Re: When it gets really hard....

October 27, 2002

Every time you manage one of those bad

patches you'll be stronger for the next one.

Right on, Carol. In my opinion this really is the key to changing

behavior. We DO get stronger evry time we are successful over a bad

behavior, and gradually the feeling of success and self-esteem are

strong enough that they made the old behavior undesirable. No

shortcut to this one. It's not easy, but it absolutely does work.

Conversely, repeating bad habits lowers self-esteem and drives us

into a demoalizing downward spiral.

There's so much to say about this one point, but you hit the nail

right on the head.

Vicki A.

October 28, 2002

I don't eat the candy bars... I am staying with my diet and routine... but am

watching the scales climb back up. This is where my depression is coming from.

Betty

When it gets really hard....

Dear Betty and Marjie,

Just a couple thoughts on your posts.

You need strategies for times like these. Never imagine you can 'wing it'

and come up smelling like the proverbial rose every time. When candy bars

beckon there are other things wrong. Figure out what's is really 'calling'

you or 'itching' and find a way to manage/scratch it. In the meantime you

need RELIABLE ways to distract yourself. Sometimes it only takes 5 or 10

minutes to move on to something else, sometimes all day. But once you get by

the rough patch you'll look back and realize that it was so much more

possible than it felt at the time. Every time you manage one of those bad

patches you'll be stronger for the next one. But it's probably never going

to be impossible to be tempted. At least not for most of us.

You are brave to share your trials and tribulations. I have them too,

believe me. It helps everyone learn. ;o)

Carol

Recommended Posts