To Leap or Not to Leap

[Guest guest]

This is the newbie logging on. Thanks for all the great posts, everyone. I have finished the book. My "food anthropologist" boonie hat is firmly in place and I am excited. I am very nervous at the same time and disquieted by some of the all or nothing concepts--like this won't work unless you vow to swear off dieting for life. I swore off any crazy diet plans many crazy diet plans ago and the skeptic in me says what if this is just a crazy diet in disguise--or worse just plain wishful thinking!

I have struggled with my weight since I was a child and lost in the neighborhood of 100 lbs twice and 70 once. Guess what. Always gained it back eventually. Four years ago I had a catastrophic event in my family and after three years of unbelievable stress and exhaustion, I found myself so tired and out of shape I could barely move, stressed beyond what I could have ever imagined and having gained 35 pounds back to my highest weight. I made the commitment to put my health first then regardless of what happens with weight. I began with gentle yoga and have now worked my way up to belonging to a group at the athletic club. I do cardio, lift weights and the program includes an eating plan from the American Diabetic Association. One reason I read the book was because of that association for the authors. I have lost the 35 pounds but quickly identified that I have been pseudo-dieting more than I have been

changing my life style and doing more and more compulsive eating in the last few months.

I feel like I have jumped in the water but am hanging onto the side for dear life. I will confess that I don't think I could quit watching my weight. Probably not a concern as I'm not going to quit my trainer/athletic club group for sure and that includes a weekly weigh-in. But I am absolutely not willing to gain any weight back!!! This feels too good! And I don't want to derail what I've already accomplished. So the whole exploring food thing scare me to death. I've done some of that the last few days and a little voice, says you're just justifying eating whatever you want! That pizza and a movie was really fun! I also am still a little fuzzy on the transition between convincing yourself you're not dieting and embarking on intuitive eating. My health and well being are absolutely my top priority and I have no time frame or weight goal. Just to be as healthy as I can possibly

be. At the same time, losing weight is very important to my future well being.

Thanks, everyone, for your input and support. Deb