Lying to Myself

We think we know the reasons.

I just want to be able to enjoy food. I don’t have energy to exercise. My family doesn't like healthy food. I don’t want to deprive myself. I try, but nothing works for me like it does for other people. On and on.

For decades I recycled all the same excuses wondering how I was so unlucky to be the only person who can’t seem to lose weight. 

Finally, a long hard look at my thoughts and actions this past 18 months helped me realize I was a not-so-helpless victim of my own deception.

What was the REAL reason I wasn't being successful?

Perfectionism. 

Say what?! (I thought perfectionists are the ones that get the job done?)

Actually, perfectionists are the ones who obsess, stress, worry, berate themselves, burn out, and give-up when the immediate results aren’t what they think they should be. (And for added measure, we worry about the expectations of others along the way.)

Here’s some examples of perfectionism and how it always leads to inconsistency, lack of progress, and no lasting results.

> I only lost one pound this week. I’m doing it wrong. Again. Why even bother trying. It's impossible for me to lose weight.

> My day was so busy, all I had time for was a candy bar and chips for lunch. Well, I totally screwed it all up now. Might as well eat whatever I want for the rest of the day and start over tomorrow. 

> Starting on Monday, I’m not eating any carbs, I’ll exercise 1 hour a day, and I’m going to create a menu of new healthy recipes. No more snacking, No more going out to eat. No more holiday slip-ups. No more messing up. Period.

> It’s just too hard. I’m exhausted and more stressed out than ever. If this is what it takes to lose the weight then I’d rather be fat.

Sound familiar to anyone? Next week we'll talk about how we perfectionists can be imperfectly successful with wellness and weight loss!

And for those who are patting themselves on the back for not being one of those perfectionists? I've got something you might need to hear. 

(PLUS! The Balanced Wellness Course is starting in a few weeks. Fellow perfectionists, this is for you!)

Balanced Wellness Course