#471: One Picture and a Week of Doubt

Since last September 16th I have lost 45 pounds, down from a high of 290.4 to 245.4 through last Friday. I know I have done well but I thought I was finally looking slim and trim.

Until this past Sunday when I saw a photo of me taken with a couple of friends.

I was embarrassed at how I looked and doubt began creeping into my thinking. Had I really made progress? Was I actually down six pant sizes. Was I using a smaller belt? Didn't the scale show the pounds lost?

Yes, yes, yes and yes. But still...

I continue to believe I will reach my intermediate goal of 226, only 19 more to go, for a loss of 64 pounds -- four bowling balls -- and my ultimate goal of 200 by year's end. A couple of weeks have shown small gains of 2/10 and 4/10 of a pound but all other weeks have posted a loss of up to 8.2 pounds, usually 1-3 a week.

So why the doubt? That I don't understand. Why can't we enjoy our progress, knowing we are a work in the making? Each of the past two weeks people have complimented me on the loss. So why is one picture taking away some of the confidence in the progress I've made?

That may be a question for a therapist one day but deep inside I can feel my bedrock of positivity telling my Doubting Thomas to take a hike. When I look at the September picture the loss becomes significantly apparent.

I feel as if Mr. DT will be with me until Friday's weigh-in but I will not allow his negativity to detour me from ongoing success.

Neither should you when something happens to shake your confidence in yourself. Acknowledge the doubt, but then constantly remind yourself of the progress you have made, be it 5 pounds or 100. Stay firm in your believe you will ultimately reach your goal, one pound at a time.

As for our Doubting Thomas -- just start singing the song played at basketball games -- "Na na na na, hey, hey, hey, good bye." And good riddance.

I CAN and WILL do this and so will you.