Posts: 351
4/26/10 1:03 A

I'm coming into this discussion late, but I wanted to add my two cents. I think I had found Sparkpeople first, and then read the "Beck book". Sparkpeople alone wasn't enough for me to lose weight, because I easily got discouraged or felt overwhelmed and I wasn't seeing much success. I have been a yo-yo dieter all my life, and I really needed the positive self-talk provided by the Beck book.

But what SP has been really useful for is #1 planning. "Unplanned eating" is a really big thing for Dr. Beck. I do the best when I enter my calories for breakfast & lunch and then tailor my dinner around the nutrients (fiber, protein, etc) that I still need in my day. When I started reading the Beck book, I decided that my "sensible diet" was the Sparkpeople suggested calorie range and distribution of fat, carbs, and protein.

Sparkpeople has also provided a support system, continued education, and a little extrinsic motivation when I don't really "feel like" spending time thinking about dieting.

I'm over a year in now, so I mostly do the SP stuff, but when I find I am snacking or eating emotionally or losing motivation, that it's a good idea to consider bringing out my positive response cards and reasons for continuing on this journey. I just recently revisited all my cards, and it really has me back on track.

Posts: 2,241
4/23/10 12:58 P

When I started Beck I made the lists and cards for a great many reasons to lose weight and affirmations. Then over a couple of weeks I started pruning the lists down. A lot of items with very similar to others. I quickly got my list of reasons down to three that really cover it all. I got my affirmations down to 5 which really cover it all. I make sure I read them at least once a day even if that is the last few minutes before I got to bed.

I have lots of things that I want to accomplish. I started with one and when I was doing it regularly, I added another. Now many of these things are habits that I really don't think about much. I am still adding new things regularly.

Don't get overwhelmed with the busywork. If something really helps, make sure you do it daily. If something doesn't help much, leave it for later.

You will get it worked out fairly quickly.

current weight: 143.0

157 152.75 148.5 144.25

140

Posts: 51,075
4/22/10 10:15 A

I love that I can keep the CARDS for Beck with me, and take them out when I have a few minutes. I read a few while waiting in line at the check-out the other day.
I read the Spark book at the library as there was a copy there. Nothing new as for as I was concerned since I have been a Sparker for 2 1/2 yrs. I've needed what DR. BECK teaches to deal with my THINKING, which is where all my problems begin.

I'm so thankful for this Team.

SparkPoints: (68,438)
Fitness Minutes: (40,796)
Posts: 9,734
2/24/10 6:41 P

One of the keys with Spark is making small changes and then focusing on just a few at a time. Its a slow process. Find what works for you. Is it tracking your food, or going for a walk. One of the keys is that this is a lifestyle change, not just a diet that will end.
Cindi

current weight: 0.0  under

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 15
2/21/10 6:20 P

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. It was getting a bit overwhelming trying to do both.. or some.. or what! I will start with what makes sense. :) Thanks again.

Posts: 7,580
2/21/10 4:49 P

I agree with Cindi that Spark and Beck go very well together.

I will say that each of them have a LOT that you can do, and it is easy to get overwhelmed. So, it is important to pick and choose the parts of each that help you the most. And try not to get compulsive about any of it.

Tracking food is really important, and Spark makes that easy. Staying in touch with the team is a great way to feel connected and feel accountable. Reading response cards is a big part of Beck (at least early on) and it is a good idea to keep doing that.

One thing I remember from the early days on Beck was the feeling that this was taking SO MUCH TIME, but I feel that that was part of what makes it work. It forced me to shift my focus and put my own well being much higher on my list of priorities.

It would not hurt me one bit to try to RECAPTURE that feeling!!!

current weight: 181.0

219 208 197 186

175

SparkPoints: (68,438)
Fitness Minutes: (40,796)
Posts: 9,734
2/21/10 3:17 P

Actually, I think Beck and Spark works together very well. I'm reading The Spark book right now and there is so much that is similar between the two books. I think Spark just puts it in different terms.
Cindi

current weight: 0.0  under

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 15
2/21/10 2:30 P

Ok. Here I go. I am new to this team, but have been with Beck since early November. HOWEVER, I didn't really "get it" until January 18th. (I think that is the date). Anyway, since then, I have started tracking ALL of my foods. I have not exercised in years. SO.. I decided to start with "steps" and just add more each day. I finally went to an Orth doctor this week who gave me 2 cortizone shots for my knees. That was the last "hurdle" I needed to clear me to work on this 110%. Now, I have just started really looking at what I eat.. not just tracking it.. and more importantly slowly starting my exercise. I guess my question to the team is.. any recommendations on how to keep up with reading all of my ACRs and other cards plus reading and learning how to do the spark stuff too? I have finished all of the Beck book and I have a colleague starting the 28 days with sparkpeople on the 1st of March. I like the sparkpeople setup, but don't want to lose my Beck skills I have learned. Any advise?