There’s no weak (or missing) link in this group! |
Earlier this week I must admit I had some challenging moments. I found myself hungrier much of the time, I felt a bit lonely and I wanted to feel comfortable and happy. I also was very curious if I was getting results yet. Alright, let’s see how I handled these feelings…Now even though I advised my fellow teammates to not weigh themselves, what did I do? My pants felts less tight so…I weighed myself! Nothing like “walking the talk”. And lo and behold, the same number popped up on the scale that I started with. Not down, but not up. I knew better, but I did it anyway. And it didn’t make me feel any better. Maybe I should listen more to the experts. I will not weigh myself again for 3 or so weeks per recommendations.
I fared better with the loneliness. I called Cecelia, one of my teammates. We talked for a few minutes and just knowing she could relate and I could share my concerns with her was a big help. That’s what support looks like, something I wouldn’t have if I were going it alone. There is no question in my mind that my success will be a result of the success and support of the rest of my team, Mary Ellen, Cecilia, Lakita, Anna and Veronica. Somehow our different personalities, backgrounds, ages…it all just works and feels very easy being part of this group. I wonder if the Monkees felt this sense of community? (Am I dating myself?) And all of you who have taken the time to write and share yourselves…your support and relatedness is a huge boost. Thank you and I hope our program is a big help to you too!
The hunger…no, it hasn’t gone away. But I’m making sure I’m eating a really good breakfast and including my 2 snacks. And lots of fiber and water to fill me up. I’d forgotten how an apple can take the edge off between meals. And I learned something interesting from one of the trainers at the gym. When I’m working hard and building muscle I will get hungrier. It’s my metabolism speeding up and I need to fuel it with the best fuel for my body. And regularly (not just one or two meals a day or late at night).
A last thought. The only way I got the support I needed from my teammate and the info about hunger from the trainer, is by being honest about it. And communicating it. We all need each other, particularly when we’re feeling tired, unmotivated, lost, disappointed, uncomfortable…And sometimes by just putting it out there, another person, friend, teammate, expert, may say the perfect something to get us back on track. It certainly worked for me.
Marna
January 18th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I AM WANTING TO BECOME WILLING TO START THIS PROGRAM.I TURNED 60 ON 11/06 AND WAS SURPRIZED TO FEEL THE SAME, NOT OLDER , I THOUGHT WHY NOT TRY TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. I’VE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH RELUCTANCE TO START A PROJECT AS I HAVE THIS TIME AROUND. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF MYSELF.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:42 am
JUST READING MARNA’S JOURNAL GIVES ME A LITTLE BOOST. I HAVE NOT OFICIALLY STARTED THE PROGRAM. I AM RETRIEVING AS MUCH INFO FROM THE JOURNALS AS I CAN TO SUPPORT MYSELF. I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.
I AM AN RN, I WORK OUT OF MY HOUSE, AM TETHERED TO MY COMPUTER 40 HRS PER WEEK. I WEIGH 178 LBS AND AM 5FT 2 3/4 INCHES. I HAVE MILD TO MODERATE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SINCE AGE 28. I HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY IN JAN 2001, LOST 100 LBS AND NOW GAINED BACK 30 LBS. I WAS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH OF 247 LBS. I DO NOT WANT TO STRUGGLE WITH THIS ANYMORE.. I NEED MY LIFE BACK. WHEN I REALLY WANT TO ISOLATE INSTEAD OF REACHING OUT. SHARING IS THE FIRST STEP/
January 18th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Marna, I am always here for you if you need to chat or grab dinner
we are neighbors you know!!! Keep it up, we love your spirit and energy!
And Jackie, good for you!! When you are ready to start your new life and new you, you will be fabulous at it! It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’ve been or anything, it’s never too late to start again, that’s what I say! Each morning you wake up and inhale the breath of life… is an opportunity for greatness!! Good Luck, we all support you too!!
January 19th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Jackie, I can so relate to what you’re going through. I sat and procrastinated and got less and less motivated every day I put it off. One of the things about this program that makes it a bit easier is to change your habits in stages, not everything at once. For example, Phase 1 focuses more on your behaviors than on cutting back food or exercising like a madwoman. Put movement back in your life, stop eating a couple of hours before bedtime, always eat breakfast, etc. Once the basic behaviors are habits you add more steps to move you further in the weight loss direction.
Please get the support you need–you deserve it! If we can help please use us. That’s what we’re here for.
And remember, you haven’t just gained 30 pounds–You’ve kept off 70!!!
We can only win the race one step at a time. Why not get started right now? It does get easier once you get going. That was definitely the biggest hurdle for me–GETTING STARTED.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Marna