One listener shares her “lifestyle change” struggles and how Inside Out Weight Loss is helping her to conquer them:

Dear Renee,

I can’t quite believe how long it took me to find your podcast! If I had this at the beginning of my lifestyle change (refuse to call it a diet–ever! The word DIE in it is a bit off-putting haha), my journey would have been rich instead of a struggle.  I’m not saying it’s been an up-hill battle but neither has it been effortless.  At times, it was actually easy but I had a nagging feeling I was missing something.  I’ve successfully lost 56 pounds on my plan and I’m so proud.  But recently, I’ve had episodes where I ‘cheated’ by overeating.  I was so good for over 6 months (through HOLIDAYS) and suddenly I had THREE episodes where I stumbled. IT was the usual cycle of self-criticism, guilt, guilt, guilt, and even more guilt.  I tend to have the mentality where everything has to be perfect or it’s an utter failure.  But that’s where you come in! I’ve listened to the Prologue and the first 13 episodes and I’ve come up with some startling realizations.  It wasn’t easy but I felt such a release when I finally got it.  I’m not saying I understand fully but the fact that I’m evolving is such a great experience.  In fact, I just wrote a little about it in my weight loss support blog, I thought I’d share it with you:

”
Good Gosh! Holy Macro!

Don’t mind the title, I’ve been revamping my ‘foul’ language per my mom’s request.  I have a impressionable 7-year old sister and I sure don’t want her to learn anything from me that isn’t appropriate lol!Anyhoo, I’ve had a few rough patches in the last few weeks, with the cheating and stuff but I’ve learned not to beat myself up about it.  It’s been such a learning experience and I realized that these episodes had a really deep meaning behind it.  I guess you could say I had an Epiphany.  It was quite painful but now I’m working through it.  I can’t believe how much I’ve repressed and it manifested in my overeating/binging.  It also showed up in dozens of little ways.  I couldn’t have gotten to these realizations without the help of a little gem of a podcast! Every time I listen, I feel re energized and I can feel my thought process change.  I even started keeping a journal and I write in it every night and every time I listen to each episode.  It’s no ordinary podcast where it tells/lectures you on how to diet but how to make lasting changes within yourself in order to maintain a lifelong weight loss.  I definitely recommend it to everyone who is struggling.  I take time every morning and night just for myself–and listen to an episode or two.  I write down my thoughts and answer her questions and came up with some startling realizations.  I could go on and on and just rave about it but I want to share this with all of you.  Here is the link:  Inside Out Weight Loss
It’s totally free and I think we all should utilize everything within our grasp.  This journey is NOT an easy one but we could make it effortless by gradually changing our thought process and how our body works.  If you do start listening, make sure to start from the Prologue and do it in order! I’m only at episode 13 and I believe there is 60+ episodes.

Anyways, back to my title.  I’ve actually had a horrendous dream last night.  It was one of those Cheating Dreams! In my dream, I was faced with three different cakes (all chocolate) and instead of picking ONE, I took half of all 3 and gobbled it down.  I actually woke up thinking that I had cheated and I felt so devastated, I was near tears.  This morning I’m actually exploring the meaning behind this dream and what my subconscious is telling me.  I’m not going all Buddah on you but this is my process of trying to cleanse myself of self-doubt, self-criticism, and self-sabotage.  And accept all 3 as part of me and the process of this lifestyle change.  I can’t even believe I’m actually doing this because although, I considered myself open-minded, I never really did anything to expand my in-depth self-awareness.  I knew my faults, in fact I was UBER aware of them.  But I realize that’s just another part of me self-criticizing.  It’s almost a relief to come to this realization.

Well, the intent of this post is to share what I’ve stumbled upon and bring more people to this wonderful podcast.  It truly is a helpful tool.  And to also purge myself of my horrendous dream and explore it.  Renee (host of Inside Out Weight Loss) always asks us to set an intent for every episode and I thought that was such a fantastic idea.  I’m up to Episode 13 and mine hasn’t change.  It’s “To live my life free of Yo-Yo dieting.  To BE and THINK like a Naturally Slender person. To make LASTING lifestyle changes that will create happiness within me.”

Thanks for reading!
Take Care and Stay OP!
Irrish ”

I just want to say, that with each podcast episode YOU ARE changing the world by helping US create peace and balance within us.  Keep up the great work, Renee!

-Irrish