Maintenance Weekly 8th May 2006 - Reality Check

[Mitra]

Reality check: you can never, ever, use weight loss to solve problems that are not related to your weight. At your goal weight or not, you still have to live with yourself and deal with your problems. You will still have the same husband, the same job, the same kids, and the same life. Losing weight is not a cure for life.
Phillip C. McGraw, The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom, 2003

If you ask the question explicitly, it's pretty obvious that losing weight isn't going to solve all of life's problems. But during the process of losing weight it is such a major focus that it's easy to forget that losing weight only solves your weight problems. Eating well is likely to improve your health, though even a perfect diet can't guarantee perfect health - or eternal youth :( .

When you're settling into maintenance may well be the time you have to face those other problems. It may mean accepting that even at a healthy weight you still don't look like your favourite film star (which you can check out using Malcolm's link (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=596)) or realising that the source of your unhappiness was something other than your weight, or just finding that having dealt with the top problem from your list, there's another one waiting.

It's not that I had an "aha" moment when I realised that I'd lost weight but still had other problems, but I think there was a certain sense of anticlimax - you so much look forward to reaching a certain number, whether it's weight, size, or bodyfat. Then when you get there, nothing's really changed. You still have to watch what you eat, there may still be other health problems to address (old ones or new), and all the other stuff of life goes on. Of course it's good to have the health benefits most of us have experienced, it's good to be able to do things you haven't done for years, shopping for clothes is more fun ... but still ... it isn't always the golden age that some corner of our minds dreamed about.

Did you have to go through any mental readjustments after reaching your goal?

[Missy]

I'm not a maintainer...:o but I could certainly relate to this subject.:D

For me personally "weight" was the "side effect" to unresolved issues that I wasn't dealing with...and since some changes in my life, with me empowering MYSELF learning that healthy "boundries" are necessary asset I NEED to give me the space to stop my unhealthy ways. As I look back thorough out the chronic stress I was under, I realise that lack of boundries is what allowed the stress in.

Now, I feel like an immoveable force to be reckoned with should anyone try to disrespect me. I'm capable of being assertive in a non confrontational way...while maintaining my confidence with those who were hurting me.

Until I turned this corner emotionally...I had a fear of losing weight. Fat was in some strange way a barrier for me to hide behind...now, it's just in my way.

Strangely enough, I think I've had to deal with these troubling issues first...so that I wouldn't return to emotional eating. I think I have.

[mcsblues]

Aaaaargh!:eek::p Yes I know it is an obvious truth, but are we going to be reduced to discussing platitudes from Dr Phil?? After all this is a man who knows "The Ultimate Weight Solution" doesn't actually work ... well at least not for him!;)

I know, I know there is no doubt an army of Dr Phil fans here (and yes, I do try to refrain from referring to them as Philistines :razz:) but he is such an obvious fraud, his pronouncements really bug me .... can you tell?:p

[Mitra]

Aaaaargh!:eek::p Yes I know it is an obvious truth, but are we going to be reduced to discussing platitudes from Dr Phil??

Well, now I know how it winds you up, it's tempting :slywink: . But, to reassure you, I don't have any of his books, just stumbled across this quote while looking up something absolutely unrelated on the internet. I was trying to find out who said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." (It seems to have been William Morris). The truth is that I've gone right through the weekly tips in Staying Power and haven't found a new source to keep me going - so it's all a bit hit and miss at the moment. I'm getting the glimmerings of an idea, though :idea: . Maybe if I do a series of Dr Phil quotes, you'll get frustrated enough to jump in ahead of me :razz: .


I know, I know there is no doubt an army of Dr Phil fans here (and yes, I do try to refrain from referring to them as Philistines :razz:) but he is such an obvious fraud, his pronouncements really bug me .... can you tell?:p

Yes, I can :D. The thing is that as I've never seen Dr Phil or read any of his books, it doesn't push my buttons quite the same way.

Lynn, that's a good point, that some people need to deal with various emotional issues before tackling weight/health issues.

[Ottawa]

I thought that I would "Weigh In" on this issue but believe that the weight loss does clear up some other issues. While I agree with "Losing weight is not a cure for life", it definitely opens up doorways and habits.

I dislike Dr. Phil's cavalier attitude as well. I got the book, loved his confidence but dismayed by the actual science and some of his suggested meals and products.

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Janet,
I went up to Maintenance levels for 6 weeks with little effect other than possibly a pound. Since I am still plugging away at the last 10-12 pounds, I have gone back to the basics of 10 ECC/meal and for the next 6 weeks will monitor calories as well, keeping a daily average under 2000 while maintaining my current workouts and protein needs.
I'll be back in Maintenance once I have met my target.

[Missy]

lol....now now now Malcom..lol....okay..I'm not a 100% in total agreement with "Dr. Phil is always a god" fan...OKAY...let me make that VERY CLEAR. He just has a way of making an impact with some of his catch phrases. I need that sometimes.

But, I agree....he's got his own "bottom line" interest in mind ~ full well knowing he's got "fans" that will purchase his "latest" plan. It's just too bad that he doesn't have accurate information. :rolleyes:

He does however, have what Oprah does, the power to influence. That's how "collective consciousness" will be/can be changed...unfortunately, there is no gaurentee if it will be for the good or the bad. :rolleyes:

[Shadow]

It's not that I had an "aha" moment when I realised that I'd lost weight but still had other problems, but I think there was a certain sense of anticlimax - you so much look forward to reaching a certain number, whether it's weight, size, or bodyfat. Then when you get there, nothing's really changed. You still have to watch what you eat, there may still be other health problems to address (old ones or new), and all the other stuff of life goes on. Of course it's good to have the health benefits most of us have experienced, it's good to be able to do things you haven't done for years, shopping for clothes is more fun ... but still ... it isn't always the golden age that some corner of our minds dreamed about.
Isn't that the truth! If just losing weight were the answer, I'd have been there several times ago :lol:! Yes, I feel better at a healthy weight - but it doesn't bring me the self-confidence or self-acceptance that I need to find ;).

Malcom - You are hysterical :D! Thanks for so many laughs to start the day with! But it does sound like Janet might be on to something there with the Dr Phil quotes :slywink:!

[mcsblues]

Well, now I know how it winds you up, it's tempting :slywink: . But, to reassure you, I don't have any of his books, just stumbled across this quote while looking up something absolutely unrelated on the internet. I was trying to find out who said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." (It seems to have been William Morris). The truth is that I've gone right through the weekly tips in Staying Power and haven't found a new source to keep me going - so it's all a bit hit and miss at the moment. I'm getting the glimmerings of an idea, though :idea: . Maybe if I do a series of Dr Phil quotes, you'll get frustrated enough to jump in ahead of me :razz: .

Oh nooo! Did I say that out loud? Must stop doing that!:o

Perhaps I can commend the wise words of the poet and philosopher Homer for inspiration next month ...



... after all ...



... " You can't keep blaming yourself, Marge. Just blame yourself once and get on with life"



- pretty much says it all doesn't it?:slywink:

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Homer_Simpson

[cmcole]

Oh, how I wish weight loss, or any of the other things that we put into that "one day" category would solve all of life's problems.

[realruth]

Yep I have to watch what I eat, I have NEW health issues (is menopause really a health issue?) and life still goes on.
I do enjoy the new stuff like the shopping for nice clothes, the health benefits I'm experiencing the new energy levles and fitness levels....

But the Golden age......well maybe for me it is! ;)

I certainly look great at my age and will never look as good as I age
I feel great , fitness level is pretty good
I have been lucky in that I got the chance to go work overseas when I thought other things had ground to a major standstill.

So will I look back and see this as the golden age....truely I think I will and I think I still have a few more of those golden age years left 5-10 with luck

[Mitra]

But the Golden age......well maybe for me it is! ;)

I certainly look great at my age and will never look as good as I age
I feel great , fitness level is pretty good
I have been lucky in that I got the chance to go work overseas when I thought other things had ground to a major standstill.

So will I look back and see this as the golden age....truely I think I will and I think I still have a few more of those golden age years left 5-10 with luck

Ruth, I hope you have many more golden years than that :D.

Thank you for your upbeat take on it. Although I'm starting to feel brighter now, I think my recent struggles with bugs and dentists have flattened my joie de vivre a bit - hearing your enthusiasm is a great pick-up :) .

[cmcole]

Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. (http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/2755.html) http://www.quotationspage.net/icon_info.gif (http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/2755.html)http://www.quotationspage.net/icon_plus.gif (http://www.quotationspage.com/myquotations.php?add=2755)http://www.quotationspage.net/icon_email.gif (http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/2755.html#email)http://www.quotationspage.net/icon_blank.gif
Sir Winston Churchillhttp://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Sir_Winston_Churchill/

[Mitra]

Oh nooo! Did I say that out loud? Must stop doing that!:o

Please don't. Actually, I was feeling slightly guilty for taking a lazy option, so being picked up on it was almost reassuring ;) .