Don't Let Your Box Define You

I was at church the other day and the speaker said something that reminded me of what a life coach would say. He said, "Don't let the box of your life define you. Be whatever you need to be in the moment." As I was listening I grabbed for a pen and wrote those profound words down on a scrap of paper.

His words remind me of one of the tips in my book Stop Overeating Today! The tip is all about how to play an empowering role. I blogged about it back in September: http://stopovereatingtips.blogspot.com/search/label/self-identity

If you are battling with your thoughts and emotions to stop overeating, "don't let your box define you" is a very important thing to remember. Take a break from your identity as someone with an overeating problem. Take a break from focusing on your weaknesses around food. Don't tell yourself who you are if your description is negative. Just be what you need to be in the moment, reinvent yourself, don't let negative thoughts about who you are keep you stuck in old patterns that never end.

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life

Seriously. Yesterday I was at a biannual trade show where I sell my book. I started working the trade show 6 months ago. Last time I was there, I had reasonable success as a first-time vendor selling my book Stop Overeating Today! This time was looking better. I was more relaxed and had some great freebies to hand out. I made an audio cd with tips like: 1) 5 ways to eat more fruits and vegetables 2) one mistake to avoid when trying to lose weight 3) 2 new ways to beat emotional eating and 4) how to play a more empowering role around food. I was also handing out shopping bags for free, because some of these shoppers had their bags full and their arms full too. Handing out free things without expecting a sale was a good feeling. I was reaching a new audience - people who wouldn't normally go out and buy a book on weight loss and wellness.

So here's the part about yesterday being AWESOME. One lady walked passed my table and almost nonchalantly remarked, "I love this book! I lost 50 pounds since I bought it 6 months ago at this event."
My jaw dropped. I just stared at her.
--"You lost 50 pounds since you read my book!" I exclaimed. "Can I give you a hug?"

Because there was so much going on, I didn't have a chance to ask her which tips were the most effective for her. Usually there are some that are universally moving. Tip #10 that talks about how to stop emotional eating by using the 4 questions is powerful, as is the one about getting over your guilt trip. I did ask for her e-mail and she said she'd send me before and after pics (yay!) and a testimonial.

I was absolutely thrilled for her - so proud of her. Another woman stopped by my table and told me about her heart attack 10 years ago and how changing her eating habits will literally change her life. She bought my book and I asked her to follow up with me.

Why are some people successful and others not? That is another question I will ask my 50 pounds lighter friend. In my own experience, it's because you are dedicated. What makes someone dedicated? Persistence (just take your stubbornness and use it to benefit yourself), humility (realizing you can't do it on your own and you need help), self-respect (loving yourself enough to help yourself, and a positive attitude. That's what helped me. Just the high you get from losing the first couple pounds can mobilize you to continue doing the positive things you are doing. Learning how to talk to yourself and get rid of negative self-talk was probably, for me, the #1 influence that helped me lose 35 pounds.

What about you? If you've lost a bunch of weight in the past, what was your secret? If you are trying to lose weight now, what do you think it would be? Comment and let me know!

(sidenote: after hearing that woman's incredible success story, I told everyone who stopped by my table and sold twice as many books as last time. Mentioning I was featured on the Dr. Laura Show didn't hurt either)

Yes, You Can Start Today

Here is a review of my book Stop Overeating Today! by Dr. Lisa Ann Homic, DC. She did a fantastic job characterizing what makes the book unique:

Yes, you can start today. Don't wait anymore. Make the decision and walk your new path with Camile Packer McConnell's easy to use book. As a busy business coach, she realized her clients were very easily addicted to "stress eating." She also shared her own need to "retrain my thoughts and actions." Eating is associated with many societal rituals that are positive as well as negative. This book will help the reader navigate through overwhelming days with smart strategies.

I like this book because it is portable. It can be easily tucked into a purse or briefcase for a quick pep talk any time of the day. There is space for journaling and jotting down triumphs. People don't start new things when it appears to be complicated and scary. There is no need to procrastinate because Ms. McConnell tells the reader to start slowly.

There are 33 straightforward tips to follow in the book. Her first tip: "Don't start running at 60 MPH," is the perfect beginning. She recommends starting with one doable tip and work on it for three days. The changes should be very gradual so retention becomes second nature. Her comfortable program was designed to be pressure free so negative self-talk is avoided.

The tips are sensible and she understands how it feels to be in tricky situations such as eating with friends and when comfort foods are calling. This book will teach the reader how give up the old language of overeating and translate what the body is really requesting for energy and health.

We love food but food can't love back. Stop Overeating Today helps the reader to enjoy food for sustenance only so genuine fulfillment can be discovered elsewhere through companionship and personal purpose.

The book is available for purchase at Amazon.com and Ms. McConnell's website.