Hello my Cambridge friends. We are winding down another year. 2018 seemed to fly by to me. 2019 is only 9 days away. It's a time of new beginnings, promises, and resolutions. For those of you who plan to indulge over Christmas and then commit to getting back to, (or beginning) your Cambridge weight loss plan, have a lovely time and we'll see you when you're ready to get going. If you plan to eat mindfully and practice your maintenance skills, don't forget that Cambridge can help with that. Sub non-celebratory meals with Cambridge, and only eat when it is the main event. If you plan to stick to your Cambridge, know that you are perfectly capable of accomplishing that. We give too much importance to the food part of holidays and undervalue the people and love that means so much more.
Whatever your plan is...just be sure that you have one. Don't depend on "in the moment" decisions because they most likely will not be the best ones. Plan and be prepared so you don't risk feeling out of control. Feeling in control of our choices and behaviors is a very important part of recovery. Make that your Christmas gift to yourself!
Happy Holidays!
Re: 9 days
Posted by MaryL on 12/23/2018, 7:59 pm, in reply to "9 days"
Happy Holidays to you Pam and Best Wishes for the New Year!
9 days
Posted by Me on 12/24/2018, 11:41 am, in reply to "Re: 9 days"
Oh Oh Oh!!!! How I love those words...... There isn't one negative word in there but Pam, you covered everyone on (and off) this board. Plan a Cheat. Plan a Pig-fest. (Is that a word?) Plan a Shake. Plan a shake after a Pig-out. Plan. Plan. Plan. Plan. Pam you need to write a book (Not exotically the first time I have said this) I believe we even need a Back Up Plan for our plan. I remember going out of town to my mom's for Mothers Day. All my siblings were there. Their husband/wives. Nephews and nieces and friends. I stayed away from the "Ever present" food table. Always had a bottle of water in my hand. Kept busy with a walk alone when I needed too. I was the best little shake drinker around. Not one morsel passed my lips. For four days, I was perfect. What I had NOT PLANNED ON (or even knew it existed)was the "Poor Me" syndrome that happened when I got home. I am not a "Poor Me" kinda girl. So this overwhelming feeling of "I missed something" was crazy. I had substituted my obsession with "Eating" to an obsession of "Not Eating" If I was wise back then, I would of had a "Now What" journal. *Chapter one* Now that you are back to a normal routine, what are my "positive" takeaways. Don't let FOOD STEAL YOUR JOY! And *Chapter Two* Suck It Up Buttercup. What makes me think that I am alone in this battle or should OR could be perfect. (Insert lines for journaling OR Cambridge Chat OR Phone Number of a friend OR Pam's number OR Read Chapter one.) Don't let FOOD STEAL YOUR JOY! *Chapter Three* Life just happens and I ate... (Fill in the blank) with family and friends or my personal favorite, tea and crumpets (Hot Chocolate and Cookies)with my grand daughters and I made memories. Yes food was involved, but enjoy every second of making that memory. Don't let FOOD STEAL YOUR JOY! *Chapter Four.... Ok You get the point. But this all has to be faced. Really faced head on.Sometimes it is great. Sometimes it is messy. But never ever is it a total loss. Unless we, I, give up. I know this isn't a religious board. And I am not "religious." But I have a relationship with Jesus, and HE IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON. And I just wanted to share a little of my real Joy. Merry Christmas and God Bless.
Wonderful
Posted by Pam T on 12/27/2018, 1:32 pm, in reply to "9 days"
I love all of this!
The "poor me" syndrome is REAL! We all need to be aware of it, especially when it comes to social food centered gatherings. It is really common for someone to go through a whole slew of food challenging situations while holding to their resolve, only to go home and blow it all on a sleeve of saltines. A lot of pent up energy can accumulate during those times we resist temptations and like an over inflated balloon, it's gonna blow!
We need to be aware of the emotional dialog going on in our head and don't allow even the tiniest thought of "Poor me" or, "OMG what am I missing out on!" or, "Everyone else in the world is having fun and eating whatever they want but me...IT"S NOT FAIR!". Shut that down before it takes root. Instead, keep telling yourself that "This (meaning Cambridge) is what I am doing right now." Remind yourself that the food will always be there. There is nothing you are passing on today that won't be there later or next year or whenever, but hopefully by then you won't want it.
Re: NOTE TO SELF
Posted by MaryL on 12/25/2018, 9:08 am, in reply to "9 days"
Thank you ME for your very lovely thought provoking post.
I need to add a how to address the "POOR ME" syndrome to my journal and a "SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP" section.
Thank you again.
Hope you are enjoying your holiday.
NOTE TO SELF
Posted by Me on 12/25/2018, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: NOTE TO SELF"
MaryL.... You may have to make a single journal for each. A "Poor Me" journal. AND A "SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP" journal. Trust me, there have been times that I could fill up either one in just a months time. And do trust me when I say, as you go, the journals will merge.(Sometimes collide) I have journaled off and on for years. And I had different journals. Mom, wife, Christian, daughter.... but at the moment, I am on my 20th journal of a combined life. The daughter, the mom, the grand mom, the sister, and now widow, is that same person. The same person that is grateful some days for the smallest of things, all the way to writing first thing in the morning, "God, seriously, you let this happen?" My journal is full of snot and tears, and they, everyone one is well earned.(Like my gray hairs and wrinkles) Some happy snot and tears, and some gut wrenching snot and tears. all me, all needed. MaryL dear, if you were perfect, you wouldn't need this board. You wouldn't need anything. But, Rock, Paper, scissors, Human.... We win when we keep it all in prospective. Even when we are struggling. God Bless you. Merry Christmas. P.S Just for the record. You know those beautiful journals. With art work, scriptures and verses. Doodles and drawings. Yeah, well I don't have the time or money for that crap. I have 20 composition books from Dollar Tree with the date on the front. In an ink colors that happen to be laying near...(because I took the pen I was using earlier to write down a phone number.) Simply Human........ Saved by grace.