My previous struggle with food was enmeshed in my weight. I couldn’t figure it out because inside I was very confident in my professional abilities and success. I also knew I was a good daughter, friend and partner.
As winter turned to spring, the panic over if I’d fit into the previous spring and summer clothes would consume me.
Would even the bigger sizes in my wardrobe fit?
First I’d eat a bunch of chocolate chip cookies. Then I’d recommit my discipline and come up with a plan. These various plans included posting pictures of times when I was thinner on my fridge. I imagined the thinner me. I was good great at learning self-help techniques!
Fast forward to the end: none of it worked. I thought it was me.
As it turns out, it wasn’t me. And it’s isn’t my clients. Or you. It’s the approach.
In 2011, the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology discovered that “positive fantasies that idealize the future are found to be inversely related to achievement over time.”
In weight loss terms: fantasizing about the thinner future and what life will be like as you unselfconsciously take off your beach cover up doesn’t lead to kale. It has you go find the cheese and crackers you swore off.
Here’s why: While those future states are possible, we underestimate the level of effort required for success and we don’t prepare for the challenges along the way. And, the researchers found that those idealized fantasies lull us into a sense of satisfaction. So, we aren’t as likely to find the energy or enthusiasm required for achievement.
And that’s why I created Truce with Food. It accounts for the challenges along the way and provides the tools and support to work through them. Truce with Food will provide you success along the way to regenerate your energy and enthusiasm and is necessary to reach your goal. As Britney, a recent Truce with Food client said,
I am someone who seems to have it all together except this one area of food, weight, and body issue. I enjoyed this program beyond belief! I came to Truce with Food seeking moderation and to eat less sugar. I succeeded in both and learned how to find peace on the journey. Before, every meal seemed like a battle. Meals are now, just that. A meal. Truce with Food is a paradigm shift to find freedom with yourself. Ali gives you the tools to work on the food and all it represents. It is worth every penny and I am so glad God brought her into my life.
We begin April 14 and enrollment is now open. If you are at that place that feels like resignation (or are excited to try something truly different), I hope you don’t give up (which often looks like going on another diet). But instead, be open to the possibilities I know are waiting for you if you’re up to challenging yourself.
So how do you navigate the panic you might be feeling now?
For me at that time, that meant accepting that while I probably wasn’t going to be at my goal weight by summer, I also didn’t have to pretend to love my body and wear sleeveless shirts, shorts (does anyone look good in those?) or be in a bathing suit where I would feel uncomfortable. Yep, again, I was going against all the self-help noise. And that turned out to serve me well.
Next week, I’ll share with you what really helped me manage my weight angst and continue to work toward the weight loss I knew would make me happy.
Be well,
Ali
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