HOW DO YOU TURN THIS:
INTO THIS???
INTO THIS???
ONE STITCH AT A TIME!!!
And don't we have to approach weight loss in the same way? I could have looked at the box of yarn shown above and been overwhelmed by it and believed that I was not capable of turning it into a completed sweater. I could have quit the first time I made a mistake in knitting from the charted pattern. I could have grown weary of it and tossed it aside for something easier. But I didn't.
I looked at that yarn and saw a challenge worthy of my time and effort. When I made a mistake, I calmly went back and corrected it. And on the days when I grew weary of the challenge, I forced myself to work on it for at least an hour whether I wanted to or not. And soon the results of my labor were so attractive to me that I couldn't wait to finish it.
Did I follow the pattern exactly? Come on! I never do...it's not in my nature! Was I proud of my effort? You betcha! I know the labor that went into it...I know the minor flaws that are knitted into it...I know that you can get a sweater in an easier manner! But I wanted to say that I had accomplished it myself...one stitch at a time!
Weight loss? Yes, it can look overwhelming. It can be frustrating when you make a mistake or two. And there are definitely times when you want to toss the whole idea and go do something else!
But, like the sweater, the results of all those individual efforts are pretty attractive and something we can be proud of. Yes, we may know that the path was not always smooth, that our efforts may have been a little messy at times, but when we step back and look at the finished product, isn't it worth it?
I looked at that yarn and saw a challenge worthy of my time and effort. When I made a mistake, I calmly went back and corrected it. And on the days when I grew weary of the challenge, I forced myself to work on it for at least an hour whether I wanted to or not. And soon the results of my labor were so attractive to me that I couldn't wait to finish it.
Did I follow the pattern exactly? Come on! I never do...it's not in my nature! Was I proud of my effort? You betcha! I know the labor that went into it...I know the minor flaws that are knitted into it...I know that you can get a sweater in an easier manner! But I wanted to say that I had accomplished it myself...one stitch at a time!
Weight loss? Yes, it can look overwhelming. It can be frustrating when you make a mistake or two. And there are definitely times when you want to toss the whole idea and go do something else!
But, like the sweater, the results of all those individual efforts are pretty attractive and something we can be proud of. Yes, we may know that the path was not always smooth, that our efforts may have been a little messy at times, but when we step back and look at the finished product, isn't it worth it?
13 comments:
I am completely impressed with your talents! You should make more sweaters and sell them on eBay... although, I am sure wearing them may be more fun for you...
I am glad you had a great time at the wedding - and seem to be all back to normal. I am slowly getting there after the one day of wedding-ness turned into an entire weekend of it.. ekk...
The sweater looks great! And it's a great analogy, as well. And I'm totally with you on your post about normal days. I treasure them!
Awesome sweater!!! You are incredible!
I think we all forget (on occasion) to approach weight loss one pound at a time. All we can see is the end result and we want it, now now now. Thanks for the reminder, it's always good to have a wake up call. It's a life long journey anyways, so is there ever really a finish line?
I know that is how I look at things. When you break them down into little tasks they aren't so bad. Keep it up.
Greg
That is a great sweater AND a great analogy. This hasn't been a great week for me. Things have come up that kept me out of the gym, but today I will go and not think about the past. I will go and work off one calorie at a time if I have to. I'm a crafter, too, mostly cross stitch, but like you I know it's one stitch at a time. I need to keep this post in mind when I get discouraged about the weight loss process. I just need to take it one day, even one minute, at a time. Thanks for this!
such a beautiful sweater. and that is a very true analogy. it's just a day or a meal or a snack at a time. we can start making healthy choices anytime, not just on Monday mornings.
Overwhelming if you have a goal. Is there really a goal while having a healthy lifestyle? I didn't set a final goal till I was less than five pounds from hitting it.
great post and great analogy! (and WOW on the sweater!)
Great post! Loved the analogy and the sweater! I'm off to the wool shop in the next hour!
Beautiful! And so so very true.
I love that analogy, I also love that I can't eat and knit at the same time ;)
What a great analogy! So true.
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