So... how did I do on my "ONE New Year's Resolution" for 2022?
Well, I'm a little embarrassed to say that more than one year after setting a goal to go from #200 pounds to #175 pounds, I was right around #200 pounds when January 1, 2023 rolled around. In other words, I not only did NOT achieve my goal; but I did not make a single pound of progress in the attempt.
I ended up exactly where I had started.
Yeah, I know... that's a little embarrassing. In fact, that might even be a lot embarrassing. It has certainly been a bit deflating for me, especially considering how much overall effort I invested in my goal.
Nevertheless, at Freedom Focused, we are always dedicated to the TRUTH, even—and perhaps especially—when the truth hurts, or shines an embarrassing light on the results we get (or fail to get) in our lives and careers. For if we fail to be thus dedicated, we will make little progress in identifying the REAL roots of problems we face. Indeed, until we open our eyes wide to those authentic roots, we are unlikely to make much lasting progress in our efforts.
So, what went wrong in my plan?
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| I skipped a LOT of meals in 2022 as part of my Intermittent Fasting plan. |
So, what in the world went wrong in the end?
The answer is simple. I was not consistent enough in my efforts. Thus, as the months wore on I grew less and less committed to my goal, and eventually gained all the weight back.
For example, after a pretty strong January-April, my efforts began to dwindle in May. I then took the entire summer off. Yeah, I know... not the best recipe for success! And while I sort of got back into the swing-of-things during the fall, I never regained the same consistency I achieved in the first trimester of the year. Then, in the month of December, I only fasted once the entire month!
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| My greatest single weakness and vice in life is probably my love of junk food. |
In some ways, it is pretty disappointing—even a little depressing—to have to face up to (to say nothing of having to publish) the realities of my underperformance in this particular goal. But in other ways, I remain both optimistic about and excited for the future.
Why?
Because despite this reality, I remain very much committed to my goal and am willing to continue to make further changes and invest significant amounts of effort into the cause.
In doing so, however, I have to face up to reality and be more realistic moving forward.
Unfortunately, ONE reality I presently face is that as a 43-year old man, I simply don't have the same fast-burning metabolism I enjoyed in my teens, 20s, or even my 30s. In fact, that is one of the reasons I didn't have more success with my fasting last year. Simply stated, the natural aging process is making it naturally more difficult to lose weight—a conundrum that virtually every human being experiences eventually in one's life.
Ironically, this has not been all bad for me because, on the plus side, I am finally starting to look more like a full-grown man as opposed to a long, lanky, youthful fella. And I'm not gonna lie... that appearance change is actually helping my professional credibility since, like it or not (and I've never liked it much), the natural aging process simply provides writers and speakers with a certain credibility and gravitas that youth can never truly imitate, no matter how intelligent, talented, or skilled a younger person may be.
Another reality I presently face is my continued intransigence toward making necessary dietary changes. Now... I know this may sound sad—even pathetic—to those out there who are stronger than I am in this life arena. After all, what's the BIG DEAL about eating healthier and consuming less soda and sweets? Well, for me, at least at this point in time in my life, it's a big enough deal that when I'm super honest with myself, I just know I am not willing to do that right now. I'm hopeful that at some point in the future, I will have more desire, motivation, and will power to make necessary dietary changes. But in the meantime, I have to be honest with myself about what I am actually willing to do, and unfortunately, after all the fasts of 2022 and nothing to show for it, I don't feel very motivated to change my diet or do much fasting any time soon.
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| I love treadmill running; and I'm willing to do a lot of it it— consistently. |
In other words, instead of exercising regularly (approximately every-other-day), I am committing to exercise (run) every day (and occasionally twice a day if I have the time and energy). The one exception to this program is that I always rest on Sundays, for religious as well as physical, mental, and emotional reasons.
I am confident that if I am consistent in this new goal, I will eventually lose enough weight and make enough progress to be able to either achieve my goal or (more realistically) gain the needed desire and motivation to make some other, necessary long-term changes involving fasting and/or dietary improvements that will further empower me to ultimately return to my IDEAL adult weight, which is #175 pounds.
For the last three (3) weeks, I have been diligent in this new effort, completing 17 runs for a total of 129 miles, which is an average of 7.6 miles per run. In the process, I have dropped from 202 pounds the first week to 199 pounds the third week. Small as my progress may be so far, this positive development is motivating me to continue this new effort and be strong in my resolve!
See SAL Daily Task Tracker below for my efforts in 2022 and to-date in 2023...
I will publish another, follow-up, article to this blog post at some point later this year (or early next year). In the meantime, wish me luck—as I wish YOU luck in your own personal and professional goals for 2023—and remember to follow SAL life lessons when it comes to GOAL SETTING, which can be found amidst the "SMARTIES" Goal Setting principle as covered in the SAL Textbook, Volume 2, Pages 74-76.
When setting goals, make sure they are:Specific
Measurable
Accountable (to others)
Realistic
Time-bound
In competition primarily with yourself
Engaging (motivating)
Sane
This last item, SANE, refers to running your goal through the Insanity Test.
What is the Insanity Test?
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| Here's to never giving up on a worthy GOAL... CHEERS! |
As such, whenever you are setting a new goal, or a follow-up goal to a previously set goal, remember that you are not likely to get different results unless you are willing to apply a different (better) formula of action. In my case, my different formula of action involves a significant increase in the consistency of exercise I am willing to invest in my weight loss goals.
Here's to never giving up on a worthy goal!
—Dr. JJ
Author's Note: This is the 309th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 135th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.
Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 308 FF Blog Articles.
Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL QUOTES.
Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL POEMS.
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Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.
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