I Love Scarves
Stacey Strickler says
Lynn!!!!! Thanks for stopping by. You’re so right about this concept applying to other aspects of our lives. “It is what it is” helps us to appreciate where we are and what we’ve accomplished up to this point, on the way to where we’re going. I agree with you. It is all about perspective and I, like you am committing to keeping it moving