Okay, the holidays are seriously upon us, bringing their serious challenges! As any veteran dieter knows, the end-of-the-year holidays can be responsible for blowing the most dedicated diet reformer's best laid plans.
I was definitely challenged this past Thanksgiving week, but I think I did pretty well, considering. I tried to confine myself to just one day of slightly overindulging--Thanksgiving--instead of my usual pattern of beginning my binge a week before Halloween and ending after Valentine's Day. I didn't quite make my one-day goal (I ate Thanksgiving leftovers on Friday), but I did get quickly back to normal on Saturday, and I feel like I can stay away from temptation until Christmas, at least.
There are a few days of luncheons and holiday parties coming up the first two weeks of December, though. So I'm going to have to be careful about choosing well, remembering that a meal ordered off the menu is one I can control.
Sometimes I feel nostalgic for the old days when I didn't care what I ate. I miss that spectacular self-indulgence, especially at this time of year. But it's just something that can't be sustained; the behavior becomes addictive and the effects accumulate. Besides, there are many compensations. I'm enjoying being able to fit into smaller clothes and smaller spaces. I'm happy when I see left over space beside me on my bus seat because it means fellow passengers won't mind sitting with me now since I'm not taking up a seat and a half. I like having more energy, more vertical movement that doesn't hurt. I'm looking forward to the day when I can run again (if my knees hold out, that is), and shop at a regular clothing store instead of one for plus sizes.
People without eating disorders don't appreciate what it takes for a former fatty to stay slim. But what people with eating disorders need to appreciate is that they can do this--it's hard, but possible. You don't need a magic diet elixir or an expensive diet program complete with bad tasting diet food. You just need a good plan, and this is a really good plan. All you have to do is follow it. Simple? Yes. Easy? No. But possible.
There's nothing special about me. I'm a food addict who's been through the diet mill over and over, just like many other people. If I can do it, anyone can do it. As Anthony Hopkins' character says in the movie The Edge, "What one man can do, another man can do." He is talking about killing a grizzly bear with no weapons other than what he can devise from his surroundings. We're only talking about controlling eating habits. Anthony Hopkins succeeds in his quest--he kills the grizzly--with a good plan and the help of Alec Baldwin (who later tries to kill him--but that's another story).
Though the task sometimes seems as tough as killing a grizzly, we too can succeed. We can control our eating behavior with the help of a good plan and the support of other people. I have both with Learn to Be Thin and my husband John.
Remember: what one person can do, another person can do.
See you next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment