Week 28 - Coming Out of Prison

I lost 5 pounds last week!!!! And my man lost 2 pounds!!

BOOYA!!

(Notice how this is the exact reverse of last weeks results where I lost 2 and he lost 5)

I know I had a bigger loss this week because I really worked on being more true to the program. I am back to measuring my portions and not rationalizing eating any foods that are off plan. I already know this plan works so I am sticking to it. I want to get the rest of this weight off my body and then I can transition into more options. It’s all GOOD!

Can anyone possibly understand how a person just released from prison would feel? To finally have the chains, bars and cuffs removed and to feel personal liberty and freedom again after it has been taken for a time.

I reflected on that thought today as I have gone over my journey. I feel as if I am slowing COMING OUT OF PRISON, and I didn’t even realize how much in prison I really have been! All the little things mean SO much when you’ve been without it for so long. Like just this last week, I was sitting by a lady who had her legs crossed and I wondered to myself if I could cross mine yet... so I tried and I could!! I had a little thrill inside because I could finally sit w/my legs crossed like other women do! I couldn’t wait to tell my hubby!

I have been in bondage to obesity for 20+ years. I have been in a personal, tormenting prison of self-loathing, endless pains, and loss of freedom. I will NEVER FORGET and I will NEVER GO BACK.

I feel like I am finally on a different path going in a different direction and it feels liberating! Isn’t it amazing how when you take control of what you eat and make better choices, it actually gives you more freedom?

I have learned in Dr. A’s book (Habits of Health) that I want my goals to be for what I WANT and not what I don’t want. Example: When we have goals like - I don’t want to be in pain anymore, I don’t want to be fat anymore, I don’t want to feel sick, etc. What happens is that as soon as you start to not have pain or not feel fat or sick (or whatever the goal is), the motivation ends and the diet or actions taken stop. Then we slip back into old habits until we feel fat or sick again and can’t take it anymore then it all starts over. Thus we get into the “yo yo” dieting where we lose and gain and it gets worse every time. This WAS me!!!

Instead, I am going to focus my goals on what I WANT. Example: I want to have optimal heath, I want to run a 5k then a 10K and more, I want to go on long bike rides a few times a week, etc. So my goals are what I want and my choices each day are going towards these goals that I am seeking. No more “yo-yoing” for me. This is IT! My life is not going to be the same as it was before!