During a recent Mom Masterminds Breakthrough Session, we were talking about the fact that some internet business projects will fail and some will succeed. Part of being successful long term is having the ability to accept a certain percentage of failure – learning what we can from what doesn’t work and moving forward as quickly as possible.
There’s no doubt, I’ve learned a TON from failed projects. Accepting failure and evaluating what went wrong with an open mind has made me a better entrepreneur in the long run.
Yes, I’ve learned to accept failure – as a learning tool.
I don’t really know how to gracefully segue this into a personal topic…
Let me just say that I know a lot about failure on a personal level as well.
I’ve been overweight since I was a teen. I started putting on weight around fifteen and have never really stopped.
Sure, there have been periods of time when I’ve been on a particular diet and lost some weight – but there was always a subsequent period of gain. Nothing ever lasts. My life is a great big yo-yo.
I guess the question is – do I ever learn anything from the failures?
Well, sure… just like there’s no such thing as ‘get rich quick’ there’s no such think as ‘lose weight fast and easy’. I learned and accepted that a long time ago.
I’ve also learned that there are a lot of ways to lose weight that just do not work for me. Like giving up carbs or drinking my meals.
I’ve identified a lot of weight loss tactics that don’t work. I just wish I could truly identify AND stick with one that does.
Weight Watchers has certainly been the tool that helps me lose weight without feeling terribly deprived. In fact, that’s the weight loss plan that I chose to re-start this past week. Counting WW points and eating every day foods feels good and I do lose weight… a little at a time. (Like this week, I lost two pounds.)
I’ve also learned that sharing my weight and weight loss goals with others is a big motivator when I’m struggling to do the right thing on my own. That’s why I’ve decided to share my efforts with you here at the WAHM Talk Radio blog. That’s right, I’ll be posting weekly updates – with a photo or video to show my current weight.
Speaking of… here it is… the BIG number… my weight as of today is: 350.8
You have no idea how typing that number makes my hands tremble. I hate hate hate seeing it in print for the whole world to see.
Last year around this time I weighed 340. I used Weight Watchers and a rebounding regimen to get down to 317. With my usual yoyo effect, I put it all back on over the summer and fall, then added ten more over the winter.
I have to tell you, dieting scares me. Losing is so exciting, but regaining is slowly killing me. I know I shouldn’t think of it as dieting – and I’m trying to think of it as a lifestyle change.
I need your encouragement and accountability. You all know me. You see me on Twitter every day, you follow me here on the blog and podcast. You have my permission to encourage me and ask me how I’m doing – anytime – day or night.
Watch the blog here for a Monday update. If you ever don’t see one – please call me out on it.
By the way, I’m participating in the Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Contest. That will be holding me accountable as well.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Kelly congratulations on taking this step! I know how hard it is to put it out there publicly! I'm so proud of you! Thank you for being transparent enough to share this with us.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Whoot Whoot!! What a great blog post! I think you Rock Kelly. You know I am in your corner and would love to help hold you accountable!
March 1st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Kelly, I can totally understand where you are coming from and where you want to go! Just know that I am here to go along with you! I think I need you, Tishia and Mary just as much as you need us! Congratulations for taking this next step! You Rock!
March 1st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Good for you Kelly! I know that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to so I see major weight loss success in your future. I'm here for you…
March 1st, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Kelly,
I wish I didn't miss the MM Monday Morning Breakthrough today. But I wanted to tell you thank you so much for doing this. You have no idea how much this helps me, and will help you. Doing my weekly video on youtube, plus blogging on my two websites, honestly has helped me stick to my goals more than ever before.
As people who work at home, who cannot get health insurance easily, I have to say that losing weight is our best, best, best way to assure our good health. I am here with you, and I agree with what you said on the tape about someone losing 20 lbs does not get it. Not that they shouldn't be happy to have done it, but for those of us with 100 lbs or more to lose, it's a whole different ball game.
For me I am not trying to lose weight I'm trying to gain health, and losing weight is part of this. I've done this many times myself so I get it completely. I am scared too. But I am going to do this. I want to be around for my girls. Like you, this is my last frontier on my own personal development.
I'm so proud of you! (on the shaking hands, I feel the same way!)
March 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Congrats on the 2 lbs, Kelly! I hate dieting. H-A-T-E hate it. With a passion. The no-carb thing made me unbelievably….erm…witchy. The slim fast shakes (powdered kind that you mix with milk, not water) were all right. I actually felt a little like I was cheating b/c I got a little chocolatey something 2x/day.
My favorite way to lose the weight is to do it in ways that bypass exercising, but given the fact that muscle burns more than fat…well, it almost seems like that would be the lazier way long-term doesn't it?
I recently purchased an exercise video that breaks the workout down into 10 minute intervals so even if you're crazy busy you can squeeze in a workout. It doesn't work as well if you don't turn it on, of course. Maybe reading your posts will motivate me to do that! Thanks for being so brave and putting yourself out there for us!
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:48 am
A huge congrats for sharing and putting it all out there like you have! I'm working on losing weight right now myself – but I've never talked about my actual weight in terms of numbers. In fact, I'm fairly certain my Mom (who I live w/ right now) didn't know how much I weighed until the past week. I've lost a bit so far and am happy to be one of the plus size bloggers along with you! Of course, I'll be happier once I'm no longer plus size. ;)
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thanks for inspiring me Tishia :)
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Keep on encouraging me Aurelia!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I don't think I could be doing this without you Angel!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I like what you see Angie!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I agree with you. I've been blessed with good health despite my weight but I know the older you get the higher the risks.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I'm definitely adding physical activity to the mix – I just haven't decided what yet. I may join a local gym… I'm thinking about it.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Tsoniki, it was so hard – and today I want to erase it! LOL! But I'm determined to deal with reality here!
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I have already thanked Tishia and now I am thanking you for sharing this journey and inspiring me to get my rear in gear to regain my control on this matter. I have teamed up with my brother as accountability partners and we have a 3 day work out together regimen. We decided on a work out program we would both enjoy, plus weekly weigh ins. It's not that I have gained the entirety of what I originally lost BUT seeing the numbers continue in the wrong direction (now 30 lbs above my lowest weight) it is time to to take action now!
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for lighting that fire I needed to get back on track!
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
LOL you mean thanks for PUSHING you ;-) Luv ya! I'll be here with you along the way as I continue on my weight loss journey! We can keep each other accountable!
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Angel I'm right here for ya! Whatever I can do to help you just let me know :-) I need you just as much as you need me girlfriend! We all just need to stick together!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:16 am
I am here for you too Kelly! I need you, Tishia, Angel, Aurelia and everyone else who is encouraging me and cheering me on….every day I need you all. And I thank you all for your support. If I didn't know you all were here to cheer me on, I wouldn't be able to keep going on. Kelly, you can do it, not on your own, but with those of us who love you and are here for you! Congrats on the 2 pound loss
That's awesome
!
March 6th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Kelly—
What a courageous person you are! Makes me even “prouder” that I've known you for so long and that we finally had a chance to meet at NAMS. I know how tough it can be. I'm here cheering for you and make a pretty darn good accountability partner. I'll make sure and help you keep an eye on it.
March 17th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Kelly I would like to give a little different spin on Your challenge.You are a creator and You all the time look for new ways to do stuff better.I am sure You do not like to loose anything.You like most people are tought that if You loose something You must find it and get it back.Weight is like anything else .You loose it ,subconsciously You look for it back.Make sense?Could You consider use of different words like I am releasing access of weight or I am letting go of extra pounds.I would love to share with You few simple,sense making trics from Europe rarely known in America.Even if You eat best food but your ph,thyroid,adrenalins are out of balanse your weight will stick wih you.Stress and food that another biggy.Make time lets talk or I would be happy to share it with others.There is no doubt You are on the way to VICTORY!
March 31st, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Don't give in; don't give up. The only way most people will arrest the weight gain, and hopefully lose excess weight is eat REAL food and get off the FAKE food.
Many drugs, food additives, etc. intrinsically cause weight gain (for example, if the commercial meat producers feed their animals antibiotics to CAUSE/enhance weight gain, we must realize that it can and will have the same affect on us, and taking antibiotics and EATING meat/dairy/eggs raised on these weight-causing things will ALSO cause us to gain weight.
Genetically modified stuff is also too scary to eat, and many things that cause poor health will cause weight gain in many people.
You can make wholesome, delicious, satisfying dishes out real food! You need good water, good food, and many need high-quality supplements/herbs/etc. to cleanse and nourish the body after having been on the Standard American Diet (SAD, and getting sadder). Many can loose weight just by making such simple changes, without tons of exercise, without going hungry, etc.
I just want to encourage you. Be truly GOOD to yourself.
Love,
Alicia
Simple Health
:-)
April 30th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Kelly,
You are such an awesome Woman! I didn't have to watch a lot of what I ate until I hit about 32, and now exercise and eat what you want isn't cutting it.
I'm with you on not taking away everything from your diet, I think it just makes u crave it more than normal.
Instead of just taking away things I have started adding healthy things (my new crave is edamame right now), adding good things (and enjoying them) is allowing me to not have those negative words in my head, like TAKING AWAY. I don't feel like I'm depriving myself. :)
Also, I recommend walking to all of the Women I talk with that have PMDD (PMS on steroids), it is sometimes impossible for them to find the energy to even get out of bed. On days when working out seemed impossible for me, I would go outside and tell myself I'm going to just walk around the block. After one walk, especially in the sun, I would find myself wanting to walk a couple more times.
Sometimes that first step just opens it all up. :)
Just like with business, making that first step and then ideas just come on!
I can't wait to see your updates, accountability is an awesome motivator.