155 lbs. (FYI, the MFP ticker to the right represents my morning weight - this one is 6pm at the clinic)
A good chunk of last night's Optifast meeting focused on me. This was the first time my issues took up much of the spotlight, but it seems the theme of my struggles resonated with many in my group. They were able to give me some perspective and some really good suggestions as well.
I shared some past and current painful experiences with my older sister, including my binge that followed her recent visit. I've been to therapy about this relationship, but this past visit had a situation that involved my son, and I think it brought back a flood of negative memories and feelings from when I was his age.
I'm not going to go into details here, but the gist of my discussions with the group involved writing and speaking aloud my negative experiences (which I did), and setting up appropriate boundaries around the relationship (which I'm developing a plan for, and think I have a strategy for future encounters.)
It is not in my family's tradition to cut someone off fully, but I do feel like I can create a life with fewer interactions, and be direct about keeping boundaries when they are being breached.
My husband and I have a trip planned close to where she lives, and I've made the decision to only make arrangements to pop by to see her on the way to the airport, if we have time. I'm not going to make an effort to carve out time in this precious trip that we are taking, to visit with her. This may sound harsh, but it is important for me to honor my feelings and experiences and minimize exposure to someone who causes me emotional harm. She also has a history of spending lots of time working during family gatherings, so I know it won't be completely out of left field for us to not be able to get together when I'm nearby.
Someday it may be important for me to speak to her directly about how her behavior in the past and present is hurtful to me, but in truth, I know that she is incapable of processing the information and it would only be for my benefit. I'll probably know if the time is right to do this.
Lots of my classmates are showing their bravery in family situations and standing up for their healthy best interest. Speaking up for ourselves is important on a psychological level, and whether the person we are speaking to agrees with us or not, we are entitled to our perspective and to make the choices that are best for us. The more I learn to do this on a regular basis, the less likely I will be to stuff down my feelings with food. I'm going to need to practice awareness and figure out what to do with myself when I want to run to the fridge.
On the food front, I'm feeling terrific as I've added protein, vegetables and salad to my daily diet. I love the extra energy and more vigorous workouts. My oldest son is doing the C25K app with me and it's really wonderful to share the experience with him. Two of the days we run are in the evening, and I feel much safer running with him at our nearby park. It's also a great bonding experience to have with my 15 year old introvert. It warms my heart knowing that he is enjoying it too.
My husband and I will also be taking long walks/hikes together a couple of times per week which is going to be nice. He works from home now and our plan to is to head to the trails right after we drop off our kids at their schools.
I'm going to be speeding up my weaning off the shakes, and am on course to be completely off of them in two weeks. At that time I'll be qualified to transfer into the next Maintenance Class, and will be spending some time building up my metabolism and slowly increasing my calories from the 1000 calorie level (post-shakes). I'm looking forward to it and believe that this will take me to my goal weight and then I can work up to a maintenance level of calories. I don't know exactly how it will work, but I'll figure it out with the help of the clinic counselors.
A good chunk of last night's Optifast meeting focused on me. This was the first time my issues took up much of the spotlight, but it seems the theme of my struggles resonated with many in my group. They were able to give me some perspective and some really good suggestions as well.
I shared some past and current painful experiences with my older sister, including my binge that followed her recent visit. I've been to therapy about this relationship, but this past visit had a situation that involved my son, and I think it brought back a flood of negative memories and feelings from when I was his age.
I'm not going to go into details here, but the gist of my discussions with the group involved writing and speaking aloud my negative experiences (which I did), and setting up appropriate boundaries around the relationship (which I'm developing a plan for, and think I have a strategy for future encounters.)
It is not in my family's tradition to cut someone off fully, but I do feel like I can create a life with fewer interactions, and be direct about keeping boundaries when they are being breached.
My husband and I have a trip planned close to where she lives, and I've made the decision to only make arrangements to pop by to see her on the way to the airport, if we have time. I'm not going to make an effort to carve out time in this precious trip that we are taking, to visit with her. This may sound harsh, but it is important for me to honor my feelings and experiences and minimize exposure to someone who causes me emotional harm. She also has a history of spending lots of time working during family gatherings, so I know it won't be completely out of left field for us to not be able to get together when I'm nearby.
Someday it may be important for me to speak to her directly about how her behavior in the past and present is hurtful to me, but in truth, I know that she is incapable of processing the information and it would only be for my benefit. I'll probably know if the time is right to do this.
Lots of my classmates are showing their bravery in family situations and standing up for their healthy best interest. Speaking up for ourselves is important on a psychological level, and whether the person we are speaking to agrees with us or not, we are entitled to our perspective and to make the choices that are best for us. The more I learn to do this on a regular basis, the less likely I will be to stuff down my feelings with food. I'm going to need to practice awareness and figure out what to do with myself when I want to run to the fridge.
On the food front, I'm feeling terrific as I've added protein, vegetables and salad to my daily diet. I love the extra energy and more vigorous workouts. My oldest son is doing the C25K app with me and it's really wonderful to share the experience with him. Two of the days we run are in the evening, and I feel much safer running with him at our nearby park. It's also a great bonding experience to have with my 15 year old introvert. It warms my heart knowing that he is enjoying it too.
My husband and I will also be taking long walks/hikes together a couple of times per week which is going to be nice. He works from home now and our plan to is to head to the trails right after we drop off our kids at their schools.
I'm going to be speeding up my weaning off the shakes, and am on course to be completely off of them in two weeks. At that time I'll be qualified to transfer into the next Maintenance Class, and will be spending some time building up my metabolism and slowly increasing my calories from the 1000 calorie level (post-shakes). I'm looking forward to it and believe that this will take me to my goal weight and then I can work up to a maintenance level of calories. I don't know exactly how it will work, but I'll figure it out with the help of the clinic counselors.
2 comments:
Once in a while I'm glad I'm an only child....
You are doing awesome and you will continue to do great as you reach your goal. Excited that your son is running with you too!
Thanks, Martha :-) Overall it is going well, and I'm so happy to be on the right track. I plan to stay there! Cheers to you too!
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