LivingLean - The Six Criteria for Success

To be success with this course, or any program, it is important that you be willing to follow certain guidelines, which we call "Criteria for Success." They are listed below and will be discussed through the program.

1. Be willing to do this for yourself
2. Be willing to change your point of view
3. Be willing to stop proving you're right about not being able to change
4. Be willing to see that your fear of failure is less important than the benefits of Living Lean
5. Be willing to take responsibility for your actions
6. Be willing to tell the truth about munching

Assignment #1:Print and USE your Key To Success card each time you think of food. (Front) I'd like to eat..._________ and the choice is up to me.

Assignment #2:When eating, do nothing else. Make eating an exclusive activity.

Assignment #3:Identify your two (2) Main Munches or Compulsive/Obsessive foods (C/O's). These two foods plus your eating patters are primarily responsible for your being overweight. They are usually the ones to which you are most addicted.

Assignment #4:Record a minimu of five instances when you have chosen to BINGE or EAT your primary or secondary C/O over the last few days. Figure out and record why you consumed them at those times.

Assignment #5: Write your Number One benefit TEN times in a complete sentance beginning with an affirmative like: "I want and deserve to..." and then state you main benefit. For example: I want and deserve to feel empowered by the reflection I see in the miror when I take my shirt off.

Week One Standings

There were several records set this week, first is that we averaged nearly 6 (actual = 5.72) exercise days this week! The second is the total lbs lost in a single week = 44 (twice as many as last round and with one less person). Way to go!!! I regret to report the last record, which for the first time in W08 history, someone with 8 points is in the bottom three. Not only that, two people will be sharing the 2nd and 3rd lowest points for the week with 8 points each. Here are the results:

Daniel Skipper - 13
Jon Stodola - 13
Drew Boxrud - 11
Mary Jo Running - 11
Tom Stodola - 10
Donald Running - 10
Jason Skipper - 10
John Ellis - 9
Andrea Curtis Carver - 8 (owes $1.50)
Tina Skipper - 8 (owes $1.50)
Brad Bruhn - 4 (owes $3.00)

Note: When there is a tie for first the "Bonus Bucks" carry over to the following week(s) and the point totals are added from week to week until there is a sole winner.

LivingLean - Regaining Power Over Food

Do you have a wellness program through work or other sources of free/cheap support for your weight loss goals?

At Office Depot, we do. The program is called Vitality. Although there are many aspects of the program that encourage people to live healthier lifestyles, I am focusing on one that is specifically geared towards changing my relationship with food, called LivingLean. This is a 12 week program consisting of videos, reading materials and assignments. Yes, assignments! One thing I've learned over many years of running the Weight08 competition is that people get out what they put in. So if you're only giving 50% effort, you're only going to achieve 50% of your goal. Anything less than 50% effort, I’ve found, has a negative relation between effort and results. So make sure you are ready for this competition and that you have made a commitment (mentally) to living a healthier lifestyle of eating better and exercising more. Win or lose, you will be better for it.

Now let’s get back to the purpose of this post - Although I cannot share the videos from the Living Lean program, I am going to post some helpful notes from each session. These will be notes from the reading materials and videos. You can CHOOSE to follow along if you wish or ignore it all together, the CHOICE is up to you!

Victory Is Not Losing Weight…
and you will.
Victory Is Not Staying On A Diet…
there is no diet.
Victory Is Being Free!
I must admit, at first I was a skeptic of this program and although it’s only been a couple of weeks, I find that I am not reaching for my “Main Munches” often and when I do, I remind myself I have a choice and I choose to Live Lean, which helps the urge disappear within minutes. I do not feel deprived or isolated as I have a choice and I am making the choice each time I am tempted by past emotions. This may not be for everyone but it’s working for me and I love to help others where possible.

The mantra of this program is:My purpose is to be continually in the vision of Living Lean and to transform my relationship with food and eating so that Living Lean becomes a natural way of life.

The program is designed for you to make choices every day to Living Lean by becoming instantly in control of your “Main Munches” and reprogramming your mind in order to change your relationship with food.

Before we begin, it is recommended that you write down five things you don’t like about being overweight, or being a compulsive eater. Secondly, write down five things you would like about “LivingLean” naturally. Be specific, create a vision in your mind about what you would like to achieve. (It is suggested you hang these where you can see them everyday.)

Next, identify 5 addictive foods, and/or relationships with food and eating that may contribute to you being overweight, frustrated or unhealthy. e.g. Over eating, eating before bed, eating too fast, chocolate, deserts in general, fast food, alcohol, soda, etc.

IMPORTANT!
The last thing is to create a card that you can carry with you at all times. (I have not done this but I DO recite the front side when I’m making a choice to Live Lean over my impulse to munch.) The Front of the card should read: I’d like to eat… ___________ because I trained myself to eat…__________ in this situation. On the back you should have the program mantra, listed above.

Good luck! I look forward to all of us living healthier lives and being a role model for those around us to do the same.