One of the biggest challenges I always face when I start to reduce weight is complacency. At first, I get excited about dropping a few pounds. Then my watch feels a little looser on my wrist. Maybe I can tighten my belt another notch. I begin to think to myself that I’m making real headway. I’m doing it!
The I start to nibble a little bit hear and there. Instead of writing (or typing) everything into my food diary, I start to “remember” what I ate that day. I might eat a few pieces of candy (today it was a few of those “fun size” peppermint patties) or a few cookies. Not the end of the world but wasted calories that need to be worked off with exercise or other food resisted.
In other words, I start to think that I don’t have to be as vigilant as I was when I first started my journey. I’ve become complacent.
This is not a good thing. It’s something I have to be on guard against because I’m still a long way from my goal. Complacency will also lead me to the place where I begin to pack on those few pounds I’ve reduced plus some.
It’s a simple plan – counting calories – but not always simple to follow. That call of old habits is strong. It’s kind of like the “bad angel” on your left shoulder that says, “Sure, it’s OK. Go ahead and have that piece of cake with a scoop of ice cream. You can work it off at the gym or just be careful tomorrow.” Only you never work it off at the gym and the sugar and fat keep calling your name.
Vigilance. Determination. Perseverance.
Complacency is luxury I can’t afford.
