Experience as a Flashlight: For the last few decades I have had trouble getting down to my “goal weight.”  I was a regular at Weight Watchers Meetings for a few years but I found there were always more calories going in by the end of the day than points written down.  And at the end of each year, my doctor reminded me in quite graphic ways my weight was inching up.  That topic somehow got his attention every time I saw him.

Finally I found a program which does not emphasize the weight.  In fact, this program suggests the fascination and even obsession over the number on the scale can contribute to overeating.  I am not promoting a program on weight loss.  What I am sharing is the notion that sometimes we focus so much on an issue in life, we miss the bigger picture.    Sometimes we get our priorities mixed.

When I was young, I thought it was important to enjoy life.  I worked hard for enough money to take interesting vacations, have nice things, and feel secure.   Now that I am older, I see that relationships are more important than material possessions, good memories more important than fleeting flashes of pleasure.  With age, I am thankfully seeing more and more of the bigger picture.

In this program I learned that accepting life as it comes is important.  I learned that broken relationships can be repaired.  I can see my mistakes as part of who I am and live contentedly in this present moment.   I don’t have to try and change people, but I can change myself.   I don’t need excess food to soothe me.  I can write about feelings and get healing from hurts without taking in a single calorie.   I can enjoy eating healthy foods and skip the unnecessary snacks.   I only weigh myself once a month.  God is a big part of this program too.

In my last physical, the doctor noted a “healthy” drop in my weight.

For everyone headed for old age my experience suggests you do NOT have to wear that inner tube around your middle or your hips.  By continuing to focus on life as it is meant to lived, dealing with issues head on, keeping food in perspective as just fuel and not an emotional outlet a proper weight can be reached and maintained.