A friend told me last night that she had taken a personality test that told her she was a perfectionist. I nodded in agreement.
“I am not,” she said.
“Oh, you so totally are,” I replied.
That conversation made me think a bit, and I fully admit to being a perfectionist as well. I won’t sing karaoke at a bar because some of those people are good and I’m not. When I paint, if the smallest detail doesn’t look right, I scrap the whole thing. I know this is a quirky thing about me, and for the most part I don’t mind it. But while thinking about this, I admitted that in my journey to live a healthier life, I became a perfectionist. For me, this was a very dangerous path to take.
See, I became a bit obsessed with my goal weight. So much so that if I didn’t lose or even gained a bit, I beat myself up quite a bit. What had been thrilling adventure to me had turned into something so frustrating. I had become so frustrated that I began that old habit of beating myself up.
I decided to quit weighing myself on a regular basis. I learned to become OK with not weighing myself on a regular basis. I realized that life was throwing things at me and LOSING weight could not be my focus at that moment. I had to do the best I could to live healthily. I was happy with that.
I’ve been frustrated lately as well. This year has been a tough one for exercise for me. I feel like I’ve been sick or injured for a lot of the year. I see you all training for half marathons, marathons and triathlons and I’m so very proud of you all. I want to jump in and join you, yet every time I try to begin training, something happens. Life has been throwing me lemons, and I have been very down about it.
Last night, I realized in my conversation with my friend that being this perfectionist when it comes to my journey to life a healthy life is just not logical. I’m doing the best I can with what life is throwing at me and all I can do is keep trying. All I can do is begin to train all over again and make lemonade with those lemons. I’m happy with that.
I see some of you beat yourself up as well when life pegs you in the head with those lemons. As hard as it is, try not to. It isn’t worth it. Do the best you can, and never give up trying. We’re all proud of you for doing your best. Remember, we’ll all get there. Together.
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