Interview with Bob Renard
So what about exercise?
My exercise pattern is more a part of my daily routine. I have made it a priority to walk more every day. Since lightening my load, my knees have become more steady.
How do you feel?
Honestly, I only notice feeling better or different when I put my awareness on something specific, like being able to jog or the needle on the scale pointing to a lower number than the day before, ore having to trim inches form my belts and re-punch holes so they will hold up my pants or seeing my toes when I look down. Otherwise, I tend not to notice the changes going on. This is probably an echo of my longstanding avoidance of my body and the ensuing denial that helped numb me out.
Do you ever feel like quitting?
Nope. Not so far. I think since I have been successful and for such and extended period of time now, nearly six months now, I have faith in myself. I not longer feel hopeless about my weight. Historically, I felt hopeless, so I would give up or give in without really noticing. Now, I am noticing something else – the sweet taste of success…better than food…even better than lobster and cake!
What do you know about habit formation?
Being reinforced or rewarded for a behavior that feels satisfying, increases safety or reduces pain or fear of experiencing pain. This is the start. Self-protection is the goal of all habits. Then our mind sets up shop and repeats the behavior[s] over and over and soon without knowing it, our mind sucks in so often that our brain learns and so 'consolidates' a memory that is then practiced and re-experienced so often now, that our brain is changed. See the short video on neuroplasticity at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTPks7XQbSw&list=UU2LRgxZVAJ3aJuazBBsINRQ&index=12
What insight’s have you gained?
The most important thing that I learned and hope to continue to learn is that behaviors may be hopeless or at least can lead to situations that we judge to be hopeless, but we are not HOPELESS. By doing something new or doing something different, that our mind can change our brain. Literally, we can rewrite the brain. We can change the structure of our brain and that this change in structure means we can change our mind for the better!