Just a Thought

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Just a Thought
5
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 9:57am

Hi Everyone,
I haven't posted a lot- I am at a little different point in my weight loss journey than this board is for, but I LOVE this board and come here often. You are all such awesome women - great wives, Moms, daughters, friends. I've noticed that so many seem to be struggling right now, and I have a thought I want to share.

I am fortunate to work with an incredible trainer, and this idea comes from my experiences with him. When I decided to try to lose the weight, it felt kind of like a punishment to me - that to 'have to' eat right and exercise and make good decisions for myself seemed like 'my fault' for losing control and gaining the weight in the first place. Months of talking with my trainer totally changed this for me. I realized that this guy (and when I say he has a body to drool over, I am not exagerating) starts every day by deciding what/how he is going to eat, and when/how he is going to work out...and he does that because that's how he takes care of himself...what a concept!

To realize that - planning my food is taking care of me...scheduling the trips to the gym is taking care of me...going for a walk is taking care of me...instead of 'punishing' myself all day every day, I have hours devoted to being good to myself. Now, when I am facing a choice, (chocolate bar/apple...gym/tv on the couch) I ask myself 'which would take better care of me?' I keep a journal in a notebook and I write down the answers pretty frequently - along with 'and the reason I deserve to take care of me is...' I figure if most hours of the day I can remember to be good to me, then I have a lot more to give to taking care of the people I love. And on the days when it would be easier to say 'I don't deserve to take care of me', I have the notebook to remind me that I actually do.

I can tell from your posts that all of you so deserve to be well taken care of. I don't know if this idea will help anyone, but I think if you take a few minutes to make a list 'Why I deserve to take care of me', you'll have a little backup when chocolate seems the only answer (and my program allows me to have the chocolate I need to take care of myself, never fear - just not whole bag of Hershey kisses for dinner anymore!)

Anyway, this attitude shift really helps me to stay 'on the wagon' more of the time so I wanted to share it in case it would help someone else.

Have a great day!
SJ

225-173-135

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: happysj56
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 10:13am

SJ, that's a great perspective. In a similar way I find it easier to steer clear of junky foods when I consider what I allow in my children's diets. It helps to think that I'm caring for the health of their mom instead of thinking "me, me, me, me, me."

Please don't be shy about posting here. You belong here every bit as much as anyone else who posts, and I for one appreciate your perspectives someone who is further along in this journey. Thanks for your insights!

Annie

A
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
In reply to: happysj56
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 12:27pm
That is a
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2005
In reply to: happysj56
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 1:37pm


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2004
In reply to: happysj56
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 3:47pm
What a great reminder for each of us as we work through this process! Great words of encouragement! I will definitely try to keep that in mind as I rededicate myself to my weight loss journey.
Thanks,
Jen
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Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
In reply to: happysj56
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 8:45am

Thank you for a great post SJ... I really like the way you put it. And I hope we hear a lot

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