You think the answer
to the weight question lies in what you’re eating- we have a checklist on
new client questionnaires. Checklists are a little sneaky in that questions
listed don’t’ feel so “big”. New clients rate on a scale of 1, 2 or 3 what
they’d like to cover in their sessions. One item on the list is “assistance
with emotional eating”. Nobody gives that item a 1 (indicating it’s
unimportant). And yet, when we sit down to meet, about half of new clients will
say “well I don’t binge or anything like that.” OK that’s helpful but if you
feel yourself headed for the cabinets after getting off a stressful phone call.
Or, if you’ve ever uttered, “I’ll do that once I lose some weight” you’re
weight is about more that “just liking food” or an extra glass of wine.
Your workouts get
more attention than your diet- I love the fact that fitness has taken off.
I don’t know if it’s the branding from studios such as soul cycle and flywheel
or that there are so many interesting options (step aerobics was not for
everyone) but fewer and fewer clients come in for their first session not
working out. On the contrary, many exercise multiple days a week and there they
are sitting in my client chair. So here’s the deal, you can’t exercise away a poor
diet (I may have mangled a phrase Carolyn uses all the time). And if you’re saying,
“my diet isn’t poor” well how about the fact that diet determines about 75% of
the weight picture? You absolutely need exercise for your health but if you’re
looking to reduce be sure your shopping list gets more attention than that
workout schedule.
You’re focused on
what you’re doing right- perhaps you exercise (you now know my thoughts on
that subject), eat salad and hydrate, that’s all good. However, we don’t get to
pick and choose what holds us pack. As I discussed a plan of attack with a
client last week she looked at me and said “but I already do so much that’s
good”. I sometimes call this the spoiled
brat syndrome (don’t worry I told her so). This client wanted to lose weight
but was only doing the parts of her Foodtraining that came easily to her while
eating too many carbs and treats. I presented a challenge. I asked her to
follow the plan I had outlined for a week. We know what happened, right? At the
next visit this client, though initially stubborn, saw that a couple of areas
were holding her back.
You’re waiting for
the other shoe to drop (the “heavy” shoe)-I have another client I’ve only
been seeing for a couple of months. She came in with a lot of longstanding,
destructive habits and we’ve been steadily chipping away at them.
A couple of months into our work, she went on a vacation and
was disappointed with her eating and said, “I just don’t see this happening
it’s so easy to go back to how I used to eat.” That comment was a bigger red
flag than any of the food consumed on the trip. I didn’t express my concern but
helped her regroup. I knew mentally she was teetering. It took about a month
but I waited for the right time and asked, “so do you see yourself sticking
with this? Can you envision yourself at the weight you want to be?” She could
and whatever you’re trying to do, if you want to do it (for good) you have to
be able to picture it. I don’t care if it sounds corny you have to believe it
to do it.
You lost weight and
now want to discuss maintenance- Oh maintenance. As I say in LBT there is
no finish line when it comes to weight loss. Did weight watchers start this?
The idea of a “goal weight”? I wholeheartedly believe in goals but why in the
world would we make progress in a certain area (therapy, fitness, work) and
then jump ship? As much as the word “lifestyle” bugs me, whether it’s
Foodtraining, gluten free, paleo or vegan if you find a regime that makes you
feel energized and lean please stick to it. Sure, we have weeks where our
eating is looser and others where it’s better, that’s OK. If you are waiting
and expecting the rules to change once you make some progress or reach your
“goal” you may have set the wrong goal.
Whatever it is, whether you have those same 5 pounds or 50
pounds to lose. If you’re just tired of not feeling your best and that’s taking
up way too much mind time…chances are there’s something mentally or physically
that needs adjusting. You know what they say; if we keep doing things the same
way we get the same result. So pick the scenario or tip you relate to most.
Admit “I do that”. And then you can make real progress.
Which of these tips is
the most relatable for you? Why do you think so many people focus on exercise
more than eating? Did you read the Tracy McMillan piece?
My workouts definitely get more attention than my diet especially when I eat out. Love this post. Need to start making some changes.
ReplyDeletelove this post L!! I know people who complain about not losing weight and say "but I exercise 5x a week (but eat crap)." I think part of the reason is what you touched on- They focus on what they're doing right and do not look at what is keeping them from making progress. I think self evaluation and asking yourself, "what can I do better?" can really make a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteI just went and read that article and it definitely pushed my bitch buttons—probably because there was some truth to it! Of course, as with weight loss, quitting smoking, or other major change, you have to want to change! If I really wanted to be someone's wife right now, I'd work more on my anger/career tunnel vision/selfishness, but, well, priorities.
ReplyDeleteYou want to want to change, whatever the change is. It can't be done for someone else or because you "should". It pushed a lot of buttons, I don't think mine will but I liked the premise.
ReplyDeleteI love "what can I do better?" Even when I am feeling off- sluggish or digestion etc I love tweaking what I may have slacked with etc.
ReplyDeleteWell you always look amazing but yes- give nutrition some respect, will ya? Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Really hits home for me. Have been tryin to focus primarily on my diet, not miles ran per week.
ReplyDeleteStill so much to learn. Your posts are fascinating!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I bought a bag of chia seeds and 2 big tubs of greek yogurt to keep at work for mid morning/afternoon snack.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really can relate to all of this! I absolutely focus on what I do right and probably ignore the treats and carbs a lot more than I should. And it's hard to focus on maintaining the right diet for the long term rather than just until those 5-10 pounds are gone, but I know if I don't, they will come right back.
ReplyDeleteI know for me, it's a lot easier to exercise 4x/week than it is to cut out all the junk food.
I swear you took words out of my mouth, we focus on exercise bc it's less daunting.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me wrong Julie- both is fantastic but we don't want to put all our eggs in the exercise basket.
ReplyDeletebravo, make sure yogurt isn't nonfat Asthma, well done!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a helpful article Lauren; you covered a couple of areas I need to address. I plan my workouts far more than my eating and I'm working on this. I like working out. I plan most things but for some reason don't do this as much with some of my meals. I'll work on it!
ReplyDelete