A Lesson Learned from Social Media

To know my frustration you have to know the story.  Sorry, it will make for a long post, but I feel better [as always] giving you the full story.  My intention is not to offend with my reaction to a social media comment, and if you read to the end you'll see there's a happy ending. 

Weight Watchers offers a social media group "Connect" in their app that you can participate in when you are paying for their program.  People post before/after photos, random thoughts and the like.  It's like FaceBook and Instagram combined.  People can "like" a post and/or comment.  I'm only on there on occasion since I'm very active in  blogging and on Instagram.  

But...Tuesday mid-morning I was upset and didn't want to bombard Instagram with my WW woes.  Instead I decided to reach out to fellow WW'ers and I posted this to Connect: 

Can I just be honest for a minute? 

Yesterday I was up 2.0 lbs for my weigh-in.  I was okay with it, because I'd had a rough PMS week and was expecting a gain.

Even after talking to a fellow loser who was sharing how she doesn't use all her points (and totally not understanding how that is possible, because I always eat my points) I was fine with my gain and confident it will come right back off.  (I also went to the state fair, ate what I wanted, and shared everything and didn't eat til stuffed at all! [celebrating emoji]

But today I am struggling.  Just emotional.

I think I know why.  Here's what happened after my meeting...

My son wanted Wendy's and I thought I'd have a chicken sandwich, but decided it was probably too high in points (deceiving by being chicken, etc.)  So, I orderd the Chicken Apple Salad.

I wanted a warm burger and fries, but was trying to be good and got a salad.  I was driving and couldn't get to checking the points safely while driving. 

A salad which was listed as 21 points!! [shocked emoji, crying profusely emoji]  I could've had the chicken sandwich and a small fry for 15, or just the sandwich for 8 and my WW snack crisps from home for another 2 and been just fine. 

Now, I know it's the sugar involved in that salad.  I only used 1 packet of the dressing (they gave me 2) and I took out the bleu cheese (I don't care for bleu cheese).  So, I calculated it for a few points less, but still ... double the points for eating something I didn't want in the first place! 

It threw my day and I'm finding myself still vexed this morning thinking I'll never get it together.  I know this isn't true, but I just needed to vent. 

I did go workout this morning and I will do my best to get through today..and then through tomorrow.

Thanks for listening.  #itsmyparty #sometimesitshard

Two people commented as I had hoped -- encouraging me that this is not about perfection, but progress and at least I had good intentions.  

And two people gave advice. 

I didn't ask for advice.  And I found myself getting offended at what what said.  

One of them suggested I sit and figure out points for all the fast food places, so I'll be better prepared.  Um yea...I know that.  I'm not new to this rodeo.  I usually check everything before I go, but I didn't have that chance this time. 

The other said this, and I quote, 

"It's happened to me too.  So, I try to check the points before ordering.  I am amazed at what my choices should be if I am committed to the program.  I am committed.  So I check first to not be disappointed."

Um... okay.  So, I'm not committed if I didn't check the points before??

Yeah, I was a little upset at that comment.  It nagged at me for a good 24 hours.  

Really?!  

First of all, you don't know me....I'm a name and profile on social media who needed to vent about a situation. 

Secondly, I made it clear I needed to vent and for you to tell me when you're committed you do x, y or z and then add in "I am committed." just made me feel like I must not be committed to this because I didn't do what you do. 

I wanted to get back on and reply to that last comment in defense of myself.  Instead, I decided to thank the people that were encouraging and then I decided I need to be careful how I comment.  

Then I tucked away the lesson of not giving advice when I'm not asked for it.  I realized that I may think I'm encouraging someone when I tell them what I should do, but I have to be careful or it may come as a put down because they did not do that ... or at least don't say, "Because I am committed." 

Unfortunately I couldn't let it go.  Her comment got under my skin.  It made me think. 

Into the next day I began to really think about whether I was committed or not.  I decided to see if there was any meat out of that comment that could be beneficial for my health.

Truth be told I can be better committed to this losing weight thing.  

Do I think I am not committed because of what happened at Wendy's on Monday?  No. 

Do I think the comment was appropriate for what I posted?  Not really.

Do I think the lady had a good point?  Yes.  As much as it pains me to say so....yeah.  When I am committed I plan ahead and I stop and think about what I am doing.  

So, for as much as her comment came across as self righteous to me, I was able to glean some truth out of it and apply it to my life.  I was also able to see how some "wisdom" can come across wrong and I reminded myself to be careful with the words I speak. 

Thanks for letting me share.  

Once I worked through this situation I was actually surprised how much better my week went.  The post and comment(s) were probably meant to happen all along.  And I guess I can now say I'm glad for it.  :)

End Note:  I double checked the points on that salad later and I think the app has it slightly higher than it really is.  Even with the roasted pecans, which mine didn't have, it came out around 16 points.  So, maybe I got upset for no good reason.  Who knows... LOL :P