Take it off | Week 57: The importance of journaling & other techniques

I started today in sort of a panicked state. Today was supposed to be the official start of my switch to the 4&2 plan (4 Medifast meals and 2 Lean & Green meals). Well...I chickened out. I'm not doing it this week. I got up this morning terrified to change anything that I am doing. I even started writing a post about how scared I am of transitioning and maintenance. (I know, I am a broken record.) My self doubt about my ability to maintain was causing an actual physical reaction. I was so panicked that it felt like my doubt had a choke hold on me.

I was totally psyching myself out and for no good reason. After hitting up the Medifast message boards for some reassurance (thanks everyone!), they reminded me that this is all pretty normal. The biggest pieces of advice were also the simplest: Take baby steps, keep it simple, don't let yourself or others sabotage your hard work and believe in yourself.

I can do all of that. I've been doing that for months. Check!

It's times like these that I have to remind myself to read through old entries here. After reading through my beginning weeks and working toward more recent posts, I was beginning to feel bolstered by how far I've come in the past year. But still, the feelings lingered. I couldn't shake this ominous feeling of eventual failure.

This is when I started using another technique that I keep on tap for getting through these moments: visualizations.

I often visualize myself completing a goal or facing a challenge. When I run, I imagine that I am either running from something or through some trippy, happy landscape toward something beautiful. Sometimes, on the stage in my imagination, I can be found confronting the old me. Today though, we were not face to face. The old me, she's been buried before she felt she was ready - and sometimes she comes back with a vengeance. Today, the old me was trying to drag me back down with her.

She had me by the ankles and there I was with nothing to hold on to. Nothing except my journey so far. Today as I poured through old entries I could feel the grip weakening. The choke hold was released and by the time I got to this entry, I was free again.

Visualizing goals, achievements, and even imaginary foes help me to conquer this beast, food addiction. Because how do you battle something that has no body, no face or arms or legs - yet it has you so firmly in its grasp? Give it a face (you'll be shocked to find that it probably looks just like yours). Make this beast real in your mind - and then beat the hell out of it.

Visualizations and journaling have been key in my success so far - even the pieces that I don't share here. And they might make me look a little nuts - but I'll take a little nuts if it means 87lbs that I will never see again. If it means one less dark battle with who I used to be. 

People often lament to me that they don't even know where to begin when it comes to weight loss. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Just take the first step - even if it's a baby step. And be sure to document your journey, leave some bread crumbs behind you.

Eventually you will need to find your way back to remind yourself how far you've come.

Month One: -16 lbs

Month Two: -5 lbs
Month Three: -6 lbs
Month Four: -6 lbs
Month Five: -6 lbs
Month Six: -8.5 lbs

Month Seven: -7.5 lbs

Month Eight: -5 lbs

Month Nine: -2 lbs

Month Ten: -5 lbs

Month Eleven: -6 lbs
Month Twelve: -4 lbs
Month Thirteen: -6.5 lbs
Week fifty three: -1.5
Week fifty four: -.5
Week fifty five: -.5
Week fifty six: 0 :(
Week fifty seven: 1

Total: 87 lbs gone forever! Current weight: 153 lbs Distance from goal: 13 lbs!!

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For your first order of $250+, use my code, and enroll in Medifast Advantage to receive 28 free meals. Do the same on your next order and you’ll receive ANOTHER 28 free meals! This offer is only valid if you enroll in Medifast Advantage, and it’s limited to one per customer. It’s not valid with prior purchases, any other promotions or discounts, or for Medifast Ready-to-Drink Shakes. Check out Medifast’s website for complete details on program and discounts.

*FTC Disclosure: Medifast provides their products for my personal use for free. I am not paid or compensated in any other way for mentioning their products. All thoughts written here are mine. I love complaining so I would tell you if I didn't like something in the program. :) 
Medifast products and the Medifast Program are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any medical improvements noted while on the program are related to weight loss in general, and not to Medifast products or programs.

~*Stephanie at A Grande Life*~ 
~*Jenni at Jenni From the Blog*~

~*Stephanie at Goober Monkey*~

~*Alison at O My Family*~

~*Jessica at The Unemployed Mom*~

~*Mariana at The Domestic Buzz*~