Living the Lifestyle (LTL) - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

minimyzeme

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for April are:

Monday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday - myallforjcbill (Bill)
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - 88olds (George)

Today’s topic: “Mind, body and spirit”

This is a phrase that’s thrown around a bit with respect to a lot of things but I’m wondering what, if anything, it means to you on your weight management program.

minimyzeme

I’ve really come to appreciate the value of all three in my weight management program.

When I transitioned from “thinking about weight loss” to actually doing it about two years later (and thanks to my early introduction to GOAD), my head was in the game and has pretty much stayed there. I still have to be thinking of my goals and mindful of my eating.

The body part is pretty obvious but more and more I appreciate life in a smaller body. It’s not the world’s best but it’s a far more capable one than it was when I started. I enjoy being able to go farther, faster and with less stress, strain, huffing and puffing. I’m proud that my blood chemistry has consistently been healthier than it was back in the day. I’m glad I’m not pre-sleep apnea-prone anymore.

The spirit part relates to my outlook about this mission. I choose to not make it a fight—to deliberately emphasize the positives I’ve gained than the negatives (mostly food-related) I’ve given up. Not getting lost in making tracking a chore has helped me make this a sustainable journey so far. The decision to look no further than one day (maybe two) instead of dreading a life of having to be a WW helps keep me in the game. Looking at this as a lifelong sentence would probably be the last thing I did before quitting.

88olds

Body’s doing ok. Maintaining my weight @ 175lbs and below. Active. My lower back is a bit achy but heading out to Pilates in a bit and going to call the doc to set up some PT to see how they address this.

Mind. Ok. I’ve gotten to a point where I think that I will maintain a healthy weight unless I lose my mind at some point. Possible.

But then there’s the spirit thing. I need to find a way to have more fun.

podkey

Gosh I don't philosophize about it so much but think of myself as all three especially in yoga practice or meditation. I am definitely more of a "learn by doing" or process oriented weight watcher. I didn't have a real "why" except the obvious one looking into the mirror or specific weight or time goals etc.
Mind body and spirit are in a sense layers that we peel through in some relation techniques etc.
My mind and body are doing ok as I am still about 7 LB below my WW "healthy weight" standard. I fuss with my mind and spirit often but so far so good the last going on 10 years as of May.
Yeah hard at times to keep spirit above depression for sure.

Jerdtrmndone

I believe my mind is in the right place again though a lot of struggles with DW's health. I now feel more positive about myself and I believe I can do this.

My body, well that's a struggle due to my disabilities. I could do better in that area.

I have a lot of spirit to want to do things and keep motivated to move.