Goals and Victories

We tend to see the accomplishments of others better than we see our own.  Maybe we're too close to ourselves to see the things we have achieved.  Maybe we're too busy living in the past, or to buried in emotional scar tissue... maybe we're just too hard on ourselves.  Even small victories, though, are important.  Those small victories add up, and eventually turn into leaps and bounds.  We might start by losing a pound or two a week... gain a pound one week, then lose a little more the next... we might plateau, feel too ill to go for a walk one evening....

Focusing on those events, though, would be like blowing an image on your computer up to 500% its original size.  You're seeing the pixels, and they really don't look so great - but when you zoom out and can see the lager picture, it really isn't bad at all.  We need to recognize that there are steps we need to take to achieve our goals, and consider each of those steps a victory, but not consider a slip or slide a failure, because we're still on the right path.

Since Hector's arrival, I've been a complete and total pig... or more aptly, I feel like I have.  I've strayed from eating every three hours, and am eating basically whatever he decides he wants... one day quesadillas, one day fake hamburgers... but every day carbs (carbs, carbs, carbs).  I've slipped... and I'm not entirely ok with that, but I accept that this is a process and that I am not perfect.

I've set some goals for myself for the week after Hector leaves:
1)  Return to healthy eating habits
2)  Contact PCP for assistance in seeing cardiologist before November
3)  Put all of my food journals into MFP and get them ready for the surgeon
4)  Determine whether I'm done with my pre-op in September or November
5)  Meet with surgeon (bariatric if September, orthopedist if November)
6)  Labs (I'm not sexually promiscuous, but I'm cautious and tested every 3 moths for everything)

Each of the things I have achieved on that list above is a victory for me... and it's something I will celebrate.  I allow myself to get excited and find a way to "reward" myself for the things I have accomplished, because being rewarded for achievements and not punished for slips and slides means I am more likely to achieve more and less likely to see a slip or slide as a failure.

So far, I have managed to recognize that my weight is a significant problem, seek guidance from my PCP, consult with a bariatric surgeon, determine the appropriate procedure for me, consult with two nutritionists, record several months of dietary intake, exercise regularly, relentlessly research my chosen procedure, undergo a psychological evaluation, establish appointments with the cardiologist and pulmonologist, seek out social support from like individuals, participate in mental health counseling to promote possibilities of success and minimize relapse in response to the opening of emotional baggage after my procedure, have all but three drops of my blood removed for lab work, began supplementation to improve healing and minimize potential nutritional deficiencies, consulted with an orthopedic surgeon about my ankle, and have (still) managed to lose a total of 6 pounds from my April 2012 weight (18 from my May weight... how I gained 12 pounds in less than a month is beyond me).

I have achieved remarkable things... each of them have put me one step further to regaining my life, and each of those things are worthy of celebration.  I don't celebrate with food anymore because that's unhealthy... but I celebrate by doing things I love.  I will play outside with sidewalk chalk, walk around the yard finding pretty rocks, color and make origami cranes....  


So, I'm curious.... what are your victories, how do you celebrate them or reward yourself to keep the victories coming, and what goals have you established for yourself in the following week or two?

 I gotta  say Hector sounds   wonderful....  and SO     addictive  .  LOve MEANS more calories    .... BURN them offf   the time tested way  .

I have TOTAL   confidence in U ....

 here   is MY post op victory   his name is Samuel..he was  a WONDERFULmodel

I forget to get onto this site because I'm a FB addict, but when I read your posts, I'm so glad it did. You are so eloquent and honest, things I respect very much. You are so right in that this is a journey. We are learning to change habits, looking at those deeper issues coved with scar tissue, layers of fat and fear, and sometimes paralyzing fear. The only way I want to be is honest with myself. I don't always do it, but it is a goal I have for my life.

Sorry...I'm a little distracted because we have the DNC. Biden is speaking now. I'm listening to it and trying to write and I don't think it's working well! LOL!

I wish you the very best and let me know if you would like to chat.

Small victories are victories. You just need to look ahead. We have to live in the real world and that means we are surrounded by temptations. I just read a blog post by Marc and Angel this morning that I think merits a read. It talks about the things we do to hold ourselves back. Keep on moving forward.  Here is the link to the post: http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/09/12/8-ways-youre-wasting- your-life/