Resisting Negative Messages from Culture or Peers? Re: New Member Introduction

[Guest guest]

Dawn, one of the most helpful things I've learned since beginning IE is how

EXternal based we have been encouraged to be. If there is one thing that IE

represents its how I need to be INternal based, especially with my eating.

When I was part of a group that worked on (another) dysfunctional aspect of my

life, the counselor in charge of the group made this suggestion for dealing with

unpleasant people - mentally turn their 'volume' DOWN. Its funny at first, but

also hard to remember to do when you are being bombarded with so much output as

the zealous give forth. Also you will find that you notice and are more

sensitive to all the diet diet diet clamor that we have dumped on us every day -

tv, magazines, ads, friends, experts (ha ha!) etc. etc. Instead of getting into

a debate or grinding your teeth at each encounter, simply say (to yourself) -

" Hmm, I never noticed that before. " This will increase your awareness and

neutralize the input too. Its just 'there', NOT for you to 'listen and obey'! As

far as friends go, having " That's nice for you. " ready on your lips instead of

turning their vomments (new pun) onto yourself will get you further on your own

IE journey too.

BEST wishes and happy IE journey.

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

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> It is really hard to be around many of my friends for the same reason. Many of

my friends are over weight and almost all the ever talk about is dieting and

losing weight. Then there are the friends that I have that are super skinny and

obsessed with diet and exercise and believe it is the only way to be healthy. I

have one friend that has a degree in exercise science and is a director at the

gym here in town and she makes me crazy. I finally had to " hide " her posts on

facebook because they were almost ALL about what we can do to watch what we eat

and count calories. All kinds of new diet tips all the time. I used to respond

to all the tips with what I am doing BUT that was getting me no where because it

seems as though I am the only one around here that feels the way I do. I am VERY

new to IE so I don't have an success story or anything. I am really just

learning the beginnings and trying to figure out what I need to be doing. With

that being said, I know that I am tired of dieting. I am going to eat to live

and enjoy it! And I will always stay active because I am an active person. It is

hard to not let the outside influences penetrate into our minds and heart but we

CAN do this. We don't have to just go with the status quo...we can be different

and we can enjoy the person we are...blessings, flaws and all! Be blessed, Dawn

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