Daily Visualization exercise

Friday, September 21, 2012

Daily Visualization:

Imagine stepping on the scale to find that your weight hasn't budged. Instead of immediately reacting with self-hatred and disgust, you remain calm and focus on the positive. What other accomplishments can you be proud of? Use this exercise to prepare yourself to handle this situation in the future.

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I the past when this has happened to me I've let that one set back totally derail my whole weight loss journey. I allowed the numbers to control my motivation and drive. But not this time. Since I've started this newest attempt, I have had great weeks (losing 12 pounds the first week) and horrible weeks (gaining back 6 pounds the second week) and instead of focusing on the bad, I chose to look at it as I was still 6 pounds lighter than the first week. Now I look at my body composition sheets and when I don't like the way my weight looks on the scale I make a mental note of how much my body fat percentage has dropped or how many inches I've lost or even how much looser my clothes are. And most importantly I remind my self that these are all just numbers.

I've finally realized that the number on the scale doesn't define me as a person... am I any less caring at 249 than I will be at 150? No. Will I love my son more being a size 10 than I do now as a size 22? Heck no! Will I be funnier or a better writer or a less obnoxious singer after I lose 100 pounds? I don't think so. Truth of the matter is, my weight has nothing to do with WHO I am! I will still be the same person I've always been, I will just be a healthier me. And in the end, it's that thought that gets me past those set backs on the scale!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GRANDMA12542 10/21/2012 8:31AM

I came across your blog and thought, wow, I needed that. Thans for the visual picture and for sharing how you overcame. When I started losing weight, it came off faster and now it doesn't and I get discouraged. Report Inappropriate Comment

NERDY_MAMA 9/22/2012 12:40AM

I have been focusing less on what the "numbers" say. My biggest non-scale victory has been my walking. I've set my self a time limit of an hour, and each time the miles I walk climb a little higher. Last week I was able to walk 3 miles in an hour and this week it was 4 1/2 miles in the same amount of time. Back in July before I started this, I'd say maybe I could walk a 1 1/2 miles in an hour... if I had to. That's been my biggest non-scale victory. I have wanted to do an obstacle run for so long and I think I'm going to sign up for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving... just to see how well I can do the 5k. Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHYSMAMA 9/21/2012 6:02PM

Focusing on non-scale victories. Is something that has been helping me. I am always looking at the positive I have got rid of 28lbs this year not making a monthly goal on the scale is NOT going to bother me. It is such a variable measurement as well. Have you tried a few other measuring methods. Lately I have been tracking things like motivation. I do a monthly measurement loosing inches. I get recognition that I have been loosing. There are so many better things then number on the scale. I agree the scale doesn't define who you are. Report Inappropriate Comment

KARRENLYNN 9/21/2012 12:39AM

Hi, I agree with you, It's not always about the scale. We are still great people at 150 or 300lbs. We do our best to make good food and exercise choices and balance that with the other components of our lives - family, friends, jobs, hobbies, interests, etc. I think you have a great outlook on life that will serve you well in the future. Keep moving forward and enjoy your life and you get healthier. Report Inappropriate Comment

The light bulb just went off.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I read this post by another Spark member in the SparkCoach community section, and it totally clicked with me so I had to share it! It makes me stop and think before I grab something to snack on:

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Hunger isn't necessarily for food!

When I am tired, I am hungry for sleep.
When I am thirsty, I am hungry for liquids.
When I am feeling down, I'm hungry for support.
When I am feeling lonely, I'm hungry for people.

Don't eat food when you need friends, or fluids, or sleep!!! Recognize what your hunger actually is for, and satisfy it with what it is craving.

Ice cream rarely gives you extra sleep, quenches your thirst, or gives you a hug!

- Submitted by GANASSI 1/28/2011 in Weight Loss
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RCW0442EHS 9/19/2012 5:52PM

It clicks with me too, my hunger is never for food but I never think about it until I see a post like that. Thanks for sharing it. Report Inappropriate Comment

ELAYNE39 9/19/2012 8:52AM

Great post! So true. Thanks for sharing it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Dear Body & Energy: What happened today?

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Ugh... today was horrible! Brain showed up totally pumped to get some exercise done, Body was dragged kicking and screaming from the bed, and Energy was a total no show today!

As such, the only exercise that was done today was walking up and down the stairs at home and from the parking lot into work tonight. And I think Brain's feelings were hurt today and has given me the gift of a migraine to make it clear just how unacceptable this not exercising is....

Here's hoping that tomorrow is a complete 180* from today.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOOSIEMOON 9/18/2012 10:45PM

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Yes, I get my motivation from Google Images!!

Monday, September 17, 2012

It's Monday... and because of that... I think it calls for extra funnies! Don't forget, laughing burns calories too!! So with out further ado:

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

*MAMA*2*BOYS* 9/17/2012 5:48PM

Haha! Love them!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JBELICIOUS5 9/17/2012 5:24PM

Always up for a good laugh! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLUNDQUIS 9/17/2012 3:06PM

Nice! Report Inappropriate Comment

TCANNO 9/17/2012 3:05PM

Oh this really did make me laugh, keep it up and burn calories. Report Inappropriate Comment

I now offer an Incentive Package!!

Friday, September 14, 2012

I've decided that I need to create a chart to reward my self for the hard work that I'm putting into my weight loss. I shied away from doing this because I always thought of it as bribing my self to do something that I should be doing anyway, but I realize that it's not a bribe, it's an incentive package to keep me from slacking off!!! I've tried to keep them simple and affordable (with a few obvious exceptions!) and after 50 pounds I increased the amount of work expected to receive the reward. I think this is totally doable!!

My reward chart:

- 10 pounds - Pedicure Aug. 3rd, 2012

- 15 pounds - 1 new shirt and 1 new skirt Sept. 7th, 2012

-20 pounds - New makeup!

- 25 pounds: New work out clothes (No more baggy sweats!)

- 30 pounds: Manicure!!

- 35 pounds: New pair of heels

- 40 pounds: 2 brand new complete outfits!!

- 45 pounds: $45 for new itunes (I'm on a budget so this is an awesome reward for me!)

- 50 pounds: New tattoo *half way to goal!!!*

- 6o pounds: New hair style

-70 pounds: 2 new pairs of shoes

-80 pounds: Spa Day

-90 pounds: New wardrobe!

-100 pounds: Trip to Virgina to surprise my best friend

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

*MAMA*2*BOYS* 9/17/2012 5:50PM

You should post a picture of yourself in your new shirt and skirt!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CORVINESQUE 9/17/2012 12:22PM

Great rewards! You deserve it! Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHYSMAMA 9/17/2012 10:13AM

Nice goals I have been thinking of making something like this. Report Inappropriate Comment

EVER-HOPEFUL 9/15/2012 2:41AM

love it especially your last reward. Report Inappropriate Comment