According to a article published recently , the average American will gain 10 pounds between Halloween and New Years. That is a scary report. But there is also a report that 67% , 2 out of 3 Americans is overweight or obese. What happens to us that allows this to happen. The good news is that if you are reading this, you have joined Spark to release weight and become healthy again. I have seen concern from some that they are afraid it will happen to them that they will gain weight at this time of the year.
I look back at my life, before I started my healthy journey and I can’t recall even thinking about gaining. Starting with Halloween ,eating as much candy as I could find , Thanksgiving Day, a day to enjoy family and have a huge meal. I can remember, loving food as I did, not eating well, I mean, not 1 serving, but 2 or 3 servings of every thing on the table including extra pie and other deserts, coming away from the table feeling so stuffed but happy. Of course, we had our big meal at noon and when the evening came along , more stuffing myself with more of everything. This was every year. As Christmas approached it was a time to bake our favorite cookies and who can eat just one cookie, everyday at work people would bring in special cookies and I love cookies. I wouldn’t have just one, I munched all day. Christmas day was also a special meal and of course I took advantage and over ate. There were also special parties with lots of food , there to be eaten. New Years is the same, parties, and more food. It is no wonder that I gained weight. After New Years, I vowed to go on a diet and that lasted a few weeks. So If the report is accurate, many people are and will be doing the same thing I did in the past.
Why I am writing this, I am saying to all of us that this does not have to happen. I will only speak for myself and tell you how it is for me. In 2007, I had started my program and in the “Season”, I released weight every week. I followed my plan, did not get off track and did not participate in eating all the goodies that was available. , 2008 & 2009 , I was in maintenance and again, I continued on a daily basis of eating healthy. I did have the traditional dinners, but limited the food to small portions and no seconds or thirds, I had desert, but a small portion. This year that we are in, will be no different, as I now say I am living life, I am going to do the same as in the past, eating with controls. I don’t feel a temptation that I would revert back to old habits.
Why am I writing this? I gave my example of how it was and how it is now and I want each person to know that you also can get through this season and continue to release weight. I feel there is no reason to gain weight. I have seen a number of blogs where there are plans being made to keep things under control. That is a great idea, another area to look at, is that I have seen people write that they went off track because of a special event , like a birthday or special night out and it frightens them that in this season it will happen again.
It certainly could, but it does not have to be that way. I suggest that a strong focus be made on our attitudes and what we really believe. This can be the time to put all that hard work that each of us has done and know that it is time that we take control of our lives, If you can vision the weigh-ins with a release of weight, feel what that number would be and get excited. I also feel at this time in our lives as we work towards a healthy weight or maintain what we have accomplished that we need to have a new excitement about our lives. A positive outlook, a knowing that finally we are in control and have the ability to face each special day and enjoy it with a new feeling. I love the idea that I can participate in the special days and meals knowing that I eat healthy.
My purpose is to tell you, that if I could release the 84 pounds and continue for almost 3 years now of maintaining it, that all of us here on Spark can do the same thing.
I believe that each person can be successful, but WILL they. Lets make this the year that we went through the “season” successfully.