OK... to THE BOOK

Chapter 6

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Dr Clay wrote:
"If you are mentally absorbed with a
problem, DO SOMETHING that might clarify the situation, lessen the
stress, or point a way out, don’t just think about being upset. For
instance, if you are dwelling on the impact of weight on your looks,
health, and love life, reduce the thinking and increase the serious
long-term problem-solving,.."

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

(My overall rating on this book is still developing. I will say that the next paragraph rubbed me the wrong was a bit. Seemed a bit like he was stereotyping women even though he was quoting research facts.

Sorry back to what I wanted to post about on weight loss...

I tend to do what Dr. Clay (or the source he was referencing) recommends when it comes to my weight. The past few weeks I have been stressing out over an issue. Last Friday I checked in on the scale and about freaked. I had gained 5 lbs. I couldn't believe that after all the hard work I had done this year, one little stressor sent me right back into an old pattern. I did become "mentally absorbed" by this little backslide, but directed my energy towards changing my behavior. I've since been able to take the weight back off. Now I can eat again.... JUST KIDDING! I do not starve myself--this is physiologically not a sound method for long term weight management.

Weight management for me requires a lot of vigilance. It seems like it is always going to be an issue for me. This amazes me somewhat since I was not overweight-->obese until my 30's. I can only image that this issue is even more profound for others who have struggled their whole lives. I really commend anyone who has been dealing with this issue from childhood.

My H tends to think I may be taking the monitoring thing too far. However, if I wasn't monitoring myself weekly I would likely have gained 10-20lbs which would have been a lot more depressing and a lot harder to recover from.

Have any of you struggled with striking a balance between being aware of your weight changes and going too far and being a freak about it? For me a 2-3 lb fluctuation is no big deal. I consider this just fluid retention, few days of slightly over eating, no big deal as long as goes back down. However 5 lbs definitely raised the red flag and kicked me into "get it off, now before you start creeping back up" mode.

I'd love to hear how others are striking a balance in monitoring and managing their weight. What are your red flags? Should there be red flag?