Prior to my eighth grade year, I was aware people came in all shapes, sizes, and colors – end of story.  My shape was just that – my shape – and I never gave it any thought.

 

I can’t tell you what changed that eighth grade year.  Maybe it was the new town, the new school, the new church, and a bunch of new people.  Someone probably pointed out my chunkiness.  I don’t remember why, but I remember complaining to my mother that I was fat.

 

She countered, “You’re not fat. You’re just right.”

Me: “What about this belly?”

Her: “That’s just baby fat.”

Me: “Mom, I’m 13!  13-year-olds don’t have baby fat!”

 

She gave me a helpless look I now totally understand.  I have been there with all my daughters.  She didn’t want me worrying about my weight at my age.  She didn’t want me basing my ideas of beauty on what others told me.  And she was right, but she couldn’t win the argument because I wore a size 11 when the “correct” size was 7 and under.  Realizing I was entrenched in my view, she reiterated the importance of a healthy diet and let the subject go.

 

Though my 13-year-old weight-loss motives were immature and rooted in self-consciousness, it was the beginning of my weight management education.

 

My dad had recently lost about 50 pounds, and I knew he cut back on calories and started jogging.  I considered this option, but rejected it for several months – going through a “life is unfair” stage.  None of the other teenagers had to diet to be thin and beautiful.  Why should I?  I sulked many months, but eventually decided the size 7 jeans were worth the unjust suffering.

 

So, that was my first weight loss mindset hurdle – letting go of unfair.

 

Next, I had to figure out why I continually failed to reduce my calorie intake.  I considered what situations and emotions led to “cheating”.  People eat for many reasons, but I discovered my own two reasons; one was entertainment and the other an unwillingness to allow good food to be wasted.  Wasting gross food is okay – but not the yummy stuff.

 

So, I focused on my calorie count and intermittent jogging.  (I really hate jogging.)

 

Once I stopped pouting, found healthier entertainment options, and challenged my unreasonable need to eat everything available, I slimmed down without much trouble.  When I went to college a few years later, people referred to me as skinny!  That was weird.

 

Then I got married.  And I gained 5 pounds.  Then I had a baby . . . and gained 10 pounds.  Lots of stress added 5 more pounds.  Another baby – another 10 pounds.  A third baby and brain surgery – 10 pounds each.

 

It had happened so gradually I barely realized how much weight I had gained . . . 50 pounds in 10 years.

 

By this time, I no longer concerned myself with the opinions or approval of others.  Sure, I was a little heavy, but so what?  I was not obese.  Obese would be unhealthy.

 

I started from a young age teaching my daughters the importance of exercise and a healthy diet – specifically instructing them not to worry about weight or looks – only health.  They seemed to listen to me more than I listened to my mom . . . well, on this topic at least.

 

Then in 2012 I read that people who carry around as little as 20 extra pounds during middle-age significantly increase their risk of health complications in old age!  And the more extra weight, the higher the risk.  I knew lots of older people with health problems and I did not want to join them!  Suddenly my extra weight seemed problematic.

 

I had lost 15 pounds in 2009 (using Shaklee’s Cinch program – now 180 program), so I set out to lose the remaining 35 extra pounds.

 

I knew much more about weight control than 30 years before, and Shaklee’s 180 program is a highly successful and healthy method, but mindset and motivation are crucial to gaining success.  No diet program in the world works if you don’t stick to the plan!

 

The self-pity hurdle was much lower this time around.  I had lots of company in the middle-aged-spare-tire boat.  But I still had to get serious about my goal – willing to forego many tasty treats to increase my odds of arriving at old age as healthy as possible.  I could never have endured the deprivation without a strong desire for long-term health.

 

And I knew the denial was only temporary.  It would take hard work and dedication to lose the weight, but less work to maintain the new weight.  Every delicious dish I passed up was simply a deferral to another time – I can have that ice-cream, in moderation, 6 months from now.

 

I always intended to add exercise to my daily routine, but those intentions never materialized.  My schedule was super busy, and I really just don’t like exercise!  I probably would have lost the weight more quickly and easily with an exercise routine, but I was fine with the trade-off.

 

Losing 35 pounds (or a total of 50) during middle age was more difficult than the 25 pounds I lost as a teenager.  But it was not my final challenge.

 

I maintained my new and improved weight for about 5 years.  But then I turned 50.  Slowly and steadily I began to gain a pound or two every few months . . . and I find my diet plan is no longer effective without an exercise component.  I may have mentioned, I really hate exercise.

 

My after 50 experience is pretty common and likely caused by hormones.  But, I refuse to give up.  Weight gain after 50 will happen, but does not have to remain a fixed fact.

 

So, I am back to the mindset and motivation drawing board.  I don’t have 35 pounds to lose (thank goodness), but putting a stop to the weight creep and getting back to a healthy weight will require more than the pain of passing up deserts and fettuccine.  It now requires physical endurance as well.  But 70-year-old me needs 50-year-old me to step up and do this, and that is the only motivation that could get me on the treadmill. (figuratively speaking. My actual workout is more along these lines.)

 

13-year-old me would probably be appalled, but size 7 pants just don’t inspire me anymore.

 

So, do you want to control your weight?  If so, why?  And what obstacles and/or irrational behavior are sabotaging your efforts?  How can you take out the obstacles?

 

The answers to these questions are just as important to your success as the choice of diet and exercise program!