Mindset Turnaround

The other day I was out in my surf ski (a type of kayak that is very tippy, yet meant to get you up and over big ocean breakers); as usual, my balance was not the greatest. Now, understand, I've been trying to work on balance and technique for over 3 years. I've greatly improved but not to the level I can yet truly compete with Australians or South Africans who have been doing this for a lifetime.

My training partner, on wavy windy days, seems to have little difficulty which can lead to an extreme degree of frustration on my part. After a few kilometres, I came to a full stop saying, "I can't do this. I might as well just give up.” Sadly (and appropriately) I got no sympathy. "Just keep working at it Doug,” were her words.

I voiced these same words many times. Why try? Just as I seem to be getting better, I'll hit a blustery day and my wobbles return. Now this day, as I sat there I realized pretty quickly that I should move forward and keep trying or just quit. As I thought about quitting, I said to myself, "no, there must be a way if I just keep practicing.” Giving up was a worse emotional option than facing my frustrations and pushing ahead.

How does this relate to all of us trying to lose weight? Well, it's actually very similar. Yes we get frustrated. Yes the scale or measurements don't move as quickly as we want, but what are our options? Most often we give up. We blame the "diet,” our hectic work schedules, events, lack of time, or just simply say, "I can't do it.”

Let's look at our options: we can quit and gain weight back, or keep moving forward. Which is harder? I suspect quitting and realizing we have given in to food and lack of exercise will ultimately frustrate us to the point that we try another diet or another exercise program. Nothing is lost if we simply keep trying. In point of fact, you should feel proud of yourself because the vast majority of people in most countries just give up.

My surf ski is one example. Ideally I would get in it one day and simply ride the waves with nary a wobble and get back to the finish line through thundering waves and be happy with my ride. Yet nothing in life comes that easily. Everything takes work. Everything takes practice. Everything we try has barriers and setbacks. Even if a person is continually successful at weight loss (week by week), ultimately they face the major challenge of continuing to eat well and exercise well for the rest of their life.

I'm much better than I was 3 years ago, and am hopeful that with a lot of practice I will become comfortable in big waves and be ready to compete with men in my age group from other countries. I cannot quit.

You will hit barriers. You will be sabotaged by family, friends and events , but that should be no reason to quit your health journey. You simply find a way to get back on track and eat better tomorrow and the next day.

My message is a simple one. Don't give up on yourself. Don't let setbacks create negative thinking like, "I can't do this.” Keep moving forward. Make tomorrow or next week a better day or a better week than the one you had.

You can do it. Just keep trying, and never ever give up on your efforts.

Dr. Doug