Finding the Scales for Weight Loss

I had a client recently who was very clear in her first request. “I want to find the scales for weight loss”. Jennifer is an an accomplished musician, and leads a choral group for her church. In music, when she wanted to reach a high level of competency, she knew that all she had to do was to practice her scales, over and over again. Eventually she would reach a level of mastery and be able to tackle ever more challenging pieces of music.

Having struggled with her weight for many years, Jennifer simply wanted to learn the scales for weight loss. What is it, she pondered, that if I practice it over and over again, I will gain mastery and lose weight for good?

The answer turned out to be quite obvious, but the way she discovered it certainly was not. We began our work together addressing the fears and obstacles that she had to losing weight. After a few sessions, she wasn’t making progress in the way she expected. She felt as if she were trapped in a deep hole with no way out.

I asked her to imagine being a third party observer, floating above the scene with the woman trapped in the hole below. How could she get out?

Clearly she needed someone to pull her out, but who? Jennifer finally realized that a more evolved version of herself could do it, yet she didn’t see how. If she did know how, what would it be? I asked.

After a long pause, and a few frustrated sighs, she her evolving self had found a jump rope, tied it to a shrub in the otherwise barren landscape, and the trapped Jennifer had been able to climb out and leave the barren land for greener pastures.

Jennifer went home that day not sure if anything had happened, but when she returned the following week she was like a new woman. She walked with more spring in her step and radiated a healthful glow. I asked her what had happened.

She explained that she had made two changes. She had finally seen her personal trainer and had started her exercise regime and her partner had found a website (ediets) that would print out meal plans and shopping lists for healthy entrees that she would then prepare for her (what a great partner!) . She always knew exercise was great for her, but somehow hadn’t been able to make the time for it until now.

She was so happy because she realized that all she had to do was use the tools she had of regular exercise and healthy, moderate eating to lose weight. Not only had she found her scales, which seemed so obvious in retrospect, but she had also found the motivation and commitment to practice them on a daily basis.

What a versatile thing a jump rope can be.