Shake the Tree, Lose the Weight
by Jackie Stanley


How would you respond to this question posed by writer Logan Persall Smith?: “What is more mortifying than to feel that you have missed the plum for want of courage to shake the tree?” I believe that, in the context of weight management, the “plum” is the attainment of your weight loss goals and “shaking the tree” means confronting the truth about why you eat.

The only person who can answer the question Why do I eat? is you. And the only way you are going to discover the real answer to that question is to ask and keep asking until you get the answers you need. This month, accept the challenge to “shake the tree.” At the end of the day, sit down and look back over your food diary. Then ask yourself this question: Why did I make the food choices I made today?

Initially, your responses may appear superficial. But if you find the courage to keep asking, you may discover that you are eating to escape feeling lonely now that your children have left the nest or because you are afraid you may not meet your parents’ expectations or to bury the pain associated with a break-up. And once you discover the real reasons, then what? Then, you can start working to address the real problem and start enjoying the plums!

Keywords: weight loss, dieting, healthy living, motivation, eating healthy

About the Author
Jackie Stanley, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
jackie@lettuceisnotenough.com
http://lettuceisnotenough.com
Jackie Stanley is the creator of a series of personal wellness and weight loss journals titled "Lettuce Is Not Enough." She can be reached at 336.854.8667 or at jackie@lettuceisnotenough.com