I’ve been there. You KNOW what to do – it’s just doing it, right? And in this time of social distancing, it can be a lot harder to manage our nutrition. It’s a perfect storm of things that drive us to food: Stress with work – or without work, family issues, trying to shop for essentials, or isolation and loneliness. For some of you, it’s the boredom of trying to self-isolate. Staying on track is harder because our normal has evaporated – well, all but those normal cues to self-soothe with food. Would that THEY would evaporate.
That’s it, isn’t it? It’s figuring out how to stay on track.
During my 40 years on the Diet Yo-Yo, I tried every diet going. I tried challenges with a friend, a cousin, my mother – but they were no better equipped than I to stay accountable. They’d falter and want to tempt me, or if I was the first to justify some food, they’d just agree with me.
Once I had someone holding me accountable, calling me out when I strayed, and helping me figure out what was going on and why I wasn’t on course, I began to lose my weight consistently. I KNEW every week I’d have to face her and tell her what I had or hadn’t done. THAT’S the kind of accountability it took for me to stay on track.
I beat up on myself thinking I could do it for myself, but I finally realized I could not. One would think I might have come to that conclusion after the first couple of years, but there we are. Sadly, I too quickly let myself off the hook. Know what I mean?
However, if I know someone is expecting me to show up, come through, be available, or otherwise do my part of our enterprise, I will do it. Every time. Without fail. Unless there’s some catastrophe that I can’t find a way around.
For me to succeed in something that’s a significant challenge, particularly if I don’t think I can do it, I have to set up this kind of accountability. It’s just how I’m wired – along with the majority of the population.
Perhaps you are as well. How do you respond to the expectations of others? Can you accomplish any goal without external accountability? If you can, great – and this may not be for you. If you need external accountability, you will get it here.
I’m offering a six-week accountability group meeting via Zoom call and with a private Facebook group – and a bonus. What’s Really Eating You: Learning to be Free
Each week we’ll have a short lesson then questions and spot coaching. Bring one question or challenge to each session so we can help you get unstuck and moving toward your chosen goal.
For information and the special bonus, go to: www.packyourownbag.com/group
The sign up is open now, and there will be two groups. Tuesdays at 4 Pacific/5 Mountain/6 Central, 7 Eastern/8 Atlantic beginning on the 7th of April, or Thursdays at Noon Pacific/1 Mountain/2 Central/3 Eastern/4 Atlantic/8 UK/9 EU.
Again, I can only take 12 in each group, so don’t delay.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask via email or messaging.
