The Hidden Gifts of Plateaus

[Guest guest]

What has everyone discovered about their plateaus? I have loved

's series on these. I have decided that mine is a gift because

I am discovering that I have truly integrated exercise into my life,

and I feel " naturally slender " in that area. I do it because I want

to, because it makes me feel good and energized, and because I don't

like how I feel physically when I skip it.

However, I haven't been as successful with eating. I think part of

me is still hoping that I can go back to my old ways of eating when

I am " done " losing weight. I know what I need to do, and I have

been pretty good improving my eating. But I haven't yet graduated

to naturally slender because I am not doing it for the same reasons

I exercise. I am doing it to lose weight, which I won't be doing

forever.

I am using this plateau to change my thinking on eating. Here are

my goals: I want to eat healthy because it makes me feel good. I

want to eat healthy food because I feel physically sick when I

have " treated " myself to a big hamburger with blue cheese. I want

to eat healthy because it sets a good example for my children and

helps me maintain my health. If I can reach these goals, I believe

I will conquer this plateau!

My short term goals to get to that point are: Figure out how to

overcome my top two overeating triggers, eating out in restaurants

and eating while drinking alcohol (I like 's 80/20 rule--I

think 80% of my overeating calories DO come from these two

triggers). I also plan to do more mental exercises, remembering how

my body feels when I eat well and when I overeat. I have been doing

Yoga, which has helped me become more aligned and in tune with my

body.

If anyone has any ideas for overcoming those two triggers, I would

LOVE to hear them.

Also, I would love to hear why others are thankful for their

plateaus and what they think their gift is, or what they need to

learn while they are temporarily stalled, but maintaining that lower

weight.

Amy