“I find in my experience in helping others gain and keep control of their weight that challenges come in “themes”. Someone will express concern to me over a challenge they are experiencing and it’s not uncommon for me to turn around and hear nearly the same conversation with an entirely different person or group about the same challenge. Its like the movie “Groundhog Day” with Andie McDowell and Bill Murray! I’ve written about this before because I find it fascinating!!. We all think its just us but its not!! It’s such proof that we are all connected in some way, therefore never alone. This is important to understand and realize because when we are experiencing difficulty gaining control of our eating it often feels VERY lonely. We feel like we are the only person who feels like this, therefore something is “wrong” with us or we lack some magic control quality that everyone else has. We take this notion, build it up in our minds and run with it! After all, if we lack the “magic quality” (that by now we think we should have acquired through all these weight loss attempts, even if not born with it!) this is never going to work anyway, so “why bother”?? Or we are disappointed with ourselves because we feel like we have come far enough in our weight loss journey that we should be “over” these challenges and somehow it’s harder for us than for other people at their goal weight. That train of thought is exactly what compels me to write this blog nearly everyday. It simply isn’t true and someone needs to consistently remind us all of that! I’m in the unique position to not only struggle with this challenge myself, but have the opportunity to talk to literally hundreds of people each week about their experiences with it as well. Guess what I’ve learned over the last eight years? There is no MAGIC QUALITY! Everyone’s experience goes in waves (and I mean everyone!), just as life does. Even the most health conscious, committed person is going to have days, weeks and seasons that are harder others. Some us even experience bad years! Ouch! That’s just how it is! At the same time we all also experience days, weeks and seasons that are easier than others too. Some years are amazing!! There is one condition–we have to stick with it. Consistency is key. If there is anything “magic” about this process it’s persistence. Those who don’t quit always get to where they want to be. I was asked yesterday “Is this the hardest time of year to gain and keep control of our eating?” and I’ve been contemplating the answer ever since. How could this time of year be any harder than the holidays when we were extremely busy, surrounded with yummy foods and probably the most social that we are all year? I don’t know, but it sure feels like it is!?!? I’m not sure if it is harder or not but I think we are all really trying and focusing on it harder because the holidays ARE over and we want to feel our best. The key point I’m trying to make is that I’m hearing and seeing that LOTs of us feel this way and it is very important to show yourself a little compassion. When you unconsciously eat 3 bowls of cereal after dinner because its dark and cold and there is nothing good on tv, learn from the experience rather than own it. People who become successful at permanent weight loss don’t allow themselves to dwell on these slips therefore they occur less often. They learn to stop beating themselves up so much. This week’s meeting challenge is to come up with 10 things that you could (and will actually do) besides eat. When I look around our meeting rooms right now, they are packed with all different kinds of people-it’s not just newly joining members but rather a vast range of people. Some coming back after gaining, some coming back after maintaining and now ready to get to goal, some lifetime members at goal but feeling out of control. Whatever your situation, I can guaranty you there is someone there who shares it with you. It feels good to surround ourselves with others who are striving for much of the same end result as we are. When we put ourselves in the midst of these energetic, packed meeting rooms, we are lifted up by the energy and the positive discussion from those around us. We are reminded that we are not alone and that we can do this, no matter how cold, dark and boring life can be right now!!! We are reminded how important it is to make taking care of ourselves a priority and that we need to be kinder to ourselves. What a great way to spend 30 minutes of our day? Thanks to all the people I’ve see so far this week for the inspiration! We will keep it flowing today!