Learn to Be Thin: Following Shirley: May 2013

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Once More Into the Breach

Yikes! The weight's coming back and I'm watching it happen as if it were happening to someone else. This weekend's quest: stay on the diet for the whole three days. Can I do it? I'll let you know.

About this blog

Many years ago, when I was launching one of my many campaigns to lose weight, I found an interesting book in the library, Learn to Be Thin, by Shirley Simon. At the time, I was working as a mental health counselor and was intrigued because the author was using behavior modification as her weight loss method. I had been studying behavioral psychology then and thought Shirley had a great idea. Soon I was working the program, and in four months I lost 20 pounds and felt strong and happy.

Unfortunately, I didn't continue to the maintenance part of the program and soon gained the 20 pounds back. From time to time over the years, as I've gained more and more weight, I've tried to go back to that plan and start over, but without much success--probably because it's a tough program to stick to. But it's the only one I've ever seen that directly addresses the issue of behavior change, what I consider to be the central issue in weight control. Without that, I believe, there's not much hope of permanent change.

So here I am starting over again with Learn to Be Thin, and feeling a bit fearful of my chances for success, especially since I am heavier than ever with some pretty alarming eating habits.

But I'm hoping that this time, by reporting about it on this blog, I'll have more incentive to stay with it. I plan to start at the beginning of the book and go through the chapters one at a time, working the program and writing about my efforts here.

If you're reading this blog, perhaps you're also struggling with your weight and destructive eating habits. I recommend getting a copy of Learn to Be Thin (I think you'll find used copies on line) and see what you think. Maybe you'll give it a try!

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Once More Into the Breach