When push comes to shove

I was trying to be clever with my title, but I just wanted to share (if anybody is reading this) about some thoughts I had this morning.

I really got off my eating and activity plan over the weekend, and although I haven't analyzed why, I'm ready to get back on board today. I was thinking, I'm ready for another "push." I remembered how, when I was in sales, we would have a "push" of intense sales activity to meet certain goals. I did pretty good for the first few weeks on SP, then a slower time, then another pretty good phase, then a slower time, and now I'm ready to push again. I was thinking that this pattern can work just fine and for many of us in long-term "transition" of weight loss, it may actually be our pattern. It's just important not too get too off-track during the slower periods so that we either stay the same weight or lose a little, then we "push" again.

When I think about it, this actually how I do anything requiring effort on my part, including housework. I don't seem to apply myself for a long period of time to anything unless I'm lost in creativity or in my thoughts. So I do a bit, then relax or play a bit, then do a little bit more, then relax or play. It works for me to alternate rather than put in a concentrated effort for a longer period of time and relax or play for a longer period of time. So it's no wonder that I find I'm working on my weight loss and improving my health in the same manner.

Instead of beating myself up about the time I'm "relaxing,"I think I just need to incorporate it into my plan. I'll see how long I'm usually in a "push" then how long I'm usually relaxing my effort and just plan on doing it that way, as long as I am careful to maintain my current weight or just slow down my weight loss and not gain anything. I have a lot of weight to lose, and this might just be the key to this long-term process for me, besides allowing me to adjust to the various changes in lifestyle needed in order to maintain my goals once I reach them.

I'm just trying to work it all out, just like everybody else. If my ideas resonate with somebody, that's great. But since we are all unique, I don't expect that one method will work for everbody. That's one reason I love SP, that we can exchange ideas of what works for us and that we can incorporate the methods of others that work for us and individualize our own methods. I've been trying different methods since I was a chubby pre-teen and to me, SP is one of the absolute best ways to accomplish our goals of all kinds, especially health goals.

Thanks to all who are brave enough to post their photos, their thoughts, their favorite quotes, their activity, their successes, their "learning opportunities," their pleas for help, and their support of others!

charleee3