Welcome back! I’m so glad you’re here with me to get the essential elements for your successful permanent weight loss. Last week we talked about the first absolute requirement for permanent weight loss – commitment. Commitment to the process of weight loss is crucial because long-term permanent weight loss isn’t a straight line to success. We have to be ready to accept the challenges and setbacks as part of the process. If we’re committed, then we keep going, no matter what!

 

This week we’re talking about a different kind of commitment that we need to get to our goal. For many of us, this commitment is harder. Not being able to find this kind of commitment is what keeps my clients from staying on their chosen plan. It’s what’s keeping some of you from scheduling your consultation with me, even though you want to do it! It’s the lack of this kind of commitment that derails you, even when you’ve already made a plan and are successfully losing weight.

 

 

You have to have commitment to yourself.

 

We struggle with this one. As women, we are socialized from birth to be givers. As little girls, we’re told to “play nice” and take care of others. We’re taught to put others’ needs above our own. It’s usually us taking care of aging parents and shouldering the bulk of childcare responsibilities. We do most of the cooking, cleaning, washing, planning, packing, and shopping. We do for everyone else out of service and care and love.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Loving and caring for others, serving our families and friends and coworkers is part of a godly life. It’s a good thing to give and serve!

 

But…

 

When we give to the exclusion of caring for ourselves, we aren’t able to give our best. When we run on caffeine and fumes, we don’t really have as much of ourselves to give. Certainly, we don’t have enough left to plan a nourishing meal for ourselves. We chronically fall to the bottom of our to-do list, while all the needs of others leap to the top. We fall prey to the tyranny of the urgent.

I know because I’ve done it. I watch my patients do it. My friends do it.

My mom did it.

 

I’ve justified it as my caring for others being part of the gift of being a mom or wife or daughter. And yet, how is having a mom who’s so tired and harried that she doesn’t have time for a snuggle give the best of me to my kids? If I forget that I matter too, then I do all the service for others out of obligation instead of love. No rest, eating protein bars on the commute, not taking a moment to read or relax means you never fill up your own tank. Believe it or not, you have needs too, Superwoman! Taking care of everyone else except you leaves less to offer to those you love.

 

 

The training of service to others is powerful. We feel like we’re doing something good when we serve, and we are! We lean hard on Phil 2:3 which says we must look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others. This is true – but did you see that it doesn’t say to ignore your own needs? There has to be a balance. Even the scriptures remind us that we are to take care of ourselves. 1 Cor 3:16-17 says our body is a temple for God’s Spirit and we are to care for it. Eph 5:29 acknowledges it’s normal to feed and care for our own bodies. 1 Cor 10:31 says we are to eat and drink to the glory of God. Do we consider our self-care and feeding as an act of worship and obedience? Can you see losing your weight as honoring God?

 

We have very full lives! Carving out space for yourself in this one wonderful life you have is good and right and necessary. You have to have a commitment to yourself to be able to get to the permanent weight loss you want. You might agree with me but just don’t know how you’ll get it done. Maybe you need help. One way you can begin is by scheduling a consultation with me – it’s one hour that you can devote to caring for your needs.  Email me at drandreachristianparks@gmail.com and we’ll get you started. You can do this – I’m here to help!

 

Here’s your video help for the week!