When Everyone’s a Diet Coach: Lessons from My Strawberry Story

Welcome to Spring everyone! I’m shortening these posts and making life a little lighter for me.

Pearl One

Long ago, I had a therapist who – after hearing my weight loss woes – went on to describe how she approaches eating using one strawberry as an example. She described seeing the strawberry’s beauty, smelling the strawberry’s scent and eating said strawberry. Oh, the joy.

Out of politeness, I listened as the “wisdom” rained down upon me, but inside I was rolling my eyes thinking “she. doesn’t. have. a. clue.”

Because back in the day I was thinking, “will it be three bowls of rocky road or a large bag of Nachos Doritos?” Questions. Questions.

When I’m in the trenches of “needing a food fix” the very last thing I’d think about was some funky strawberry.

I’ve heard a version of the strawberry story many times over the years. One time a family member said, “you wouldn’t need to go on so many diets if you didn’t eat so much.”

And most of us have heard: “You’d be so pretty if you’d lose weight.” “You lost eight pounds with the flu? Be sure not to gain them back.” “Have another pancake, Roseanne.” (This from Jackie when Roseanne and she were arguing. I include Jackie’s comment because when we’re navigating too much weight, others like Jackie feel free to take “low blows” about our weight any time they don’t know what else to say).

Remind yourself daily that what you’re attempting to do here is crazy-difficult. Yes, we’ve learned to believe that it should be effortless to lose twenty pounds.

It isn’t. It’s incredibly hard.

Uplevel your self talk daily and tell yourself, “I can do this”; “my pant size matters more to me than those donuts”; “I want to wake up on my next birthday feeling a little giddy about my new habits: It’s a birthday gift I give myself.” And last, remember this truth: you’re the expert on the micro-details and vigilance that go into a forever weight loss. Take notes and share with the world. ♥

Pearl Two

More next week on journal-writing.

Pearl Three

Sequencing is taken directly from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The purpose of sequences is to help us move from reacting to circumstances to responding. I encourage you to do a sequence a day in your journal. Powerful stuff. Apply to your own life.

Again, more next week!

Pearl Four

Books love us and want us to be happy

I have a great book to share next week!

Pearl Five

Thirty days of consistency can transform your year. A year of consistency can transform your life. Consistency changes everything. — Original author unknown

If you have tiny darlings in your life: behold my favorite hack. Visit a thrift store and buy two large baskets that semi-match. Once home clean the baskets and spray the entire basket with chocolate (brown spray paint). I also added a yellow bow and Easter grass. Super inexpensive and fun.

Happy Spring everyone!

♥, Wendy

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I am not an expert, doctor, surgeon, nurse, dietician, or nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.