This is what our group may do for you. This is from a previous thread of conversation!
Subject: Concerning Discouraged
Last week I requested E-Mail pals, and the response was heartwarming.
Thanks everyone!
One of the responses said little, except that he/she had a lot of weight
to lose and seemed to have given up. I have written this person twice and
have heard nothing.
I don't feel I can give this person's name or address on this list.
Consequently, I'll call him/her Discouraged.
Do any of you have any encouragement or advice for Discouraged that could
be posted to the list? I'm hoping that Discouraged will recognize that the
notes are to him/her.
There are also probably other suffering and silent Net Lossers who need to
hear messages of hope and encouragement that are directed at Discouraged.
Someone who cares!
Dear Discouraged,
I've been thinking about you and hoping I would find the time to send
you
a note. I don't know what exactly is discouraging you so please forgive
me
if my advice is off the mark.
********* mentions that you are discouraged because you have a lot of
weight to lose. I too have a lot of weight to lose and I have lost a
lot
of weight so far. Often my progress is not as fast as that of others or
as
fast as I would want it and that can be very discouraging. When I first
started losing weight in the summer I was so pleased with the pounds I
was
losing I wanted all of them gone immediately. The rational part of me
knew
this was an unrealistic expectation, but the emotional part of me wanted
to
see the new me. Slowly I got past this hurdle by accepting the idea
that
it doesn't matter *when* I reach my goal weight it only matters that I
will
reach my goal. Recently I have experienced a slow down in my weight
loss.
At first I thought this is only temporary, sort of a plateau, but I am
coming to think it is just the way my body is going to lose. I had a
decision to make when this occured -- accept the slower rate of loss and
keep going or quit. I kept going.
Which brings me to my next point. You just have to keep going or get
started as the case may be. If you are trying to get started there are
two
basic approaches: 1) Jump in with both feet and completely overhaul your
lifestyle or 2) ease into it, make one or two changes at a time. These
approaches really depend on your personality. Personally I just jumped
in
but I know plenty of people who eased themselves into it. If you tried
to
jump in and it didn't work try the other approach, just make a few
changes
to start and go from there.
If you are having trouble sticking to your weight loss plan you need
to
examine why that is. It could be something fairly simple such as the
fact
that you are following the wrong plan for you. There are lots of weight
loss plans out there so make an informed decision before you start one
and
pick the best one for you, one you can follow for life. However the
reasons you are having trouble sticking to your plan may be more
complex.
Many members of NLC have sought professional counseling to help them
deal
with the issues which led them to eat or have joined support groups. If
you feel you may need help don't be afraid to seek it.
For me it really helps to have a lot of structure in my weight loss
plan.
I plan all my meals for the week on Sunday, write them down and stick
the
menu on my refrigerator. My list includes snacks and treats so I don't
have to think about what to eat when I get hungry. I also keep all junk
food out of my home (made easier by the fact that I live alone) so I am
never tempted when I am at home.
I have also made exercise part of my routine. If you aren't
exercising
now, then start. I started just by walking and doing some toning and
strenthening exercises at home. I didn't go to a gym or buy any
equipment.
The point is that there is no reason not to exercise. Even if you
aren't
actively trying to lose weight right now, exercise will make you fitter
and
healthier.
Being overweight has many negative connotations in our society. The
media constantly presents us with images of anorexic models as the ideal
for women. These are false images. Lose weight for yourself, don't
feel
you have to lose to fit into what society thinks. I don't believe that
society really thinks stick thin women are the ideal, I just think the
media does. I don't want to be stick thin, I want to be healthy and at
my
ideal weight. Strive to make yourself the best person you can be.
Believe
in yourself, love yourself as you are now, think about all the things
which
are wonderful about you. Being overweight doesn't mean you are a bad
person, it just means you have some weight to lose.
Losing weight is a slow process and one that requires a major change
in
your lifestyle. I know you can do it. If you or anyone wants some
private
support please email me, I'm happy to give and recieve support anytime.
Cheers of encouragement,
Becky
Dear Discouraged,
Losing weight is a very difficult thing to do. Nobody said it was going to be easy. About 90 % of all people who do lose weight regain all or part of it back within 5 years. That alone is discouraging.
What we have going for us is a great group of people who are dedicated to making that 90% failure rate as close to 0 as possible. We are the NLC and we are a weight loss support group. We have approximately 260 members and we are here for YOU! I do not believe that there is any aspect of weightloss that someone in this group has not experienced at one time or another. And therein lies our strength.
If you need our help, please ask for it and someday you may be able to help another member who is discouraged.
Tom
Member of the Internet Link Exchange
