Yes, as a child, we had a pygmy goat. We had multiple, in fact. They kinda looked like this:
But that's not the goat I'm talking about. I'm talking about one of the things that really gets me mad-angry-fired-up.
I was hanging out with friends earlier this week; friends I haven't seen for a few months. And before I saw them last, it was months and months. One lady was telling me that I looked good--well thanks!--and that what I did was pretty cool. That was a great compliment. But then it went downhill. I mean not "downhill" downhill, but it went to where I got frustrated on the inside. It continued like this:
SHE: But you're in your 20's right?
ME: Well yeah, just turned 30.
SHE: Yeah, but it's so much easier to lose weight in your 20's.
ME: I guess so. But I think it's hard to lose weight no matter how old you are...
SHE: Yeah, but I know your metabolism slows down as you age.
ME: That's what I've heard. But while it may be hard, it's still poss-
SHE: I mean, I know after I turned 30, I couldn't eat as much as I used to.
I don't want to relate the rest of my back and forth. But here's my deal. That's bull. I mean, yeah, it's true that people's metabolisms change over time. And yes it may be true that men have a higher metabolic average than women. And yes it's true that blah blah blah.
Seriously.
Losing 10 pounds takes a lot of effort.
Losing 40 pounds takes a lot effort.
Losing 100 pounds takes a lot of effort.
I truly think that any amount of weight to lose can be daunting. And if you can lose it and keep it off, you're awesome in my book! But if you make excuses based off your age or your sex or the amount of time you have in the day, well then I just lose patience. Everyone has obstacles. Everyone has something they'd rather do. It's not fun to exercise or eat healthy--it's not bad, though, and it certainly feels better!
Here's what I said to myself after my conversation, "Don't cheapen my accomplishments by saying they're easy; and don't make excuses for yourself for not living a healthy lifestyle."
You know what I'm saying?!
Friday:
15 minutes on elliptical
15 minutes on exercise back
15 minutes on stair stepper
50 pushups
50 situps
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
fast
Total:
60 minutes on elliptical
60 minutes on exersice bike
60 minutes on stair stepper
250 situps
250 push ups
5 60 second front planks
5 30 second side planks (each side)
4 miles ran
6 miles biked
prayed
read the bible
read my devotion
date with Anna
fast
Calorie Counts:
Sunday: 3,274 Calories
Monday: 2,192 Calories
Tuesday: 2,303 Calories
Wednesday: 2,211 Calories
Thursday: 1,692 Calories
Friday: 2,412 Calories
Average Daily Calories: 2,347 Calories
Posts
7 comments:
June 26, 2010 at 6:09 AM
Man Beej, I totally get what you are saying!
Excuses are useless!
So many people talk down someone else's accomplishments just because they haven't been able to accomplish the same thing. Has my metabolism slowed as I have aged? I don't know - perhaps. I know the first time I lost weight it was really, really easy. This time, not so much. You know what though, it doesn't matter. Every one of us are given a different hand to play. The game of cards is solitaire though, not Texas Hold 'em. We are only playing against ourselves.
A real big grrrr! from me on this one. People need to just own up and do what it takes. Easier said than done, but talking about it does nothing.
June 26, 2010 at 8:08 AM
Cute goat :p
Good for you not getting sucked into her negativity. I'm 37 and yes it is a bit harder but a bit not full on OMG i'm over 30 it's impossible. My WeightWatchers buddy is in her 40s she has lost 95 pounds, another friend is in her late 40s and has lost 75 so its bull, she would have had more success with the male/female argument but even then IT IS POSSIBLE. Don't sell yourself short and don't try to diminish someone else's accomplishments to feel better about not putting forth the effort yourself.
GRRRRR people like that annoy me. Personal responsibility is a fantastic thing and will lead to personal success.
June 26, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Steve, you're so right! And I love your Texas hold 'em vs solitaire comparison.
June 26, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Alison, your examples are perfect. Certain situations may make the loss slower or more difficult, but it's ALWAYS possible.
June 26, 2010 at 11:42 AM
I think you nailed where those comments were coming from. When people see your success, they for some reason feel it as an indictment on themselves for NOT doing what they can. So they tell a story for themselves about how hard it is, how it's so much easier for you, etc., to make themselves feel better.
The truth is there are ALL sorts of factors that affect how easily or quickly one might lose weight: age, metabolic rate, gender, health issues, lifestyle, allergies to food, etc. The bottom line, as you say is that losing weight is HARD, period. But hard and impossible are not the same thing.
The way I figure it, you can either start off with the woe-is-me mentality of "it's so hard" and "my metabolism sucks" and "it's easier for you" and you know what? That negative outlook will lead to negative results. Or, you can start out with faith that even if it's a little harder for you than for someone else, YOU CAN SUCCEED. And THAT mentality will lead to success.
June 26, 2010 at 11:48 AM
I love how you ended the conversation. Your weight loss is awesome and you worked for every single ounce of it.
June 26, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Those them're fighting words.
Good job Beej! You worked very hard. I love how you thought things through and didn't question your hard work.
Loved what seattlerunnergirl said it reminds me of a book I just read by Ali Vincent, "You can collect success or collect excuses."
Post a Comment