MYST 194 Family Advice

“Wow! You’ve lost a lot of weight. I think you might be getting too skinny!”

“Huh. Sure, I suppose YOU are going to just eat a salad while we all eat real food!”

How do those comments make you feel about yourself, about your progress, about your self-worth? Your friends and family might actually think they are making helpful statements but in reality, they are sabotaging you. And if you don’t challenge them, you have chosen to let them continue their subtle sabotage.

Yes. By staying silent, you are telling them they are right.

Now, I don’t want you to throw your salad in their face and scream “Shut up!” (Although, if you are like me, you’ve thought about it.) Try for a more assertive yet firm response. For the first statement:

“Thanks for noticing my hard work. Weight loss has been a lifelong challenge, and my goal is to become as healthy as I can be.”

For the second statement:

“You are right, I do enjoy salads, but when I pay attention, I can–and do–eat the same food choices that you eat. I just will probably eat less than you because I eat only the number of calories that my body burns each day.”

Be assertive. You know your own body. Most people think they are helping when they “give you good advice” but you know what you need to to.

 

Photo via Pixabay by jamesoladujoy  (Two men talking) and geralt (Woman) All images and videos on Pixabay are released under the Creative Commons CC0. Thus, they may be used freely for almost any purpose – even commercially and in printed format. Attribution is appreciated, but not required.

All images from LoseIt are mine, and cannot be used without permission.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. Follow his Facebook page to learn how to better use social media. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen.

MYST 138 Stress Eating

Stress eating is a very common reaction to life’s stressors. It happens to almost everyone. It certainly happens to me! But how do we control stress eating?

The most basic method is to reduce the stress that is pushing us to eat. I realize that is easier said than done, but there are four common stressors–financial, health, family and career–and each can be handled. This is NOT an easy problem to correct, but ignoring it will not make the stress go away.

Work stressors
Work stressors

Photo via Pixabay, by TeroVesalainen.

Listen to Episode 114 to learn how alcohol could derail your weight loss program.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. Follow his Facebook page to learn how to better use social media. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

All images are Creative Commons Zero.

MYST 127: How Can We Adapt

In the previous episode, part 1 of a 2 part show, we talked about factors beyond the dinner plate that make our weight problems worse. In Part 2 we will talk about how to adapt our lives so that we are able to reach out goals and yet not completely upend our lives and those who live with us.

Yes, you can eat at a family feast, be happy, enjoy delicious foods and still make progress on your weight loss goals!

The foundation of a Thanksgiving Feast
The foundation of a Thanksgiving Feast

Photo via Pixabay by PublicDomainPictures.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

All images are Creative Commons Zero.

MYST 126: Why We Become Overweight

Being overweight–obese–fat–is caused by eating more calories than we burn. But that is a bit simplistic. There are many more factors that make our problem more difficult to fight. In this episode, part 1 of a 2 part show, we talk about the factors beyond the dinner plate that make our troubles worse. Part 2 will be a discussion of how to reduce the effect of these factors.

Is this part of your daily routine?
Is this part of your daily routine?

Photos via StockSnap.io by Freestocks.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

All images are Creative Commons Zero.

 

MYST 114: Food Pushers

“Wow! You are really doing good! You’ve lost a lot of weight! Oh, yeah, I made brownies, just for you. I put the plate in the office kitchen. Help yourself!”

How do YOU handle that?

If you don’t have a plan now, you are going to have problems, because we are entering the food holiday season in the US. But don’t worry. In this episode, I have some ideas that may help you.

A brownie made with love, just for you!
A brownie made with love, just for you!

Photos via Pixabay.com by ConDesign.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

MYST 65: Find Some Peace

In this so very busy time of year, my most heartfelt wish is that you find a few minutes each day that are just for yourself. Find those minutes–steal them if you have to–and recharge your batteries so you can continue to support those who look to you.

Bennetts Commencement

 

From my wife (Tammy), my sons (Ethan and Bennett) and myself, I hope that you find happiness, relaxation and a rediscover a sense of wonder at the world around you.