Another way to look at Plateauing

Shanara · #1 09-11-2008, 07:39

Hi everyone,

I have yet to experience it but have been reading in a lot of diarys and in the forum generally about plateauing and its negative effect on motivation.

Have been thinking about the whole concept of plateauing and why it might be happening. Would like to offer a different view of it. When any organism goes through a lot of change, whether it be a living animal to a corporation, the effect of change can be both exhilarating but also terrifying as those in the change sometimes struggle to adapt. Any corporate change agent knows they need to time change very carefully and give those who are affected by it time to adjust.

This is also what is happening in our bodies. We have times of rapid weight loss, times of shrinking and then what I would like to call integration time. When our body is adjusting to this new way of being.

The word Plateau implies a waiting, a passiveness when nothing is happening. I would like to suggest a diffferent word - integrating. This is not passive - this is our bodies actively adapting to the changes and preparing us for the changes to come.

So for me , who has not experienced the frustration of "plateauing," this time will be known as integration time when I know my body is integrating all the changes and preparing for the next lot of changes so that I may be able to go through this whole transition with grace and ease.

After all to really be successful on this programme our changes are not just for the time of the programme but for the rest of our lives. Don't we deserve a little integration time.

Just a thought - does this resonate with anyone?
Shanara

thenewvee · #2 09-11-2008, 07:59

Shanara

That is a beautiful perspective and I like it and that is how I'm going to view it from now on as well!
Thanks for sharing that with us. It definitely does help to be able to see it from a more positive perspective such as this!

Vee

Mette · #3 10-11-2008, 20:19

Shanara, you're the awesome!

Shanara · #4 10-11-2008, 22:02

Mette,

So glad you like this as I know oyu have felt a little frustrated lately about rate of loss.

Glad this helps.

Vee glad you like as well. yes it does feel more positive to me as well.

Shanara

Shanara · #5 02-04-2009, 21:53

Just giving this a bump up the list for a couple of people.

Shanara

Edengirl · #6 08-04-2009, 12:27

a wonderful post!! and just what I needed, as I seem to be integrating at the moment

...you have such a wonderful perspective on life and I always look forward to reading your posts, as always ...exceptionally well worded.

Thanks Shanara

Eve

Mette · #7 13-05-2009, 04:01

Thought it was time this one got a bump, because it is one of those posts that really provides motivation and reassurance.

So *bump*!

Mel09 · #8 13-05-2009, 07:22

That makes so much sense, genius!
Thank you, it's always good to remind ourselves that our bodies really are trying to do the best with what we give them, not working against us

thenewvee · #9 06-06-2009, 13:02

*bump*

acb1 · #10 06-06-2009, 18:46

And you've gotta remember it took a long time to put the weight on so naturally will take a while to get it off!

Look at the big picture, I like to look back at what I have achieved when I am integrating and how far I've come. And try to remember how I felt back then and how much better I feel now!

carrieanne_c · #11 06-06-2009, 19:08

wow, shan that is deep!

Determined28 · #12 24-09-2009, 12:06

What a great insight to the world of plateauing. All I can say is thank god I have this site to help me.

firefox · #13 24-09-2009, 17:28

A wonderful way of looking at it. Thank you so much for this. I am currently in a 'no-movement' phase and have been getting a little impatient. Even though I was told about this and what was happening in my body, it helps to see it in writing, and so nicely done, as well.

Shanara · #14 04-11-2009, 10:58

*bump*

thenewvee · #15 08-02-2010, 20:43

*bump*

Lulabelle · #16 10-02-2010, 16:27

Shanara thank you for this post! It's an oldie but a goodie and thanks to you Vee for bumping this one up! I hadn't read it before... and I think it's going to be really helpful for me this time around

giddyupgirl · #17 13-02-2010, 21:26

Wow I wish I had found this post earlier this week, truly inspiring and it makes so much sense. Thank you.

Bvk73 · #18 11-03-2010, 12:00

Wow thanks Sharna, you may have written this a while ago, but it certainly put things into persepctive as I have been hovering around the same weight for a few weeks not with minimal losses.

Tish · #19 12-03-2010, 17:21

Thanks Shanara. This post really motivated me as I have been feeling a little frustrated. It really makes sense and give a better understanding to how our body is working to adjust.

Pommiegal · #20 14-03-2010, 12:12

Just the post I needed to read today. Feeling much better!

Well thought out and written Shanara.

Sue

Awesome post - A Thank You from :-
AudreeS