"But that's not the way it's supposed to be!" is a common thing we say when our expectations fall short. It happens to all of us. Some members of MyObesityTeam have found the practice of "allowing and letting be" in the midst of a trying to be a way to minimize anxiety or heaviness.

Mindfulness experts suggest a few ways that we can notice -- not push away -- how we feel during difficult moments. There are physical responses we can notice (heaviness in the shoulders, tightness in the chest), and we should also take note of our emotional responses to disappointment (blame, self-doubt, exasperation). These can be opportunities to realign our expectations and extend grace to ourselves.

Here are recent conversations from MyObesityTeam:

• "Two plus months and I am still sticking to my WFPB (whole foods plant-based) way of life. I say a way of life because anything I have called a diet has only been, in my words, temporary excursions into ways that I deprive myself of food in order to regain whatever weight I may have been able to lose."
• "Changing your mindset and saying to yourself. I will change my lifestyle and become more active. You will find then you will feel so much better. I know that I have and the feeling is terrific."
• "Have had a little set back with my weight loss the last week. My body is going through all kinds of changes after my total hysterectomy. This last week I couldn't get enough to eat well not the best foods. I went on a junk food binge now it is out of my system and I'm back on my healthy eating."

Share how you respond when things fall short of your expectations in the comments below or directly on MyObesityTeam.com.