Let's face it!

This post is meant with kindness - no judgement whatsoever. I am writing really about me and what I need to hear and hope that it applies to you all, too. 

Science has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a minute percentage of the obese population that is obese due to physical/hormonal abnormalities before becoming obese and metabolic syndrome symptoms come into play. 

That knowledge leaves us with somethings to ponder about ourselves and our situations with obesity and recovery from obesity. Yes, we know that once we have become obese hormone imbalances, metabolism disfunction, leptin responses all contribute to weight gain and hunger, but those things are only part of the issue. 

Looking at the holiday season from an observational standpoint, we know that eating and high calorie foods are abundant and encouraged from November 1 - January 1 giving us 2 full months of socially acceptable gluttony. 

I am going to venture to guess that most of us are dealing with some form of our former lives rearing up and demanding acknowledgement right now. Something seems to have switched us all on to some degree this past week. It doesn't really matter what the trigger was (but if you can figure it out, all the better). For me, I am dealing with wanting baked goods more than anything - cookies, cakes, sweet breads, etc... I am feeling "nibbly" meaning I am wanting to eat when I'm not hungry, but a handful of this or that sounds like it would taste good. I sat down and have thought about my wants and my eating behaviors since Christmas. I get them. I'm not sure I understand the desire to eat with abandon on a super deep level, but I understand enough to set it right again. 

In honesty, I gave myself permission to eat between Christmas and New Year's Day. Then because of our social obligations, I extended that freedom through today. Tomorrow is the day to get back on track. Heck, I thought about making it Monday, but realized that would be a cop out for me, so Sunday it is. Armed with the knowledge that I gave myself permission to eat off plan, not track or weigh and measure kept all feelings of regret, shame, or anger or disgust off my emotional plate. There was a part of me that needed this freedom. This freedom is what people who are normal about food give themselves from time to time. Because of my history of disordered eating around food, this freedom is frightening. But you know, I liked this freedom. I know that I'm able and will get back on track tomorrow. I am actually a bit "normal"! Ha! 

It's okay that I indulged. It's okay that we all indulged and it doesn't really matter if it's because we wanted to party, or that family gave us stress, or that we felt lonely. Food has a highly emotional component for anyone who has been morbidly obese and most likely will continue to for our lifetimes; even if we are no longer obese. If we understand that from time to time food will take on a role of more than simple nourishment and that when this happens we are not out of control, but on a brief hiatus from our regular food plans, we can avoid the negative feelings that have come in the past when we have engaged in eating behaviors that seemed less than perfect or did not promote weight loss or maintenance. 

So, if you don't believe yourself, please believe me: Not a single one of us has been "bad". There is no carb monster to be returned to a cage. There is a person, though, who needs to know that he or she is okay and that cravings can be a normal part of self care after a hiatus from a regular food plan. There will not be a struggle if we understand what we are doing is caring - not punitive. There will not be a struggle if we are deliberate in our plans and actions to return to a regular food plan. If we remain diligent in reminding our core selves that nourishing our bodies with good, clean, healthy foods is as comforting as eating sweets and carbs and foods that we associate with comfort, we will prevail in a way that brings us peace and comfort. 

I ask you to think of Ron tomorrow. He is a baby when it comes to this. We are seasoned professionals. We have the tools of years of weight struggles at our finger tips. We are well armed. Ron is going into this battle completely unprepared and will flail about for a few days. I will guide by example, as you can for your daughter or husband or friend or brother.

My friends, we are not alone in this. We have one another. We have this board. Most importantly, we have the gladiator within. 

My best to you getting back on your paths. 

LOVE!

Good day Kairk

I always read your post with a open mind! It's called learning from others, without having our guns half risen ready to shoot our mouths off! 

This year, I had said to my daughter. Glad we don't live in the States. We'd have Thankgiving then Christmas right upon us in a few weeks. Thinking it would be open playing field for a lot on the goodies. Not really realizing I had been doing it since our Thanksgiving in Oct till now! Truthfully the whole year has been a right off.. 

When the new Weigh****chers plan came out the beginning of December I joined and made a commitment to myself. I will finish this year off, without a gain! I was down, not a lot, but I was down. I didn't gain with all the grazing that was done.  My nemesis potatoe chips came back into the house, but, I will conquer those too! 

I set tomorrow as a restart date and will give my all. Truthfully, I should just give myself a flashback to 2008 and it would keep me inline! 

I too have a Ron in the house! He has developed diabetes, not diet controlled now. Doctor has medicated him. But, he also expects I do all the planning and preparing. That is where I fail! I give to everyone, then have no energy for myself. It will be different this year, I will say, I need help on this journey and your help will be apprieciated. 

Heres to our year! 2016!! 

Hugs

Donna

Devon...this post resonated with me so much!!!  I, too, gave myself permission and the freedom to eat foods I don't normally eat while I was on vacation.  For the most part, I felt free and without guilt.  When I'd start to feel guilty which was usually laying in bed thinking about my day,  I talked it out with Andy.  Is the scale up?  Yes!!  I  knew it would be and worried about how much... I felt like I enjoyed myself like a "normal" person on vacation; for the most part.

I am actually ready to get back on track and do a reset.  I have lots of work to do...I'd like to lose 20#.... Yes!!! 20#!!!! and get back to my happy weight and learn how to stay there within a 5# range.  

So, that's where I am...happy, healthy with improvements to make!

Happy New Year!