I talk to myself all the time - whole conversations, really. Here is how it went this morning….
Last night I had committed to myself that I would go to the gym at 6 before work and do 30 minutes of aerobic activity (usually the elliptical). So I woke up at 5:15 and had the following conversation with myself. As background let me tell you I am a 60 year-old woman with pervasive arthritis (mostly bone on bone, including my feet and ankles and knees), have had 2 hip replacements and we live in Boston where we just had a snow storm. To get to my gym, I have to walk up a steep hill that is currently covered in snow (and ice).
So it went something like this:
“Oh it is so cold out and that hill could be dangerous. What if I slip? That wouldn’t be good. I really don’t want to go to they gym. I will go tomorrow I know because I have an appointment with Angela (my trainer). Plus, I have that stressful meeting at 10 and I am not sure I am prepared enough I could really use that half hour to get ready and get my thoughts in order.”
Then it turned into this:
“OK Marcie – how will you feel if you don’t go this morning? Right, you will be disappointed in yourself and it will throw off your day. And HELLO, you have climbed that hill the last few days, you know how to do it slowly and carefully. Just put your gym clothes on and go. You KNOW you will feel better for it and be in a better mood and less stressed as a result – it is probably the best prep for your 10:00 meeting you can do.”
So I went. How did I feel afterwards – strong, happy and GRATEFUL. Grateful because at my age and with my physical constraints, I can CRUSH 30 minutes on the elliptical! So why am I telling you this? So you too know how mental weight loss management is. I have these kinds of conversations all the time about what I am going to eat, how I am going to manage a party situation, etc. Learn to talk to yourself, it is one of the most powerful tools in your toolchest!