[CyberTOPS] reFOCUS - Issue 10 - 2009 (Lip Service)

[Marji Clark]

 "Lip Service" definition: Verbal expression of agreement or allegiance,
unsupported by real conviction or action

 

I am so tired of just giving Lip Service about my weight loss, to myself, to
my TOPS group, to my family, to anyone who will listen to me.  Each week I
start out strong and by the following weigh-in I stay the same or up a
couple or down a couple, but the net is NOT the goal that I want.  My
intentions are good, but so far I don't seem to be able to stay focused on
the big picture, the prize.  Each week I disappoint myself by not doing what
I set out to do, which serves only to make me feel badly about myself -
which in turn becomes a vicious cycle.

 

At the VA 0727 meeting the leader, Jeannette, discussed the SMART goals from
The Choice is Mine workbook.and gave us a few minutes to write about "what
is it that I really want and how to get it."  What is it I really want?
Where is my real conviction or action?  

 

I want to get to goal

I want to be a KOPS

I want to graduate in my dress (I own 4 - I am getting quite a collection of
dresses "I can't wear")

I want to succeed

I want to be in the best shape that I can be (duh - that requires exercise
and eating right) so that I can do the things I want to do

 

I keep promises to other people, I try to honor my commitments - so why not
honor the commitment to myself?

 

Additionally I am a rule follower (though not blindly) - so why is it that I
don't follow the rules that I set for myself?  So instead of beating myself
up, I am going to start out with a few rules and add onto them (I have
chosen daily goals, but you could pick weekly ones).

 

Day 1 

Drink 8 glasses of water

 

Day 2

Drink water

Exercise 

 

Day 3

Drink water 

Exercise 

Keep food diary

 

Day 4

Drink water

Exercise 

Keep food diary     

Journal

 

Day 5

Drink water

Exercise 

Keep food diary

Journal

Stop eating by 8 PM

 

Day 6

Drink water

Exercise

Keep food diary

Journal

Stop eating by 8 PM

Follow the Exchange (or keep whatever program you are comfortable with;
calorie counting, carb counting, etc.)

 

Day 7

Drink water

Exercise

Keep food diary

Journal

Stop eating by 8 PM

Follow the Exchange (or keep whatever program you are comfortable with:
calorie counting, carb counting, etc.)

Plan for success - make appointment in calendar for the exercise, make sure
that the food diary and journal are handy, have appropriate food on hand and
prepared, reward myself for making the better choices

 

See how easy it would be to have successful moments and days and instead of
tearing down my self-esteem by "failing" I could be bolstering that same
self esteem.

 

So let me keep my "lips" closed at the appropriate times (could be used for
my words sometimes too) or I will be wearing my lip service - as in "a
moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips."

 

Put on lipstick, chapstick, brush your teeth, pucker up, give a kiss - have
a fantastic week - but keep those lips SHUT and your weight-loss will be
yum-yum "lip-smacking" good!

 

You are not alone, 

 

CULitr, CU at Goal, CU at KOPS, Marji 

 

Not a TOPS sponsored or sanctioned newsletter.

 

Books and resources that have helped me:

Body Clutter and Sink Reflections (2 different books - Marla Cilley -
www.flylady.net) - my clutter is related to my weight struggle

The Solution by Laurel Mellin (first read in 1999)

Life is Hard, Food is Easy by Linda Spangle

100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle

Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink, Ph.D

Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell by Debra Waterhouse

 <http://www.pelizza.com/> www.pelizza.com 

 

Past issues of reFOCUS can be accessed on:   <http://www.topscares.com/>
www.topscares.com and  <http://www.tops123.com/StdTOPS/InspiredFocus.html>
http://www.tops123.com/StdTOPS/InspiredFocus.html 

 

Visit the Florida TOPS website at:

 <http://mysite.verizon.net/res1vhv6/floridatops/>
http://mysite.verizon.net/res1vhv6/floridatops/ 

 

Visit the NC TOPS website at:
<http://www.topsbouquet.org/NorthCarolina/index2.htm>
http://www.topsbouquet.org/NorthCarolina/index2.htm (Coach Laura)

 

Other Websites

 <http://www.topscares.com/> www.topsCARES.com - TOPS site for Delaware,
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland/DC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania - all are
welcome to visit

 <http://www.tops123.com/> www.tops123.com - TOPS site for Illinois,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa - all are welcome to
visit

 <http://www.tops.org/> www.tops.org - Official TOPS website

 <http://www.cybertops.net/> www.cybertops.net - CyberTOPS -- Where Friends
Meet for a "Net Loss"!

www.sparkpeople.com

www.delmonte.com/solutions (has some good ideas and articles)

 <http://www.5aday.gov/> www.5aday.gov

 <http://www.smallsteps.gov/> www.smallsteps.gov

 <http://www.ediets.com/magazine/html/lifestyle>
www.ediets.com/magazine/html/lifestyle

 <http://www.dietbites.com/> www.dietbites.com

 <http://www.eatright.org/> www.eatright.org

 <http://www.hungrygirl.com/> www.hungrygirl.com

 <http://www.walgreens.com/> www.walgreens.com (look under healthy library,
under care guides)