Food for Thought: September 22nd

Scales

During our dieting days, we probably spent much time getting on and off the scales. In OA, we are advised not to weigh more than once a month. Though we want to get rid of excess weight, we do not want to be obsessed with pounds and ounces. This program involves much more than weight control, and to make the scales our ultimate judge is to miss the mark.

If we are honestly abstaining from compulsive overeating and working our program, we will lose weight. The rate of loss will vary from person to person and from week to week. Even, and especially, when the scale registers what we want it to register, we continue to honestly abstain and work the OA program.

In OA, we are more concerned with the progress we make in controlling our disease than we are with our specific weight on any particular day. If our illness is under control, weight control will follow. Scales are useful for measuring physical progress, but they are not a god.

May I use the scales wisely.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation

My Certified Health Coach Website

******************************************
Can I hear an AMEN?!!!!!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

While compulsively dieting, the scale is my god. It dictates what I eat & how much I eat. If the scale shows a low number, that 'entitles' me to overeat because I've been 'so good on my diet'.  If the number isn't a good one, then I must punish myself and starve.  



Compulsive weighing leads to more compulsive behavior, and our goal here is to STOP behaving compulsively and to find some sort of balance with life in general.

Try telling THAT to someone who professionally diets! It goes over like a lead balloon. Sigh.


When I am abstinent and following my Food Plan, IT is in charge, not the scale.  The Food Plan dictates what I eat, how much I eat, and when I eat.



When I am abstinent and following my Food Plan, God is my god, not the scale.


When I am abstinent and following my Food Plan, God is directing my life and guiding me through it on a daily basis.



When I am compulsively dieting, Food is my god, and the scale directs my behavior entirely.


When I am abstinent and following my Food Plan, I ditch the 'all or nothing' mentality and avoid extreme behaviors of ALL kinds.  My goal is to find balance, and not to be addicted to ANYTHING, including numbers on the scale or in clothing tags.





If I allow the scale to rule my life, how will I feel when I reach my desired weight? What will I DO now? How will I handle myself now that the numbers are not intended to move anymore?  What I will do is go back to my old ways, trying to manipulate what I eat & how much I eat, based on the scale number.  If the number is good, then I will overeat.  If the number is bad, and my disease has been let out of the cage, I will probably CONTINUE to eat because my addiction is now running my life.



In OA, I am more concerned with the progress I make in controlling my disease than I am with my specific weight on any particular day. If my illness is under control, weight control will follow. Scales are useful for measuring physical progress, but they are not a god.