Motivation and the Lack Thereof

I've said before I am feeling kind of left out not starting the annual "DIET" but I reminded myself that they do not work. I think we all have to remind ourselves how much a serving really is. Are we really hungry to eat two portions, or are we just bored? Are we eating so fast our body hasn't caught up to tell us we're full? We all know we can't look at restaurant servings. We have to see them for real in our own kitchens. Get out the scales, baggies, whatever you need to remind yourself.
I'm having a hard time not rebelling and eating more than I should just to prove I'm not dieting! Isn't that dumb!
I've been thinking of joining Curves but have not because I don't want to be gung ho on it and then not go and lose the money. Seems I have spent so much money over the years on dieting and it hasn't worked, hate to keep spending more. Even though I tell myself its not dieting to go there. It's exercisin and I should just go for it.

I have been following your column about the weight loss and can identify. I started Weight Watchers in October and the weight is coming off so slow, but steady. Yet when people stand up and say they lost 5 lbs the first week, I want to scream, "Don't get use to it!". I think it helps me to be frustrated and lose a little each week, then to have that huge weight loss in the beginning and then deal with the little losses.

But 30 pounds? Wow, you should be feeling it. So yep, time to mix up the exercise routine a bit. I would love to check out the jazzercise class in Concord, but can't quite figure out how to get the information. Concord Hospital Health promotion has some new classes that just started and Concord High just started their evening school up. Personally, I am just going to make the commitment to go to the little employee gym at the hospital more often. It may not have the glitz of Gold's, but the price is right! (The other thing is my aversion to crowds and let's face it, WW and the gyms are crowded this month!)

My motivation is the warm weather just a few months away. I am looking forward to fitting into shorts that I have not worn for the past 2 years. Hang in there!
Jan

I heard about Blue Monday on the Tonight Show last night and thought, "That explains it!"

None of us should think of exercise as dieting. Fat or thin, exercise is a key component to our long term health. The more we move now, the more we will be able to move in the decades to come.

We have not picked up a Monitor in some time, but when I recently did I came across you recent column. At first it angered me, then just frustrated me, and now I have put it in perspective.

Just for the record, in August I weighed over 400 pounds. As of today I am at least 148 pounds less - yes - just over 148 pounds less than before. How did I do it? No different than anyone else that puts their mind and committment to it fully and completely - atitude, outlook, exercise, re-education of portion size, etc. etc. etc.

Atitude? If I do not do this I will die many years before my time, plain and simple. It is not weight "loss" to me - if I lose weight, then it is likely to come back. It is a lifestyle change. Weight reduction is a choice (took me a long time to believe this), one not easily made and not easily carried out - I applaud every single person who has tried it, successful or not - good for trying - but don't stop trying - YOU CAN DO IT.

Outlook? I can picture myself with my kids and wife years from now - it is a beautiful and wonderful picture. Though you need to know, I am not doing this for them - I am doing it for me so that I can enjoy my life with them for a long time to come. If you are not doing it for you, then why bother? Everyone one of us deserves the best and therefore we have to put ourselves #1 in this case.

Exercise? Dieting is not successful for the long term without it. Another plain and simple fact. Don't accept this fact and you will not really succeed in this journey. It does not need to be anything fancy, or in the gym, just get up and move. Park 5 spots back further each week. Use the stairs twice as much a day. Just get up and move.

Reeducation? My choice right now is an agressive fasting program through COncord Hospital - closely monitored and safe in every way I have found - that you Tracy, Lorraine, Dr Lawrence and all of the other wonderful support staff there. When it is time for me to eat normal portions again, the support they have given so far will still be there and I have learned the confidence in the last 5 months to know I can do this and to know when, what, how much to eat.

For those that say - Ah Ha!! There is a catch and you are insane for soing something so radical. My point of view is that whether it is Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, going to a nutritionist, my program, or anything else, if you follow the programs, have the right atitude - do it for the right reason - YOURSELF!! - You will succeed. The bottom line is - I AM SUCCEEDING.

I am not at the end of my reduction journey yet. I have more weight to go before I am done this program - entirely my choice, then it will be a lifetime of living and learning and loving and enjoying.

Want to learn more? Go ahead and contact me through this blog? Want to challenge my thoughts - go for it - my success through my atitude and outlook are there for anyone to see. I am not saying it is easy, just that ANYONE CAN DO IT!!!

Your Friend, Bill