Living The Lifestyle Tuesday June 22, 2021

88olds

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.

Monday -Crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – 88olds
Wednesday -
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - whathapnd (Emmie)

Today's Topic: Reframing- a tool for living.

Anyone else get any mileage out of reframing? Do you use it? How does it help?

podkey

I believe that the ability to re-frame is critical to weight loss efforts. When we can take our mind to a different place we do much better than trying to confront obstacles with the old "NO NO NO!} attempt to resist temptations. The Stanford Marshmallow Study and many follow-ups really seem to bear this out.
Merely trying to "stare the devil down" and resist food temptations doesn't work well.
Changing up our environment can help a lot. Keeping some foods out of the house or at least placed in a harder to reach spot can help make it easier in this effort too.

crewahl

I’ve sat through any number of WW meetings where the topic was reframing. I’ve sat through them by taking my mind to a different place until the discussion on reframing is over. Does that mean I do, or do not, use reframing? I’m guessing it’s “do not”.

I’m not sure why I have a negative reaction to reframing. My suspicion is that it was introduced in a business context first, and it just seemed like a load of hooey to me. I mean, calling a problem a challenge doesn’t change the fact that you’ve got a problem to solve. Don't pee on my leg and try to tell me it’s raining . . . .

Al_Howard

Wnat Charlie said!

crewahl

I’ll be curious to see reactions from others. Wondering if this is one of those topic where no one is ambivalent - it’s either critical to the process, or it’s hooey.

88olds

I can think of 2. I’m not even sure I thought of them as reframing at the time.

One was to stop telling myself I was starving. I wasn’t starving. It’s actually kind of funny. I had to work through lunch and my brain was trying to tell me my life was at risk. I wasn’t starving, I was hungry. I came up with the phrase “uncomfortably hungry.” I think that was more accurate.

Then there was the English Muffin “pizza.” That little bit of sauce and cheese on that round bit of bread was not pizza, but my brain, I think desperate to have pizza, was willing to accept it.

I’ve got some others but have to get to the airport to pick up DW.

misterhub

I don't have any issue with reframing...as long as the reframing is pragmatic.

Nearly every aspect of life requires perspective. We often shift perspectives on other things in our lives, looking at them differently than we did previously. I don't know why food and health would be different.

But, it all has to be pragmatic - realistic, grounded in truth. To simply reframe the structure of something to soothe one's mind without taking into account the reality of the situation is harmful in the long run. However, to look at something with a fresh outlook, with an eye toward tweaking something to reinvigorate one's efforts is not a bad thing.

JMHO. YMMV.