Not Just Waistlines

This has been a wonderful week! Not only did I finally break out of my plateau (down 3.8 over two weeks at weigh-in), but I learned that I actually inspired someone to join meetings by my website! How wonderful! I've made a convert!

It has never been my intention to proselytize on this site. The organization I joined to aid me on my journey is only one way of becoming healthier, and in all honesty, it is far from the only factor influencing my progress. The system I'm following works very well for me but is not for everyone. But then again, first meeting is free, why not give it a try, hrm?

The program is hardly locked down tight. There are a number of websites and email groups that will tell you how to work the program on your own without ever paying a dime. Some of these groups even offer pretty strong support. But I continue to go to, and pay for, meetings for a reason: I like them.

They keep me on track. It's like going to church -- I'm not hearing anything I don't already know (for the most part) but hearing it again, responding to it in a group, it helps me to live it rather than let it slide into the background noise of my mind. And with Rosa as preacher (there are days I want to stand up and shout "Hallelujah! Amen!") I'm never bored.

I think that's one of the keys to meetings: a great leader. An inspiring but firm guide who will help you stay on track, but require you to be accountable for yourself. Someone who can support you and praise you when you need or deserve it, and gently remind you where the path is when you start to fall away. Someone checking out WW for the first time shouldn't be afraid to check out a few meetings to find the leader and group that most suit his/her personality and lifestyle!

Now to the title of this post, and another reason this week is so wonderful. Following the program at WW includes a series of tools for building confidence and self-esteem. This is very much in-line with the French Factor influence that I have injected into my personal journey. And they work...not only on the waistline.

This week I had my professional review, and I think it's safe to say that it was the best review I've ever been given. Not just at this job, not just at any job. The word that has dogged me since preschool in any report was "potential". Everyone saw my potential but me, and no one thought I was doing anything with it. That word was not in my review this week, but the phrase "exceeds all expectations" was. The comments section makes clear that this has been a dramatic change, and is clearly intertwined with the program I have been working with:

Catherine has undergone a complete makeover in the past year, in terms of team cooperation and one-on-one interaction. Her general good attitude has been almost contagious at time. She is very passionate in what she does. .... The personal improvements Catherine has made have served her well, and have enabled a far better team experience.

I know that my physical changes affect my attitude, which in turn affect my dedication to living healthy and well, which in turn affect my physical changes and...well, you see the snowball. As someone who has struggled with depression, obesity, obsession, addiction, and anger for 32 years, I think this change has made for more "good" days than I've had in most of my life. I am healthier and happier than I've ever been. I am advancing in my career, and enjoying doing it. I am growing stronger and more lithe every day, and enjoying that as well. I am growing in peace and compassion, and enjoying a passionate love affair with my best friend in the whole world. So to that rude doctor who got me to try a meeting "just to show him" that I was a hopeless case, thank you. I've had more joy than I ever thought possible, all because you made me cry.

Posted by foxydot at October 19, 2006 10:06 AM