This got me thinking about success. I think it is extremely important to determine how you define success. This very issue is why large goals should always be broken down into smaller goals. The smaller goals help to define the success of the larger goal. If you want to lose 100 pounds, would it make sense to just have the one goal? If you had just the one goal and you weighed in and lost 2 pounds that week, would you feel like a success? There's no way you could feel like a success because the goal is 100 pounds. However, if you break down the goal into smaller goals, you might aim for 2 pounds of weightloss each week. That would then make that 2 pounds you lost last week a success. You'd feel much better about yourself and you'd be much happier with the results you produce.
One of the Shredder Council, Christy, has stated in a recent blog entry that she doesn't like tying herself to results. I've reread that post several times because it struck me as odd for some reason. Then it hit me. We don't tie ourselves to results. No, instead, we produce results every single day, every single week, every single month and every single year. It isn't something we can avoid. Results just happen. Lose a pound? You just produced results. Gain 3 pounds? You just produced results. Stayed the same weight? You just produced results. Did absolutely nothing towards fitness today? You still produced results.
It seems to me that Christy's comment is more aimed at not reviewing the results and that I feel is dangerous. We need to have a roadmap in order to check our progress. Sometimes we are going to be off track and other times we will be right on track. However, if we don't check on our progress we will blindly continue down the wrong path and not even know we are on the wrong path. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
I tried this daily picture routine once before and I stopped rather quickly for a similar reason to what Christy is saying. I didn't like feeling like I had to look a certain way in the picture. This time is different for me. I know people are reading and they are looking at my pictures differently than I do. They see things I don't necessarily see. That's the purpose of the pictures–to be held accountable. I don't even look that carefully at my pictures. At the mid point of the group shred I did take a closer look because it was sort of a milestone, but other than that, I haven't even compared them very much. Every day, in addition to the front pictures that are posted, I take a side picture as well. I honestly have not even compared the Day One side picture with any of the side pictures from other days.
To me, the results are in how I feel about myself and I feel great about myself at this point. I am very motivated to continue on the path I'm on. I know I will hit speed bumps along the way, but I'm going to remain focused because I know you all are out there looking at my pictures and expecting to see some progress each time. That's the essence of these pictures–you will hold me accountable.
So, Christy, you shouldn't worry so much about the changes in the pictures because, really, the pictures are not for you, they are for everyone else reading your blog. Focus on the things that make you happy. Realize that you are getting results (I personally think you are looking pretty amazing from your starting picture) and just relish that fact. Anyone else who is feeling like the pictures are tying them to results should consider this as well.
Until tomorrow…
