What happens when we're thin?

August 21, 2006

I agree with this as well. In addition I think there is a lot of fear and

conversely a lot of growth that goes with losing weight. The fear is from moving

out of our mental comfort zone. We all cannot do something as drastic as

Steve has done. In the process he has maybe created a new comfort zone for

himself. If it is one of progress, then it is good. But he will not know if he

is

there or still on the way till he has tried it for fit. So he moves forward.

So must we all. To know ourselves is such a huge plus for all of our lives.

And necessary for all of our health. Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Emotional.

Jane

August 21, 2006

Amen ! lol

Jane

August 21, 2006

One thing I have been thinking about, and hope Steve thinks about this

too, is - what happens once we're thin? I fear that some of us are

convinced that being thin, or at least a normal weight, will be the

answer to our deep longing for a better life. And really, it is only

a small part of the answer.

Now, I know there are many in this group who are working hard to

regain their health and their ability to participate in physical

activities. They have no misplaced dream that being thin will make

life wonderful. But I'm sure there are others of us that think " If

only I were thin, I would have it all. "

But it doesn't work that way. You are the same person, thin or fat.

Once you are thin, you have the same basic talents, the same

personality, the same values, the same amount of money, and pretty

much the same life. Some friends, family and co-workers will ooh and

ahh and give you lots of praise for a little while, but then you will

just be " you " to them, and life goes on. You may be more attractive

to the opposite sex, but unless that's all you want in life, you'll

eventually find out it's not all that important what the opposite sex

thinks of you. You'll be able to admire yourself in new clothes, but

unless you're wealthy, there are only so many clothes that will fit in

your closet (and if you were wealthy, you'd be thin by now!) If you

think you will be more competitive in sports or in the workplace, I

hate to disappoint you, but you won't be. That is a function of your

personality. If you were driven to compete in sports, you probably

wouldn't be fat. If you are competitive in the workplace, you'll get

to the top no matter. Being thin will be exciting for a little while,

but then you'll just be you again.

So look inside and think about this. What are my good qualities?

What, besides being fat, do I want to change? If I woke up tomorrow

and saw an attractive slim person in the mirror, what would I do?

What do I really want my life to be about?

I don't want anyone to stop trying their hardest to get rid of the

fat, but we need to think about our whole life, not just that part of

it. There are many things we can do to improve ourselves that don't

involve diet and exercise. Things like education, helping others,

transforming our surroundings, and finding out what we really want to

do with this life we have.

Well, that's enough thinking for one day!

Alice

August 21, 2006

I really love what you have to say. You are a wise person. Getting slimmer is

not the key to happiness or success, and thinking it will change the essential

you is a recipe for disappointment.

Fortunately, Alice, I have no illusions that I will be anything but healthier

after getting slimmer. In fact, I fully expect to have lots of loose skin and

look pretty awful. After all, I am over 60, have been heavy a long time, and

have a lot to lose. I only want to do the things I love...hike, backpack and

ride a horse without breaking its back :-)

W.