Always remember, anytime your body undergoes a fundamental change, so does your body chemistry, particularly in the brain - which is what causes your emotions to flip and twist.
Being aware of the fact that you are changing your life is the first step to re-establishing your emotions to a level you are content with. Visualizing what you want to achieve and what the benefits are also helps put those emotions where they belong.
Just for grins, that British "stuff upper lip" thing is the fault of your grandparents, both sides, and all your ancestors before them. That hing about guy's "not showing their emotions" was started by a woman (Eve?) so she could have an advantage over the guys she hung around with. One of the toughest people I know is a girl - my wife - and she sheds tears when she is very happy, very sad, or very angry. Believe me, you don't want to stand in front of her when she is very angry. The tears sucker you in and then, BAM!!! It's all over
Bob
GOLFPRO 4/30/06 11:44 A
James....lol...I love your sense of humor, you're going to fit into the guys lounge very well! lol
JAMESF 4/30/06 11:42 A
Wow - responses within minutes
Thank you guys - The simple fact that you take time to type in a few words helps (and thats even before reading the content)
I do like this idea of a mental picture - my dream is to hang around on this planet long enough to make some specific differences (in my work arena - environmental issues)
Also to continue to build my life with my wife (who is very important to me only because it was meeting her sister that introduced me to Sparkpeople - just kidding)
My wife is up on the roof fixing tiles - because the roof is too weak to support me - at least there are some advantages to being overweight !!! Still - she just loves me doing the cooking - so there is some balance in our unusual but very special relationship.
Thanks again
GOLFPRO 4/30/06 11:23 A
James,
Great post! Sorry to hear about the feelings you're having, but they definitely aren't "inappropriate", they're common. Any time a person changes their diet and lifestyle there is a good chance they'll have such feelings. But I promise it does get easier!
A few things. One, being sensitive about your self image is not just limited to "overweight people". Skinny people, tall people, short people, all have poor self images because society has told them to. You're doing something to change who you are on the outside. If you're a good person and happy with who you are on the inside, then try not to stress about the oustide. You have a big advantage over all those other people who have poor self image....you can change your image!!! =) One of the best things I ever did was tell everyone I was not dieting, I was changing my lifestyle. I was very open with the idea that I was fat and needed to lose weight. People became more supportive, and I stayed away from those who didn't offer the support.
Now then, the more important thing....how to live for the moment in a good way. The first step is to find what motivates you more than anything else. For me, it is/was my wife. I love her like most people can't understand, and I want to spend as much time as I can with her. I dont' want to have a heart attack when I'm 30 years old and leave her behind. So, whenever I have some craving I think about her and how I need to live for her.
Everyone has something or someone in this world that they absolutely love and don't want to be without. You just need to find it. Is it a spouse? Pet? Parent? Sibling? Or even a dream? There must be something that will help motivate you. You may want to keep a picture of this with you, or be able to visualize it in your mind. When you feel the need to get off the wagon look at this picture and think about how you much you want to succeed.
There is nothing that says you can't have a beer now and then, or a piece of cake, etc. Just use discretion and limit yourself. I didn't eat anything bad for 9 months when I first started SP. It was difficult, but I needed to do it to succeed. Many people don't need to be this extreme. Enjoy life now, but realize that how you enjoy it now will effect how you will enjoy it in the future.
You're doing great and have found a community that will support you all along this battle. Please feel free to post and ask questions any time you need. I know you can do this!
Matt
CHRIS.CORRADO 4/30/06 11:14 A
I hear you, I started about 3 weeks ago and part of me wishes it was 4 months from now so I would be in better shape, but I don't see it as wishing life away, just anticipation of good things to come, I'm actually enjoying the improvements I am seeing - today I did 60 minutes on the elliptical, about 2.5 miles - 3 weeks ago when I started I did 20 minutes, less then 1 mile and when I got off my legs were weak and I felt shaky for about 2 hours, when I stopped this morning I was a little tired but hopped in the shower and feel great - so that's cool, keeps me motivated.
JAMESF 4/30/06 10:23 A
Hi - All
Started last week & pleased with progress (not really doing much more than walking 20 mins/day, No soda and eating absurd heaps of roast fibrous vegetables and very little fats/meats).
Now I am strangely emotional about everything - (my stiff british upper lip is losing its starch) Your postings and excellent successes started me regretting not doing this sooner.
Then I started thinking that I can't wait until the end of the year = wishing life away.
I had a similar feeling when I quit smoking (25yrs 40/day) last December (gained 12 lbs) wishing/waiting for the cravings to stop (nearly gone now)
Are bizarre mood swings part and parcel of a change in eating habits just like when you quit smoking?
Does it get easier?
Does anyone have any good hints for how to live for the moment - even if you are feeling a bit "sensitive" about self image?
I feel a need to hate the weight but live it to the max anyway - if you get the picture. Any comments greatly appreciated
Thanks James SW 283 7 days ago CW 277 (6 lbs first week) GW 210 year end
