Dropping Anchors: Releasing the attitudes that weigh us down?

Anchors are powerful objects, but their very function poses a conundrum for those who use them. Employed correctly, anchors provide stability and strength against the strongest tides. But there are times when those same anchors can hinder the progress and compromise the safety of the very ship they mean to protect. A fierce storm will pummel an anchored ship to bits if steps are not taken to free the craft. In moments such as these, the captain of said ship must make the difficult but crucial decision to cut loose his anchors.

If we are lifelong dieters, chances are we have picked up a few anchors along the way. These anchors are the things that make us feel safe. They are the defense mechanisms we employ to protect our fragile egos and they are the routines we know and trust. But sometimes these anchors can work against us.

Now that I have begun a "low-carb way of eating," I like to think of myself as a craft set free from the confines of a rocky shore. Years of being chained to the docks of false expertise and misinformation make this newfound freedom all the more sweet, but I find that I am still harboring anchors of my former self, the "dieter" who is afraid to completely let go of what she thinks she knows.

For many who follow this woe (way of eating), their largest "anchor" is their bathroom scale. Each day they chain their emotions, their hopes and aspirations to a 3-digit number on a cold, metal platform. It matters not that their clothes are fitting more loosely or that they no longer get winded walking a solitary flight of stairs. They are tied to the notion that success is only real if reflected up at them in the glory of LED. What these poor souls fail to realize is that they are impeding their own progress. When we enslave ourselves to anything, it is the same as dropping an anchor on the open, calm sea and then wondering why we struggle so.

True, weight loss is a goal of most low-carbers, but it should not be the only focus. Improved health and relearned eating behaviors are equally important. When one sets sail on the low-carb sea, they are not besieged by the usual assaults of a low-fat diet. There is no hunger and cravings do not mercilessly haunt us. There is a buoyancy in our spirits and a fresh wind in our sails. Finally, we have found a way of eating that allows us to be satisfied, not suffer in hungry fatigue. As our health improves, it is as though we have unearthed a veritable ?fountain of youth.? The path to this fountain is an open ocean. When I see a fellow low-carber struggling in their journey, it is usually due to their own anchors.

Equally frustrating can be the "ticking" anchor know as time. Most people are amazed when they begin this woe to see the pounds of fat simply fall away, but obviously, this pace cannot be sustained. Our bodies need time to adjust to this new way of eating. Of course it is frustrating when we hit a stall in our weight loss, or we are struggling against a "set-point" battle— a weight our bodies refuse to give up. But this should be a time for psychological growth as well as physical healing. While our bodies strive to recover from years of high-carbohydrate abuse, our minds need this healing period to change the way we think about food and eating.

When we toss out our calendar-anchors and begin to obsess about the rate we are losing weight, we fail to notice the beautiful scenery that surrounds us. Instead we are pulling against an immovable force that we have inflicted upon ourselves. If we would simply let the time element fall away, our sailing would be so much smoother.

This is not a race.

This is a journey.

Anchors come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps yours are more closely related to issues you have with food. Emotional baggage that you have carried for years may be dragging the bottom and pulling your struggling craft beneath the waves.
We all have baggage.

The key is in recognizing those anchors that are impeding our journey.

If this is your way of life now, then why are you dragging those anchors around?

It's time to cut them loose and allow yourself to enjoy this adventure. If you insist on holding on to them, I assure you, the fierce storms of impatience and frustration will take their toll and your faith and determination will be ripped to shreds. It's simple: an unshackled boat makes for much smoother sailing!