BY ROBIN L. LEWIS

Dear Robin,

I was doing so well — eating right, working out, even choosing positive thoughts, but then we had a family emergency. We were out of town for several stressful days. I have not adhered to my plan and now I fear that I have gained weight. I’m afraid of what my next weigh-in will look like this week! Please help! How can I prevent being absorbed by my circumstances when something happens?

Signed,

Down and Out in Florence

 

Dear Down and Out,

First of all, it won’t help to beat yourself up for slipping. We are focused on progress, not perfection, right? So let’s see what we can learn from this experience in order to walk in success the next time additional stress comes across our path.

When there is a family crisis or sudden extended change of plan, we need to remember that when we chose to participate in the 10-week Biggest Loser Program, we chose a lifestyle change. Any choice to change our lifestyle is always more like a marathon, and not a sprint, requiring a change in perspective. We are in it for the long haul. So how do we keep our focus on going forward when life happens to us?

We must remember that the present circumstances we face are temporary, but the goals we have set for ourselves will still be there after the circumstance is over. When a runner must navigate a hurdle on the track, he doesn’t focus on the hurdle or he will fall. Instead he looks beyond it, keeping the finish line in sight. He clears the hurdle while keeping focused on his goal.

In life, we can do the same thing. We will always have circumstances that seem to come from nowhere, usually coming when we are on the verge of breakthrough or have just experienced major victory. If we give up our priority plan in order to deal with the event, then we will find ourselves spiraling down into discouragement and stress, leading to defeat. We can learn to think and “see” throughand beyond our present circumstances, knowing that our goals are our long-term priority.

Stressful circumstances have a way of making us “wear them” like a bad outfit. That’s why we sometimes feel absorbed by what happens. We don’t have to allow the temporary to separate us from our long-term goals. We can learn to see beyond, make good choices ourselves, knowing that the stressful circumstance will soon be behind us.

So where are we focused today? What we focus on grows larger, so instead of focusing on the hurdle, let’s see ourselves as separate from the event, looking beyond it, and having a higher perspective in order to reach our finish line. That’s good thinking. And when you falter, give yourself grace. No matter how hard things are right now, look for the gift inside every problem. God always puts one there for those who have eyes to see.

I’m cheering you on from the sidelines! Can you hear me? You’re doing great! Are those new track shoes?

Robin

 

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