As most of us who have been on a low carb woe for any length of time will tell you, the biggest hurdles we face are emotional. The brain knows what we must do, but unless your heart is in it, you may not be able to face making major changes in your lifestyle.
This article talks about being ready to make those changes, and the stages one must go through to get to that place. I found it helpful and informative, and I hope you will, too.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Good article, thanks Trina.

I think it's important to look at all the little beliefs that may be undermining our weight loss. I've gone so far as to write out the pros and cons of loosing weight. It may sound rediculous, but ALL of our values and beliefs must be aligned for success at anything.

The pros may be obvious: feel better, look better, more confidence, better health, etc. But the cons can be small and sneaky. I discovered that I really disliked the idea of "wasting" all these perfectly good clothes in my closet by getting too small for them. Once I faced that concern by realizing that these clothes will be a real blessing to someone else once I don't need them any more, I was able to put that behind me.

Other cons might be: discomfort with the greater attention we'll get when we look better (for many overweight women, we have used fat as insulation against male attention for reasons of past abuse, etc.), or no longer having an excuse for avoiding social activities. I strongly encourage anyone struggling with their weight loss to do a pro/con list.

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Staci

I was stuck in precontemplation for far too long. Finally about six months ago I moved into the contemplation process. I was thinking that I needed to go on a diet but I was still breastfeeding and wanted to wait until that was done. Then when I started weaning I began reading different LC books. I guess that would be the preparation. After about two months I was ready and started this WOE. So I guess this article is right on for me. Maybe by going through this order I am more prepared than I have been in the past. I know this WOE is much better than any I have dealt with before. A lifestyle change rather than a diet.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

I started looking at dieting in November when I realized I could NOT teach many of the units I had planned as I could not do many of the things I was going to try to show the students how to do. . .Other than a bout with the flu however I didn't lose any weight before Christmas and I ate mostly junk at Christmas, but when I got home after Christmas vacation I picked Atkins and threw out most of the food in the kitchen and started over! and here I am 63.5 lbs later almost ready for premaintenance!

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

Wow, this is a great article. If most people can read this and understand the process during their contemplation/preparation stages im sure a lot more people will be a lot more successful with the changes they will be making in their life.

I took up a class at the Y that basically covered this exact topic.

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Started LC 1-10-04

302/199/160, 103lbs down, 39 to go, simply remarkable.

Restart- 8-19-07
242/226/160


405 points to date ( HOLIDAY CHALLENGE )

This was a very informative article, perhaps should be posted in the newbies forum?

it also made me very happy, reading it confirmed to myself that I am ready for this...

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~Sunny.

"You can't expect to keep happiness out of your life forever."

start date: Sept 17th, 2004
Starting: 310 lbs (5'10")
Goal: 180 lbs

I would recommend this in conjunction with the article in the "Exercise" section written by Graeme Street - "10 Questions"

A new way of life needs a new mindset. I tried lc last year and quit after induction. This time around I was mentally prepared to go the distance.

It has made all the difference to me.

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Kelly
Highest recorded weight: 103.2kg/227.04lbs (03/15/08)
Current: 97kg/213.4lb-13.64
Goal:150
"Resensitizing myself to the urgency and severity of my weight problem is important in keeping myself motivated. I have to remind myself that my body will not tolerate this abuse forever." Jeannette Fulda, aka PastaQueen

That is a good article. The source for this particular theory of change is the book "Changing For Good" by James Prochaska. Great book in my opinion, definitely worth reading for anyone who found the article interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846