Make weight loss easier: Realistic Optimism

Let's continue our discussion about t making weight loss easier for you...

Over and over again when I’m chatting with women about their health and losing weight, I hear this phrase, “It’s just really hard.”

I get it.  I’ve said this before myself. 

And losing weight does FEEL hard at times.  Choosing to walk away from those brownies is really uncomfortable sometimes.

But, if you keep looking at weight loss as hard, you’ll keep running in the opposite direction of it... because who wants more hard stuff to deal with?

You know what I mean. Like that time when you were going to start a sugar fast the next day so you eat the whole bag of chocolate chips in your pantry the night before.

Part of the reason you do that is because you’re focusing on how HARD the sugar fast is going to be (even though this doesn’t make sense since you’re just making it harder on yourself… the crazy things we do sometimes…).

So, are you supposed to believe that weight loss is easy then?

NO.

Please don’t do that.  Don’t go to an extreme here.

Weight loss is NOT EASY… but you can make it easIER by not telling yourself it’s going to be hard, but having some REALISTIC OPTIMISM.

Yep. Those are big words for this non-writer, so let me explain.

Let’s take optimism first.  It's having the hopefulness, confidence, or anticipation of the best possible outcome.

I pray some of you have seen the old-school movie, Pollyanna.  Did you ever watch it? _{(I would really love to know if you did because I’ve been using this reference for a while and I feel like I’m getting a lot of blank stares lately).}

From IMDB.com:

“A little girl comes to a town that is embattled by feuds and intimidated by her aunt. By the time she must leave, she has transformed the community with her indomitable will to see the good side of even the worst situations and bring it out for the betterment of all.”

Basically, Pollyanna turns around everything “bad” into having some sort of bright side.

I think that is what we often believe we need to do as Christians; see how everything bad is actually good in some way.

But, sometimes bad, hard, difficult things just aren’t okay, no matter what spin you put on them. 

I think we need to stop beating ourselves up about seeing that.  We have a very real enemy.  And, being sad, disheartened, and frustrated, isn’t in and of itself bad.  It comes down to how we react to these emotions.

From what I’ve seen, you will have a “better”, more loving reaction to difficult things when you apply some reality to the situation.

This is where realistic optimism comes in. 

It’s recognizing the tough situation… AND looking for how God can eventually use it for good, in HIS time.

If you want an explanation way better than mine, check out Army Resilience (click HERE)

Here is a great definition of realistic optimism from that site:

“Looking at the hard, scary and uncertain things squarely in the eye and maintaining a belief that we will prevail despite our current reality.”

Here is a little run down of how I see the difference between optimism and realistic optimism…

Optimism is:

• Everything is fine
• I’m good
• I should just feel lucky
• Every day is a good day

Realistic optimism is:

• I feel down today but I know I won’t feel this way forever. 
• My heart hurts right now for the family.  What is one small thing I can do to help?
• This situation stinks.  I’m going to find one way to make it even slightly better.
• There are tough days, hard days, okay days and good days. I choose to experience all them because that is what living is.  I can’t know the good without the bad.

Here is the key piece to realistic optimism; looking for God’s solution, his hand in everything.

God is good.  He doesn’t give us “bad” situations or want to make our lives harder… that is the job of sin and the devil.  But, He can use ANYTHING and create good from it.

And, as His creations you have a role in the process. 

First, is BELIEVING that God has solutions and is planning for good to come.

 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things."  Romans 8:32

Second, is LOOKING, searching, anticipating the good to come.

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”  2 Corinthians 9:8
_{(**I think this verse not only speaks to our physical needs but our mental needs too!)}

Okay… maybe that got a little long-winded.  If you’re still with me, you’re probably wondering how this realistic optimism has anything to do with weight loss.

Good question!

It comes down to this… if you think weight loss is hard, you’re going to be right.  And, if you only focus on that, you’ll lose motivation quickly, miss out on finding ways to make it easier, and most likely QUIT.

Which is the only way to GUARANTEE failure at losing weight.

Instead, if you could be honest with yourself and say, “Weight loss is kind of hard at times, but I can do hard.  God has all the solutions I need to do this and He WANTS me to take care of my body well.  Which means He wants to give me those solutions.  I just need to start trying things and prayerfully asking for direction.”

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

God will give you the directions.  And you’ll start walking, screwing up at times, but continue seeking God for solutions until it gets EASIER.

MANY studies have shown the benefits of optimism.  Benefits like:

• Better health (improved immunity, lower risk of cardiovascular disease)
• Greater achievements (more wins for athletes)
• More persistence and resilience 
• Better mental health (less depression and anxiety disorders)
• Increase in longevity
• Less stress
  
  

You are God’s workmanship.

He designed your beautiful body just for you.

You have everything you need to care for it well.

AND

We have a very real enemy that wants to destroy anything GOOD that God gave us.

He won’t stop making this life harder by driving as many wedges between you and God.

I encourage you to use realistic optimism.

Be on alert for the adversary AND continue to believe in God’s good provision.

So, when those “hard” days of binging on junk food and Neflix come, you know you can stop it, it’s only a temporary slip-up, and God has the guidance you need to overcome and turn it around.