Some people have asked me how I started my weight loss. My first few months in the blog archive explain it all.

Friday, July 27, 2007

A Psychology Degree Is Used



Know your weight, write it down, tell a friend. As the good dr. says “you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.”

I have a Psychology degree with which I am qualified to do nothing but watch Dr. Phil and pretend to understand on a deeper level than most, what he is saying. So, I bought his book. This is not a testimonial for Dr. Phil, but for a process that began with some of his ideas.

He told me to get real. Step one then for me was to face my fat. I got the scale out again and saw . . . 198. It was a bit better than October, but still obese. In the past, my weight number was a carefully guarded secret, so secret that I would try to forget it once it was revealed to me. My faulty reasoning led me to believe that the number would make me different in my husband’s eyes. Who was I fooling? Everyone knew I was fat, and the number was not going to make me look any fatter, or the denial of the number was not making me look any thinner. I stood in front of the full length mirror completely naked. I surveyed the rolls on my back, and my front. I wiggled my shoulders and watched my body continue to shake well after I had stopped voluntary moving. I grabbed my flabby belly and wiggled it. I looked at my thighs, were those German sausages over stuffed into their transparent casings? I loved bratwurst, but I didn’t like them for legs. I was mesmerized.

Step two was to reveal the number to my husband. I remember where we were; In the kitchen, by my scale. (Yes, I tried the “put the scale by your fridge trick – didn’t work) I told him I was going to tell him the number. My face started to go red before I even told him. Ashamed that I just weighed 5 pounds less than my 6’3” husband I blurted it out. I opened my eyes to see a very loving and supportive man, who would become my partner in my goals. Telling him the number did not change my size.

That day for me was for me was my interpretation of Dr. Phil’s “get real” and “you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge” I started to exercise.

6 comments:

Millie said...

OK, I promise to start exercising as soon as my foot heals. :)

General Wolfe said...

You are a very brave woman. I admire you.

Lisa said...

Wow! Awesome job! I totally get the "My shirt is tucked in and I am wearing a belt". Last year I got "real" and started losing weight. I have lost some momentum, though. Thanks for the boost. I have gained 7 pounds in the last few months, and I still had 5 lbs to go. It is best to do it on your own because the only way is to have a complete life style change. Fad diets just don't do it. I am going to get with the program and start exercising again. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Cel,
I'm so proud of you. I want you to know that after we hung up the phone last time we spoke, I have stepped up my exercising and am now going to the gym 5 days a week! M,W,F I do cardio and weights, and T, TH I just do cardio. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right? But I have begun my weight loss and muscle gain journey. My tummy is feeling tighter and my arms firmer.
Since you admitted your "before" number, I'll admit mine on cyberspace. It WAS 380. Now I'm down to 368. Thanks for the inspiration. I love you and am so happy for your newfound energy and health being at your ideal weight.

Calamity Jane said...

All, I am excited to have this blog. Hopefully we can all inspire eachother. I am terrified that one day I will give up and buy a cake, hide it under my bed, fill a glass of milk and lock my door. It was pretty easy to put on the 70, It was hard to take it off.

Becky said...

Wow! I love your blog! You are amazing! I have 5 kids also... I lost the weight easily after my first three.... but now, I can not lose it. I don't know what to do.You give me hope.