Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Week 42, 174 lbs.

Yep, I went up a bit this week.  Life and my female cycle got in the way of my progress, but it won't keep me down for long! 

I went to a conference where I didn't have easy access to IP-friendly foods and followed that up with a visit with family in Austin.  The few deviations from program (two days before weigh-in), limited water intake, little exercise and "that time of the month" had me expecting a gain.  I lived up to those expectations

I was pleased that it was only two pounds and am working harder this week to make up for the delay in progress.  I don't want to be on phase one forever. 

The increase in my weight brings to mind some comments and questions that have come up lately and I felt it was time to address life after dieting.

"Our life is what our thoughts make it" -Marcus Aurelius

Recently, someone I didn't know very well asked me about the diet.  Like me, she's struggled with her weight most of her life and expressed frustration that she's now heavier than she's ever been.  When I explained how Ideal Protein works and the results I've experienced she said, "Yeah, sure.  Every diet I've ever tried has worked and then I go off the diet and my weight balloons back up!" And that was that.  She totally rejected possible future success based on past failures. 

People who knew me when I was at my peak weight compliment me on how I look now and follow the compliment with "I hope you can keep it off!" or "Do you think you'll gain any of your weight back?"

The diet is just a tool for weight reduction.  I am completely responsible for what happens to me after I am off the program.  I know that if I go back to old behaviors and eating habits after I am off Ideal Protein, I'll go back to being overweight and miserable.  The future is up to me!

Along with dieting, I am working hard to change the way my mind works. My perceptions about my abilities, who I am, the way I live my life and the way I eat are all changing.  I am embracing those changes with both arms! 

Those of you who have followed this blog for a while may be sensing a recurring theme in my posts.  For those of you who are new here, here it is:

Your thoughts can make or break you.

If you want to lose weight, you can if you believe you can.  If you want to keep it off for the rest of your life, you can do that, too!   If you believe you will gain weight after you've stopped dieting - you will.  Your success is determined by your mindset and willingness to change.

I choose to believe in myself and focus on success rather than failure.  I also accept responsibility for my own life and actions. The behaviors and lifestyle that put me on the path to obesity were not serving me well and it is crucial for me to change my lifestyle to one that's more balanced, healthy and completely different from what it was before.

Let's face it, our body is the vehicle we travel in from birth until death. It's important to take care of our bodies and our journey through life is a lot more fun in a clean-burning, fast-moving vehicle than in a slow, out-of-shape clunker!

It is crucial for me to change my thoughts and lifestyle in order to keep the weight from coming back.  If I was not willing to change then I would be doomed to going back to who I was a year ago. 

It is my intention to spend the rest of my life in a fit, healthy body!  I believe I can do it, too!



4 comments:

  1. Amen!!I just reached my milestone of losing 75 pounds. I will never go back to eating like I did before.

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    1. That's awesome, Carolyn!! I am so happy for you!! Change is scary, but so, so worth it!! Congratulations on your milestone!

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  2. This has been your best blog post so far, so very, very true and words I needed to hear. You are an inspiration lanza

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