Great posts, friends!
I really liked this chapter, and again, I have to say how grateful I am that this second time through we are going chapter by chapter.
The first time I read the book I thought I was paying close attention to these early chapters, and I even highlighted passages I thought were important. But in going back through them more slowly this time, I am discovering things I didn't the first time around that are very meaningful.
It would be easy to answer all of the Readiness Profile questions as yes, especially when we are feeling very committed and fired up about the program. But I have spent the last four days really chewing on these questions and understanding what answering yes really means. Pretty powerful.
Question 1: Two weeks ago my family and I went to visit my parents. Although my mother knew I was back on Weight Watchers, she made a really rich lasagna (sausage, extra cheese, etc.) for dinner, and made a tossed salad which she over-dressed before putting it on the table (she knows this drives me crazy, but that is a subject for another day!
) She went to a lot of trouble, and was very proud of her meal, so I just didn't have the heart to mention that these were not program-friendly foods for me. And she would have been very hurt or gotten offended if I didn't eat her meal or asked for something different. Instead I ate the smallest amount possible as not to hurt her feelings, then shaved off a bunch of points daily for the rest of my week to compensate. I suffered a bit as a result, but I spared her feelings AND had a weight loss that week--so I counted it as a victory. But after reading question 1 on the Readiness Profile again--I wondered if I should have handled it differently. If I had it to do over, I think I should have made my dietary requirements more clear to her before heading down or offered to make them dinner or take them out. I really realized that we have to put our weight loss in "project status" (as Dr. Phil says), and champion our own efforts no matter what.
Question 2: YES, YES, YES! I can't wait! Other times that I've lost weight I have NEVER done this--I'm very thrifty (CHEAP!) and a terrible packrat--and now I finally see how very important it is to get rid of any clothes that will allow you to get bigger. I am at my heaviest now, so I don't have any clothes to give away yet, but I can't wait to piece by piece get rid of these ugly clothes. Especially the granny panties!
I live in jeans and tees/sweatshirts right now, which aren't very cute or flattering. I haven't wanted to spend money on cute fat clothes, yet wearing these dumpy clothes has hurt my self-esteem a bit. As soon as they are too big they are out of here!!
Question 3: This is a toughie. In a way, you could say my mother was doing this by making such a fattening meal, although I certainly don't think she was conciously doing so. In the past, I've had lots of friends and even my husband do the ole, "oh, come on, just one" bit, which at times I was able to resist and other times I succumbed. Rather than assuming people are out to get me, I think it is my job to explain to everyone I'm close to exactly why this is important to me, what I need from them to assist me, and to also equip myself with the tools to handle difficult situations.
Question 9: Doesn't apply as I am a SAHM. My boss is a (usually) very sweet 2 1/2 year old, and I'll never quit this job--no matter what!
Question 10: This also doesn't really apply to me. We are really good about keeping healthy foods in our house. I'm lucky that my hubby and kid don't have bad goodies that they must have. We love to go out to dinner though, so that was often where I would indulge excessively. In general, the issue with me isn't so much WHAT I'm eating but HOW MUCH. But I'm willing to take a closer look and remove any items that I need to.
Question 11: I am exercising 3-4 hours a week, and it feels good. Since going back on program I have been exercising nearly every day. I am keeping an activity journal to help keep myself honest. I can feel a difference physically and certainly mentally already.
Question 14: I really believe in the power of affirmations. I have a HUGE list of them that I'm willing to e-mail anyone that wants them, just let me know. I printed some out and have posted them on my refrigerator to help me stay focused and positive (Key #1).
Questions 4-8, 12 & 13, and 15-20: The answer to all of these is "Yes;" I am here and in this program for the duration. This site, this forum and all of you are my touchstone for "getting real" this time.
And here are some quotes from this chapter that also struck me as important:
Quote:
Get out of your seat in the comfort zone and resolve to begin each and every day of your life with the question: What can I do to get healthy control of my weight and my life? Ask it, answer it, then do it, every day.
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Quote:
Ask yourself right now: do you want to continue to be part of this life-wrecking, spirit-breaking epidemic of overweight and obesity? Do you? You must decide once and for all that it is not okay to accept living life as a fence-sitter.
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Quote:
It takes courage to change, and it is time for you to claim that courage.
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Okay brave souls, thanks for letting me share!
Jo
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205.2/199.2/135
I have the courage to allow myself to reach toward my potential. I am unafraid of what I may achieve.