What are the advantages of changing?
I want to:
- begin to stabilize my life and regain eating habits that I enjoy/enjoyed, but have had a difficult time making time for.
- feel good.
- stop the slow but steady weight gain that I have experienced during the '90s. I can see a picture of myself in 20 years if I continue to gain weight at the same rate. It isn't pretty.
- lose bulk around my waist and hips and fit better/look nicer in some of my clothes.
- serve as a model of effective change for my students.
What are the disadvantages?
- I wonder whether I am buying into sexist and ageist values. In many ways I feel better now than I did when I weighed significantly less.
- But, do I feel better because I weigh more or because I have made other changes in my life that make me healthier emotionally and physically? I suspect it is the latter -- at least if I don't return to my lowest weights.
- Can I realistically find the time to do the work/school/parenting/community service that I do and eat and cook well?
- I can if I plan ahead and place this as a priority. I probably can't cook well each night, but I can do so many nights -- and if I plan before I shop this will be easier.
- Eating is an important reinforcer and socialization medium for me. I don't want to lose the pleasures in my life as I attempt to watch my weight.
- But, I can watch my weight and go out. A latte, especially if made with skim milk, isn't bad for me. I can make good choices when I go out to eat, being especially careful to eat only when I'm hungry.
- Besides, it's not all eating I'm concerned about, but especially my tendency to snack or binge in the late afternoon. Generally this isn't very pleasurable, but more an attempt to remove an aversive stimulus. Eating a healthy snack earlier in the afternoon might be more pleasurable and better for me.
