A Weight Loss Journey

relax . . . .

An intervention, that is.

I highly recommend that you get yourself an intervention too.

When last we spoke, I shared with you all that I felt in serious need of an “intervention.”  I felt physically exhausted and mentally overwhelmed.  I was desperate for a change and a recharge.

Over this last weekend, I made a special point to ask for some help, and to tell all those folks who are generally (kindly) demanding of my time and attention, that I needed some time for myself, to do the things that I needed and wanted to do. 

I slept late.  I took naps.  I puttered around the house, cleaning up all those little messes that nag at me and drain my energy.  I took care of my nutritional needs by feeding myself good, nutritious food instead of trying to force myself to eat something that was on my plan, or that was low carb, or low fat, or low calorie, or whatever.  It’s amazing how much better I feel emotionally when I give myself a break once in a while.

I also spent the better part of the weekend moving and using my muscles.  I planted those little seedlings that should have been planted a month ago,  I pulled weeds, and chopped dirt clods.  I helped my husband build a fence on the back yard, I moved rocks.  (I even cleaned up my email!)

I also spent quite a bit of time playing with my toddler granddaughter . . . non-productive, non-directed, great fun for both of us.  I forget and so need to be reminded once in a while how good it feels to be silly and giggle and tickle and laugh for no reason other than just ‘cuz.

Now that I’ve had what I lovingly refer to as my intervention, my energy and motivation have returned.

Feeling Better

So, here’s my prescription for you in a nutshell.

- sleep—until you feel rested, get up when you wake up, not when an alarm rings

- eat—exactly what you want, and exactly how much you want . . . fuel without gorging.

- work—at the edge of your capacity, and then push it just a tiny bit

- finish—complete those little jobs that linger in your mind and sap your energy

- enjoy—have some fun, play with your pets, family and friends

- laugh—loud, hard, and often

When you are also feeling rejuvenated, let’s hit that weight loss thing again.

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Zen Habits is one of the Top 100 blogs on the Internet, and covers: achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, living frugal, parenting, happiness, and successfully implementing good habits.

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I'm sooo tired

Definitions of intervention on the Web:

• the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.); “it occurs without human intervention”
• a  policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
• interposition: the act or fact of interposing one thing between or among others
• (law) a proceeding that permits a person to enter into a lawsuit already in progress; admission of person not an original party to the suit so that person can protect some right or interest that is allegedly affected by the proceedings; “the purpose of intervention is to prevent unnecessary …
• treatment: care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury) 
  wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

I need an intervention.

Now.

Every day for the last several weeks, I have felt like I am swirling deeper and deeper into a place I don’t want to be, the place I am desperately trying to avoid with my weight loss efforts, the place I need to escape from with my declarations of “I am getting healthy!”

Today feels like the last straw for me.  I feel angry and sad and frustrated.  I look swollen and crippled and old.  I believe I am doing this to myself as a consequence of my life style and daily decisions.  That may not be entirely true, but I believe it is, so . . .

First and foremost, my intervention requires a change of attitude on my part.  I need to look at myself as a physical system that wants to be healthy, not as a stubborn, belligerent middle-aged brat who can’t stay on a diet and exercise plan for more than 10 minutes at a time.  I need to give myself the gift of time . . . time to rest, time to plan, time to prepare, time to execute my plans.  I need to be kind to myself, as kind as I used to be to the rest of the world.  I will focus on the positives, small improvements in the way I look and feel.  I will remember:  progress, not perfection; age-appropriate expectations.

Maybe you need a break too.  If you are out there, and have thoughts to share, please do.