If you’re like most dieters, you can’t wait for your program to be done. You keep hoping that, one of these days, you’ll reach your goal weight and not have to think about it again.
Unfortunately, this probably won’t ever happen. Regardless of all the magazine promises and “after” photos, there is no such thing as permanent weight loss.
Think about people who are diabetic. They can’t leave town and proclaim, “Hooray! I’m now on vacation. I don’t want to think about a thing, so I’ll just leave my insulin at home!”
For most diabetics, this would be a total disaster! Even after managing it for years, diabetics have to monitor their condition daily, including during vacations.
In reality, obesity is a condition just like diabetes. Once you have it, you’re stuck. You are never completely free of this condition and since it can’t be cured, there’s no being “done” with it.
Whether you’ve struggled with losing 10 pounds or more than 100 pounds, this condition stays with you forever. Even once you’ve reached your weight-loss goal, you are never finished.
And no matter how consistent you are with your eating and your exercise efforts, for the rest of your life, you’ll remain vulnerable to gaining your weight back.
If this concept feels uncomfortable, start by thinking in terms of accepting that you have a condition. It’s not easy to give up the myth of being “done” with managing your weight.
But until you decide to accept this and live in a way that shows it, you risk gaining your weight back time and time again.
Today’s assignment (My answers are in blue)
1. How does it feel to have the condition of obesity? Do you resent this or think you’ll simply ignore it? Write down your response to this idea.
I totally “get it.” I know from experience that I can’t simply QUIT and not think about it any more.
2. Write a paragraph or two about your condition and your plan for accepting the fact that you have it.
Because of my condition, I gain back 10 to 20 pounds whenever I stop “treating” it. For me, that usually includes eating larger portion sizes, drinking more wine and eating more desserts.
3. Describe what you will do today to manage your ongoing condition.
I will continue to follow my careful program that includes lower carb intake, minimal sweets and desserts, and rare times of having wine or other alcoholic drinks.