patience and delayed gratification
About a month ago I started tracking my calories in the hopes of losing about 12 pounds that had crept on after having Aliyah. Even though I wasn't overweight (medically speaking) I didn't feel my best. I discovered I hate counting calories but without doing it I would overeat without even noticing. I also discovered I'm an emotional eater but that's probably a post for another day.
After a couple weeks of cursing the calorie counting method I decided to sign up for the Weight Watchers online plan which is about sticking to a certain number of points (calculated using calories, fat and fiber). I have been doing WW for 3 weeks and have lost some weight and some inches but the real value has come from what I'm learning about myself beyond my weight - specifically the value of delayed gratification (including celebrating hunger) and patience. Yes, I know, we all say we need more patience but without "the Universe" dealing you a hand that requires patience, or without making certain lifestyle choices that require more patience, most of us do not actively seek out the growth of this character trait. And I'm convinced that the inability to delay gratification (esp. material gratification) is at the root of most of our problems as a nation (probably as a human race but only richest countries have the ability to "enjoy" instant gratification). We're quick to retaliate for perceived wrongs, we're quick to get into debt, we expect others to change immediately and if they don't we give them the boot....etc. I am also convinced that because of our instant gratification culture, we have to work especially hard at this discipline. To give a practical example and demonstrate what a slow, day to day process this is for me - today, I was baking bread (an exercise in patience and delayed gratification on its own) and I knew that as soon as it was done I'd want at least 2 warm slices with peanut butter (my mom always baked our bread and this is how we'd eat the fresh out of the oven slices). It just so happened that the bread was going to get done a couple hours after my usual lunch time. Normally I would have eaten lunch and then eaten the bread (adding many extra calories to my day). This time I made the choice to celebrate my hunger, delay my gratification and eat my bread and peanut butter as a late lunch instead. This might sound silly to some of you but for me, the very act of being in the moment and being self aware was a feat. Not to mention putting off lunch and the slow act of baking bread from scratch (I don't have a bread machine). So today, I say, three cheers for delayed gratification and patience. Ask me if I feel the same tomorrow ;)


Comments [0]