Visions

Posted by Theresa on January 31, 2015 4 comments
A  few weeks ago, as my fourth anniversary on this program was approaching (today is my big day),  I skimmed through journals I'd written over the past fifteen years. As I read my journals, I realized how much my focus has shifted since my weight loss journey began. In those old journals, page after page, year after year, I resolved to lose weight this year, this time, with this diet. As I wrote those promises my weight up instead of down.

Instead of making promises and whining about the change I wanted, four years ago I shifted my focus on living a life of change. Following Julie's advice, I visualized the size I wanted to be and every day I did my best to stay on course. Dropping seven sizes is a whole lot of change!
 
Along with my old journals were vision boards that I started and never finished. In 2014 I finished my first board Clarity. I started with a colorful poster board, added layers of my truths, and intentionally left open space for more things to come into my life. 
 
I created Walk This Way in the summer of 2012. I'm not sure if this board unfinished or the start of a new theme (open spaces) in my boards. I really like is how I used this board to challenge myself to live well and be fit. After so many years of broken promises, it's nice living well and being fit!

Becoming more clear about what I want in my life was important me after losing my job last July. If ever there was a time to Dream Big this was that time. A week after making my first vision board I created Dream Big. This board reflects the start of my focus shifting once again: away from focusing on weight loss and toward exploring other lifelong dreams. I have not given up my vision to reach my goal size. In fact I have lose more weight after I created these two boards.
 
After following four years on my weight loss journey, I know what to do to reach my goal size: stay in the river and keep my vision of my goal size clear in my mind.

Meanwhile, I'm living one of my big dreams: life as a regular size woman.

4 comments:

  1. Angela2/01/2015

    Amazing - you are an inspiration to me (and I suspect many others). Days when I feel susceptible to going off program or days when I just need a "keep going -you are worth it" I read your blog and you remind me of why I went to Julie in the first place and often your words will trigger a memory from one of my sessions,
    I wish you happiness and good fortune on this your anniversary and always.

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  2. Anonymous2/27/2015

    HiTheresa, I truly congratulate your hard work and success! You look wonderful! Maybe you can help me....or have some advice for me. I went through Julie's program in June 2014 and did great (if I don't say so myself) for months. I felt so much better about myself, even though the weight loss was slow.
    I followed all of the program rules and was extremely thrilled to have worked with Julie. In about Dec2014, something seemed to change....and to this day I don't know exactly what happened. I fell off the program a bit, started back did well for a while and fell again, knowing that Julie said "if we let her go......then it's all over." I guess that's what I did and no matter how I tried, I couldn't fix it.
    Unfortunately, I have been so unhappy, and the weight has returned and I feel s awful!
    I already thought about a refresher, but don't have the $ right now. If I could, I would start all over, because I am so depressed and disgusted that Julie's program was successful for so many others,,,,, and I screwed up!
    I welcome any advice you could give me.

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    Replies
    1. Theresa3/20/2015

      Anonymous,
      Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry for my delay in responding to your questions. There are many reasons for this, but I want you to know I'm working on a bog piece that speaks to you questions and thoughts. I'm still working on this, but when I finish it I'll post a link here for you.

      Meanwhile, remember that I too lost weight slowly and this is the case for many people, so don't be so hard on yourself. You have all the information inside you that Julie taught you. Start again and do what you know: meat and veggies. Stay the course and don't worry about how long it's taking.

      And tell your little mean girl, that inner critic who is telling you you "screwed up" to hush! Sometimes we have setbacks in life, but this doesn't mean we can't be successful if we go at it again. Sometimes the journey is not as straight of a path as we want it to be.

      Accept where you are today. Decide to begin again today rather than waiting for tomorrow. We all know how those diets that start tomorrow turnout.

      You can do this!

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  3. Theresa2/28/2015

    Thank Angela! It's always nice to hear my experiences help keep you on your journey.

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