Are You Ready to Make Your New Year's Resolutions Work?
For many of us, ringing in the New Year means announcing our resolutions. The fact that we call it a resolution and declare it on New Year's usually signifies there is something challenging about it. If your resolution is to lose weight and keep it off, a key ingredient for success is “emotional readiness.” If your mind and emotions are in conflict, you won't be able to reach your goals. Here we offer some strategies to get your emotions and your mind in alignment with your resolutions. Our goal is to help you make your resolutions stick, while providing you with resources that offer weight-loss support.
Mindful Goal Setting
To achieve weight loss, you first need to pick the right goal and focus your mind on that goal. Aiming for a weight that you haven't seen in decades is probably unrealistic and not the right goal for you. Instead, select a weight-loss goal that is achievable over the next six months — and that could be about 10 pounds.
Next, establish a daily ritual — 10 minutes each day would suffice — that permits you to focus your mind on the weight-loss journey ahead of you. During this daily mind-focusing, discipline-building ritual, leave all other thoughts and worries behind and think only about your resolution to lose weight. What do you have to do today to move in that direction? For example, do you have to join a weight loss program? Do you need to keep a journal or food diary? Should you attend a meeting or get online support, shop for food or plan some meals, take a walk or go to the gym? Identify what you need to do and think about how you are going to tackle that challenge today. Work with your mind as if it were a muscle. Use it daily, in a disciplined and focused manner, and it will not let you down.
The Mind May Be Like a Muscle, But in a Conflict, Emotions Rule
When it comes to disciplining your mind — the control center for your behavior — your emotions can sometimes be your own worst enemy. If you are on an emotional roller coaster, your mind and your emotions will fight each other for control of your eating behavior, and, in the long run, your emotions will win out. But if you address the emotional issues, you'll free up your mind and allow it to move toward successful weight control.
Establishing “Emotional Readiness”
If you have experienced repeated unsuccessful efforts to lose weight, a lack of emotional readiness may be the cause. If you feel that your emotions are interfering with your ability to follow a weight loss program, consider getting help for your emotional problems first. Here are some organizations that may help:
Emotions Anonymous, or EA, is a twelve-step organization similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. According to the EA website, EA is composed of people who meet weekly for the purpose of working toward recovery from emotional difficulties. Members are from many walks of life and ages; the only requirement for membership is a desire to become well emotionally. EA's program has a spiritual component which refers to a “higher power,” although religious beliefs or affiliations are not required for the program to work. EA is not a medical or weight loss organization, but it can help address problems such as depression, anger, low self-esteem and compulsive behavior — many of which can interfere with successful weight control. EA has chapters throughout the US and around the world. Check their website to find out if there's a meeting near you.
Overeaters Anonymous, or OA, is another twelve-step organization that focuses on emotional issues. Their website states that the organization offers a program of recovery from compulsive overeating, and addresses physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. To manage weight loss, OA encourages members to develop a food plan with a health care professional and a sponsor. Like EA, OA is not a medical organization. It charges no dues or fees and is self-supporting through member contributions.
TOPS Club, Inc., which stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly, is a nonprofit organization that specializes in weight loss support for people of all ages and sizes. Their website states that TOPS provides a healthy, caring and supportive approach to weight control, at an affordable price. TOPS groups are located all over the world.
If you are interested in any of these three organizations, but there is no meeting near you or that is suitable for you, be prepared with a backup plan. If you have adequate resources or a health insurance policy, it may be possible to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist for help.
Too often people tell us they are dealing with their problems on their own because they lack the resources necessary to get help. Many of these people are suffering from problems that only get worse the longer they remain unaddressed. Do not assume that local professional resources are unavailable to you. Many professionals are willing to take some clients on a pro bono basis and others charge on a sliding scale, making the fees more affordable to you. The important thing is to take the first step: ask for help.
Note: There is no easily defined line that separates an emotional issue that can responsibly be taken to an organization like EA, OA or TOPS or that is more serious and requires medical attention. A qualified health care professional can offer guidance in making that call.
It can be exhilarating to bring your emotions into alignment with the goals you set your mind on achieving. So, this year, get help if you need it, and see how high you can fly!
