No applause needed

 Anticlimax: something that is much less exciting or dramatic than it was expected to be: a dull or disappointing ending or result.

When I was in college, a professor cautioned those of us in his writing class about the possibility of“anticlimax” in talking about our personal writing projects. 

“Many people plan to write a book, but few ever do,” he said. “One of the reasons their books are never written is due to anticlimax. In talking about the book they are planning to write, they experience the climax before it’s ever written. After they have experienced this climax, the actual writing of the book becomes a dull endeavor.”

I never forgot this relevance to writing, and as a consequence, and for that reason, I rarely talk about any personal writing projects that are still in the works.

I believe this analogy can be applied to many goals, and it exhorts me to begin working on goals without fanfare, and then talk about the results. Unfortunately, I don't always do that. Sometimes, I do make announcements at the beginning of my projects and undertakings, and so often have short-term results. Those warm and fuzzy feelings can quickly leave after stepping into the commitment.

 How many times have we noted someone announcing on social media their intentions to follow a certain diet or exercise program and then receiving heaping amounts of praise, just for the declaration? Rarely are any results announced, and most of these are immediate results. Some might say that encouragement is needed at this point. Real encouragement is not praise for an accomplishment that is yet to be realized. Receiving praise for “intentions” can lead to climax before any progress has been reached, much less the goal.

Starting a weight-loss journey with a small goal of one pound per week is not very exciting and will garner little if any praise.  For me, making an announcement would just be setting myself up for more self-defeat.  When I started working on losing a pound per week, only my husband and children knew about it.  Three months later, my husband joined me and has had the same results.

Slow and consistent progress leads to rewarding and lasting results. My rewards—and noticed only by me — have been much improved lab reports, dropping daily medications and just feeling better.  Dropping clothing sizes —noticed by others — is a bonus.

Real encouragement can take many forms other than unearned praise.  When family and friends support the changes needed to stay on track day-to-day, it’s a great help and relief. Social situations and eating out present great challenges in staying on track with calories and nutrients. It’s impossible to assign correct numbers to all the ingredients in someone’s favorite recipe, and not all restaurants supply nutrient information for their menu.  Suggestions and help in maneuvering through these situations is appreciated, and so is acknowledgement of visible signs of progress, along the way.              

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