Friend of Julie: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Today I want to pause to look back at the way I used to see things on this program. It's not all bad, it's all just part of my journey. Before I talk about some of my process, let's have a look at how I looked - literally.

November 2013 vs March 2011

One of the issues I had in the early part of being on this program was what to say to people when they ask what diet I'm on. It was an issue, because I found when I described the Key weight loss program to others, many were quick to judge or discredit what I'm eating.

In March 2011, a couple months after I started the key program, I visited friends in California. When we planned to have dinner together, I told them about the foods I didn't eat. They immediately asked me "what kind of diet are you on?"

This is a natural question.

"If I've lost a lot of weight the next time you see me - ask me this again." I told them.

I was excited about my journey, but I felt vulnerable talking about it. The other reason I wanted to avoid details, was to stay away from negative conversations that often happened, even with the dearest of friends. I didn't want to debate the pros and cons of why, for example, I don't eat fruit yet bacon is okay.

Friends near and far see this diet is working for me, so unless someone really press me for details, I tell them I'm doing something similar to Atkins and then move on to another topic.

Our success is not contingent on what other people believe we should be eating. Accept the fact that most people don't get this program. When you reach your goal size and they see you stay that size, they may change their opinion. Meanwhile, move on to another conversation.

Sometimes the negative conversations were from within. Sometimes I got caught up wondering when can I have X again? I don't need to know when I can I have X again. X is what brought me to a size 30/32.

Just for now, I tell myself and others, I'm not having X, because I want to lose weight.

I went to a refresher yesterday and I'm so excited about my weight loss journey - where I am and where I'm heading. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is incredible.

One of the many take-a ways for me is that I can stop obsessing about my size. Recently I've been so frustrated over not being a smaller size. Several times this month I've heard myself say I don't want to be an 18 one more minute.

This is my old way of thinking and seeing myself. Part of my journey is moving through these feelings and letting them go. I don’t need those feelings anymore. They no longer meet my needs.

I learned not to focus so much on my size, because it's no different than focusing on the scale. When I focus on my size, I'm trying to tell my body to lose weight and our bodies don't respond to that very well. Instead, I choose to focus on becoming healthy. Our bodies want us to be healthy and our bodies respond to these thoughts really well.

I was reminded at the refresher that plateaus are part of our journey. Plateaus always last longer than our ego wants them to last. Our ego wants to GET THERE NOW (to our goal size). Our bodies know what’s best for us. Our bodies want us to heal. Our bodies will take however long it needs to heal. Accept plateaus as part of our process.

Gaining weight is also part of the process. Remember the deck of cards analogy? We put on fat and gain weight before we lose any weight. Add fat to our body, gain weight, then lose more weight than you had on you before. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Plateau along the way. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.Stay the course.

The goal is to reach your goal size and then learn maintenance. This too has it's own process we have to learn. Learn maintenance by adding one food in at a time (which foods and how much? Ask your body these questions. Observe how your body responds to each food you add). You may come to hate maintenance, but do it anyway. Learn maintenance. Learn maintenance. Learn maintenance. Learn to accept the maintenance journey. Learn to like the maintenance journey. Own maintenance.

Because of yesterday's refresher, I have a better idea of what my life will be like when I learn to cycle in and out of the river on maintenance. I understand that it may be difficult at first. I may not even like it, but I will cycle in and out of the river until my body learns this natural cycle process. My body will embrace the cycles. My body will learn to enjoy them. I can visualize myself at maintenance and I like what I see.

I see my arms and legs are becoming stronger and healthier. I appreciate how slender my body has become and how good I feel as my body becomes more and more healthy. I visualize my body reaching my goal size. I no longer need to obsess with my journey. I know what to do. I know what not to do. I live my life and I embrace my healthy lifestyle.

How badly do you want to reach and maintain your goal size? You have the tools. Stay the course and see your journey through.