Re: Hello IOWL Friends!

August 5, 2012

Carlton, even though I still reach for food sometimes for comfort I too go for

smaller individual sizes.what an accomplishment that is!!! I've been working

with a nutritionist and together with 's podcasts have made small baby

steps towards a more healthy energetic self. My nutritionist is more apt to

stress my positive steps than if I've lost or not; that has helped to keep me

positive and moving forward.

Living in Greece we have gone through some very very tough times and I too am

trying to live positively in the moment. My two kids have found good jobs in

another country so it's a relief but I sure do miss them!

Sent from my iPhone

> Hi Carlton,

>

> I noticed you've been quiet lately.... That does really sound like

progress--going for the smaller sizes, and noticing how it makes you feel.

>

> Do you have a list of things to do when you're feeling down like that, instead

of turning to food?

>

> I think that if you are meant to go back to music or the ministry (in one form

or another), you will find a way. Or a way will find you!

>

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: " insideoutweightloss "

> >Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 5:40 AM

> >Subject: Re: Hello IOWL Friends!

> >

> >Thanks .

> >

> >And welcome to all the other new posters. I have not been very active lately.

I am staying stable and may have lost a pound or two this Summer. I must admit I

still try to eat my way out of difficult emotions. Today I was feeling tired,

discouraged and having a hard time feeling love for myself or from others. I ate

a bag of chips and drank a can of pop. This is not a lot, and in the past I

would have had the family size bag and the 2 litre in this situation. Progress,

not perfection but I do feel better when I avoid the grease and the sugar. I am

finding that it is not that hard for me to cut the sugar out of my coffee. It is

just as good with the milk only. Years ago I only drank coffee black.

> >

> >I am grappling with big changes. I miss teaching music but it has been such a

struggle making enough money that way. Trucking does not pay much more but it is

steady, and has a dental plan. I sometimes feel I am wasting my life doing this,

and I miss my other career as a pastor. I am not needed there because I

disqualified myself with certain past actions. I do know that life keeps

changing and I can remind myself that perhaps in a few years I can go back to

teaching and playing music full time.

> >

> >Carlton Larsen, Ba, Bgp

> >Freelance Musician

> >426 Pinehouse Drive

> >Saskatoon Sk

> >S7K4X5

> >

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: insideoutweightloss

> >Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 1:12:29 PM

> >Subject: Hello IOWL Friends!

> >

> >Good afternoon to all my new friends. I decided that if you're my new

friends, this will be a rewarding adventure for us! My name is . Just like

a lot of you, I'm a very private person and don't have an outside network of

friends or family to be my support group. I've never participated in an online

group. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and I feel apprehensive.

> >

> >My brain and my body are at war with each other. I'm 50 pounds overweight and

have struggled with self acceptance since I was a little girl. I've binged,

purged, overate, gone on commercial programs with success followed by failure,

seen a therapist, had a nutritionist, taken weight loss medications, used

antidepressants, and read countless books. My first memories of seeing a

dietician was when I was 8. My mom took me because " I hated myself and I wanted

to die because I was a fat pig. " That's what I said to myself and my mom when I

was 8! As an adult, that breaks my heart. I can only imagine how my mom must

have felt. As I reflect back to that time of my life, I realize I've had an

unhealthy relationship with food since I was a child. Even at 8, I was a

compulsive overeater.

> >

> >My intention is to forgive myself for making myself struggle physically and

mentally over my weight/food issues since I was 8 years old. My internal

tug-of-war has exhausted me. I'm done and will not pick up that rope again. I

know the journey will be hard and I will need your encouragement.

> >

> >I recently found IOWL podcasts by pure coincidence. Why didn't someone tell

me about ?!! After listening to a few podcasts, I knew immediately that

understood my struggle. So I bought her book. Today is my first day and

I'm going to dive in 100%. I even registered for the online class because I know

I need more guidance and support. I feel overwhelmed and need to take it step by

step, one day at a time.

> >

> >Today I read I need to apply the tools to every situation I encounter. I

briefly thought to myself that over the next 6 weeks, I'll have to go off IOWL

for my 42nd birthday, for a vacation to Las Vegas, for my 15th wedding

anniversary, and the list goes on. What an eye-opener. I'm not on a program

(like the commercial ones I've tried); I'm on a mission to change my life. So,

yes...I'm going to give it all I've got while I live my real life. I can't put

my life on hold while I have that party in my mouth (I love that statement!) for

the next special occasion or stressful moment! I'm going to need your help and

encouragement in order to slay the naysayer inside my head.

> >

> >If you actually read my entire post, I have to say thank you for caring

enough to read my thoughts. I look forward to reading your posts and getting to

know you. I'm excited to have you as my new friends!

> >

August 6, 2012

Regarding starting music

My oldest beginner student was 64 and she did well. It is never too late to

begin, as long as you are alive and interested. Do something good for you, you

are worth it.

Â

Carlton Larsen, Ba, Bgp

Freelance Musician

426 Pinehouse Drive

Saskatoon Sk

S7K4X5

________________________________

To: " insideoutweightloss " <insideoutweightloss >

Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2012 3:06:50 AM

Subject: Re: Hello IOWL Friends!

Â

I'm jealous! Want so much to play an instrument. Is 52 too old to begin playing

guitar?

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 4, 2012, at 23:27, Charlotte McClintock

wrote:

> HA! Nice one Carlton. I have to say, I completely forget how right you are

> - the coordination in the bow arm is pretty amazing on Fiddle. I've been

> playing almost since I learned to walk, so I guess I forgot how unnatural

> it is. Barre chords on the other hand - YOWCH!

>

> But yes, in order for an instrument to be played properly, it has to be

> cared for, in tune, and in good condition. And the player has to BREATHE!

>

> Charlotte x

>

> > **

> >

> > LOL

> >

> > Well my throat gets quite sore from having jump-steps down it from time to

> > time.

> >

> > Short interlude for musicians follows. If you don't play and don't like

> > technical jargon, feel free to skip the next paragraph!

> >

> > Violin (with which I " fiddle around " occasionally) is a fiendishly and

> > notoriously difficult instrument. The action of the bow hand and arm is

> > utterly un-natural and therefore extremely hard to master. What a complex

> > motion, of shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers, all moving at different

> > rates and angles just to keep a stick moving at precisely 90 degrees to the

> > strings at the same distance from the bridge! And the stretch of the left

> > hand is as great as guitar in spite of the short strings, because of the

> > wider apart intervals of the open strings.

> >

> > So, how to apply to YOWLING? We all have our challenges. Whether the

> > complexity of the bow hand for violinists, the span and strength required

> > for complex barre chords on guitar, the brute force required for working

> > heavy bass strings, the air volume and control for flute, the backpressure

> > of the trumpet. Everybody has particular challenges. Our body is our

> > instrument for living and whatever kind of instrument we have, we need to

> > keep breathing to nurture it, keep it clean and operating as best we can,

> > and then try to make music (beauty) in every and any way we can.

> >

> > How is that for an extended metaphor?

> >

> > Carlton Larsen, Ba, Bgp

> > Freelance Musician

> > 426 Pinehouse Drive

> > Saskatoon Sk

> > S7K4X5

> >

> > Oooh, Carlton, as a string player (violin) I was all ready to (gently) jump

> > down your throat about your string instrument comment, but then I checked

> > my knee-jerk reaction, stopped and thought about it for a second, and

> > realised that you're absolutely right! Violin, while being probably as

> > physically demanding as flute in other ways, doesn't require so much focus

> > on breathing. The amount of times I've got to the end of a particularly

> > gruelling solo passage and realised that I was out of breath because I'd be

> > *holding* my breath!!

> >

> > How do you connect your breathing to the yowler sessions? I've been picking

> > up my guitar and violin a lot more recently - every time I'm at home and

> > feel a craving, I try and direct myself that way rather than to the fridge

> > or pantry. My Fiance knows I'm peckish for carbs when he hears the music...

> > ;-)

> >

> > Cx

> >

> > > **

> >

> > >

> > > Interesting .

> > >

> > > My middle son plays flute. It is a very good workout, as it is the most

> > > physically demanding of wind instruments. It takes the most air and

> > breath

> > > control. There are real fitness benefits. It also increases body

> > awareness

> > > in a way that is much more direct than a string instrument. Guitar

> > players

> > > especially need to be reminded to breathe while playing so they sound

> > more

> > > human. has helped me connect more to breath with some of the IOWL

> > > sessions. It all works together.

> > >

> > > Carlton Larsen, Ba, Bgp

> > > Freelance Musician

> > > 426 Pinehouse Drive

> > > Saskatoon Sk

> > > S7K4X5

> > >

August 6, 2012

love that Carlton!!

when ever I think I'm too old, remind myself that next year I'll only be a year

older!Â Never too late to start anything in my book!

________________________________

To: " insideoutweightloss " <insideoutweightloss >

Sent: Monday, August 6, 2012 8:02 AM