We made it! It’s now after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s day is right around the corner. Other than the traditional black-eyed peas and greens, we’re done with all the holiday foods.
So, how did it go – did you get to your goal of losing weight for the holidays? Or did things go a little differently than you planned? Did you maintain your weight or maybe gain a few pounds?
Whatever happened, it’s ok.
I know, I can hear you saying. “No it’s not! I planned to be 10 pounds lighter by the New Year and I haven’t lost anything!” Or, “Girl, I gained 5 pounds – this didn’t work out at all the way I wanted!”
It’s still ok.
Before you chuck the whole plan and start searching the web for the latest and greatest quick weight loss diet, I want you to take a moment and reflect: How did this season compare to last year? Did you gain 10 pounds last year and this year only 5? Did you maintain your weight and last year gained? Did you go through last year with a sense of hopelessness and inevitability and this year went about your days with intention and awareness and hope?
You didn’t have any of the tools you learned in this series last year. I’m betting that however this season worked out in terms of your weight, you did better than last year. You weren’t focused on hunger and fullness or how to navigate family meal dynamics. You didn’t know how your brain would try you every time a plate of Christmas cookies were around. You were thinking about “good” and “bad” foods and creating lots of forbidden food drama instead of choosing to eat what you’d be satisfied with. Even if you didn’t accomplish exactly what you wanted, you’re still ahead from where you were last year.
You’re in the process of change.
That’s not always a comfortable place to be. Actually, it’s usually pretty darn uncomfortable. But, if you want to get to a place of permanent weight loss, you will have to change from diet mentality to a whole new way of being with food.
That’s what you’ve been creating this season.
The dark before the dawn…
So whatever your current weight, your brain must change before the scale does. It’s slower sometimes and frustrating, but no harder than jumping on and off diets or carrying around weight that you don’t want. It’s definitely not harder than the other big goals you’ve accomplished.
Sometimes we think that because we’ve accomplished big things in the past that we should just be able to get this weight loss thing on straight easily. And yes, we’re smart and capable and all that works in your favor for weight loss too. But, if you haven’t successfully lost weight for good before, it’s not easy. It’s new and unfamiliar and having help isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s being wise enough to know when getting help will make the difference between the long road of figuring it out alone vs having a guide to show you the way to the goal. A little compassion on yourself for where you are as you reach for this new goal makes a huge difference in whether you make it or quit before you get there.
Celebrate the wins! Did you do better in any way than last year? I bet you did. That’s a win! Are you understanding more of your self sabotage and how to help yourself succeed? Good job! Look for any way that you’ve succeeded this season and acknowledge it – you are allowed to enjoy the good too, not just flog yourself over the missteps. Practice looking for the wins too – you’re on your way!
Now, I want to share with you some exciting news – my digital course is complete! I’ve been working on a digital weight loss course to offer to you because I can only help so many of my amazing clients one on one, so I wanted to create something that would allow me to help more of you at a time. It’s going to be a private small group format with the classes available for you to access at your convenience, with some live support offered so you can get the best of both worlds! I can’t wait for you to get it, so stay tuned!
Once the course is released, I will have to limit how many one on one clients I can take so I can make sure my course clients get all the attention they deserve as well. So if you’ve been planning to work with me through private coaching, don’t wait – now is the time! I’d hate for you to miss out! Email me at drandreachristianparks@gmail.com and let’s get your one hour free consultation booked!
If you like this post, please comment – I’d love to hear from you! And if you want to see me talking to you, here’s this post in video format. It’s not identical to the written post, so try it and see which you like best!