Diet Girl

The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl

by Shauna Reid

I don’t get much time to read, but Shauna Reid’s book I ripped through it in no time. Her story begins in January 2001 with a committed to overcoming crippling obesity, with Weight Watchers, and the support of her sister. Her story is both exhilarating and saddening. She achieves her goal and discovers that “The true reward is finding peace and acceptance and embracing my own skin, with all its quirks and charms” (p396).

Starting at 165kg in 2001 and finishing at 79.8kg in 2007, having lost basically half her body weight, the journey has so many highs and lows that it becomes difficult to read at times, you want to shake her and tell her to get back on track… don’t do it; things will only get harder if you fail now… oh Shauna don’t eat it just move on… But the lessons have to be lived and learned. From Shauna’s lessons I want to share some of what I think are the most striking revelations from Diet Girl’s journey.

p.49 – “another thing I keep hearing is, just take it one day at a time. I may have strung together a few healthy weeks and lost a few pounds, but what if it’s all too good to be true? I worry my old bad habits are lurking behind a tree, waiting to pounce and take over again.” They probably are lurking, waiting to sabotage your efforts and yes one day at a time is helpful. But I have to say that the long term goal should NEVER be forgotten. What you do today will influence what happens in a year’s time. Long term change is about where you are going and that final goal is only achievable if you don’t let the bad habits get you today, tomorrow or next week.
p.53 – “I was also extremely depressed by then and could barely cope with getting out of bed, let alone tracking my food, planning meals or filling the house with healthy foods. Nor did I have any goals. All I had was a vague desire for my fat to go away. But this time my mind is in a better place. I want to succeed with every flabby cell of my body. Unlike my previous attempts, this time I’ve figured out exactly what success looks like, so I know what I’m aiming for…" It is essential that the desire to succeed is completely overwhelming and heart-felt.
p.55 – “this time I have let people in on my secret… I always thought sharing my problems would mean judgement and disapproval, but instead its’ brought wonderful support and much needed accountability.” Once you have a support crew there are fewer people around to undermine your efforts. Those who know your struggle should (if they are truly support crew, some people may not want you to succeed!) be prepared to assist and understand by not offering you temptations and allowing you to have grumpy days when it all feels too much.
p.55 – “…rearranged our eating habits so it’s just easier to take the healthier option than not.” Don’t allow yourself or others to sabotage your efforts. Be prepared to change your habits and create new routines, you will need to be flexible and patient as you work out what suits you in this time of transition.
p.62 – “Every time I lose another pound it feels as if I’m another pound closer to escaping that miserable 25 stone girl crying on the scale in giant knickers. I have to keep moving away from her. I have to convince myself that the brief thrill of a chocolate bar doesn’t compare to the thrill of taking control of my life.” Yahhhhh, the thrill of taking control when for so long it has controlled you!!!!! This is a really big step – all of the self help motivational gurus suggest that real long term change comes when we stop away from something (I don’t want to be fat) and start moving toward something (I want to feel good about myself and control my food addiction).
p.103 – “Exercise gives me a genuine sense of purpose and achievement. I’m euphoric every time I put a heavier weight on my barbell, or do a lunge without falling over… Each tiny change spurs me on. And it’s such a healthy approach too – I’m focusing on getting fitter and stronger, rather than obsessing about Points and numbers (Weight Watchers). Nuff said!
p.171 – “… my body feels better with less processed food so I know try to eat food that’s full of nutrition, rather than fretting about calories.” See, I told ya whole foods are best the rest is rubbish.
p.262 – “I actually stomped on the scale in fury. But then I remembered out of those four weeks (of being back on the wagon), I’ve only really been eating properly for one of them. Somehow, I thought seven days of perfection would make up for the months and months of half-hearted effort.” Reality check anyone, be honest about your efforts. When you have that chat with your conscience you know a lie when you hear it.
p.355 – After doing a 5km fun run, “From now on I’m focusing on getting fitter and stronger. I don’t loathe my body any more, I’m intensely proud of it. Over the past four years we’ve progressed from couch potato to Vampire walking to weight lifting to running, and I’m desperate to find out what else we can do. I want to be a woman of action and sweat my way to a slinkier body.” Again with the nuff said.
p.367 – “That horrible phrase Lifestyle Change is really true. This is not going to end when I get my goal weight. I will have to keep reading labels. I will have to keep thinking about what I eat. I will have to assess each situation individually and try to make the healthiest choice. All these little events that crop up will keep on cropping up. They’re just life happening, not opportunities for wild, abandoned eating.”

Amen