Today’s blog comes to you from Karen Tinlin, a TOPS board member.
BE HAPPY!
As I write down my thoughts this morning, I’m reveling in the joy of being both at the top of my KOPS limit and content at the same time!
It wasn’t always like this.
I’ve struggled with weight regain most of my life, and it pulled me down so emotionally that it became a vicious cycle: Happy when the scale showed a loss, and depressed when it was a gain.
And the depression led to poor choices and yet another gain.
It took overcoming and breaking this connection between my weight and my level of happiness to finally lose weight on a more sustained level. I was reinstated as a KOPS in 2019, and since then, there have been difficult days in my life that made me sad, but I don’t allow sadness to set in because of my weight.
That’s not to say that I don’t react to the gain.
I step back and try to figure out where it went wrong. I don’t like being at the top of my goal instead of at the bottom, which is definitely a safer place to be, especially at times like holidays and special occasions. Because of that, I continue to work toward that sweet spot, where weigh-ins aren’t stressful. Right now, I’m working on coming back from an upward climb — but in a slow and sensible way.
I accept responsibility for being in this situation and I will work to make the best of it.
What I’ve learned on my TOPS journey is that by being true to myself and finding peace with my own body, I am more successful this time at keeping my weight down. I prioritize my own happiness by being kind to myself as well as to others.
I read somewhere once that it was vital to practice “self-kindness.”
I found that an interesting way of describing it, and very revealing about what I was not doing. I needed to find that perfect balance between spending time caring for others as well as time caring for myself.
I give myself permission to indulge in the pleasure of my favorite foods while still maintaining the everyday sensible way of eating. It goes wrong when the indulgence overtakes the sensible.
That can be turned around, and now I do that in a more timely way than I ever did before.
I know I’m able to do this because I am content with my own body and with who I am. Happiness is a choice and I intentionally choose it every day.
Take joy in the wonder of life; don’t seek happiness through other people or possessions; depend on yourself; enjoy your own company; live in peace with your own body — and be happy!
Karen Tinlin
TOPS Board member
By Janet Long September 26, 2022
Thanks for this great information. Hadn”t really thought of it that way. Thanks again.
By Hilda Dyck September 28, 2022
This was very encouraging.
By Ruth Singers September 26, 2022
Dear Karen
Thank you for this article It has reminded me that the choices that I make are most important to me
I was at at family buffet at my daughters today for the first time in two and a half years
The table was well loaded with food and desserts I did try but the desserts were my downfall But I only took two different pieces of cake But salads were my main choice
Thank you for your advice
By Deborah Balk September 26, 2022
Thank you, Karen. I needed this reminder. I’ve set a goal for myself to stay under my goal weight (as a KOPS) through the holidays. But it has not been easy. Your message is getting me to stop, take a new perspective, and then go forward in JOY. I am so much more than a number on a scale, and I will not let my joy be affected by it. Instead, I’ll live at peace with my own body, take responsibility for my choices, and be HAPPY! May God bless you on your journey, Karen.
By Betsy Cope September 26, 2022
I love your blog on “The Importance of Happiness”. I’ve lost 57 pounds and have been a KOPS since 2019. I have to tell you, the first 56 pounds came off my first year and it took about nine more months to lose that one pound to goal. I must say that one pound and I have been at war ever since. After reading this article, I’ve decided to make that one pound my friend, as it is a constant reminder that I need to be vigilant if I want to maintain my goal. Thank you for sharing and helping to realize how fortunate I am to have found TOPS!
By Deborah Balk September 26, 2022
Congratulations, Betsy. You are amazing, and I’m so happy for you! You’ve got this, last pound and all, TOPS friend! :+)
By Gina Brueske September 26, 2022
Thanks Karen. You are the most important person in your life. Your day proceeds the same way your mouth is turned. Good job. ❤️