Our Own Worst Critic

People say that you are your own worst critic. For me, this is so true. I've always set myself to a high standard, sometimes higher than I myself can reach. Cue the disappointment. It becomes a ripple effect, and I start to doubt myself in future tasks and goals.

I had a baby a year ago and put on 28lbs during my pregnancy. It's the most I've ever weighed. When I delivered Rozalia, I lost some weight and thought I was on track... but due to nursing, I was SO HUNGRY all the time. I put back on all the weight and was back up to my delivery weight and completely disgusted with myself. Why? Because I have never been successful at losing weight and I again thought that I would fail this task to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I spent so much time sulking over how difficult it would be and how I didn't think I could do it, that I put on more weight.

I think the reason we are so hard on ourselves is because if we don't see immediate success, we think we've failed. I know I feel that way (and even push that on my husband sometimes). I told myself this time around that I was going to go slow and steady - and I joined Weight Watchers. I figured it would take some time, but "it's a lifestyle, not a diet" (so they say).

I'm down 10lbs, after joining on February 24th. I don't expect the rest to come off so quickly, but I'm sticking with it. It's definitely motivating to see the numbers go down... or whatever your measure of success may be. Today it's numbers, tomorrow it might be the smiling faces in my music class.

Whatever that measure of success is for you, I hope everyone can find theirs.