This first week of Lisa's lifestyle makeover has been intense but rewarding. Years ago I did a research paper on factors contributing to a recovering alcoholics success at sobriety. There are certainly similarities between addictive behaviors like alcoholism, smoking, and over-eating. In my research thesis at University of Florida a few of the consistent themes increasing the likelihood of successful rehab included strong social support, meaningful activity, and a faith-based spirituality practice. My focus this week with Lisa has been in considering these themes and their relevance in her current lifestyle.
Thank you for encouraging Lisa with your emails, facebook messages and inspiring notes on this website. Feeling connected to others who are working to make their health a priority builds meaningful relationships. We shared a lot of texts and emails this week. One exchange regarding the importance of social support was as follows:
Tiff: I agree you should exercise now as well as multiple times throughout the day. What you do here at my house doesn't count at all compared to the strides you can make on your own.
Lisa: Good point. One I hadn't thought of. I went to, by habit, to what food should I get? Ha! Wasn't even aware.
Tiff: If you want to change, you have to change your own behavior. You have to kick your own butt even when you don't feel like it. Make healthy choices as preventative medicine. You have to be on board and dedicated for the 6 months...not randomly when you feel like it. Go to Rivershores YMCA if your house is tempting you to be sedentary.
Lisa: On my way now!
Tiff: Excellent! Surround yourself with like-minded people who support your healthy initiative and you will be successful.
While walking on the treadmill Lisa shared the following:
"Somewhere along the line I checked out. I'm not sure when or why but it doesn't matter after awhile. It's water under the bridge. And now, like every obese person, I pay the price, I lose."
I thought this a rather astute observation and she agreed we should write it down. Because whatever our default mode, whether eating, alcohol, isolation, smoking, when we shut down our emotions in exchange for temporary, short-lived satisfaction the consequences can be extensive. The unhealthy behavior takes the place of actually examining and acknowledging our feelings. We sabotage our own bodies when we "check out" of our emotions.
I don't advise people to exercise just for the sake of losing weight. Exercise changes our brain waves. It activates parts of the brain responsible for attention and focus; the endorphins elicited contribute to feelings of happiness; the reduction in the stress hormone cortisol eases our sense of anxiety. We can't embark on lifestyle change without exercise. Exercise positively changes how we see ourselves which in turn changes how we see the world around us.
I was glad this morning when Lisa shared the following text:
"I'm feeling good about how I feel about exercise. Not afraid of it. More positive. Thank you for that!"
Lisa-Joy has lost a few pounds from where we started last week. Nothing dramatic but I think that is good...who needs drama? We know that 6 months will pass regardless...each day the choices we make determine our health both in the present day and for the future.
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for encouraging Lisa with your emails, facebook messages and inspiring notes on this website. Feeling connected to others who are working to make their health a priority builds meaningful relationships. We shared a lot of texts and emails this week. One exchange regarding the importance of social support was as follows:
Tiff: I agree you should exercise now as well as multiple times throughout the day. What you do here at my house doesn't count at all compared to the strides you can make on your own.
Lisa: Good point. One I hadn't thought of. I went to, by habit, to what food should I get? Ha! Wasn't even aware.
Tiff: If you want to change, you have to change your own behavior. You have to kick your own butt even when you don't feel like it. Make healthy choices as preventative medicine. You have to be on board and dedicated for the 6 months...not randomly when you feel like it. Go to Rivershores YMCA if your house is tempting you to be sedentary.
Lisa: On my way now!
Tiff: Excellent! Surround yourself with like-minded people who support your healthy initiative and you will be successful.
While walking on the treadmill Lisa shared the following:
"Somewhere along the line I checked out. I'm not sure when or why but it doesn't matter after awhile. It's water under the bridge. And now, like every obese person, I pay the price, I lose."
I thought this a rather astute observation and she agreed we should write it down. Because whatever our default mode, whether eating, alcohol, isolation, smoking, when we shut down our emotions in exchange for temporary, short-lived satisfaction the consequences can be extensive. The unhealthy behavior takes the place of actually examining and acknowledging our feelings. We sabotage our own bodies when we "check out" of our emotions.
I don't advise people to exercise just for the sake of losing weight. Exercise changes our brain waves. It activates parts of the brain responsible for attention and focus; the endorphins elicited contribute to feelings of happiness; the reduction in the stress hormone cortisol eases our sense of anxiety. We can't embark on lifestyle change without exercise. Exercise positively changes how we see ourselves which in turn changes how we see the world around us.
I was glad this morning when Lisa shared the following text:
"I'm feeling good about how I feel about exercise. Not afraid of it. More positive. Thank you for that!"
Lisa-Joy has lost a few pounds from where we started last week. Nothing dramatic but I think that is good...who needs drama? We know that 6 months will pass regardless...each day the choices we make determine our health both in the present day and for the future.
Thank you for reading!
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