Letters to Myself

One of the things I’ve learned in my weight loss journey is that weight loss is about so much more than putting down the fork and picking up a jump rope.  For me, a lot of being able to lose the weight has been about learning forgiveness and forgetting fear, which I have mentioned in previous blogs (see  No Punishment; No Fear). One resource that has helped me in this process is A Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever.  It’s a little new-agey, but putting that aside, there are some excellent points. Chapter 2 of the book asks the reader to write a letter from their thin self to their “not-so-thin” self and vice-versa.  Here are my letters:

Dear Not-So-Thin Me,

I am so grateful to you for the protection you gave me and for the comfort you found for me when life was more than I could handle.

But now I’ve learned that I am so much stronger than I thought I was.  I don’t need to hide behind a layer of fat anymore and I don’t need the comfort that you provide.  These days I turn to God, my family and my friends.  I have learned that talking it out is so much healthier than stuffing it in.

This summer, instead of covering up in baggy pedal pushers and a big T-shirt, I’ll be cooling off in shorts and a tank top!  I’ll complete my 5k!!

The truth is I just don’t have time to indulge you.  I’m too busy working on my blog to think about snacking.  So give it up and realize that you have almost become me – the thin me you always wished you could be.

Dear Thin Me,

Be patient with me, would you?  I know we’re halfway there and it’s very exciting.  But it’s also scary.  What if people start paying attention to me?  I hope you’re strong enough to handle it. Give me time to deal with my trust issues.  If we do this at a nice slow pace I think I can keep up.

Oh, and an update:  I am now down 23 pounds.  I am officially halfway toward my weight loss goal!!  Huzzah!!!