Slow and Steady Wins The Race

I really, really, really wanted to do a post this week about how I was celebrating reaching the 10 lb. weight loss mark.  I had my entry written in my head and was looking forward to be able to say that I was finally in the double digits.  I have been eating healthier for 8 weeks now - you would think that I would have reached 10 lbs. awhile ago.  Except for the occasional treat, I've been disgustingly good.  My reward was going to come in that number on the scale.

But NOOOOO.  I didn't make it.  Yes, I lost weight this week.  But not enough to hit 10 lbs.  Not enough by 2/10 of a pound.  My immediate reaction?  You've got to be kidding.  Okay, so the language may have been a tad stronger than that, but I am trying to keep this blog family friendly.  All this work, all this denial of the foods that I love, and I STILL can't say I've lost 10 lbs.  Never mind the fact that folks are beginning to notice the weight loss and have complimented me on how great I look.  Never mind the fact that I feel better than I have in months.  Never mind the fact that I have now lost over 5% of my original weight.  This is an important milestone - research suggests that losing 5% will stop fatty liver disease from getting worse (it takes 9% to 10% according to studies to possibly reverse the damage done.)  On top of that, how many articles have we all read that state losing 1 or 2 lbs. a week is the healthiest, most efficient way to lose weight...and the one that will very likely lead to permanent weight loss?  Fad diets don't work in the long run.  I've seen too many cases of folks who have lost a good deal of weight in a fairly short period of time, and then gain anywhere from half to all of it back...in some cases, even more than the total amount lost!

Yet as a society, we want it, and we want it now.  We are a bunch of hares running here and there expecting instant results.  We obsessively count calories to a point that's frightening (oh no, this is 50 calories, I really need to have this one instead because it's only 45!)  I've never been the rabbit type in any aspect of my life, why here?  I like turtles.  They are peaceful, serene and wise.  One step at a time.  Week, by week.  Revel in the small victory.  I lost weight this week.  I'm still on track, still in the race.  Somewhere down the road I'll slowly walk by, the hares sleeping off a sugar/fat binge on the side, the finish line clearly within reach.

Weight Lost This Week:   0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost:            9.8 lbs.