(First post. Second post. Third post. Fourth post. Fifth post.)
I know very well that it's possible to get focused on the habits that keep me steered away from the old days of gluttony. I did it before, so I can do it again.
I'm reluctant to use that argument to tell myself, "I lost weight and maintained it before by developing habits X, Y, and Z. I developed those habits before, and so I can do it again." In fact, I'm pretty sure that's a dangerous line of thinking.
My life is in a different place now. Can I transplant them into new soil -- those specific habits that worked for me so well in another place? Will they take root? Will they bear fruit? I won't have an idea until I think through it, and I really won't know until I try.
But I am confident that I can solve the problem from scratch within the new parameters. The point is to keep from sliding back into gluttony, after all. The weight maintenance is supposed to be a pleasant side effect of non-gluttony. Rooting out the gluttony is the point. I need to remember that, and what's more, I need to act like I really believe it's true. That is the thing that I did before, that I can do again.
+ + +
Among the things I am sure I can transplant, here's what does help me:
- Thinking critically and objectively of the meaning of "gluttony" so I can identify it when it tempts me.
- Making a plan of habits to try.
- Trying out each new habit carefully to see if it sticks.
- Blogging openly about the strategies I'm experimenting with -- specifically.
- Talking about my successes with my husband.
All that, I can do. And -- I will.
More later.
I find this incredibly interesting -- as in coincidental interesting. I just started doing almost these exact same steps: step 1 and habit 1: journal each morning. I write about the previous day. This may not be the ideal timing, but right now this works for me. Habit 2: weigh myself every morning, no matter what I ate the day before. I listed other habits to work on but will not officially move onto them until these two habits are in place. Although I am already starting to improve in other areas such as drinking more water, but that will not start 'officially' until I am ready for it. So I will very interested to see your progress. I am also working on surrounding myself with motivational reading: your blog, sparkpeople daily digest, reading about gluttony, reading the writing of the saints, etc. I am not sure what direct effect this will have, but I know it cannot hurt.
Posted by: Delores | 13 May 2011 at 10:47 AM