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Conference rocks::weight_control

Title: Weight Loss and Maintenance
Notice:**PLEASE** enter notes in mixed case (CAPS ARE SHOUTING)!
Moderator:ASICS::LESLIE
Created:Mon Jul 09 1990
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:933
Total number of notes:9931

610.0. "Feeling in control" by ACESMK::CHELSEA (Mostly harmless.) Tue Oct 02 1990 22:57

    I just starting going to a weight-loss seminar (through my HMO).  One
    of the first things we did was fill out a questionnaire.  The question
    that caught my attention was "Do you feel more in control of your life
    with you're dieting?"
    
    I've been pondering the issue of control this week.  Apparently a lot
    of people have a sense of no control when they're overeating, like they 
    have no choice.  That has been less of a problem for me.  I'm the one
    buying food, so obviously I have a decision about what I make available
    to myself.  (It's just that I don't always stop to think about it....)
    
    Actually, I think I overeat in order to _have_ control.  I'm into
    instant gratification.  It makes me feel secure.  I have the money, I
    have the authority.  If I want something, I can get it, and that's a
    great feeling of power and security.  This has explained why I can't
    make rules for myself.  I see the rules as some kind of external force
    constraining my power, so I break them.  If I allowed the rules to
    control my behavior, I wouldn't have power.  Now that I've stopped
    trying to make rules, I feel a lot more relaxed.
    
    When do you feel in control?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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610.1Hoping to lose 20Lbs!!BPOV06::MACKINNONProChoice is a form of democracyWed Oct 03 1990 14:4922
    
    
    In the past six weeks I have gained almost 10 pounds.  I most certainly
    feel that my eating is out of control.  It is at times very scary.
    
    I am in the process of changing jobs within DEC, and I have been
    under alot of stress as a result.  I tried to control my stress
    by eating.  I know it was the wrong thing to do, and I am beginning
    WW this week.  I almost flipped when I stepped on the scale this
    morning.  I am presently at the heaviest I have ever been.
    
    I feel that if I do not take action immediately this weight is
    going to stay on.  I have asthma so even 3 lbs over my ideal
    weight is stressing my lungs.  
    
    I don't think that dieting will make me feel more in control of
    my life.  I do think it will make me feel more in control of my
    body.
    
    Wish me luck!!
    
    Michele
610.2Be good to yourself!ICS::SNOWWed Oct 03 1990 17:2227
    Good issue for me right now!  I feel in control (especially regarding
    food) when I'm at work or at home and go for that glass of water or
    piece of fruit instead of that soda or candy bar and feel good about
    making a good choice.  I so often can say to myself that I know I
    should have the glass of water or piece of fruit but I get the soda or
    candy bar instead ( the ol' I'll do what I wanna do attitude...who's
    really going to care what choice I make?) and then feel both bad and
    guilty afterwards.  
    
    I've recently moved back to PKO1 from LKG2 and am situated very near the
    water cooler and not too far from the vending machines.  I have given
    myself the goal of my birthday (18 OCT 90) to lose 5 pounds (need to
    lose a total of 15 pounds which will make a total of 40 since I started
    losing weight a couple of years ago). I also thought I might try putting 
    a quarter into a jar each time I think about going for that soda or candy 
    bar.  Should be interesting to see how much is in that jar by the 18th!
    
    It's important for me to remember not to totally beat myself up when I
    do make the wrong choices.  That just leads to stinkin' thinkin' and
    more bad choices.  I just do my best to 'restart' my day from that
    point with a positive attitude and try my best to do my best.
    
    Have a GOOD rest of the day :)
    
    Lin
    
      
610.3Just Being MyselfPOCUS::FEINMANFri Oct 12 1990 22:1531
    I feel in control when I exert the power that only I have to change
    myself--and to change my destiny.  I was always fat and unathletic, I
    hated gym class and never participated in organized sports.  I almost
    took pride in my inability to participate in anything "good for me",
    sort of the same thing other people mentioned in this note about taking
    control "no one can tell me what to do".
    
    After thirty years of being fat and unathletic, I have lost forty-nine
    pounds and started exercising.  I work out for half an hour in the
    morning to one of the aerobic exercise shows on television and then I
    work out for another 20-30 minutes when I get home from work.  I try to
    work out with my husband in the afternoon.  Then sometimes I even ride
    the exercise bike or run (fast walking really) for a change of pace.  I
    suddenly find myself thinking of myself as someone with healthy
    habits--I carefully watch what I eat and I exercise religiously.  I
    miss it when I skip it.  
    
    My husband and I went to a wedding last weekend and we danced up a
    storm--also something new for me because I was always too
    self-conscious, thinking I looked too clumsy.  Now I don't even think
    about it, I just have fun.
    
    I feel in control when I refuse to indulge in the junk food abounding
    in this office (LIO) or at my mother-in-laws or almost anyplace where
    people gather.  I feel in control when I make my own choices. 
    Sometimes those choices work out better than others, I have been
    hovering at the 138-140 mark for three months now and I still have 20
    pounds to lose, but I feel in control of my life and I believe that I
    will get to my goal eventually.
    
    Good luck to everyone trying to reestablish control over our own lives.
610.4I'm Gonna Do It!!FDCV14::WHALENTue Nov 27 1990 13:5714
    I feel in control when I finally decided (yesterday) to begin my
    diet.  For the past 3 months I've been miserable about my weight
    (I need to lose 50 lbs).  Every week I kept saying that same old
    excuse "I'll start Monday", then Monday passes and I make another
    excuse, then another, then another, etc.
    
    Well I'm finally doing something about it and although it's only
    day 2 of my diet, I'm starting to feel alittle control over my life.
    Although I have a long way to go, I finally have taken the first
    step!!  And whenever I feel I'm gonna "lose it", I'll refer to this
    notesfile for encouragement.  Just reading everyones success stories
    really makes me feel like I can do it too!
    
    Linda
610.5Way to go, Linda!NETMAN::SYKESCustomer Services Information FuturesTue Nov 27 1990 15:5211
	Allright Linda!

	After too many years to recount, I finally got serious about getting
	back in shape 6 weeks ago.  It took a combination of SlimFast, lots
	of excercise, lots of water, and lots of forgiveness for a few slips
	to stay with it.  But, damned if I haven't dropped about 18 pounds
	and am actually firming up as well.

	Keep with it!  It feels great when you make some progress!

		- John
610.6Thanks John!)FDCV14::WHALENTue Nov 27 1990 16:109
    Thanks John and congratulations on losing 18 pounds!  THAT'S GREAT!
    
    I also started aerobics, and have been drinking all my water.
    
    It's a tough battle, but we both can make it!
    
    Thanks again John.  Notes like yours keep me going!
    
    Linda