Following My Own Advice

When I would have conferences with parents as a teacher, I would sometimes have to deliver the news that their child was not performing up to grade level standards. While a handful of parents just looked back at me with blank stares, most looked back with disappointment. What I always tried to stress to them was to look for progress, not perfection. Progress offers the opportunity to celebrate, while always seeking perfection may only cause stress.

Today I need to follow my own advice. Today was "Measuring Day" at Boot Camp, and I don't know why but some part of me felt like I was going to see out-of-this-world results. Maybe it's because I've really committed to exercising these past two weeks. Maybe it's because I've actually watched what I've ate for the first time in a long time. Or maybe it's because I feel strong again, and I expected "strong" to look differently.

Whatever the cause, I was a little ill when I saw the first two measurements were exactly the same as last week's (even though they were the chest and rib cage area, I wanted to see some change). After my last 3 measurements (waist, hip, and thigh) I was down 3 inches. ...except I may have sucked in just a hair while she measured my waist so I'm betting it's really only 2 in. I was a little disappointed, but the more I thought about it I realized that I was just being ridiculous. I've lost 3 inches. I feel so much more energized. And I'm excited about working out again. If that's not progress, I don't know what is.

Just keep that in mind if you have a goal in your life (and I'll keep reminding myself too): Progress, not perfection.