Measuring Success II: Beyond the Scales

If you’ve tried losing weight before, as part of your diabetes control program, you probably know about the dreaded “p” word.

That’s right: the big PLATEAU.

You started off with a weight loss bang. Then, your weight loss slowed down. But that was fine because you expected the slowdown. You continued to lose at a healthy rate of a kilogram a week for a while.

Then, whammo! For no reason you can figure, your weight loss really s-l-o-w-s down. You’re lucky to lose a tenth of a kilogram in a week. Or you stop losing altogether.

Most people who are trying to lose weight go through these periods when the weight won’t drop, even though they’re sticking to their plan. After a week or two, their weight starts to come off again. Or they kick up their physical activity program a bit to get themselves over the plateau and down the other side.

But this article isn’t about how to get the scales to drop. It’s about how to use this period, when your body seems to hold tightly to every kilogram, in a constructive way.

• It shows you how to measure your progress in managing your diabetes and successes without using the scales.
• It suggests ways to use positive self-talk and your affirmations to stay on track.

Taking Measure

Renée had lost 8 kilograms when she hit a plateau. At first, she wasn’t discouraged and just added extra minutes to her walking routine. But the scale seemed stuck. She fretted for a week or so, wondering why she was still sticking to her meal and physical activity plans to control her diabetes when they didn’t seem to work anymore.

Then she took a good look in the mirror. Because she had been fixated on the scale, she hadn’t paid much attention to other changes. Now, taking stock, she realized she was looking more fit, more toned. Even during the last two weeks, when the scale hadn’t budged at all, her favorite mix-and-match work outfit had become more comfortable. This was the motivation she needed to keep on track.

Even if you haven’t hit a plateau, this is a good time to take stock of how far you’ve come without hopping on the scales. Consider these other ways to gauge your progress:

• Have you lost centimeters?
  • Do your clothes fit better? Are you more comfortable in them?
  • Have you bought new clothes in a smaller size because your old ones are too big?
• Do you feel more fit?
  • Can you breathe more easily?
  • Are you able to walk further? Faster? More comfortably?
• Are you able to do anything that you weren’t able to do before? Walk through the mall without stopping to rest frequently? Walk your dog? Play with your children or grandchildren?
• How are your blood sugar levels?
  • Are you having an easier time keeping them in a healthy range?
  • Have you been able to reduce or go off oral medication?
• Has your appearance changed? Are people starting to notice and comment on your weight loss?
• Has your attitude changed?
  • Are you feeling more confident in your ability to manage your diabetes and get healthier?
  • Do you feel better about your health and appearance?

The bottom line is that when you’re trying to control your diabetes and get healthier, you can measure progress and success using a lot of benchmarks!

Keep Talking Happy Talk

After you’ve taken stock and seen how many ways you’ve made progress, you can use these successes in your positive self-talk and affirmations. Whether the road to your diabetes control is smooth or bumpy, you can tell yourself, “I have taken control of my life and have made important, positive changes. I am stronger, more fit, and healthier than I was four months ago.”

If you haven’t hit a plateau, that’s wonderful. You can use this technique anytime you need help staying on track. Take stock, list your successes, and remind yourself that your hard work and commitment have gotten you this far.

Your Turn

Take stock of your progress. List the successes you’ve achieved since you started the Glucerna SR™ Diabetes Control for Life™ Program. Write down those that are most important to you. For instance, “I am now able to control my blood sugar levels with less diabetes medication.”

Refer back to this list if you ever get discouraged. In your self-talk, you can remind yourself of what you’ve already accomplished.

Summary

• You can measure your success in the Glucerna SR Diabetes Control for Life Program in many ways: By centimeters lost around your waist. By how you feel. By what you’re able to do and accomplish. By better control of blood sugar levels. By your appearance, attitude, and self-image.
• Reminding yourself of those successes in your self-talk can help you stay motivated and on track.