February 2005 ~ Issue # 18
February 2005 ~ Issue # 18 |
In this IssueHow We're Loving Ourself MoreThe Challengers Share a bit on how this weight loss process and changed how they feel about themself in a more postive manner. Challenger Updates Results from the Readers Choice Question
New Reader's Voice Question Blue Plate Special
Challenger - CarolynHappy Valentine's Day !
I'm happy to say that this
Valentine's Day finds me 60 plus pounds lighter than last year. I am succeeding
on " My New Life's Journey ". Every day I am moving closer to my goal I have set
... Yes ... it is still afar off, but getting closer in view. I have changed my
attitude on how I look at things and the way I feel about them. Believe me
that makes a big difference in the way I handle life. I am eating healthier,
exercising some { now that I can }, and drinking more water which is helping me
succeed with my new lifestyle.
One of the greatest
assests I have on my journey is my circle of support. I have such great
support from you { my online support family }, my own family and friends, and my
wonderful support group here at home { The Ultimate Weight Loss Support Group }.
I thank God for each and everyone of you, for without you I wouldn't be as far
along on my journey as I am. God bless you all.
Carolyn Skaggs
Challenger - JanBefore beginning my weight loss journey I did
not love myself at all in fact I had totally given up. Since that time I slowly
started reaching out. I remember when I first came to Dr. Phil's board I never
signed my name as Jan I was so totally filled with fear and worried what if some
one I know figures out this is me, but as I reached out and let those people
into my life and I reach back out to them I didn't care anymore and I started to
sign my name then one day I put my picture with the name and I began to like me.
I started to fight back, to stand up and fight the fear that kept me in side of
my protective shell.
There are still fears I have to fight. There are
times when I just have to say to myself "JUST DO IT" and when I do I love
myself a little more. I almost died at 550# I also lost three people I was close
to this past year all younger then myself and none were over weight. None of us
knows how long we have in this life. I feel like God has given me another chance
and I plan on making the most of what ever time I have left.
Everything I was waiting for when I would finally
be thin I started to slowly do, and these are a few of them....Things that I
have started to do now that I am learning to love myself and value my gifts and
talents. I hope that it inspires you to take some action steps to learn to love
yourself and not wait until you are thin, or perfect or what ever has kept
holding you back.
When I love myself I....
began to take new and bigger risks in my personal life. When I love myself I.... tried harder to let go of the fat that has kept me a prisoner for so many years. When I love myself I.... made lists of things that I loved to do and started doing them and stopped waiting for the day when I was no longer over weight. When I love myself I.... began writing and painting again after shutting down many years ago. When I love myself I.... made more opportunities for fun to happen in my life as a way to feed my soul and to not let fear hold me back. One life defining moment was when I went up in a hot air balloon, I felt so light and free. When I love myself I.... started to travel and not wait until I was thin. When I love myself I.... was able to open my heart and be heard. When I love myself I.... was able to reach out to others and broaden my sense of community. When I love myself I.... attempted to do things that nurtured my spirit and fed my soul. When I love myself I.... told my friends that I loved them and valued their presence in my life. When I love myself I.... started taking the first, tentative steps in finding my life purpose, I have to work on this everyday. When I love myself I.... I went back to church and found God had not left me. When I love myself I.... became a better parent and friend to my son. When I love myself I.... was able to start to nurture and heal my self from the past. When I love myself I.... When I love myself I.... When I love myself I.... Hugs Jan, Captain of The Get Real
Girls.
Challenger - WesThis month we have been asked us to write about how we are learning to love ourselves. You know, I used to think I knew how to love myself. I would treat myself (with food) once in a while, when I "deserved it", I would get plenty of rest (aka watch TV instead of exercise) and I'd watch my stress levels, making sure to relieve stress by going out once in a while with friends to a movie. But you already have an idea what I have learned about these things. I think the change in how I tried to
love myself was almost like a young kid, and how they would think about being a
good parent. A five year old would tell you that to be a good parent, you
have to give your child everything they want, and make sure they never get hurt
or upset. But they don't see the road ahead...as parents, we know that
sometimes kids want things that are just bad for them. We know that by
facing problems and learning to overcome them, kids gain self control and
confidence in themselves. Without these things they can never grow up to
be a successful adult, and so I was never able to be a success either. I
didn't look ahead, I just did what made me feel good right then.
There are things I can say now that I could
never say a year ago. I like to exercise. I know that I can control
my weight and my health. I feel like I am in control of my life and my
future. I know that I can accomplish what I put my mind to, as long as I
am willing to work hard for it. Doing what it takes to make yourself
better...that is how someone can love themselves.
There is no finish line!
Your challenger buddy,
Wes
355/298/230
|
Challenger - JillHow am I learning to love
myself?
Positive self talk; Exercising every day for at least 20 minutes; Smiling at myself in the mirror; Choosing healthier foods that nourish my body; Taking the time to post to my WLC groups, which keeps me on task for the day; Playing volleyball for 2 hours on Sunday afternoons; Creating a weekly menu and shopping from it; Taking pride in the clothes that I can wear now; Don't feel bad about taking me time to exercise; Giving myself permission to be a b***ch once in a while, instead of just stuffing down my emotions and eating; Encouraging myself; READING The Ultimate Weight Solution and quoting from it almost daily; Making time to watch some of the weight loss shows on tv. I think the biggest thing I am doing to love myself more is not quitting this process of bettering myself. I have been living the keys for just over one year now and have reached the 50 pounds lost mark. I am looking forward to this year and to reaching my mini goal of 30 pounds off by May 23. So far I am just ahead of the goals set! My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary in May and we are going to a very romantic resort in Pennsylvania for 2 nights and 3 days that has its own heart shaped swimming pool IN the bedroom suite! I am determined to look and feel great for this special occasion. In fact, I am determined to LOOK and FEEL great for the rest of my life. I am in control and I have finally realized that obesity was a disease of my CHOOSING. I now know better and I now am choosing better! Thank God for Dr. Phil and the seven keys!! Over and Out, Jill Worster 268/218/158 Challenger - LindaOk. I bet some of you have thought I had fallen off
the face of the earth. Well I am still alive and kicking tho a few months ago
was not sure if I could survive. God never gives us more than we can handle tho
sometimes it seems He does. A few months ago we went thru some really bad
financial difficulties and ended up losing our home of 11 years. It was a very
emotional time and was very difficult. The Dr. at that time put me on Zoloft for
the severe depression. I begin to gain weight very rapidly and within 3 months
had gained quiet a bit. I did what I do not reccomend to anyone. I took myself
off of it. Without a Dr. approval. Not a good thing to do but I did and made it
fine thru the withdrawals. After that I stayed the same for weeks. I knew I was
still eating too much food. Comfort foods. About the 20th of December I got to
meet a lady I have talked to often over about 10 years. This amazing lady had
lost 188 pounds. She looked great. Then her daughter was killed tragically and
she regained about 35. Well anyway I met her. She has written a book taking
about her weight loss struggles. It is more of a diary. Anyway after meeting her
I knew what I needed to do and came home and began putting into action the
things I knew to do. I began reading Dr. Phils book again and especially the
part about emotional eaters. I see myself in that so much. But I knew I
could stop the destructive patters so I made some plans. If you fail to plan
you plan to fail. I set some goals down.
1. No food from machines at work ( I had been
getting butterfingers a lot)
2. Drink at least 50 ounces of water a
day
3. Portion control ( I purchased a small divided
plate to help with that)
4. Eating out only one time a week
5. Journal several times a week.
6. Get on the scales and get real. ( acknowledge)
the facts of where I am)
so On Dec. 20th I got on the scales to being up to
313. As of today January 10th. I am at 297. That shows me it is all working. I
was given ownership of a Dr. Phil group and we are working on our weight loss
and soon will be doing a book study. I think all these things help to stay on
track. It is a long road and we cannot look too far ahead or we will get
discouraged but have to take it one day at a time.
Linda Mariah
A READERS FAVORITE QUOTE: "Don't slam your ears shut"
Challenger - PaulaWell is sure is Winter here in Maine..we have
had tons of snow in the past week and bitter cold weather, but the sun is
shining today and it is a great day! We are all alive and loving this
journey we are on..right?..at least I am!~
We have been asked to talk about what we find
to love about ourselves since we have started this challenge and I
must say I love being able to call you all my friends for most! Then I
love how this weight loss has started to change my health for the better.
My cholesterol is way down from 300 to very normal 178, as is my
triglyserites (sorry bad spelling) but I think you know what I
mean. Then had a 2 day stress test for the heart and I passed
that with flying colors!! WOOHOO!!! So to say I could have done that a
year ago..well no way would that have happened with so much weight on my
body, but I have lost over 70#s and I am feeling better each day. I am
walking without as much pain in the knees, but am still going to
be facing left knee replacement surgery soon, but I can now avoid
having the right one done with getting myself in better shape through
weight loss and strength through exercising.
I can even look in the mirror at my body
totally nude and that was something I would never of thought about let
alone do before this weight loss challenge. I am learning more each day to
love my body.
I love that I can now feel better in my
clothes..used to stay in my nightie a lot so not to feel so confined while
dressed. I also love going shopping and looking at the sizes I will be
wearing one day soon..you know the normal sizes, the regular department of
the stores. Have lost 5 sizes so far with a few more to go.
I have learned to treat myself with lots of
love, like feeding myself only when hungry, trying new things whether it
be new foods, new exercises, different ways to wear my hair, etc.. I get
up each day and start off with my exercises then it is off to shower and
now I put on my makeup..lol..I love looking at myself and seeing a
new me!
I can now sit on my dear Husbands lap without
worrying about if I will break his legs..it is AWESOME and I love it! He
has supported me totally through all of this and is there for me. We are
now planning on things we can do since we are both retired and I am now
feeling like I can do anything. I LOVE LIFE! I LOVE MYSELF! AND I LOVE ALL
THE SUPPORT EVERYONE GIVES ME DURING THIS CHALLENGE!
Be true to yourself and love yourself! You
are so worth it!
Together we can do anything! We are all on
this journey together and we will achieve our goals one baby step at a
time!
Take care and God Bless! Till next
month.
Paula Richards -- moderator
of
WLC-Maine support group
The Healthy Groovin'-Body Movin'
Mainers
Challenger - KayHow I have learned to love myself...I accept the person staring back at me in the mirror physically, emotionally and spiritually. I make myself more of a priority and don't feel one bit guilty for doing it! I don't allow anyone to step on me for any reason, i have a voice and expect to be treated with respect from others rather than let things slide. I am able to give to others in more positive ways. Confidence has gone from "0-60" and I appreciate and accept compliments when given rather than saying yah right. and because I love myself a whole lot more, i am able to take risks, step out of my comfort zone and try new things. |
 Happy Valentines Day!February is considered the month for Love and Romance. So we asked our challengers the question, "how are you learning to love yourself more?" What would you say? How are you, in this process of losing weight finding more love for the person that you are? Are you treating yourself as your own best friend?Take a moment and fill out the questionnaire in this newsletter and tell us how your learning to love yourself more. We will add your contribution in our next newsletter. Challenger Updates!Here is how our teams are playing it out so far. With just over 5 months left in the Challenge, which team will lose the most weight by average ? Here is the results so far!
Challenger - LorettaBuMpY RiDe??
This message goes out to anyone having a tough time. Did you fall off the WLC wagon? Hard to get back on board again? Beatin' yourself up? Regrets? Frustrations? Well, "been there, done that." I started out full of enthusiasm; ran into a boat-load of "stressors"; wasn't able to handle them, and re-gained part of the weight I had lost. Aaarrggghhh! I am here to tell you: THERE IS LIFE AFTER GOOF-UPS! It really is true, that the only way to totally fail, is to give up. I said: I cannot fail, if I don't quit. I plan to be like a bulldog: take a bite, and hold on!  The question was asked: How am I learning to love myself more?? The answer for me is simple: Get back up...dust myself off...forgive myself...cheer myself on...be my own best friend...believe that my health deserves to be highest on my priority list...refuse to accept that old self-talk that whispers what "others" must be thinking about my "lack of progress". This is not a success-only journey. I get that now. I REALLY get it. This is for life. I am 54, started my journey at 460 lbs with multiple health problems. I am having to undo a lifetime of junk! So I need to be at least as kind to myself as I would to a good friend. Tell them the truth, in love; get real; be patient; be encouraging. And remind them of why they are doing this: to be the person they were meant to be...to have the life God intended for them. Sure, we would all like to be the one that everyone points to as the shining example of working the program, with rapid results. Well folks, I am cheering on the REST of us. ;-) Those slow-pokes that sometimes feel they learn everything the hard way. You've heard of the "chain gang?" Well, we are the "Snail Gang!" We may take longer, but if we just keep going, WE WILL GET THERE!! Enjoy the Journey! Loretta The Get Real Girls 460/408/175 "By persistance the snail reached the ark, too. -Spurgeon Challenger - AliceIT'S MY TURN: I have finally given myself permission to treat myself well. I’ve told myself to go ahead … love myself ... be good to myself ... replenish myself. I’ve discovered that the more I love myself, the more I will be able to give love to others - and the more others will want to be around me. This is a win-win situation. Loving myself will ultimately benefit the lives of others I encounter, as well as my own life. In this journey to get healthier and happier I’ve discovered: Whose life is this, anyway? I need to create my own standard to measure my success. I am a unique human being. I matter. I need to make my own well-being a priority. Erase negative programming. I need to honor my own truth in my own heart … I know who I am . . . and I will not let another take that power away from me ever again. Forgive myself . . . and move on. There are really no failures or mistakes, just opportunities for growth. Nurture myself. If I am hurting or sad or lonely, I need to honor that and make time for myself and let myself heal. Don't expect so much of myself. Everything in life happens for a reason. Life is full of peaks and valleys and everything I experience and everyone I meet teaches me something or holds a lesson for me. Know that when one door closes, another opens. Change is good. This is how I can grow. Being alive is enough. I do not have to justify my life with a big list of accomplishments. I need to try to experience just being alive. Being alive is a gift. I have learned to love my body and to appreciate what my body can do and stop focusing on what it can't do. I love myself enough now to take action to make my dreams happen. I LOVE ME! Alice Team B How to Love Yourself
This is a ten million dollar question! How does someone who is morbidly obese and who has struggled with a very negative personal truth, learn to love themselves? I have to say that it is one day, one moment, one thought at a time. When I look back over the last two and a half years of my journey, I can see very real progress. When I started in eating disorders counseling before Dr. Phil’s original weight loss challenge and book came out, I could not go even a day without over eating. I would awaken and say "This is the day. It is not that hard." Usually, I did not even make it through lunch and the cycle of swearing off, falling off and self hatred and fear would begin anew. Ouch! I was so confident and capable in some areas of my life and so full of self doubt in others. I then started to improve. I started by daily monitoring my food intake and was surprised to learn that if I ate more food earlier in the day it was easier to control what I ate all day! And then I learned that the more balanced my meals were, the less I wanted to eat junk. I learned that I could put "snacks" into single portion sizes. And it is amazing how it is impossible to eat something on the spur of the moment that is not there! Each time I did not over eat or use food, I gained a little more feeling of control and empowerment. This breeds self love. And then came the very real problem solving that had to be done and that I still work on today. I used a very specific problem solving method and it works. To know that I can take a problem that feels overwhelming and distill it into manageable and workable parts so that I can solve it has been no less than wonderful and very positive for my own belief in me. It is so important for me to trust myself and know that I can get through anything that comes my way, in a healthy way. And I have done that, many times now. And of course, there is the thinking style change that has occurred. All or nothing, mountains out of mole hills, perfectionism, magical thinking, dissociation, etc. These are all thinking styles learned in childhood in the midst of impossible situations that no longer work for me as an adult. I now have very real tools that I use to challenge those old thinking styles. There is nothing more rewarding than identifying an old thinking style and self talk that is causing me some real problems and then replacing it with self talk and thoughts that really work and are true! What would I do without exercise? I have grappled with this for over a year now and can honestly say that I exercise more than I do not. And I feel so good about that. I have actually found some things that work for me. It is so empowering to have a connection to my body and to know that I am building my health instead of tearing it down! And last but certainly not least, with so many people actively cheering me on and loving me, and telling me what a special and loving person I am, it was only inevitable that I would find my real self, my real personal truth. I am lovable, worthwhile and I have a lot to offer and do! Thank you will never be enough to all of my family, friends and WLC buddies who have been here for me day after day, offering me love, support and the occasional loving push forward. A circle of support can never be overestimated! No writing on this subject would be complete without mentioning the biding and deep love and guidance I have received from God. His love is like a beacon calling me to try and grow in his image and come closer to Him with as much humility as I can gather. I love you all and I am learning to love myself more and more all the time, and actually, I kind of like it. Love, 365/334/170 |