While having a conversation with a yo-yo dieter, I was saddened to hear how difficult it was for her to gain control of her eating habits. A part of me wondered why...as I am very aware of what I put in my body, and why I chose not to eat certain foods. I LOVE to feel good (and looking good isn't so bad either). So yo-yo dieting is not for me. Diets don't work...lifestyles work! Diets come with excuses, disappointment, sadness and weight gain! But...like most women it took me some time to learn this... and some people just take longer.
My advice to her was: write a letter to yourself NOW! Today, while you have hit rock bottom. Now, while you feel tired, uncomfortable, and don't like what you see, or how you feel. Now...that you have done this to yourself. You need to make a promise to YOURSELF that you will stop abusing your body! She looked at me and said...'I SHOULD, and then read it whenever I want to abuse food, or don't want to exercise'.
I hope she does. We easily make excuses for our bad habits...'what's the harm in having a few glasses of wine', or 'what's wrong with having chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast' and 'tomorrow I'll do better'. There is a great saying 'people love to hear good news about their bad habits' and many yo-yo dieters live for this. The moment a silly article says chocolate is a 'health food' they go out and binge! So maybe it's time to be honest with yourself. Apologize to yourself for treating your body like crap, for creating illness, for not exercising, and for the years of abuse. Make a promise to yourself. To take great care of yourself...and how you never want to feel this way again! Keep this letter. Read it often, add to it. Write a new one, update it...whatever it takes for you to feel truly connected with YOURSELF.
So I wrote a letter to myself, to my body...
Dear body,
I haven't always been kind to you. I spent years eating nutrient- poor food, consumed alcohol, under-ate and over-ate, over-exercised, and not exercised at all. I didn't care about the long term damage I was doing. I only cared about the moment...but I have grown up and am doing what I can to treat you like the wonderful home you are!
I am sorry I took you for granted, and I am sorry I didn't see how amazing you are. I was not taught to love you, to take great care of you, and to fuel you with the best food possible. Like most people, I just assumed you'd always be here, and I didn't have to worry. But I know that is not reality. I now understand how important you really are, and I HAVE to take great care f you!
I promise to always do my best! I promise to fuel you with fresh, healthy, raw food as much as I can! I promise to never abuse you, and to listen when you need rest, listen when you need MORE fuel, and to never take you for granted!
I promise to keep you strong & healthy. I want to live in the best home possible!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do better! Thank you for being patient and giving me time to learn. Now that I now better, I WILL do better! I promise!
Yours Truly,
Me
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