Hey there NAC Warrior! Have you ever felt frustrated by setbacks or losses in your weight loss journey? It’s natural to want to win and reach our goals, but sometimes we need to embrace the losses and setbacks that come along the way. In my own journey, I’ve learned to let go of the need to win and focus on the journey instead.

When I ran in high school and college, I would put all my effort into each practice and race, only to sometimes fall short of my goals by just a few seconds. It was so frustrating! But I learned to embrace those moments as opportunities to analyze what went wrong and make adjustments for the next race. I also try out what I learn when I read a book or do research on a topic, even if it doesn’t always work. In fact, I embrace losses because I know I’ll learn something that will take me to the next level.

Once I know my destination, I like to set it aside and focus on the journey instead. For example, My high school coach taught me to maintain my pace and stay focused on the present moment when running hills. He had me glance at the top of the hill ahead of me but would not want me to focus too much on it. If I get too caught up in how far I still have to go to the top, it can be demoralizing. Having these negative thoughts can instantly slow a runner down, not something you want when you’re in the middle of a race. By focusing on the journey and listening to my body, I’ve been able to try a range of different things and eventually reach my goals.

Here’s the thing: if you’re too focused on winning or losing, you might miss out on some of the fun and meaningful experiences along the way. I know I did when I first started my weight loss journey. I was so focused on the outcome that I wasn’t paying attention to what my body was telling me or having any fun. But when I started focusing on what my body was telling me and experimenting with different approaches to health and fitness, I ended up having a lot of fun and learning a lot along the way. And when I finally reached my weight loss goals, it was a great feeling.

So the next time you feel frustrated by a loss or setback, try to embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. And remember to focus on the journey, not just the destination. You never know what magic might happen along the way!

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Did this change your approach? Let me know in the comments.