Maintenance Weekly 25th September 2006 - Hope and Fear

[Mitra]

"I steer my bark with hope ahead and fear astern."
Thomas Jefferson

During the intervention stages of PP, I found that hope dominated, as I looked forward to improving my health and losing excess fat. At maintenance, it can sometimes seem that fear takes over. The gains that are left are smaller and harder to win, and the fear of losing what you have can sometimes seem to be all that's left.

What gives you hope? Is it some health issue you still want to improve; losing the last little bit of fat; gaining fitness or more muscle; or is it something you want to do with your improved health and fitness, like take up a sport, or be active with your children or grandchildren?

[Relief]

so I guess I should think of my on going health issues as a blessing! :D

You are right though--about the fear thing seeming to be more predominate. something to think on and turn around in the head. any negative can be stated in a positive way so like you suggested--instead of fear of gaining fat there could be the hope of gaining muscle; the peace of good choices; the challenge of further knowledge and understanding-- all more fun than sitting in fear!

The fasting thing is like that for me I guess. something new to experiment with to shake things up a bit. I'm doing it--not for the wieght loss--but to see if it can help with thyroid and adrenal issues--resetting so to speak. It has been fun to see if I can do it!

[banshee]

For me, the fear of sliding back is a small thing compared to all the hopes that have become available to me. Not just about the weight, but all the things I'm able to contemplate doing now that I'm healthier. The hope that I can reach my fitness goals eventually, because now I'm able to do the exercises that will lead to those goals. The hope that I can try new things - perhaps take a hiking vacation, go skiing again, work toward regaining the last little bit of mobility in my shattered ankle, try out roller-blading, enjoy being active with my neices without worrying that I'll get too tired. All of it has brought a joy back into my life that I hadn't known before.

Even this past weekend - going out and dancing my heart out at my cousin's wedding for over 3 hours - dancing longer and harder than the younger kids and not caring that occasionally I was out on the dance floor all by myself - I was having too much fun to care. There were probably a few people that thought I was drunk, but who needs alcohol when you're high on life! ;) :D

I know that the "maintaining weight" part of the equation is a constant struggle, but since I accepted that this is just the way I eat and live now, there really isn't any fear in my that I'll end up as heavy as I was. I know the recipe for success, and I use it. Sure, I have my days where I eat what I shouldn't, this weekend among them with all the hand-made treats my Italian family considers traditional, but since they aren't an everyday part of my life, I don't let fear rule my decisions. Common-sense and wisdom, sure, but not fear.

Hmmm.. guess this week's musing touched a chord with me, or I wouldn't have written a novel! :rolleyes: