Question of the Day
How can I start losing weight?
Dear Mike, For the last year, I have been struggling with a weight problem. I've been in pretty good shape (I'm an athlete) most of my life, but for whatever reason, I suddenly put on an extra 40 lbs. and haven't been able to get it off. Certainly, being in my 40's and having a slower metabolism has greatly contributed to this issue, alongside my compulsive eating habits. It used to be that exercise and activity could counteract those negative eating traits, but no longer.
I am doing EVERYTHING humanly possible (including having just spent some bucks on a 90 day exercise and diet program that is working for a lot of people). I fall short of my goals in this area, because my will to abstain at those critical times collapses and all other efforts to...
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Question of the Day
How can I start losing weight?
Dear Mike, For the last year, I have been struggling with a weight problem. I've been in pretty good shape (I'm an athlete) most of my life, but for whatever reason, I suddenly put on an extra 40 lbs. and haven't been able to get it off. Certainly, being in my 40's and having a slower metabolism has greatly contributed to this issue, alongside my compulsive eating habits. It used to be that exercise and activity could counteract those negative eating traits, but no longer.
I am doing EVERYTHING humanly possible (including having just spent some bucks on a 90 day exercise and diet program that is working for a lot of people). I fall short of my goals in this area, because my will to abstain at those critical times collapses and all other efforts to lose weight are for naught. It's going to take something bigger than me, bigger than my will. I'm not looking for an easy way out; I know from personal experience their is a lot of will involved in losing weight. But I guess what I'm hedging at is that while I have confidence (which is so supremely bolstered by your 'Notes' each day) in creating other realities for myself, I need support in this area.
Answer
First of all, I see you thin and happy with your weight. Peter Stahl's "Natural State" is not that of being overweight, and when you realize this, the pounds will fall off. You are in an unnatural state right now, and one that will pass, even quickly, as you start appreciating yourself in all areas of your life - which is easy. We, all of us, go through episodes where through some neglect of ourselves, our body, and behavior become out of sync... but water rises to its own level (naturally and effortlessly when left alone), and your level is not 40 pounds overweight. Here are some simple thoughts that will help you shed however many pounds you'd like:
First, you are not what you eat, nor what you metabolize. You are what you think. Reread some of what you wrote to me, ALL of it reflects beliefs. You struggle (stop struggling and let it be easy, don't give it so much attention). Your age is part of the reason (it's not). You eat compulsively (well stop eating compulsively, at least stop saying that you do). Exercise will no longer offset the weight gain (it will). You've tried everything humanly possible (you are far more than human). Your will collapses (not anymore). This is a very manageable task that is perfect for the budding master that you are. In no time, you will laugh at the thought that this was a major life challenge for you.
I understand that it was necessary for you to speak in the way you did to get your points across, and I realize that you needed to express the worst of what you've gone through. And doing so was good, because now, as you reread your letter, it should become more apparent to you how out of kilter some of your thinking has been. Examine the beliefs that just don't make any sense, and they'll fall away like the pounds.
Don't be mad at yourself for letting your weight run away with you. Be gentle with yourself, understand that this has been a great test, and one you'll be happy for later on, and one that will help you with future challenges. It is a serious matter, and you've taken action by exercising, buying the equipment, and writing to me... there's NO DOUBT in my mind that with your earnest desire to lose weight, you will. And it will be easy! I see you very happy and self satisfied. You can, too. Start.
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