Food for Thought: July 30th

Focus on Living

Before we found this program, we were obsessed with food and preoccupied with eating. Instead of concentrating our energies on love and work and play, we were side tracked into the unsatisfactory substitute of overeating.

Abstinence gives us a new lease on life. We can develop more satisfying relationships with our family and friends. Since it has been our habit to withdraw and please ourselves with food, it takes time and effort to learn to relate more closely to those we love. It also takes courage and the willingness to be open and vulnerable.

In our work, we have renewed energy and greater ability to concentrate. Where before we may have avoided difficult tasks, we now have the strength and confidence to attempt them.

When we give up eating as a favorite form of recreation, we can find other activities to enjoy. Being released from bondage to food and fat opens the door to all sorts of new possibilities. Less eating means much more living.


We are grateful for this new life.




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

************************************************

Eating was my favorite form of recreation for most of my life. I watched The Food Network religiously, I cooked & shopped for food, gathered recipes, found new restaurants to visit............I devoted all of my spare time to food & eating.  What a waste of life that truly was!

When I found abstinence 5+ years ago, I felt lost. I had lots of spare time on my hands that had been previously occupied with food. I had to make some tremendous changes in my life if I was to find long term success with weight management. In fact, I had to find a whole NEW set of hobbies & interests that did NOT include food.

Blogging became a huge hobby of mine, and I started writing them on the Medifast website. I used that program to lose 100 lbs and more importantly, to find abstinence. The program trained me to eat 6 small meals a day, on a strict schedule, and to avoid trigger foods at the same time.  For me, the 5/1 was THE perfect plan to establish abstinence.  To date, I've written nearly 650 blogs on that site.  Writing became a new hobby and one that was not harmful.  Typing keeps my hands occupied and OUT of the refrigerator.  I then started this blog a year or so later.  I became involved in health coaching with Medifast, which enables me to give BACK and to stay involved with people who share my struggles and triumphs.  When I stay out of my OWN head is when I am at my absolute best.

The only thing that had to change in my life was EVERYTHING. I couldn't just hope for things to change......I had to MAKE them change.  A goal without a plan is a wish.  I put abstinence & sober living on the TOP of my priority list and made the life changes that were required to succeed.

When I gave up eating as my favorite form of recreation, I found other activities to enjoy. Being released from bondage to food and fat opens the door to all sorts of new possibilities.  Less eating means much MORE living!

My Certified Health Coach Website