Feelings & Weight Loss
Thursday, September 10, 2009
OK, before I get started, I first must say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to second to oldest grandkid, Brandon. He turns 10 today!!! Happy bday Brandon! Wish we could be there!
Now back to feelings and weight loss. Such a simple yet complicated subject all rolled up into one crazy package! I think we all know how our feelings about ourselves & our emotions are so tightly tied to losing weight & then maintaining that weight loss.
I read this post from Diet Tired the other day:
Now hate is a pretty strong word BUT this is how Sharon feels. I do think we can all relate in some ways to her "dislike" feelings. We go through a myriad of emotions & feelings as we lose weight. Even though I lost weight years ago, I remember saying some of these things like how much I hated being fat & how friggin hard it was to lose the weight & how tired I was of being "good" & why do my friends not have the same prob & how I hated that they could eat what they wanted to & I could not. It went on & on. Really, not the best thought process going on! I got thru it but many people can derail themselves with self defeating talk.
What I do love about Sharon's response though is the LOVE that goes with it & her goal of MORE LOVE & LESS HATE! I think that can work outside the weight loss box too! She turned her hate into something good. I was very young when I lost weight so I was not really mature enough to get to this level. But when I was older & learning to do things right & adjusting my food & exercise, I did get those love feelings & still do. I love how I feel after accomplishing a great workout. I love that I push the limits at times to really challenge myself. I love the foods I have chosen for my food program & that I can constantly change & update them. I love that I can enjoy when I want because I know I will get right back to business. I love that I am in a smaller size than when I was 25.
I think there is something to learned by all of us in this post from Diet Tired & Sharon. The weight loss & health journey can be hard, complicated, emotionally charged & thrilling all at the same time.
OK, before I get started, I first must say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to second to oldest grandkid, Brandon. He turns 10 today!!! Happy bday Brandon! Wish we could be there!
Now back to feelings and weight loss. Such a simple yet complicated subject all rolled up into one crazy package! I think we all know how our feelings about ourselves & our emotions are so tightly tied to losing weight & then maintaining that weight loss.
I read this post from Diet Tired the other day:
I Hate This Journey of Weight Loss
An integral part of the Healthy Weights program is artfully acknowledging and approaching your feelings.
Read Sharon's most recent approach to her feelings and weight loss.
Sharon:
It all boils down to hate.
- I hate this journey of weight loss.
- I hate thinking about it, constantly monitoring it, always trying to be on top of it.
- I hate the physical shape of my body and the unhealthy habits that got me here.
- I hate that I can't just sit down and eat when I feel poorly or am upset.
- I hate the that fact that size 0 clothing exists in this world.
But love is a strong emotion too.
- I love how I feel after walking 3km each morning.
- I really love how I feel when I push for that elusive 5k!
- I love corn, warm from the sun, picked fresh ready for eating.
- I love how I feel when I finish the large carton of fresh spinach before even a single leaf turns brown.
- I love making my kids each veggies because they are good for them.
- And the best love of all - putting on pants and having them be looser than the last time I wore them.
Goal this week: more love, less hate.
Now hate is a pretty strong word BUT this is how Sharon feels. I do think we can all relate in some ways to her "dislike" feelings. We go through a myriad of emotions & feelings as we lose weight. Even though I lost weight years ago, I remember saying some of these things like how much I hated being fat & how friggin hard it was to lose the weight & how tired I was of being "good" & why do my friends not have the same prob & how I hated that they could eat what they wanted to & I could not. It went on & on. Really, not the best thought process going on! I got thru it but many people can derail themselves with self defeating talk.
What I do love about Sharon's response though is the LOVE that goes with it & her goal of MORE LOVE & LESS HATE! I think that can work outside the weight loss box too! She turned her hate into something good. I was very young when I lost weight so I was not really mature enough to get to this level. But when I was older & learning to do things right & adjusting my food & exercise, I did get those love feelings & still do. I love how I feel after accomplishing a great workout. I love that I push the limits at times to really challenge myself. I love the foods I have chosen for my food program & that I can constantly change & update them. I love that I can enjoy when I want because I know I will get right back to business. I love that I am in a smaller size than when I was 25.
I think there is something to learned by all of us in this post from Diet Tired & Sharon. The weight loss & health journey can be hard, complicated, emotionally charged & thrilling all at the same time.
What do you think about Sharon's feelings & thoughts. Do you have the love/hate relationship with your weight loss program or have you managed to put the "dislike" behind? I am not perfect so I can't say that I have "all the love" but I am doing OK. How about you?
What I love is how articulate Sharon is about her feelings. Most of us feel that way but we don't recognize it!
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I have a lot less hate now because I moved away from creating stressful goals, to just living healthy and allowing everything to fall into place. It's working. I no longer count calories, keep spreadsheets or journals, ya know? I just (mostly) live well. I approach exercise as a time to move my body for health - not necessarily weight loss - and the rest is falling into place. I think of how moving my body will benefit me when I'm older. My joints will be fluid and I will remain energetic. Weight loss is a chore, but healthy living is a blast of enjoyment!
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Josie, thank you so much for this thoughtful & wonderful comment! You have a great attitude & it shines thru on your blog as well!
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Sharon is speaking the cold hard truth, and it is really what most of us feel in our own weight loss and fitness journeys. It is always a love/hate relationships with weight loss!!!
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I love Sharon's way of expressing her feelings but hate that I didn't come up with that myself.
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It's easier to stay out than to get out! If it's not too late, don't dig that weight loss hole for yourself, please!
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I too love how she honestly lays it all out there. For me it was definitely a hate/love relationship.
Sometimes the hate seems debalitating, but the love can overcome it.
By the way - love the spell check on your comment section!
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Charlotte & Amanda yes, most people don't admit to some of their true feelings or don't recognize it.
Jack, now why does your comment not surprise me!
Dr. J.. YES. Thank you for your passion for health & fitness!
Diane, so true, love can overcome it for sure!!!
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That was so incredibly honest! These thoughts have all run through my head from time to time. When I hear more hate than love, I know I am tired and get an early night. That helps me.
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Honestly? I *loved* my weight loss journey! I learned so much about myself. And I loved tracking my progress (which didn't even include weight for the first 6-7 months) and seeing how much I was accomplishing and how my body was changing.
Now, how I felt about not being able to eat exactly what I pleased in the proportions I wanted--well, that's when I can identify with Sharon.
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