From over 50 board

I found this on the over 50 board. All right, let's take roll call. All of you who are perfectionists please take one step forward. Just as I thought - there are quite a few of you I see. My findings reveal that 51% of all overweight individuals have a serious problem with perfectionism regarding weight control. A perfectionist is someone who brings an unrealistic attitude to weight management and lifestyle change. They have an "all or nothing" mindset when it comes to managing their eating and health. Perfectionists expect the impossible of themselves. That is - to be perfect. The typical weight loss pattern for a perfectionist is once you vary from your program, even slightly, you abandon the whole thing. For example, let's say you have followed your program perfectly for a couple of weeks when, in a moment of weakness, you eat a piece of cake. Now, because you are a perfectionist you don't just chalk this up as a minor slip and get back on the program. Noooooo wayyyy! Being a perfectionist, you equate a minor slip with total failure. And since you have already failed, why not eat the rest of the cake and, of course, what's cake without ice cream. You see how this pattern develops? This is how perfectionistic thinking sabotages your best efforts at weight control. Since no one is perfect, this "all or nothing" mentality dooms you to failure before you even begin. When you equate a "minor slip" with total failure you have no chance of succeeding. Perfectionism in weight control is a built-in guarantee of failure. The antidote for perfectionism begins with awareness. Becoming aware that this is an issue for you is step one, and step two demands that you then learn how to incorporate some reality and flexibility into your program. So I ask you today...Are you a perfectionist? Does this fit you? Hazel

Hi Hazel, what a great post. We are constantly beating ourselves up for not being perfect. I know I have done that. I am officially going to be 50 on friday. What a milestone. Mona

Fifty is wonderful. Like fine wine, we just keep getting better. In case I forget, Happy Birthday. And yes it is a wonderful milestone. Hazel