Reading Martha Beck’s SO FAR method of weight loss strategies and they resonate. S = stop, just stop. For when you’re making a bad choice, have just made one. STOP.
O = Open, meaning breathe. Stretch, look away, soften the eyes. Yawn. Let the shoulders drop. (For me this means I find my Tai Chi root, sink into it, shift my weight slowly from foot to foot), look to the right, the left, up, down, rise up on my toes. Put my arms up over my head. Coworkers ask if I’m pretending to be on a roller coaster because my hands stick up over my office walls!
F = Forgive. Really, this is self-forgiveness, remembering what you do right. A positive re-focus.
A = Accept, as in OK, this is where you are, no kidding.
R = Renew. Start doing what is good. You’re now relaxed, not in the fight or flight, charged, self loathing mode you were in just before you stopped. You’re relaxed, at a point of strength. Take up your program, whatever it is, again. With more energy, positive thoughts.
OK, this does resonate, because I’ve felt since January 2009 that this staying in one place, losing focus and good habits, just isn’t me, this struggle to keep up what I’d been doing all through 2008, losing 20% or more of my weight.
It seems like I’ve been too stressed to concentrate. Or to relax and get on with it. I’d been so successful January through December 2008! I had hangars in my closet for April, for June, for August, clothes I was sure I’d be able to wear by then. Instead I’m still in December. And I’m eating Munchkins, PopTarts, Ice Cream, Honey Roasted Peanuts. I’m still eating yogurt, fruit, fish, vegetables too. And drinking water and walking daily.
I know myself, and when I face a dinner plate as if it’s the best thing I’ve seen all day and I fill a cereal bowl overfull day after day, I just know something is wrong. I’m loathing my behavior, ducking facing myself in the mirror, sinking into books and disassociating from everything and everyone.
I can do this, I know I can.
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by jaxie
Filed under: weight loss
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