RkTkFx's Journal, 01 January 2016

Yes, it is about a lifestyle - not a diet. 

I was thinking about that earlier. It's a conflict between being able to forgive yourself to move forward vs always holding yourself accountable. If you forgive yourself too much you move backwards.  

That's great that you can think of it exactly that way. I think it's what we're all striving to do, and I think it's natural to think of it as a diet in the beginning. I am thinking of mine as a kind of blend--I do need to diet to get my weight down to an acceptable, healthy number, and I know I can. I also think of it as not just something I'm doing for now and then when I get there I can eat anything I want--I'd end up gaining it all and more all over again--so I continually, daily remind myself that this is the way I eat now, the way I live. And there ARE going to be days when I fall down a bit, as I did over the holidays, but I get right back up and get right back to it. I've never felt so positive about making permanent changes as I do now, never doubted that I can do it, and that I will be so completely re-educated when I get to goal that there'll be no question I simply eat well and exercise enough.  

Eating/exercise is (or at least 'should be') a 'normal' part of life and it's great that you've found a WOE that works for you without driving yourself nuts. Unfortunately, a lot of us (myself included) have never had a 'normal relationship' with food and when we fall off the wagon (even just a little), it can often lead to a complete (and lasting) meltdown and undo all of our progress, which is why we speak in these terms of 'getting right back on the saddle,' etc. But I think many of us hope that as we work take off pounds that we ultimately also work toward the kind of mindset and approach that you describe. Congrats for conquering what is probably the tougher aspect of this journey -- the mental one! 

LosinIt, you said it better than I did. Congrats to YOU! I just looked at your profile and you're doing great!  

It is a lifestyle, a diet is temporary, and I am pretty sure that if I quit my new lifestyle that I would be back in the 200's in no time flat. 

Thanks Elizabeth_V -- I think I took so long writing my comment, that I didn't see yours appear by the time it posted; otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered (or I'd have said 'Ditto') because you expressed the same sentiment! 

I made this journal entry using the app, and saved it before reviewing it. In going back and reading it again, I realized it sounded very arrogant and could actually be seen as discouraging to the community here. I am so relieved to see so many of you taking the high road and seeing what I was actually trying to say (despite myself). What I was trying to say is that I see so many people beating themselves up, and it makes me kinda sad. I think you are all right, in that it is completely a mental journey, and we're all at a different point along that road, some at the beginning, and some a little further down. I always try to take the long view in life in everything I do, and that perspective has taken years to cultivate. My hope is that everyone here keeps moving forward along their road, no matter how many times they trip along the way. Last tidbit, Think about what you want to be doing 30 years from now. Then start doing it today. For me, I looked at 60 to 70 year olds. Some were slow, hunched, and stuck in old cloths and fearful old ways. Others seemed to engage the world around them, staying current, active and interested. These were the ones I want to be like. And you know what they do? push ups, sit ups, and squats. Simple little things they do every day that keep them full of life. So that's what I do. I want to be that 70 year old who does pushups and situps. How cool will that be?! And it's that desire that drives my long term perspective every day. I wish you all the best as you move down your roads!!!! 

I hoped and thought that was probably what you meant, and I'm glad you clarified it. It's one of the reasons I decided in my own journey to stop thinking of food as good or bad, and likewise behavior. No more beating myself up, no matter how I do...and that has made such a difference. I love what you said about where I want to be 30 years from now. Several of the people I've known through all the years I've worked at camp have been some of the most vibrant elderly people I've EVER known....I think I'll just try to 'see' myself doing the things they do, and think of it in terms of being vibrant and happy and in that way, forever young. Happy New Year! 

Thank you, Elizabeth_V, for you response. I've always been respectful of older people, but the older I get, the more I'm starting to identify with them. They're not just somebody who deserves respect, they were somebody who was young, in love, had joy and pain, goals and disappointments, etc. Someday, I'm going to be that "old guy". The question is, which "old guy" do I want to be? I like the "forever young" old person! Happy New Year to you as well! Best wishes and many successes! 

Thank you!  

well I am sort of lost for words here. You said you look at 60 to 70 years old. I am 63 and my husband is 65. we both retired this year and by no means have we just sat down and died. We are walking with each other every morning 3.5 miles and doing things that we have not been able to do for the past 30 to 40 years, because we worked all the time. so what I am saying, I just started living. 

SweetGeorgiaPeaches! My apologies. "Old" is a state of mind, it seems. I'm 42, so I'm a little unwise when I open my mouth. But I'm getting better! My only hope is that I'm in as good a place as you and your husband are when I get there! 

take care of your body and it will take care of you. and you are right you are only as old as you feel, and I feel 30 most days LOL. 

This is an interesting discussion! I'm 62, and what prompted me to lose weight was thinking about how I want to be in 10 years time. I want to be fit and healthy, because there are lots of things I still want to do. Looking around me, I saw 80 and 90 year olds who were much more active than me, and they were all skinny! So that's my aim. Even after losing just some of my excess weight, I feel so much more energetic. RkTkFx, your journal says exactly how I wish to see my life panning out, watching what I eat, doing what I can to keep fit, and living a little. You are a wise person! For me, I still have some lessons to learn, like: don't buy big bars of chocolate...