Negative Thinking & a Contest

"Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons.  Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible."  Cherie-Carter Scotts

After much thought, and research, I have decided to give Weight Watchers another try.  Before signing up, I told my husband, I'll give it 6 months before I consider surgery.  You see, in the past, I've been a quitter.  I start feeling guilty spending money on a weight loss plan, and then not losing weight like I should.  I don't know how many times I've joined weight watchers, but I quit every time. 

Today was the best day that I could have joined and went to a meeting.

Today, I realized how much I think or talk negatively to myself.  Well, I should have realized it a year ago when I was beating myself up all the time about my weight, and a friend kept telling me to STOP it!  I thought he was just trying to be nice.  I was sure people really thought the same thing about me that I did.

Today, my leader said that Positive Self Talk helps if you

Beat yourself up
Get discouraged by setbacks (boy do I ever.. that's why I quit when I don't lose)
Feel overwhelmed
Don't feel supported
Eat because of low self esteem (that's a vicous cycle) 

We act in ways consistent with our deepest internal beliefs.  It's like a self fulfilling prophecy.

I had tears in my eyes as she was talking, when I realized that I struggle with all of those things!  (She was telling me after the meeting how many people she noticed crying this week during that talk.)   

I need to nix the negative self talk!  How?  Well, when it comes to weight loss,
Recognize negative thoughts and counter them
Harness the power of positive thinking
Embrace flexibility
Know you can bounce back when things don't go as planned

Those things can apply to other things in life too!

This time will be different!

This time I will succeed!

If I keep making changes, and create better habits, I will reach my goals!

I'm excited!  I have hope! 

I don't condemn those who have surgery!  I just don't want to quit before I really try!  In the past, I haven't always tried (ie followed plan).  You can't lose weight by just showing up for meetings and not following plan!  Who knew?  haha

I know that even if I had surgery, I would have to make the same kind of changes, so why not now?  I may not lose as fast without surgery, but I will feel better about myself if I don't give up.

Our leader told a story of someone she knew who was very bad about negative thinking.  She said she would have been in Pine Rest if people knew what she was really thinking!  Finally that person decided to try another way, and after just two weeks of thinking positive thoughts, she began to notice a difference in herself.  That person was her!  She is a totally different person today. 

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

We need to think about good things!  Positive things!  Nowhere in that verse does it say think about what you did wrong!  It doesn't say think about how many times you've messed up and blew it.

God is a God of second chances.  He is a God of forgiveness!  If He can forgive us, who are we to not forgive ourselves?  He does not expect us to be perfect!  So I need to stop expecting perfection of myself!  When I mess up, I don't have to quit.  I can start over right now!  I can look at the big picture, not the little mistakes.

After attending that meeting today, I have decided that failing is not an option! In fact, I'm not going to give myself 6 months!  I am just going to do this.. as long as it takes!  I will have ups and downs, but doing the best I can consistently will pay off in the long run!

I invite you to hold me accountable!  Ask me how I'm doing once in a while, and any encouragement you want to send my way is always welcome!  I need a support group.  :)

What about you?  Are you a positive thinker, or negative?  Did you know that your attitude is contagious?  Your children will pick up on your attitude, whether positive or negative.  Which one do you want them to pick up? 

I'd love to hear what your favorite verses are.  What helps you when you are down, or feeling like a failure?  Post in the comment section below or on my fb page. 

If you haven't become a fan of my facebook page yet (Latte Blessings), go and click like. 
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When I reach 75 fans, I'm going to do a drawing for the book  Every Woman's Marriage

If you're already a fan of my page, send your friends!  The sooner we reach 75, the sooner the drawing.  I will enter everyone who is a fan of my facebook page.  (If you're already a fan, you're in)

Blessings!  

         

Surgery, Self Control, or both?

For some, it may seem simple.  Watch portion sizes, exercise, count calories, count points, eat less, move more, etc... etc....

I've "tried" several things, but without success in losing weight.  Over the past couple of months, I've almost totally quit drinking pop.  Still no change in my weight.  Since lent, I've given up fast food (with exception of a breakfast on the way to a hockey tournament, and a salad and a few fries today).  Still no weight loss.

I've tried weight watchers, but hate trying to figure out points for everything!  I also hate going by myself.

For several years, I've considered surgery, such as the lap band, and am very seriously considering it right now.  I was doing some research last night about it, and here are some things I found out.

You may only eat about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at any given meal after lap band surgery

You should not drink while eating

"Lap band patients are advised not to consume any of the following: high-fat or dense breads and rolls, dried fruit, coconut, nuts, fried foods of any kind, pasta, popcorn, oranges and grapefruits with the membranes, spicy foods, milk, high-fiber vegetables, and meats with gristle"  (ehow.com)

Doesn't it seem like if I just did those things anyhow that I would lose weight?  I mean if I only ate 1/4-1/2 cup of food at each meal, I'd lose weight without surgery, right?

I wish it was that easy!  I wish I had that much self control.  But what gives a person more self control after surgery?  The fear of vomiting, nausea and abdominal cramping?

Why don't I just start exercising more?  I've tried that in the past, but maybe consistency is my downfall.

Maybe it's our lifestyle.  Maybe it's lack of accountability. 

The thing is, I'm not getting any younger, and I'm definitely not getting any healthier!  Sometimes I feel like I'm a heart attack waiting to happen! 

What if my Doctor told me that?  Would it make a difference?  Would I make changes then?

I have a 2 year old grandson, and when I have him over, I'm exhausted afterwards.  I have two more grand babies on the way this year.  I'm excited, and can't wait, but can I keep up with 3 of them?

I want to be a Grandma who's fun and who has the grand babies over all the time and takes them to do stuff like go to the zoo, and camping and things like that. 

I want to be around for them!  I want to get to know them and them to know me.  I don't want them to say "my grandma died when I was little, I don't remember her".

I need a plan that works and I need it now.  I need this time to be different!  I need to do this for me!
As much as I want to look better and wear a smaller size, it isn't about all of that.  I want to be healthy!

I looked at the weight watchers magazine in the store a few days ago, and thought maybe I should try again.... but I'll probably fail.  That doesn't work for me.  (negative thinking)

I've been reading the Made to Crave book, and I've learned that I need to turn to God, not food for comfort.  Now I need a plan. 

I know several people who have had success with weight loss surgery.  I admire them!  However, I also know someone who had full gastric bypass and has had several health issues. 
The lap band is safer, although you lose slower.  Your body does not have problems with malabsorption, but there are still some dangers.  Any surgery is a risk.  One of my biggest fears of having surgery is pain afterwards, especially long term. 

I also know several people who have had success in losing weight without surgery.  I admire them too!  But do I have what it takes?  I want to find that determination!  The motivation that makes me get up from my computer to go exercise, motivation to walk instead of driving everywhere.  Determination to make the right choices in what I eat, and to control my portion sizes.  To say NO to the wrong foods.

I feel like if I have surgery, I'm giving up.  I feel like I should be able to do this on my own.  But I haven't been able to.  Surgery would force me to make the changes that I haven't made so far. 
How long will I wait?  Will it be too late?     

Have you had surgery, or do you know someone who has?  What were the results?  What were the side effects?  Was it worth it?

I know I've posted before about this issue, and I apologize if it bores you.  It is something I struggle with, and I'm admitting here that I need help! 

Please share your thoughts in the comments here.

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Have a blessed day!