I Hate Being Obese

Hi,

I was looking for something else when I opened up an old workbook today and started to read through the first few pages. The workbook was a free download called "Fat Brain Lies" from Carlene Jones of http://www.rawfoodbootcamp.com/ that I had printed out and put in a three-ring binder.

I had remembered that I had only done part of the workbook because it took me so long to finally get "before" pictures of me -- the instructions were strict to not go ahead in the workbook until you had your pictures. It is obviously a serious book and if you ain't ready, you ain't ready. But if you are ready, I think it could help a person get on the right track.

As I was reading, this statement from near the front of the book set me to thinking:

"Oh you may be saying, I don't deceive myself about this, I hate being obese. Well then, my question is, if you hate it so much and you know how horrible it is for you, why have you not done something about it? Hold that thought, I am sure you have many reasons, and we will talk about most of them in this workbook."

I pictured myself being the leader of a group talking about losing weight and how I might borrow the same thought but give it a different approach. I wanted to record what had occurred to me as a reminder and encouragement to myself so here is what I came up with:

You may be saying, "I don't deceive myself about hating being obese. I do hate it. My question for you is this: "If you hate it so much and you know how horrible it is for you, why have you not done something about it?" Stop. Don't answer that question. The reason I don't want you to answer that question is that what you will come up with will be the same old story you've been telling yourself forever. Your current answer to that question is simply a distraction.

Continue thinking about the question. It is called "holding the question." Again, Don't come up with all your excuses and reasons and hurt feelings. Just think about the question: If you hate being obese so much and you know it is a horrible situation for you, why have you not done something about it?

Now, let's change the question into a statement:

I hate being obese and I'm doing something about it, right now. 

Now write down all the things you are currently doing to combat obesity in your own life. If there are things that you are currently doing, write them down as a way to remember that you are already working towards your goal and you are moving right along. This is what I am doing and why:

1. Journaling every day -- I make a record of my BP, my BG, and my weight every morning. I write down what I have eaten during the day at the end of the day. I often write down what I've eaten at the time I ate it. I write down my feelings or experiences on some days as needed. I record my exercise activities (time and duration). I write down what my current weight loss goal is every morning as a reminder of where I am currently headed. Why: this keeps me focused and on track more than anything else I have ever tried. Without it, I wander around getting into trouble.

2. Exercise three times a week -- Even though last week I did not exercise due to illness, I am resuming my three-times a week aquatic routine. Why: because it helps me to strengthen my muscles and also reduces pain.

3. Fasting once a week -- Why: it helps me to have an actual calorie reduction for the week and also gives my body a rest and time to recuperate from always eating. It has also moved my weight loss into active gear. It helps me to continue to lose weight.

4. Eat sensibly the rest of the week: -- Why: I have to eat sensibly or I either start putting weight on (even though I am fasting) or, I injure my health in some way. Too many carbs not only causes weight gain, it fouls up my kidneys and my blood glucose levels.

5. Visit my doctor -- Why: I visit my doctor because having to report to someone else who is going to actually put me on a scale and check my weight, take some blood and measure my blood sugar and kidneys plus what ever else needs to be checked is a very real incentive to me. My doctor is my accountability person. If I know I will be seeing my doctor in a few weeks it forces me to actively do what I should do in order to have good results there. I don't like to not have good results in front of my doctor.

Those five things are the things that I am currently doing. Your list may be entirely different. In fact if you are only just beginning to do something about your obesity, today, you might list things such as:

1. investigate programs until I find the one that works for me or that I am willing to try.

2. Ask self: What do I already know how to do that will help me lose weight in a sensible manner?

3. What can I do today to begin going in the right direction?

4. Do number 3 until you are finished with number 1.

Even these may not be right for you. You must address the statement (I hate being obese and I'm doing something about it, now.) with what is real for you.

In the end what you must come up with is:

1. A way for you to reduce the number of calories you eat per week. 

I have the following statement in a small banner highlighted in yellow on my journaling page: TO LOSE WEIGHT, YOU HAVE TO EAT LESS. This is the simplest, most basic truth about losing weight that there is.

You must come up with a system of calorie reduction that you can live with. It can be done by eating smaller portions. It can be done by eliminating your "hot button" foods (foods that make you gorge, like junk food or candy and sweets). It probably should include eating more vegetables and protein and eliminating as much food as possible that is made of wheat and sugar or other starchy carbs. It might also include fasting one day a week. It might be easiest for you to join a weight loss company (like Jennie Craig or Weight Watchers) or group (like starting one in your living room). You decide what you are willing and able to do. Then do it.

 2. A way to get your body moving and make it a ritual or habit in your own life.

In the beginning you must start out small or slow and not overdo it. If you are not fit, then walking for one or two minutes inside the house may be all you are able to do. But if you do it every day, and embrace the goal of "improvement at your own pace," you will soon be able to go for five minutes at a time. Then you can think about moving on to longer durations -- up to about 30 minutes, or more as you are able. Begin where you are today but get going.

Exercise will not actually help you lose weight to the degree that eating less will. But you cannot leave out some form of exercise that you are able to do. Everyone always talks about walking as the simplest form of exercise because all you have to do is put on your walking shoes, open up the front door, go outside, and walk.

I agree with that statement but I hate walking in the Georgia heat so I exercise in the pool and if I have to miss the pool, and am able, I get on my Aerofit (or treadmill) at home and go.

3. A support system that actually helps you to maintain your sanity and reach your goal.

Eating less and moving more are the only ways a human can lose weight, but if you don't also set up some kind of self supporting sanity and motivational activities, too, then you will be much less likely to accomplish the first two. Notice that all three of these things are ACTIVITIES. Eating. Moving. Relating.

My best self supporting activities are my journaling and visiting my doctor. My journaling lets me record my own statistics and also share my own feelings and thoughts as the days go by. My blogging helps keep me sane and also attempt to encourage and support others who may be in a similar boat. They both keep me on track and sane. They help me make corrections where corrections are needed by letting me see when and where corrections are needed.

Seeing my doctor makes me accountable to another human being -- one with authority to make accurate judgements and statements about my health, and prescribe changes that need to be incorporated as needed. My doctor is my coach.

The support system my cousin Julianna has been successful with was to join Weight Watchers. She goes every week for her accountability weigh in. She learns tips, tricks, and strategies for eating fewer calories and losing weight. The most important thing is that she actually incorporates what she learns there into her daily life. She participates with her program on a daily basis -- she does what they tell her to do. She is now about 10 pounds from goal weight and I say, "here, here, way to go, Julianna!"

You need to support yourself and your sanity. If you are obese you will not become thin over night. Embrace the journey and simply do today what you can do, according to your own, ideas, beliefs and strategies. You are in charge of your life and body and reactions. Just like you have your own system to accomplish other chores in a timely manner, you also need to set up your own system for accomplishing the goal of conquering obesity.

Do what you are able to do, right now, and then repeat it day by day. Today is the only day you can participate in any activity. Today is the Only Day There Is. If you're not doing anything about it today, then you've succombed to your own distracting stories and emotional reasons. You can move beyond it by "holding the question" ("If you hate obesity so much and you know how horrible it is for you, why have you not done something about it?") and changing it to the statement: "I hate being obese and I'm doing something about it, now."

Your body is capable of improving. You can make your body stronger and more fit by letting go of all those old ideas and start living in your own new statement, today.

I hate being obese and I'm doing something about it, now. 

Go for it!

Be encouraged!!

Love you much,

Be back soon,

Marcia