Let’s name some situations/circumstances when/where you can take a “Time Out”:
- Coaching a sporting event for one of your children, the other team has momentum and you want to break that, hence calling for a “time out”
- Your group of friends has a weekly card game that involves lots of drinking and you want to take a break from this activity.
- A couple is having some marital difficulties and they decide to take a “time out” for awhile via a temporary separation.
Here are a few scenarios when/where a “time out” cannot be taken:
- A complicated project at work must be completed by a hard deadline. The work must be done without taking any significant breaks.
- An examination must be taken on a certain date and studying must remain non-stop.
- Your favorite football team is down by 6 points, they have the ball at their own 30 yard line with 1 minute left and they have exhausted their 3 allotted time outs already.
Okay, so what does any of the above have to do with long-term weight control? Here is the answer: We see many patients that have disappeared from the SP Program or simply gave up on their weight control efforts for a period of time. The explanation often provided is “I just needed a Time Out” for awhile.
I completely understand the concept that the weight loss journey is difficult, exhausting at times, stressful and otherwise provides lots of challenges. Human nature is such that we need a “break” or “time out” from any type of difficult situation. However, there are co-morbidities of poor weight control that will not provide a “time out” from their damaging effects. Chronic pain, poor self esteem, diabetes and the complications…these, and more also do not allow for a “time out”.
When you feel compelled to take a “time out” from your weight control efforts, think about the above, come in for a FREE body scan to our clinic to receive some encouragement and get back into the game. No time out!
