Re: Re:The elephant in the room

[Guest guest]

Good for you, Stefanie!

Rhonda

From: Stefanie Putkowski

Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 3:37 PM

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Subject: Re: Re:The elephant in the room

Thank you all for the support and GREAT insights! Every response has been really helpful. I don't know if any of you has had the opportunity to listen to the relatively new IE CDs that Trebole and Resch made, based on their book. They mention the "starvation" study that was carried out during WWII by a group of physician/scientists in the US (very dedicated scientists). The purpose was to learn the effects of semi-starvation--because of the war--and how to best re-nourish a group of malnourished people.The volunteers were all young, healthy, normal-weight, male conscientious objectors who wanted to do their part for the war effort, without actually fighting in it. Each man was examined and considered psychologically and physically fit for the "experiment."To cut to the chase--a major and totally unexpected result of the study was the psychological aspect of the "starvation"--every young man became OBSESSED with food. Whereas food had been nourishment and enjoyment in the past, it became an obsession in all respects. Even though they were kept in a controlled environment, many managed to sneak extra food in, feeling terribly guilty at the same time.I must try to remember this study--the participants were allowed 1700 calories/day. That's less than I was "allowed" on WW!!!!! This is not to disparage WW--I just need to remind myself that food deprivation can breed craziness (there's actually a book about the study called, The Great Starvation Experiment: The Heroic Men Who Starved so That Millions Could Live, by Todd Tucker. I got it from the library and read it a while ago, and ended up feeling completely determined about learning how to eat intuitively.Sorry--this has probably been too long an email. But thank you to everyone here! I have picked myself up and dusted myself off! :-)>> >> Thank you for sharing this, Joy. It's so easy to read all the "success stories" in WW magazine (and others) and convince yourself that it's your lack of discipline that is keeping you from losing weight. This was a really helpful reality check.>> Josie>> > >> > Hey there. I was a Weight Watchers leader for four years. In those four years, I never once - not once - saw a true success story. Sure, there were plenty of people who had experiences like your friend. I helped members shed hundreds of pounds of celebrated their success with great fanfare. But, over time, one of two things would happen to that person. Either she would gain the weight back (and we all know the misery of that) OR she would become so obsessed with food and weight that even though the weight stayed off, she was living in her own personal hell. Actually, for most people it was a combination of both: the weight slowly coming back while the member was becoming increasingly obsessed with keeping it off. And that's exactly what happened to me.> >> > I know it's hard to see other people who seem like they have it all figured out - who seem trim and happy and totally confident. Keep in mind that looks can be deceiving and that comparing never heals. There will always be weight loss success stories out there. There will always be someone who looks "great" and is raving about how they've become shiny and new because of following this program or that plan. When a person like this comes into your life, take a deep breath, release judgement, and know that you are on the path that's best for you.> >> > I like Byron 's concept of the three kinds of business: your business, my business, and God's business. Another person's weight loss is never your business. Your body is your business. The way you nourish yourself is your business. Your thoughts and beliefs are your business. Tend to your own business and let everyone else tend to theirs. You'll find so much freedom in that.> >> > One last thing, I guarantee you that diets always fail. Always. That friend of yours will struggle at some point. And if you continue this path of intuitive eating, you will be in a position to shine a light to her when she is so confused about bingeing her brains out and totally panicked about why she is so out of control. Shine that light, honey.> >> > Best,> > Joy> >>>