Hi, I’m Candace and I’m a Perfectionist. This is when you all say in unison “Hi, Candace” and nod in understanding empathy as if we are at a 12-step meeting for those of us who strive for perfection…
Four weeks ago, when starting my 31 Days to Food Addiction Recovery journey, I honestly expected to be writing this last Monday summary in complete victory. No sugar, flour or wheat would have crossed my lips. I would report at least a 25-pound weight loss. Every day a new, incredibly informative post would be written and shared, teaching us all how to live the perfect healthy lifestyle. I would be ending the program surrounded by fruits and vegetables, able to wear tank tops again, feeling like a winner. Basically, like her:
Then, life happened. I ended up having to eat out a lot more than originally planned. I had a run in with a bag of chips. There were a couple of days that the stress of getting out a post was just not worth it, so I didn’t even bother. Many posts were sharing my heart instead of my hoped for information packed lessons…
My Proverbs 31 Bible study started back a couple of weeks ago. I was certain I would post 5 days a week for my 31 days series, an extra one on Thursdays for the study’s blog hop, and throw in a craft post over the weekend. How funny that seems to me now. Needless to say, it didn’t happen. God was very sweet to me and made sure the blog hop topics went along with my food addiction series each week so I was able to just do one for both. Crafts have been on hold for a while.
I have only lost about 8 pounds in the entire 4 weeks. This has been incredibly frustrating to me. I expected so much more for my efforts. I’m finally realizing though that is almost 10 pounds I never have to see again! It’s amazing what a change of perspective can do for a woman.
If you struggle with trying to be perfect, Lissa Rankin’s 5 Tips for Avoiding Perfectionism can help. I definitely plan to implement them.
- “Give 90%.” Most of the stress of perfectionism happens when you are trying to give that last 10%. Let it go.
- “Choose ease.” When you feel like you are trying too hard all the time, check your perfectionism. You are “in the flow” when your work is still great but you don’t feel a constant struggle.
- “Know your inherent worthiness.” Don’t look for validation outside of yourself.
- “Send your Gremlin to time out.” Turn off that inner critic Lissa calls “The Gremlin.” Instead, tell yourself there is no need to be perfect. No one else is either.
- “Set goals but release attachment to outcomes.” Don’t place your value in what you achieve.
My plan for the rest of the week is to share my struggles with balance tomorrow, a craft on Wednesday, and my final post of the series will be Thursday. October 31st happens to be an incredibly important day in my life and I can’t imagine a better day to finish this journey. Please come back to celebrate with me!
Perfectly imperfect is wonderful enough I am celebrating with you already!!!!!!xo
I love it- “perfectly imperfect”! Thanks for your support Mari!
4 weeks have it been that long already! You did good, maybe did not loose what you wanted but looking back you accomplished a lot. Good for you
Isn’t that crazy Camii?! I can’t believe it has been that long either. I am satisfied with what I have done. Writing this post was quite therapeutic :).
I think 8 pounds is incredible! 2 pounds a week is the safe, healthy way to do it and even that is at the top end of safe. Slow and steady wins the race. You are incorporating new healthy habits and foods into a life long eating plan. You inspire me! I’ve been sweets free since Saturday….yeah, just 2.5 days. But in 2.5 short days I feel so much better. I am not as restricting with my food as you have been. Right now it’s dessert type foods; candy bars, cookies, cake, ice cream….that I am staying away from. My son Jason was telling me that he read somewhere that sugar can be as addictive as Cocaine, mimicking similar neurorceptor responses in the brain. Kinda makes sense. I’d never try cocaine, not even tempted, but relating to my sugar addiction as a drug addition has really flipped a switch for me. And it has opened my eyes to how someone can be additive to a drug and just how HARD it is to stop.
Susie, 2.5 days is awesome! You have started, and that is what counts. I completely agree with Jason. Unfortunately, as you know, I can back that research up with my own experience! I am amazed by the disappearing sugar cravings that get farther away every day. I’m so proud of you my friend! Let me know how I can support you.
You have done very well. I have been doing this for a while and I have only been averaging about a pound a week. I have now lost 38 pounds. It does work and the cravings do go away after a while. I really have no desire for sweets anymore. I get all the sugar I need from fruits. I hope you continue after your 31 day challenge ends.
Wow, 38 pounds is awesome! I love not chasing the sugar highs throughout my days now. I definitely plan to stay on this plan. It is still a lot of work. I’m looking forward to it becoming more second nature to me. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your story and support!