Acceptance # 6. Is change possible? How is it possible?

(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:

1.  Thinking critically and objectively of the meaning of "gluttony" so I can identify it when it tempts me.
2. Making a plan of habits to try.
3. Trying out each new habit carefully to see if it sticks.
4. Blogging openly about the strategies I'm experimenting with -- specifically.
5. Talking about my successes with my husband.

All that, I can do.  And -- I will.

More later.

 

Comments

[Delores]

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.