Why?

[MajestyJo]

Each time we act according to the old, destructive pattern, we reactivate those negative habits. We need to abandon them completely so that they will atrophy from disuse.

- Food For Thought

When I watched Oprah a few days ago, it was stated that we need to ask ourselves, "Why am I overweight/underweight?"

Am I stuffing feelings? Do I not feel worthy of recovery? What am I trying to escape by not looking at my true self? If we don't have a true reason, we won't be motivated to change.

I am like this because I like garlic mashed potatoes, just doesn't cut it. In the past, it has been medication and I have asked for it to be changed, because going over 190 lbs. is not an option. My mother died at the age of 40 weighing 240 lbs.

Yet who would think that not eating, makes you fat. When I heard that, I thought of all those skipped breakfasts over the years. For most of my life, I only ate two meals a day. Now because of my diabetes, they want me to eat 5 small ones. It is really difficult.

I have had to change the thinking and the habits over to my HP and ask that they be changed into a new healthier life style.

Just because I have been doing things a certain way for most of my life doesn't make it right.

[schell08122008]

I love what you had to say Jo. This helped me to realize that though I am not stuffing food (just for today),I am still stuffing my feelings through starving myself..that number on the scale is my self-worth. If my weight is up I am guilty , I punish myself, blame myself and curse the world. I then don't want to see anyone because I feel fat. This has become my identity. If I want to really live this life I need to feel it, look into myself to see what the feelings are before I redirect myself to focusing on my weight. Peace Schell

[MajestyJo]

Reminded of a time I was coming down in the elevator with a gentleman who use to live in another building with me. He kept asking me to go up to his apartment with all kinds of invites. I told him, I don't drink, I am allergic to kittens, I can't have sweets, I don't smoke....

The day in question, he was on a real pity party. He said, "Why me!" Well I replied to him what somone else had said to me a few days previously, "Why not you?" He looked at me strangely, wasn't sure my motive and intent, and then he started to laugh.

Life happens. Recovery is about what I do with it! As I shared at a meeting today, I know I am an alcoholic/addict because I have the thinking behind the drinking/drugging.

It is often what needs to be change within me and my attitude.

[saved1]

When you think of drug addiction, seniors are not the first age group that comes to mind.

According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, as many as 17% of adults age 60 and over abuse prescription drugs. Narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills and tranquillizers are common medications of abuse.

http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/Seniors-and-Prescription-Drug-Addiction-133459.htm?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=May+25,+2011&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2B-%2BMay+25,+2011

[saved1]

"Consciousness and Healing

To proceed very far through the desert, you must be willing to meet existential suffering and work it through. In order to do this, the attitude toward pain has to change. This happens when we accept the fact that everything that happens to us has been designed for our spiritual growth."
— M. Scott Peck

[MajestyJo]

If I didn't accept pain, I would have relapsed a long time ago. I have had to apply the 12 Steps to all areas of my life.

Emotional pain can make itself known physically and visa versa. As a doctor said when I fell, "You don't need to worry about taking these, you are in so much pain you couldn't get high if you wanted to." I replied, "Getting high was never my goal when I was using the pills, it was to escape and shut the pain off. Shut down and not feel. I don't like this feeling, I don't like this pain, and would pick up a pill, food or a man. I have a friend with fibromyalgia and she won't even tell me what she is one for her pain. My pain can make my life unmanagealbe if I allow it. There are days when I have trouble thinking through it. Other days, the thoughts are just not there. Other days, you can't shut me up! :smile: