One pound down and I am not looking back. I guess my body is making an adjustment, so who am I to judge? I judge, I admit it. Sigh.
Well, onto to something more interesting. Tonight's class was really helpful. We discussed the difference between what we need and what we want. My answer to what I need is for me to put my wellness in the forefront of my life from now on. Participating in this program is giving me some practice. On nearly a daily basis I am faced with adjustments to accommodate my fast - whether they are social or emotional. I need to speak up daily so that I can stay on the program and reach my goals.
Our leader went over how we can ask for what we need.
- Directly and concisely articulate our need
- State why it is important to us
- Explain what we need the person to do to support that need
- Express what the positive outcome will be when we are able to get the need met.
- I need to achieve and maintain a healthy, normal weight
- This will help me feel better, live more actively and stave off disease and mobility issues
- I need to own my goals and make choices and decisions that will support the healthy lifestyle that will get me there
- If I make the right choices I will feel more energetic, be able to have more fun, and hopefully feel better as I grow older. I will also feel proud of myself and my self-esteem will grow.
The point of this exercise is that when we are not getting our needs met, we get stressed, and then turn to food for comfort. It makes a lot of sense, and I can see how just a couple of unhealthy choices have led me to a slippery slope of overeating. Or when I need more support from my family, and don't speak up, I can feel resentful and stressed and overeat to fill that void.
I always have lots to think about after these meetings. This one cuts close to the issues of why I overeat, so it is particularly meaningful. As for the rate of my weight loss, I'm not going to complain. This program has been very effective for me, and the smaller loss this week is a reminder that I'm not a robot, and that I need to have patience with the changes happening to my body and let it adjust.
I hope all of you are having a great week. Thanks for stopping by to read my humble blog.
4 comments:
You have such a great attitude about how the week went! You're doing great on the program ;-)
Thanks, Kathy. I'm trying.
Have to agree with Kathy. And you! As you say, you're not a robot. Sometimes things go slower than average, sometimes faster. We take the good, so we have to take the bad. You are unbelievably strong and I can just see you taking this in your stride.
Reading your conversation with yourself about your needs, you can see that the most important thing is the choices you make every day. The number on the scales is a goal, but it isn't the progress. You are making progress every day with your mental changes and healthier choices. The numbers will catch up perhaps, but the changes in your habits and mindset are the most important.
Caitlin, thanks so much for your comment. I have to be reminded sometimes that in the end, the mental changes, and ability to make conscious, positive choices is what matters in the long run. Many people criticize Optifast because it isn't a "lifestyle change", however, I find this program to be working the most on the mental side of creating a healthy lifestyle. It isn't disappointing me both on the weight loss front, and on the psychological side.
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