February 28, 2011

Report from the War Zone – Week One

The war on weight has just completed the first week of combat. The report is as follows:
  •  Ground advancement:
    • ½ pound lost
  •  Enemy engagement:
    • better but needs lots of improving
  • Tactical tools:
    • chart well received and meals dutifully documented
  • Goal obtained:
    • no
  • Overall assessment:
    • could be better
Alex did a great job this week documenting her food intake and focusing on healthy food, but portion control is still compromised.

Like most of us, Alex needs encouragement to know her efforts are being rewarded, For example, in basketball, she was told if she came to practice each day and worked hard she would play in every game. This did not happen and Alex became discouraged and resentful. These adults who did not practice what they preach lost credibility to Alex and she became uncooperative. I do not want this to happen in the war on weight. Rather, I was prepared to stretch the rules a bit to keep Alex motivated and engaged.

Thus, although Alex only lost ½ pound of weight this week, we still celebrated. I told her what a great job she did and how this week we were going to beat that number. By building her enthusiasm and commitment to this battle I hope to have her cross out of enemy territory into our friendly zone. I hope her to become my ally in this battle to learn healthy eating habits and portion control. Somebody once told me it takes 21 days to break a habit, or acquire a new one. In my case it is more like 21 years, but for purposes of this mission I like 21 days.

The battle will continue and each week we will bring something a bit different into the zone. Alex conquered tactic one, and is tracking her food intake. Tactic two will have to do with smaller portions, and this will be more difficult. Like all good generals I will need to develop a plan that works, and this involves lots and lots of thought. 21 days or bust is my war cry!

Or, as my dad, one of the most influential people in my life, used to say:

Semper Fi

1 comment:

  1. And it is well we have cause to remember the Marine's words.

    "Always faithful, always loyal".

    Stick to it!

    Closer to 30-100 days I should think. And don't even ask me about hours!

    ReplyDelete

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