MINDFUL WEIGHT LOSS

DEAR DOCTOR KATHLEEN,

I am so weary of not fitting into my own clothes. I can’t wear anything except my sweat pants! Every morning I wake up feeling strong, determined that THIS will be the day that I eat well. And then the evening comes and I go off my diet. Can you help?

DISGUSTED WITH MYSELF FOR YEARS

DEAR D.W.M.F.Y.,

A few years ago, I broke my ankle and gained 5 pounds from not being able to exercise. I was also eating for pleasure, as it was rather depressing to be wearing a boot and needing crutches for 10 weeks. I also wore leggings and yoga pants for comfort, even to work. AND THERE WAS THE PROBLEM! I was eating UNCONSCIOUSLY because I was not FEELING my own body.

Here is how I lost the weight:

1. NO MORE SWEAT PANTS, SPANDEX, YOGA PANTS OR LEGGINGS. These clothes EXPAND with your body, never letting your BRAIN feel discomfort.
2. Wear clothing with a zipper and waist. AND, most importantly, CHOOSE SOMETHING YOU CAN NO LONGER FIT INTO COMFORTABLY.
3. The TOO TIGHT pants or skirts will create MINDFULNESS. An awareness of your SIZE and your weight gain will be ever present.
4. MINDFULNESS CREATES AN AWARENESS OF YOUR BODY. If you are seriously COMMITTED TO WEIGHT LOSS, this method reminds you every moment of the day.
5. Remember, ideal weight is about HEALTH, not APPEARANCE.
6. When your FOOD CHOICES and PORTION SIZES are healthy, you will lose weight naturally. Health is your goal, not appearance. However, with health comes great appearance!
7. PHOTOGRAPH and measure your pants and belly. Watch your results!
8. MINDFULNESS will help you get rid of everything that isn’t YOU.

LIFE GOES ON©

Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples. You may call her at 860-236-5555 to make an appointment. She is the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.”  You may email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.

www.kathleencairns.com

Life goes on… and every day matters…