Churchill Quote

[ema2two]

This was the motivational close at my meeting a few weeks ago, and I've been giving it lots of thought since then:

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required
--- Winston Churchill


As you know from the paucity of posts here, I've been under some significant stress at home. My weight is up 6 lbs from goal, since late July. I'm frustrated with myself and struggling mentally with all this.

So, I think I'm doing my best under tough circumstances, but it's not enough to lose the pounds and get back to goal. I'm doing my best, but not doing what it required. Can I be at peace with that for now?

At least with doing my best my weight is still under 150 lbs and people tell me I look like I've lost again recently (does stress make you look thinner?). Until yesterday I'd not had to put anything back in the closet because it'd gotten too tight with the extra 6 lbs.

If I'd not been doing my best, I'd probably have gained 20 lbs in the few months, and I'd not have gotten back to within goal range before the trip. I'd have gained back what I'd lost before I had my baby, and be 100 lbs over weight again. No question in my mind.

But I wonder if this is a cop out. Am I rationalizing not really doing my best? Am I using my stressors as an excuse not to step up to the plate and do what's required. At times, being more in control of my eating has been really helpful in times of stress, as it gives me an anchor. One thing in my life that isn't out of control. That can be key when it feels like everything else is falling apart.

What do you think of the quote as it applies to you and your situations?

[pugdoggy1]

Reading this makes me think of the story of the woman who lifted the car off her child. We think we know what our best is, but with the right motivation, we can dig deeper and come up with more.
Our best efforts at weight loss/maintenance when we have family issues may not be enough. Usually things are cyclical and as time passes our best efforts may improve with time.
I understand your frustration though. It's tough when you're in the groove, lose the groove and worry you may not find it again. When it happens, I feel like the character from "Flowers for Algernon" when he realizes he's losing his new intelligence. Luckily, each time this happens and I manage to find my way back to the groove, I develop more trust in myself.

[becky]

This quote struck a chord with me, too.

For me, what I thought was my best, was just the best that I was familiar with, something recognizable.

What's required is something new, something different, outside the comfort zone.

[katelight]

sometimes the difference between doing our best and doing what is required is a little skewed. Sometimes doing what is required is maintaining for a short time. I'm not just talking about weight loss, but our everyday lives. When life gets extreemely stressful, I find that, picking one thing to concentrate on, one very small area, is what I can work on to get into controll. So, Dear Ema, find your one small thing. Maybe it is drinking all your water. Or packing lunch one day a week, or maybe, counting to ten before reacting (this is a biggy for me) What ever it is. Start small. Life can soooo easily overwhelm us. You have a very full plate, with a large family, a full-time job, and a special needs son. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with the negative self talk. We are not perfect, and are not called to be perfect. You have done a fantastic job of losing the weight, and keeping it off under very difficult circumstances. Is this a cop out? I don't think so, But I do think it is very impressive that you are in tune with yourself enough to be able to ask those tough questions. You are in more controll than you think you are. Just remember your little train. I think I can, I think I can..... I KNOW you can. Take care God be with you. Katie

[xoxohart]

This quote really rings true with me today. I'll talk about my situation in a moment.

But for you, Ema, don't be down on yourself. You are not "required" to be six pounds lighter -- but you are required to take care of yourself and your family, and you are doing a fabulous job of both. You are keeping yourself healthy and taking steps to ensure that a small weight gain does not turn into a big one. Many of us have lost a lot of weight, and sometimes our weight will fluctuate -- with the season, with trying circumstances at home and at work, with illness, and for lots of other reasons. But that small fluctuation does not have to turn into an "I give up" situation, as it has for many of us in the past.

I interpreted this quote differently. For me, it is not at all weight-related, except for the fact that EVERYTHING has an impact on how I treat myself, and therefore, whether I will react in a healthy way or not.

All summer, I have felt that I "am doing my best." Things are kind of overwhelming, and I felt that I was doing my best by just keeping my head above water. But now I am finding that I have not been doing what was REQUIRED. I did not stay well enough organized to pay my bills on time (!) or to balance my checkbook (!!) and now, after three months, my financial situation is overwhelming. In other words, I think my priorities were skewed. For me, sometimes "doing my best" is almost like a placebo, because I can interpret it how I wish. I need to focus on what is required. Does this make sense?

In my professional life, I have a huge report to write this weekend. Doing my best would mean probably 48 hours of agonizing over every word and thought, and draining myself emotionally. Doing what is required means sitting down and pounding it out, analyzing the data I have collected and making sure that my report fits what is required by law and will satisfy the people involved. I do not have to make the life-changing decisions just because I am writing this report. I can present it at my meeting on Wednesday, and let the entire team involved decide what it means for the future. I will do what is required, so I can focus my emotional energy on my family (do my best for them!).

Sorry to be so long-winded; thanks for such a thought-provoking quote Ema!

[vita77]

Sometimes, doing what's required means doing LESS than our best. No one can do their absolute best at everything, all the time.

You're balancing a lot of demands that require you to suboptimize your weight loss efforts temporarily. I've a sense that Churchill would understand completely.