[CHANGES] First of Four

[Sandra Ahten]

Hello Friends,

You will be receiving a flurry of 3 more emails  from me very shortly. After 
this post I’m going to be sending two testimonials and then soup recipes. I 
wanted to send them as separate emails because many of you tell me you print 
them out. And I didn’t want them to get unwieldy.

The testimonials are provided in case you are thinking you would like 
support in your dieting, and would like to know, from a member’s point of 
view, what the “Changes” groups are like. Remember that we support all types 
of diets like WW and South Beach etc, but give you the tools to adapt them 
to your REAL life.

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Do you remember the old commercials, for some deal like The Hair Club of 
America, where the guy who is doing the advertisement says, “I’m not just 
the president, I’m a member.” My co-facilitator for my Changes group Mary 
Beth reminds me “we’re not just the president -- we’re members!” And so, 
because I’ve had a year where I gained five pounds, and then returned from 
Thailand with another five, I put on my “member” hat.

While I was being a member, that first week back, I was doing my personal 
assessment and I kept coming up with the fact that I was “unwilling.” But 
then another member talked about how she had to make sure she did her 
assessment one day at a time. She helped me realized that while I actually 
had been unwilling previously, and while I was afraid I’d be unwilling in 
the future – I was actually *very* willing on that particular day.

Willing to do what, you asked? Willing to do what it takes to lose 10 pounds 
before Christmas. I’m journaling all my food and counting points. I’ve 
joined an aerobics and a yoga class. Most importantly I’m getting up in the 
morning and making a list of what I’m willing to do on that day.

So far, so good. I’m down five pounds and I’m sure the next five will come 
off if I can stay motivated. And thankfully I have the group to help keep me 
motivated.

What are you willing to do today? Today! Not what you wouldn’t do 
previously. Not what you may be afraid you won’t do on Thanksgiving.

If you feel unwilling to move in a positive direction, or would like to 
increase your motivation, feel free to email me and I’ll give you 
information on the Changes group.

Sandra