My hope for you

I hope you all have as wonderful of cheerleaders as I do!

The other day, I wrote this post, adding (to make my point about quitting and not quitting) that feedback was important (among other things).  You guys were great!  You posted and supported this mindfulness project and I wanted to say "Thanks!".

If you all are getting half the support I got the other day, you will reach your weight management goals for sure!  And if you're not feeling supported enough, reach out to others -- there is a huge (and growing) community of mindful eaters out there.  Find each other, connect, convert your non-mindful friends and develop the supportive environment that will help you flourish.

That is what you've done for me -- thank you.  :)

Having trouble keeping on track?

Ask for help.

This might be the hardest step for many of us to take.  There is a weird definition of self-sufficiency many of us carry around that sometimes does more harm than good. (I know I've battled with this from time to time).

If we are fortunate enough to have some confidence in our abilities, that confidence sometimes hamstrings us with the idea that because we can do many things well, we should be able to do all things well.  Especially, weight management, right?  Because how hard is it?  We know what we should be doing.

And that might be an accurate view from the intellectual side of our brain.  But we aren't talking about the intellectual side -- that side knows why we shouldn't eat the whole pan of brownies after the kids are in bed.  We are talking about the emotional side of our brain.  The one that needs encouragement, a pat on the back, and permission to feel crappy about the decisions we now have to make because we made different decisions in the past.

Sometimes, sharing your frustrations with a friend, coworker, or loved one is enough to get the ball rolling again.  Having someone to encourage you, tell you you're on the right track, and they appreciate all the hard work you are putting into making yourself healthier (both physically and mentally), is enough to get past your frustrations and on to the important work of continuing to make small changes in your eating habits.

And if you're not frustrated, give some thought to who your support people will be if frustration threatens to derail you.  It's always better to have a plan for these situations should they arise than fly by the seat of your pants when you're feeling down in the dumps about your progress.

Keep it Up!

Sometimes life can feel like is it conspiring against your best efforts to help yourself. You know how that goes, every time you are all set to cook at home, your meetings run late and you end up grabbing a bite at some fast food place because now your schedule is all behind.

And then there are those times where the loved ones in your life don't seem to be supporting you in your effort to manage your weight. That hurts! You know that they don't really mean to do it, but still -- can't they see how hard you are working to make these changes???

This is the time that I see many of my clients flounder. Not getting the support you feel you should from those who love you best can throw off your internal compass.

Don't let it.

Yes, I know it is hard. But keep in mind that nobody cares about your experience in this world as much as you do. That's not to say they don't care at all -- You know they do and they care a lot! Just not as much as you because they don't live in your body 24/7.

So don't let your perception of their lack of support cause you to get off track. You can do it -- and you are the ONLY person that can do it for you!!

Never underestimate the power of Connected

I was looking around the fitness center today -- and what did I see???

Why are weight loss programs like Biggest Loser, Weight Watchers, and Atkin's successful?

A big reason people come to my fitness center is to be connected. Connected with others who are battling illness, recovering from an event, or struggling with a diagnosis. Biggest Loser, Weight Watchers, and the Atkin's revolution connected people -- gave them something to talk about. Gave them common ground to share their experiences. Let them belong to a tribe of others like themselves. Humans need that. --It is not a want -- it is a very basic essence of being human.

I just read an article that said 25% of Americans currently live alone (compared with 7% in 1940).

Research out of Duke University says that between 1985 and 2004 the number of people with whom the average American discussed "important matters" dropped from three to two. The number of people who said that there was no one with whom they discussed important matters tripled" In 2004 individuals without a single confidant made up a quarter of those surveyed.

Interesting statistic but how does this figure into our discussion??

If (and there is a large amount scientific data to support this)we humans need to be connected to each other -- and we have all watched the success of those lucky few on Biggest Loser or experienced the power (abet in the short term) of Weight Watchers -- why not harness this need to help us achieve our long-term weight loss success.

Get connected. Start talking to your friends -- the ones that will really support you in deed, not just in words. Talk to your family -- get their buy in for slowing down mealtime. Find the friends that are willing to explore their eating behaviors with you. Create your network of support. Talk, blog, compare notes. Don't just drone on about food -- explore your attitudes and listen to others talk about theirs.

You will all gain support and end up losing inches.