Diet failure becomes a way of life, doesn’t it? We don’t even EXPECT to succeed long-term.
I know I didn’t. Every year I made that resolution to lose some weight, and maybe I did, but it never lasted long. If I did lose, I’d think, “Surely after suffering through my diet, I’d be clear about portion control, macros, and exercise.” Or “I NEVER want to go back to that weight, so I’ll eat in moderation. Surely, this time I could manage my intake.”
Then something comes up, and “Just this one meal won’t hurt.” Then that one turns into two, holidays, vacations, and celebrations fill the calendar, and in all too short a time, we find our waistbands a little snug. Dang!
Know the feeling? Want to escape?
In 2012, I was on the same hamster wheel after 40 years of failed resolutions, plans, potions, and efforts. I realized I was at a point of decision: Either sort it out or just give up. My fifties were looming, and I knew what that often meant for women. I wasn’t ready to just give up, but I knew I needed a different plan. It wasn’t the diet. I could make that work for a while. It was the disruption to that caused the problem. Addressing emotional eating was the key, and I didn’t know how to do that. So for one last effort, I hired my first-ever coach.
During our work, something shifted. I’d like to say it was some lightning bolt kind of moment, but honestly, it was a collection of smaller moments of realization, understanding, choices, and belief changes. There were significant ones sprinkled in as well. My coach asked questions, challenged me to grow, and wouldn’t let me let myself get away with so much nonsense. The baggage we unpacked had a great impact on my personal growth. That growth helped my diet efforts as much if not more than any nutrition changes. I reached my goal that year and maintain that goal weight a decade later. When you’re not using food to soothe yourself, you save a whole lot of calories.
Like clockwork, opportunities for personal growth present themselves every summer. Maybe it’s the nature of summer to encourage things to grow and let some things go.
Like spring cleaning, it’s a good practice, and I’d invite you to join me by considering these questions:
What stops you from staying on the path to your goal?
What are the common stumbling blocks that recur when you’re trying to make a change?
Are there recurring themes? Issues? Beliefs?
What most gets in your way?
If these were sorted out, how would you benefit?
