Bad Habits revisited

[Guest guest]

Fighting " Old Demons "

Here's an email I sent a ways back in 1999 when the group was just

starting. I've updated some of the info to make it current. Hope you

like it.

Bad Habits Revisited --Been There Done That

So...you're nearing four weeks of dedicated, committed service to

yourself and your body. You've eaten right, exercised, chosen your

meals carefully and managed to stay motivated.

You look in the mirror and you're really beginning to notice

achange...finally. You think to yourself, " this is really working! "

Friends, family, coworkers, children, and strangers seem to be looking

at you different now. You're getting the attention of the opposite sex a

bit more often perhaps. You feel like you can conquer the world -- if

you wanted to.

Clothes that you haven't seen in a long time, much less worn, are coming

out of the woodwork -- and your closet. Maybe you're just squeezing

back into those size 36 pants or size 9 dresses. Even your SHOES feel a

little bigger than they used to.

You spend an extra ten minutes in the bathroom checking out your new bod

every morning. " Hmmm, the biceps looks pretty noticeable, " you say to

yourself confidently. " Is that..is it...yes, it is an ab muscle trying

to peak thru! " you exclaim in glee! You think to yourself, and

Brunner, eat your heart out!

Then an old " friend " returns. You know, that same friend who whispered

in your ear the last time you lost 5 or six pounds. That old " friend "

who constantly maintains a mediocre view on the quality of life. That

old friend is your former self.

" You " try to convince YOU that now is a fine time to quit. Why not?

You've obviously made progress. You've obviously lost fat. Why not

quit now? You wouldn't have to buy those damn supplements anymore. And

better yet you can have a free WEEKEND instead of just a free DAY! Why

not?

Who says you have to go for 12 whole weeks on this program. You've

obviously proved you can do it for four weeks -- 12 weeks isn't any

diferent, just a little longer. Besides, everyone already thinks you're

gonna fail why not just stop now, you can do the contest next year.

Yeah, start in next month. You can still be a Champion in 2000, right?

Wouldn't that be great?

No. No it wouldn't.

Old friends coming back to haunt you? They're came back to haunt me.

Old behaviour from the old me. I was feeling so good and suddenly these

crazy thoughts came to mind. " Quit now because you won't win the

contest " or " you've already lost enough weight, you don't want to be

skinny do you? " Or perhaps it that overwhelming urge to BINGE that

comes out of nowhere. This is the time when people drop out. The first

week is hard. The second week is better. the Third week is passionate

and by the fourth week we start thinking about how far we've got to go

to the end.

Sometimes the " process " seems much more exciting than the outcome. And

indeed, the journey is often the best part. We get an adrenaline rush

out of the efforts, the struggle, the challenge -- then when the

challenge comes to an end -- albeit temporary -- we can lose the edge.

We have to hold on during this transition time. Make the move to

complete the entire program with focus, we have to concentrate on

sticking to our plans.

How do you do this? How can you overcome the urge to quit now that

you've made progress?

1- Review your original goals.

2- Take an accurate look at where you are now. Take another picture if

needed.

3- Write new goals for each month. Set higher goals each time.

4- Celebrate the past 4 weeks. Celebrate your accomplishments Go for a

pampering massage, a facial, a manicure/pedicure or spend a few hours in

a jacuzzi. Lounge in a sauna for a good long time.

5- Do something you never would have done in your old body - go

dancing, crash a party, see a movie by yourself and watch people wonder.

6- Bake a cake, a pie or any kind of fattening dessert -- and give it

away. Prove to yourself how far you've come in only weeks. Resist the

urge!

7- Promise to love YOU, no matter what shape you're in

8- Help out a friend, family member or coworker who has been struggling

with weight problems.

9- Renew your commitment to yourself. Write it down. Explore the

possibilities of where you could be fitness and nutrition-wise in

another 4-8 weeks

10- Watch the Body of Work video or the Success Stories videos AGAIN.