Anchors
October 18, 2011 at 8:30 pm 4 comments
Please help me reach my personal nutritional goal and raise $250 for Canadian Feed The Children by COMMENTING below!(click HERE for background information) |
Two weeks in, and I am heartened and truly touched by the response to my World Food Party campaign. I am 7.2 pounds down (more than 10% towards my goal of losing 60 pounds by my next birthday on May 16th. —> check out graphic at right, which will be regularly updated. 
Couple of comments coming in over the past 14 days that I wanted to address in this post.
There’s no “die” in “diet” (oh, wait, yes there is)
This is not a “diet” – I don’t believe in diets either, gio! This is a return to healthy eating — quantity, quality and content — founded upon what my body needs as fuel instead of what it needs as comfort, boredom relief, love … [insert motivation or unsatiated desire/need/want of your choice].
Also, I’m not starving myself – that’s not what my comment about “solidarity with hungry children” was ever intended to imply. That would be a silly thing to do, and wouldn’t help hungry kids one damn bit.
Math is hard (not really, but I needed a heading)
To reach my goal by May 16th, I will need to lose on average two pounds per week. This is exactly what every reputable weight loss system, nutritionists and medical doctors will say is healthy, achievable and sustainable. I would like to say that I had that all well-thought through in advance, but in fact I hadn’t done the math!!! The good news is, I started two weeks earlier than I planned, which leaves me exactly 32 weeks. What a fluke!! However: a) I’m getting old; b) I don’t get a lot of exercise; c) I’m female — so two pounds a week is on the high side for what is likely for me. But, what’s a pledge without a stretch goal, right?
Anchors aweigh (this is the important bit)
The symbolic value of the Canadian Feed The Children campaign and mission, and the reminders I see every day of the children that CFTC donors’ funds go towards helping, cannot be overestimated.
In behaviour change, including addictions / recovery methods, there is a concept called “anchoring.” Anchoring is essentially creating a conditioned (psychological) response by linking the emotion or psychological state desired with a physical object or, in my case, a mental image. To cut through the mumbo-jumbo, every time I feel inclined towards disordered eating (as in, eat when I’m not hungry or eat too much or eat the wrong thing for the wrong reason), I think about this campaign, a photo of a child I’ve seen, a comment that one of you has made to me, and the fact that I am committed to reporting in on my progress. My resolve is restored, and I’m able to focus on my long-term goal. Put the cookie down and pick up the pear instead.
You guys are my anchors. I will hold on to you when I feel myself sinking. So, you’re anchors who will help me float. That makes absolutely no sense, but I like it.
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1. Jan | October 19, 2011 at 9:14 am
Good luck on the journey! I am traveling along beside you. My family started another biggest loser competition this past Saturday and I have joined in again in order to shed these last stubborn 10+ pounds. Last year – I lost over 40 and have been successful in keeping them off. What it took for me what realizing that anytime I am on a diet – I will fail. Instead – I realized it is a lifestyle change that will give me continued success. I no longer shop the same – the bulk of my time and money is spent on the outside perimeter of the store. I knit or crochet hats and scarves in the evening when watching TV to keep my hands busy and keep me from eating out of boredom. The items I knit and crochet are donated to a local agency that feeds the homeless under the bridges. I exercise. I don’t love to exercise – so that was a big step for me….. So – I am here on this journey with you. You can do this. You are worth it. You are wonderful!
2. Jennifer | October 19, 2011 at 9:34 am
Jan, thank you so very much for your inspirational comment. I *love* *love* *love* the knitting thing! And it is so very true what you say about dieting – i find the reframe to “healthy lifestyle behaviour” is critical. It means there’s no such thing as “cheating” and the attendant guilt and falling-off-the-wagon to then go on a binge. It’s just a choice that is more or less supportive of the long-term goal.
Keep us posted either here or on FB (I know you will!) on your last leg. Those final 10 lbs are doozies. But you’ve achieved the key thing – the maintenance period. I didn’t get there last time, but I’m determined to do it this time out!!
3. Julie | October 20, 2011 at 12:21 pm
An anchor that will help you float… I like it, too! I love that you are thinking of this as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. My husband has started to approach his weight that way, and while he will still indulge in a cheeseburger on occasion, he has started to realize how much more satisfying a nutritious meal can be. You are awesome! Keep it up!
4. Jennifer | October 21, 2011 at 1:13 pm
you are awesome too! And Ryan is doing GREAT (make sure he’s doing it in a healthy way though, huh?)
I’m trying to do the vegetarian thing more and more – in every way, it’s healthier and kinder – for me, for the animabubbles, for the planet.
Aside from my lentil and veggie chili catastrophes of earlier this week, it’s going well. (PS – try that sw potato – lentil – chard recipe; it’s simply to die(t) for).