Self Sabotage

     Did you eat that leftover piece of chocolate cake so it wouldn't "go to waste" or have an extra serving of pasta because it tasted delicious - even though you want to lose weight before your beach vacation or your daughter’s wedding or your high school reunion?  Or have you lost your excess weight – then returned to your former habits and regained that weight?  

     Do you self-sabotage - engaging in self-destructive behaviors that prevent you from reaching your goals?  Do you want to lose weight – but keep making poor choices?  Do you do the things that caused you to gain excess weight in the past - even though you know better? 

     Why do we self-sabotage?  (And I include myself in that "we.") Often, we self-sabotage with behaviors that served to protect or comfort us when we were younger.  However, even though we no longer need that protection or comfort, those behaviors have become habits. That excess weight may have benefited us in the past; however, now it is no longer helpful.   Our unwanted behaviors will most likely continue until we figure out why we self-sabotage.  

     Some possible reasons you may self-sabotage: 

1.   Are you afraid you will lose friends if you stop eating and drinking with them frequently and choose healthier activities instead? 
2.  If you successfully lost and regained weight, did you feel uncomfortable and like a different person in your new body? 
3.  Could you be protecting yourself somehow with your excess weight and feel too vulnerable at a lower weight? 
4.  Do your family or friends resent you because you’ve lost weight? Do they think you are selfish or “better” than they are because of your new eating behaviors? 
5.  Does your life revolve around food, and do you still need to figure out how to make your life more enjoyable without food? 
6.  Have you learned to comfort yourself with food – and without that comfort, you feel unloved? 
7.  Are you afraid that you will regain your weight and so overeat to prove it true? 
8.  Are you afraid you will be unable to lose weight and, therefore, ensure you won’t by overeating? 

     Journaling can be very helpful in uncovering the reasons why you self-sabotage.  The next time you catch yourself doing something that you know is harmful to your goal of losing weight, pay attention to what was happening before you overate and what you thought and felt at the time. Write down whatever you are aware of.  As you uncover those triggers and thoughts that lead to your overeating, you can find better thoughts to help you make the choices that will get you to your goals. 

     I would love to help you figure out why you self-sabotage so that you can lose your excess weight permanently.  Let's chat if you're ready to enjoy your life without worrying about food or eating. Schedule a no-obligation, no-pressure consultation call with me at: https://calendly.com/coachbarbarakatz/60min