When I was in elementary school, we didn’t have school counselors. But someone must have got a grant or something, because there was a lady who came and I made the trek from my classroom–possibly fifth grade? I don’t recall–to the other end of the school to the library to talk to a stranger.
I was a trusting soul then. I talked. I remember we talked about my being “pudgy.” We talked about what I could do about it. I remember saying I supposed I could eat more salads or something. She asked what salad dressings I liked. Being a child, I said Ranch.
“Oh no,” she said. “You have to go with one of the low-calorie ones. Italian, or vinegar and oil.”
I didn’t eat one salad.
Some twenty years ago, I was talking to some guy. A friend had tried to hook us up, so he called me and we were talking, and I, being an honest person, answered with the truth when he asked about my appearance. Suddenly any chance of dating was out the window, and he was giving me fitness advice. Stir-fries weren’t good enough, he explained. That TB of canola oil in the pan before I added lean chicken and veggies would be my downfall.
I went back to bologna sandwiches on white bread. If I had to do it perfectly, I wasn’t going to do it at all.
Now, so many years later, I get it. I don’t have to be perfect. Flylady confirmed what I knew deep down, but let people tell me I had wrong–I don’t have to do it exactly right. I don’t have to get up at five a.m. to get in a two-mile walk before work. I can get up ten minutes early, and walk to work.
Eating carrots–even dipped in blue cheese dressing!–instead of a donut for morning snack is a good thing, even if I do nothing else better than I used to do, all day long.
I’m still allowed to have cheesecake. I’ll just eat a bit less of it. I can still have my beloved quesadillas–I’ll just make them with less tortilla, less cheese, and more veggies. I’m allowed to stop riding my bike when I’m breathless with joy, but also with exertion. I can sit down by the freaking road and get my breath back before I walk Zephyra home, too.
Spread the word, my fellow imperfect people–we don’t have to be perfect. We don’t even have to try. Just a little better than before, is plenty good enough.
How do I know? Three months = fifteen pounds and counting.
Yay! That’s absolutely fantastic! You’ve definitely got the right idea, lady. Simple changes and little things, they all add up. 🙂
They do! Going easy on myself is working much better than the “must be perfect” approach, because I couldn’t hold it. I’d do fine for a few days, then get a craving, or be offered something mega-yummy, and I’d give up completely. Now I just…move on.
Hurrah for results from small changes! *hugs muchly*
*hugs back!*
I so needed to hear this. 🙂
yay! glad I said it, then! *hug*
Woooooohoooooo!
You’re an inspiration, KD. 🙂 I shall try harder to do those small things.
Tracking really, really helps. I’ve been using the Body Clutter Investigator off Flylady’s website.
*hug*
I really like the Daily Plate on Livestrong.com for tracking. I find its new updated interface easy to use and fun.
Not to steal your thunder, but I’ve also been trying the “small changes” approach, and I’m down three pounds. So, yay!
All hail KD and her infinite wisdom!