OBSESSION!

For those of you who know me in "real life" you know that I am a psychology professor. Every fall, I teach the class about addictions. Although the class is actually about chemical abuse, I always also try to at least touch on process addictions as well. For those of you who are unfamiliar, process addictions are addictions to activities rather than chemicals. Some process addictions might include gambling, shopping, or if you are me, eating.

It is because of this addiction that I started WW almost a year ago (September 12th will be my one year anniversary on the program). It has been a great experience for me. I have lost a lot of weight and have made some incredible new friends. I actually did the program with one of my very best friends, and we both had outstanding outcomes (her better than me, but I digress...).

I decided to sue my experience with WW as an illustration in class, demonstrating the importance of reinforcing good behaviors instead of poor ones. I explained that for every 5 pounds, I treat myself to something non-food related (like a new outfit, a pedicure, new candles, etc.). A few of my students immediately responded that I am reinforcing the wrong behavior.

Caught completely off guard, I wanted an explanation. My students explained that I am rewarding weight loss, rather than healthy choices, therefore placing my self-value on my weight. Rather I should be rewarding having a week where I stick to the program, staying within my point range and earning all of my fit points, then I am placing value on being healthy rather than creating an obsession about my weight.

This was earth shattering for me. I have battled my weight since I was a CHILD and have always done the same thing--rewarding myself for pounds lost. And now to say I am obsessed with my weight is an understatement. I weigh myself AT LEAST TWICE A DAY! Usually more. I think about food and my weight nearly constantly. And the worst part is that I did this to myself!

It is now up to me to undue it. Which I am starting immediately. I am now rewarding myself for sticking to my points and earning my fit points and NOT rewarding weight loss itself. Learning this has caused me to wonder, where else am I reinforcing poor behaviors?

I know they are there, and if you are still reading, you know that you are reinforcing bad choices too. What are the things in your life that need adjustment? I know that I plan to take a massive self-inventory of my own life to see where else I need to make changes to make myself happier. I have even begun to wonder how far this extends....

Please feel free to share your thoughts. Especially if you find that you have been doing what I have been doing for 30 years!! I would love to know that I am not alone. Stay happy my friends!