Remember learning to ride a bike? It was both scary and exciting!
Hello Everyone!
Before we get started:
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Pearl One
Long-time readers may remember that I had a terrible flu last December and just as I was feeling better, something knocked me out again in January (I read that a certain flu had a double-punch). Without paying attention – I didn’t even know what day it was through most of it – I lost eleven pounds well under my weight window.
You might think, “Oh, poor you.” But as I’ve said, I didn’t look good, I looked sick and frail.
Once I was truly over the flu, I knew I needed to regain the eleven pounds and knowing that signaled to my brain that I needed to shift my mindset for a period of time.
“Uh-oh,” I thought, “a period of what?”
Switching my strong and smart eating mindset into a gaining mindset sounded horrifying to me.
What I Noticed Along the Way
So fast-forward a few weeks and there I was gaining back those eleven pounds. I kept the regain-mission slow and didn’t succumb to food-porn (except for a reliance on ice cream). As I continued to gain weight, it became clear that whether I’m trying to gain, maintain or lose weight: “momentum” is a real thing. Momentum is like a river gently taking us downstream. Before the flu, when I was just living life, I felt like I was “in the groove of losing” and then as I was gaining I got into the “groove of gaining.”
Turns out momentum works both ways: for losing and for gaining. I almost ate myself out of the weight-window, but into the gaining end.
For our lifetime-loss success we need to harness the feeling of momentum and learn how to return to it when needed.
It all starts with habits and noticing.
Notice what kind of momentum you’re currently in. If you’re on the momentum of gaining weight: first, acknowledge it. Say to yourself, “Okay, I need to slowly shift my lifestyle from overeating to finding what shifts me into a long-term momentum.”
What I do to shift is to pay a ton of attention to small wins (small habits). I started pointedly telling myself that ice cream is meant to make baby cows fat (I tell myself this every single night).
Ask yourself: are you in the groove of losing? See if you can sense the feeling of momentum in your days. And later see if you can return to your momentum when you slip — which will happen (because slips and flu are part of the deal for everyone).
When you go off the Smart Eating Path – whether because of flu or another reason – how do you return again and again to your smart eating habits? Because the habits are the secret sauce creating momentum. When we’re in the groove (momentum) of losing weight we can feel like a kid learning to ride a bike who shouts out, “Watch me! Watch me! I’m doing it!”
And you are.🎃
Pearl Two
Our journal-writing prompt pearl.
- How do you maintain small wins and build momentum? (Extra credit if you share with the rest of us in the comments below).
- What do you think about using “the groove” to work with your habits with food.
- What’s the difference between momentum vs. motivation and why could momentum keep you moving even when motivation fades?
- How do habits fit into creating momentum?
- What are “momentum killers” for you (stress, travel, holidays) and how do you stay consistent with your smart habits?
- Why do you think your mindset matters more than buckle down willpower?
- Define momentum for yourself.
- How do you use momentum for your highest good? 🎃
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.
Automatic Sequence
- Situation (be very concrete): It’s 10 p.m., and Linda is in her kitchen on the hunt for something to eat. She’s not truly hungry, but the craving is strong.
- Initial thought: “I just want a cup of ice cream. What’s one lousy cup going to hurt?”
- Feeling: Linda feels righteous at the moment she’s eating the ice cream, but goes to bed mad at herself.
- Action: The next morning, she beats herself up for having “ruined” her smart eating plan.
- Results: She doubles down on restricting her eating, but then overeats/binges and is back into the yo-yo pattern yet again.
Chosen Sequence
- Situation (be very concrete: It’s 10 p.m., and Linda is on the hunt in her kitchen for something sweet to eat. She’s not truly hungry, but the craving is strong.
- Chosen thought: “I know there’s something bigger happening in this situation. I need to investigate further as to why I’m wanting treats at 10 p.m.”
- Feeling: Curiosity.
- Action: At 10 p.m. that night Linda has a small bowl of cereal to curb her hunger. She knows that food cravings can be the body crying out for real food. She heads to bed planning to take a good look at how her eating-days are unfolding.
- Results: After some scrutiny, Linda figures out the piece in her day that’s causing trouble at 10 p.m. so she does three things. She makes a better effort at scoring an amazing book for her book-dessert. She gets to the grocery store more regularly — but first eats in her car so she’s not hungry — to assure that she has her favorite smart food are on-hand and within easy reach. And she keeps apples in the kitchen for those evenings when she didn’t eat quite enough dinner and needs food again at ten at night 🎃
Pearl Four
Books love us and want us to be happy.
I’m just a few pages into How to Read a Book: A Heartfelt Novel of Redemption and Unlikely Friendships in a Small Town Bookstore by Monica Wood, but I’m loving the tone and pace of this book.
If you liked Orange is the New Black (the book) you’ll warm right up to How to Read a Book.
People magazine called it “an utter gem.”
Once I’m finished reading, I’ll update this pearl, but I think you’re totally safe to give this one a go! 🎃
Pearl Five
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – 🎃
Marcus Aurelius
Have you ever reached out to a really old friend you hadn’t seen in years? I reached out to two little girls I adored from a few years back. Their parents divorced and the mom and I sadly had a falling-out. But I loved her kids so, so much. The Scarfer and I babysat for free and once took them for a long weekend, another time for a full week. Life went on, we had twin babies and were underwater for those early months. In a “Puff the Magic Dragon” moment, I think I just assumed the girls would always be there. But then we moved from CA to the East Coast and life got busy with my kids. Anyway last week I reconnected with the girls and they’re in their early 30s now and are just as incredible as ever.
Reaching out: it did my heart good.
Have a wonderful week!
♥, Wendy
You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.
Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!!
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.
