One thing that's been bothering me about the "Drop 10 in 10" adventure I've been on is that I feel I've been cheating myself out of the full experience.
As a group, we've learned that it's essential to keep a list of what we eat and calculate how many servings of fats, vegetables, proteins and so forth that we consume. This provides a snapshot for us to use to determine not only how much we're eating but also what we aren't eating and what we need to eat more of.
I was pretty quiet during last week's class, but I was thinking about how much of a loser I felt like ... not a loser of weight but a loser of self-control.
During the previous weekend, I'd scarfed down a couple of pieces of pizza and some soda at a birthday party. The next day, my sister came to visit and I ate a doughnut and some cookies with a couple cups of coffee.
Just as I thought to myself, "Boy, I hope no one asks me, 'So, Becky, how was your weekend,' " Jim Persing, the class instructor, started talking about "developing an attitude of gratitude."
One of the 10 ways our book listed in this section is to replace unhealthy, negative self-talk with positive, unlifting affirmations. Jim said, "A bad day is just a day. It's not forever."
I'm not alone in my issues. I shared my struggles with the group and discovered that others also have stopped and restarted keeping a record of the food consumed.
One woman said she gets tips for weight-loss and management from other people and other sources.
"Each of us would be a great coach for other people - but not for ourselves," said another class member.
I suppose this is because it is easier to judge others than to turn that critical eye inward.
Instead of judging anyone, "allow yourself to be successful," the book advises. "Learn to recognize self-imposed sabotage, accept responsibility for your choices, then create a new future for yourself."
