I do it for ME

July 3, 2011

Lately, my success on this journey hasn’t been on the scale. The scale hasn’t been moving, however my attitude and outlook are making huge strides in ways that I know are setting me up for long-term success: on-scale and off.

A couple of days ago, someone left a comment on my Facebook page asking why I continue to blog and get social support if I’m not losing weight consistently right now. Before you run off to flame the person (please don’t), I want to just say that it’s okay. Truly.

This comment made me think and appreciate why I do this whole blogging thing.

Source: cubetadesign.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Sometimes, being a weight loss blogger is tough. If I’ve said I’m a “weight loss blogger who isn’t losing weight” that’s a little ridiculous, right? I could say that I’m a “healthy living blogger” which is certainly accurate, but weight loss is a major part of my “healthy living” focus. I’ve had many “aha moments” in the past 4 weeks of no weight loss, and I don’t want them to get overshadowed by the number on the scale. In order to fix the scale, I’m changing up my workouts and re-evaluating all my food. Think of it as a re-calibration. This happens, and for the first time in what feels like my entire life, I’m completely okay with this adjustment period. I know eventually the scale will move again.

In the past, these plateaus would happen and it would lead to disaster. My discouragement would creep in and as a result my confidence would bottom out and I would end up abandoning my weight loss efforts. I could hang on to my perseverance for a few weeks, tops. The difference this time is that I am completely aware of my feelings and appreciative of my progress so far. Perhaps it’s not happening as quickly as I intended, but my hope has not dimmed one bit. I know I’ll get there, and it’s in my hands to control. No one can take my progress away from me: on the scale or off.

I’ve lived in fear over people judging me because of my size or health for way too long. Previously, an even semi-discouraging comment even made in passing or completely innocuously would send me into a spiral of shame and self-loathing. This time? I feel peace. I know why I am doing this, and why I will succeed.

My intention behind this blog has always been to be honest and to write about my experiences. It can be painful, uplifting, emotional, downright devastating or completely joyous. I never set out to be anyone’s “inspiration.” I am humbled people have called me that, but I want to be clear: I do this for me. Yes, I want you to succeed. I want everyone who is struggling to be able to find their way. But in the end, I share my journey to help ME, and in the process it might help others.

For anyone who encounters negativity or naysayers, remember why you’re doing it. Do it for YOU. If you’re doing it for anyone else, the success will be fleeting.

  • Denise

    I think it is great you blog even if the scale is not moving. I think it helps others be able to get thru those adjustment periods if they read weight loss bloggers having the same struggles. I also think you blogging might help you not let the plateau lead to disaster. You get the support from those who have gone thru it and cane out the other side stronger and smaller. 

  • http://twitter.com/bloggerbroad Deborah Savadra

    You gave exactly the right answer to a “wrong-headed” question. The scale is not the only measure. You could be (and probably are) adding muscle right now and offsetting fat loss. Or your body could simply be making an adjustment. Plateaus happen — for a lot of reasons. This one blog post does more good than 10 episodes of Biggest Loser!

  • Melinda Ott

    This is such a wonderful post!  You are an amazing woman and a great inspiration to me!

  • Melinda Ott

    This is such a wonderful post!  You are an amazing woman and a great inspiration to me!

  • http://learningcurvesblog.blogspot.com Lynn~Learning Curves Blog

    I agree that those of us who blog about weight-loss, life style changes and exercise goals need to be sure we are doing it for ourselves for so many reasons. Part of the appeal of blogs like yours is the realness of it…it helps me to know that I am not the only one who struggles, plateaus or sometimes falls a little short of a goal, yet can still stay positive, learn to love themselves regardless of these moments, and get back ‘on-track’ so to speak.

  • Jill

    WOW!  Well said!  You have been able to take my scrambled thoughts and clear a lot of things up for me.  I think it is fabulous that you have realized you do it for you!  I lost 80 pounds for my husband and daughter.  I was accountable to them.  When I hit goal weight I started gaining weight again.  I would gain then lose, gain then lose.  Once I realized this was for ME- I started to maintain my weight more easily.  It is still a struggle, but it feels different knowing that I am working on my goals for me and nobody else.  Thank you for inspiring me to believe in me!!!!!

  • Shane G.

    I want to weigh in on this. No pounds down does not really mean anything. I am actually 10 pounds up from my lowest weight on this journey. HOWEVER, I have size 32 jeans that fit me when I was lower in pounds, now they are baggy butting on me, I have all these large t shirts that I have picked up, and they are starting to get loose on me ( if you had ever told me I would possibly be wearing a medium tshirt, EVER, I would have called you a liar a year ago) and of course my steering wheel/seat belts tests are showing that I am THINNER, if not LIGHTER! So yeah, shut uppa you face whoever is being a butthead to Emmie!

  • http://twitter.com/bloomlately Bloom

    I think your personal story just underscores the fact that weight loss isn’t as simple as just eating healthy and exercising. Everyone’s body will hit plateaus, there will be times when fat is replaced with (heavy) muscle, and there will be times when you do everything right and your body is still holding onto every single calorie and fat cell as if you’re about to enter a long winter of starvation.

    Your blog has set a wonderful example for fat men and women everywhere in that you can be fit and overweight. The other milestones that you’ve achieved are truly impressive and as worthy of being noted as shedding pounds: lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, improved heart rate, and increased endurance. A fat girl who can run a half marathon is much fitter than a skinny girl who must give up after a mile.

    Keep on doing this for yourself, Emmie. In the end, that is truly what matters.

  • Lottalatte

    You’re also practicing what maintenance feels like, and that will be the rest of your life, so practice is good. I think you’re wonderful and I’m inspired every time I come here to read, so thanks!

  • http://kclanderson.com KCLAnderson (Karen)

    Well put!!

    If people weren’t allowed to blog about weight loss unless they were actively losing every single week, there’d be very few weight loss blogs!! I know…you know this and most of the rest of us know this. :-)

  • http://www.billiedaye.wordpress.com Kelley

    I really respect this post. Losing weight, primarily when you are 100+ pounds overweight (like myself), has to be more than the number on the scale. If it was just about dropping pounds, I probably would have done it years ago. If the change is going to stick, it has to be done slowly, and it has to be right for you. Keep up the great work.

  • http://twitter.com/gettinfitbritt Brittany

    You are freaking awesome. We have to keep doing it, week no matter if we’re losing weight! It’s the long term goal that matters!

  • Cassie LaFasto

    You posted words that I REALLY needed to hear right now (“perhaps it’s not happening as quickly as I intended…but the scale will move again”), as it feels like it is taking me FOREVER to keep up a forward momentum and not get set back every single weekend so that the three pounds I lost turn into 5 pounds gained over Saturdays and Sundays! You may never have set out to be inspiring, but you ARE, and I thank you so much for continuing to post even on your bad days/weeks, and being so forthcoming and honest about everything you think and feel during this journey, because the truth of the matter is that it IS a struggle, and people/bloggers who treat it as this easy walk in the park can be really discouraging for all of us who have set-backs and mental blocks, etc. Anyway, not to ramble, but again, thank you! And I LOVE your attitude! I need to get better about seeing it as about being healthy and not so much about the numbers, too.

  • Dacia

    Your blog is inspiring as are you but not because you have lost weight but because you have the courage and strength to persevere through the hard times, the plateaus. Yes, you are a weight loss blogger but everyone faves hurdles and struggles during their weight loss journey and if they come to you for inspiration they get what they need- te truth! I know i do! You write with truthfulness and transparency and it is amazing. Life isn’t always easy and I don’t want to read another blog that makes it seem so. I want the real stuff which is what you give us. So, thank you! You are an inspiration!

  • http://debbidoesdieting.blogspot.com/ Debbi Does Dieting

    I love this post and I so need it. I’m heading a weight loss challenge and I’m doing so poorly and feeling horrible.  Obviously I”m not going to quit but whenever I do bad, I just want to stick my head in the sand and hide.  Plus, I have naysayers telling me that I will fail and everyone on my challenge will fail and it’s taking it’s toll on me.  Thank you for the motivational works, I so needed it today!

  • http://twitter.com/LisaEirene Lisa Eirene

    It took me almost 2 years to lose 110 pounds. It was slow. There were set backs. Should I have quit? Given up because I was only losing 1 pound a week? Nope. I kept going. And I made it! And I’ve kept it off for years.

    That person is an idiot and clearly jealous of what you are doing. Keep doing it Emily!

  • http://adayinmynyc.com/ Patty

    You are so right! I think I am just beginning to learn that and accept it! I am also doing it for ME! Thank you for the reminder :)

  • http://twitter.com/RoniNoone Roni Noone

    It has to be for you. If it’s not for you than what’s the point? By sharing your thoughts you will help others. It’s inevitable but if it isn’t for you then you wouldn’t continue. That’s the way I see it anyway. 

  • http://twitter.com/carmengp56 Carmen G. Perez

    It is difficult for people who have never been on this journey to understand that the number on the scale is but one indicator of fitness and of progress.  To tell you the truth, I have only recently come to understand myself, as I pursue my own physical fitness goals.  I venture a safe bet that you are more fit whatever the current number on your scale than a lot of skinny minnies out there.  While weight is an important health and wellbeing factor, it is only one of a number of important indicators of health and wellbeing.  You keep doing what your doing and keep inspiring those of us who are on our own journey and the naysayers be damned.  Thanks SkinnyEmmie!!!

  • Alan

    I already flamed them… oops! :)  

  • LHA

    Another great post!  What you have passed on here is so important to anyone trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle and lose weight.  It is not an overnight thing, it is not a quick thing and it is not always an easy thing.  It is a slow, sometimes easy-sometimes hard, gradual process and you are right that it is something we all have to do for ourselves.    It is a journey worth making. Thanks for a great, inspirational blog.

  • Tanya Landry

    I am struggling right now similarly to you Emmie.  Not once have I thought of not blogging because I wasn’t losing weight.  I find that odd that someone would even suggest that (I promise I won’t go flame the commenter though!).  I think that, like you, I am doing this blogging thing for ME and if it does help someone else out along the way, that’s awesome, but in the end, it’s “all about me” ;-)   Keep blogging and keep going – you are a true inspiration to me and even though you write for you, you have made a difference in my journey and I appreciate hearing about your struggles AND your successes as they are what make you the you that you are :)

  • Tanya Landry

    I am struggling right now similarly to you Emmie.  Not once have I thought of not blogging because I wasn’t losing weight.  I find that odd that someone would even suggest that (I promise I won’t go flame the commenter though!).  I think that, like you, I am doing this blogging thing for ME and if it does help someone else out along the way, that’s awesome, but in the end, it’s “all about me” ;-)   Keep blogging and keep going – you are a true inspiration to me and even though you write for you, you have made a difference in my journey and I appreciate hearing about your struggles AND your successes as they are what make you the you that you are :)

  • Lindalou42

    Skinny Emmie, I totally know how you feel.  I started on a healthy (weight loss) journey in November to lose no weight until the past 4 weeks. Many asked how much I had lost and looked disappointed when I said none.  But I had to explain I had gained energy, motivation, started exercising more regularly and was feeling great despite no weight loss. It has been a struggle to not fall off the wagon to old habits when the scale doesn’t move but the fact that we are both sticking to our plan and gaining insight into who we are as well as where we want to be – mentally and physically – is the reward. I blog as well about my journey, getfitwithlindalou.blogspot.com, and take part in the #fitblog discussions. We are in this together!!!!

  • http://losing147.blogspot.com Rae Rae J

    Man, if I have a no-gain or a 1lb or less loss for a week I feel like a hero, haha! :) You are doing great, keep it up.

  • http://sheaccessorizeswell.blogspot.com/ Debbi @ She Accessorizes Well

    Emmie, I totally agree with you. You have to do it for yourself. The reason you inspire me is not only the weight loss or your attitude but the fact that you share the good and the bad. 

  • Stephraft

    attitude is 90% of the journey! keep on keepin on Emmie! 

  • http://musingsofmaia.blogspot.com Maia

    I wholeheartedly agree.  It has to be for yourself, or the success just won’t be long term (in my belief.) 

    I essentially had a three month plateau and I know you will break through yours.  I really do think the body needs the recalibration to kind of settle and prepare for more weight loss.

    You have a great outlook about it all, and you will soon start seeing those numbers move again!

  • Anonymous

    you nailed it.. this has to be for you and you only.. what may transpire from it to others is an added benefit but at the end of the day you can only focus on you.. and emmie, yes you truly are an inspiration to many including me :-) keep doing what you’re doing.. naysayers will always exist we just have to rise above them..

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511322334 Heather Roebuck

    Weight loss is about dealing with the plateaus.  It has reminded me to not focus so much on the scale and think of and appreciate all the other things I CAN do as a result of continued exercise and healthy eating.

  • http://twitter.com/BhamJen Jennifer Dome

    Thanks for the pick-me-up! I’ve been feeling this way a lot lately. How can I blog about weight loss when I’m not losing weight? For the past few months I’ve bounced back and forth between 227-220 and it’s driving me nuts! I need to push past 220 soon. However, all the lessons I’ve learned in the mean time, and the fact that I’m still trying and not giving up, is HUGE progress for me! So keep on truckin’ Emmie! We’ll get there!!

  • Pingback: To Blog Or Not To Blog « Sasha Loses It

  • Pingback: To Blog Or Not To Blog | Rambling Notebook

Previous post:

Next post:

Copyright Skinny Emmie © 2013

Disclaimer