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Weight Loss And The Dynamics Of Change: Part TwoThe Maintenance Phase – Creating A New LifeCongratulations! You have been working out
regularly now
and practicing your healthy habits for at least six months. You have
made some
significant changes in your life. You have taken steps to reduce the
stress in
your life and the changes are beginning to feel like a part of your
life. You
are now thinking of these habits as part of your life, not something
that you
will abandon once the weight is lost. At 6 months, your chance of
relapse will
continue to decline. It is important to be aware of and have a back up
plan when
the stress of life rears its head. Hopefully you have learned some new
skills
and are better equipped to deal with it. Termination
Phase – You’re A Weight Loss Master! You have been successful at your weight loss
efforts.
You’ve been practicing your healthier lifestyle for 3-5 years now. It
has
become automatic for you. You no longer have to tell yourself to
exercise; it
has become part of your lifestyle. Your life has changed for the better
and you
love the results. Sure, you have setbacks and stress in your life,
who
doesn’t? But you have learned to pick yourself up quickly and keep
moving
forward in your life. You don’t spend time beating yourself up for
being
imperfect. You look at stress and setbacks as things that will pass
quickly and
they do. You are now and inspiration and role model to others. You will want to pass on your knowledge and let everyone know just how you did it! You’re a master! Create A Fail Safe Zone
Permanent weight loss requires patience and
determination.
It is quite humbling to try to change long entrenched habits. It
requires being
gentle with yourself. Beating yourself up will only create more
resistance to
change. Understand that when you attempt to make changes you will
backslide and
have setbacks. Expect this. Don’t set yourself up for failure by
expecting to
do all this perfectly or being upset when you slip up or have setbacks. Set yourself up for success! Set up a fail-safe
zone around
you. Make it ok to make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of the
learning process. Remember when you tried to
learn to ride a bike or learned to drive? I’m sure you didn’t do it
perfectly at first. Talk to yourself as kindly as you would a young
child struggling with its first steps. If you're not willing to make mistakes, you're not
willing to grow, change and learn! People who struggle with compulsive overeating find change particularly difficult. They are often perfectionists and are very hard on themselves. It takes most people 30 days to create a new habit. If you are compulsive with food it may take even longer, so be patient with yourself. Don't tackle too many changes at once or you will doom yourself to failure. Slow change is the best change. Here are some great affirmations for failure and setbacks. Use these over and over like a mantra while you are learning new habits and behaviors.Mistakes
are what I do, not what I am. Mistakes
are part of the learning process. I
allow myself to make mistakes as I am learning. Mistakes are part of being human. The only mistake in life is not to try. Celebrate Your Success Along Each Step Of The
Journey!
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