The Stress Factor

A few days ago, I posted my frustration about the “tough days.” Though, however tough things may be, I remain optimistic. Yet, it’s REALLY hard to remember to do so when you weigh-in and see that you aren’t where you thought you’d be. The scale showed a loss of like 1 and a half when I weighed in at the gym, but it’s only because I was so upset (and nervous about not having a loss at all) that I didn’t eat anything before I went. Didn’t have an appetite much at all.

Ok, so I KNOW that as a woman, that “time of month” factors in. But still, I worked SO HARD last week! I worked out every day (as always) and even bumped up my calorie burn from 3,000 calories a week to 3,500+. I feel that I have been doing well nutritionally too, so there’s no reason (in my mind) for not having a fantastic loss. It’s beyond frustrating to me, and it just seems WRONG! You know what I mean?

The “muscle weighs more than fat” and “you probably lost inches” or even the “you’ll have a good number next week” stuff doesn’t mean much in the moment when all you can think of is how you want to explode! You are just beyond shocked (and angry) that all the hard work, sweat, and tears aren’t seeming to amount to anything. As I’ve told a few people, it’s a horrible feeling to feel as though you gave it your all only to earn a tenth of an inch of progress on a yard stick. Sure, progress can be slow (but “look how far I’ve come”). Yeah, yeah, yeah. Once I “get over it”, all of that stuff will sound fine. But, until then, things are not “fine.”

Maybe the only other factor not yet fully considered is the “stress” factor. How can you tell if you are “stressed” and that it’s factoring into the weight-loss hindrance? You hear the trainers talk about it on “The Biggest Loser”, but exactly how do you define stress? I guess I haven’t thought of myself as being stressed, but maybe I am. So, if that’s the case, how does one truly de-stress? The answer: more quiet, more prayer, more Jesus.

I want to finish strong for the last weigh-in on Monday. Whatever happens, I will still be proud of my progress and of what I’ve done. No matter what the scale says, I have no reason to be ashamed. I am doing well, and no one and nothing can tell me differently. I know you all are proud of me, I’m proud of me, and God is proud of me. I will continue doing whatever I can and I will “get there” (eventually). Maybe things will continue to be slow (and very frustrating) but it WILL NOT MAKE ME GIVE UP!! I’ll keep remembering something Grandma once said, “Once she’s got something in her head, even the devil can’t change her mind!” True that! ;) He can throw whatever he’s got at me, and maybe it will trip me up, but I always get back up! He can do a lot of things; but he can NEVER make me QUIT! Sometimes, it really does payoff to be a strong-willed child (note to self: remember this every time you have a rough moment with your mini-me daughter!). ;)

All glory to God!! Grace and peace to you all! Thanks for all your support and prayers!