FAQ: An Interview with Kerry
Please take a few moments to ready this before signing up for a program.
Who are you and why did you develop the Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™ System?
My name is Kerry Patterson Capps and I am the creator of Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™. This program was born out of a need I have myself. Let me explain…
I have struggled with my weight since I was 12 years old. The thing is I wasn’t fat. By 12, I had grown to be at my current height of 5’ 6”. I was about a size 8 or 10 and while my pelvic bones stuck out through my jeans, I still thought I was fat. All of my friends were sizes 2 or 4 so I felt huge in comparison. And so it started. Everyday….every single day from ages 12 to 40 I beat myself up about my weight. Every. Single. Day. There were no holidays for me in this daily hateful barrage I inflicted upon myself. Actually, the holidays and birthdays were worse because if I had just dieted and exercised, I would have been thin by that holiday or birthday. Because after telling myself that I was fat when I wasn’t fat, I gave up. I was already fat so why not have those chips? I was already fat so why not have seconds? I was already fat why not have that heaping bowl of ice cream? And you know what? I got fat…talk about Law of Attraction! I got over 200 pounds fat…at my heaviest over 250 pounds fat. But that wasn’t the worst part. I was a wonderful, smart and interesting person but I couldn’t and wouldn’t acknowledge those qualities because I judged myself solely on my weight. The constant and demeaning self talk I inflicted on myself was worse than any weight. I would never speak to anyone else like that, but I didn’t warrant any breaks…I was fat after all! What finally opened my eyes was seeing other wonderful, talented and loving overweight women demean themselves the way I did. I thought I was alone in that. But they were fabulous! Why were they beating themselves up when they obviously had so much going for them? That’s when I decided this must stop. It was ridiculous! If I was going to be fat…I was going to be fat and happy. I was going to give myself a break! I was going to stop ridiculing myself. And you know what happened? I lost weight. With a kind and loving mindset and self-talk, I was finally able to think about my health in a caring and positive way. I wanted to take care of myself…I didn’t want to hate myself. But guess what? After a move out of state and a series of big life changes my mindset went back to the old patterns and I regained every single pound I had lost and then some. I had started beating myself up again. When I started to really look at my situation, I had a deep and profound realization. It sunk in that MINDSET was the absolute key to making lasting healthful changes and choices. No matter which diet or lifestyle program I choose to follow, if I had a hateful mindset, I would fail. Plain and simple... Hate begets weight. As the Law of Attraction states, you get what you focus on and feel. How illogical to think I could get healthy while feeling hateful toward myself. Mindset, along with patience and kindness toward myself, was the key to getting healthy. So, I started researching mindset.
Yeah, I know, it’s easy to say “change your mindset” but really, what is mindset? Is it something we are born with? Can we change it? Can we control our mindset? Is our behavior affected by our mindset? These were questions I had and decided to figure out. This journey has been 28 years in the making. It’s finally been figured out! I haven’t lost all the weight I want yet, but I am finally at peace with my body and myself and I am on the healthiest path I have ever been on.
Now I feel compelled to share this system with others who have suffered silently along with me. I want to provide another, more lasting way to regain control. Personally, I have been intimidated by personal trainers and nutritionists…they have never been as overweight as long as I have. They cannot truly understand our mindset and behaviors or our private shame and frustration. I wanted someone like me - to help me. I couldn’t find her, so I became her.
What exactly is Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™?
Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™ is a mentor program that gives women another perspective to the whole weight loss and health situation. Through either one on one mentoring or in a group setting, we bring mindset into our weight loss solution. Weight loss is overwhelmingly a mental process but very few programs focus on it. In those programs that do acknowledge the mindset component, it is in a secondary role; it is not prominent as it should be. At DYWLM, the mindset is primary and the diet and exercise is secondary. The diet and exercise will never work if the mindset isn’t there, at least not for long. To have lasting positive change, the mindset is absolute key. Picking a healthy diet or lifestyle plan that works is an individual choice…mindset is for everyone.
Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™ is a nine step program that assists you in determining your health intentions and how to achieve them in a realistic and joyful manner. Losing weight and getting healthy does not have to be difficult. Becoming healthy should not make you miserable! It should fill you with excitement and potential!
1) DECIDE to make your Health a priority
Once and for all Decide to take control of your health. Deciding is different than simply starting another diet. Deciding means that you have chosen certain goals for yourself and you are giving it the attention is requires. We will cover how to make a true decision that you wholly embrace. Quitting is NOT an option, and really, it won’t even be in your thought process. You will honor yourself and your commitment to your health and well-being. Don’t worry, we will examine and personalize the ways you can incorporate this new lifestyle without it overwhelming you!
2) Learn & command the missing key – MINDSET
We will examine exactly what mindset is and what type you have in this area. With this awareness we will develop and put into practice a more purposeful and healthful mindset. Mindset is the key to achievement or failure. You already know your current mindset isn’t working for you. We will go over real examples of how it’s not working and the methods to turn that around into success. Let’s learn how to achieve with purpose and on purpose.
3) Take a NO-EXCUSES APPROACH
You must to pledge to take a no-excuses approach. Be aware and accept that there is a learning curve and that there will be some bumps in the road. Do not run at the first sign of confusion or set backs. They are all part of the process. With a no-excuses approach you know that the set backs will be confronted and conquered because you have decided that there is no other option. There is no hiding behind any excuse or issue. You are more powerful than you realize. NO issue is more powerful than you!
4) Purposefully create new and empowering HABITS
Our habits are our life. We have let circumstances, other people, indifference and plain laziness choose our habits for us. We now need to actively decide our habits in a way that will support us and get us where we want to be. No more living in default mode! Together, we will examine your daily habits and decide what needs to change so that we can create new ones that will achieve your goals. Powered by your new mindset, these new habits will put you in a position for success that you’ve never been in before. We will focus on consistency and eliminating perfectionism. We will focus on breaking down your goals into understood and manageable new habits. Let’s be in charge of our habits and make them work for us! Yeah!
5) RELEARN food & exercise
Food is thought of as a means of pleasure and comfort for most of us. It’s our drug of choice. It is something we do when happy or sad or bored or tired or upset, etc... There really isn’t a time when food isn’t a welcome companion. We will examine your thoughts and feelings toward food and come up with a plan that will work for you and your life. The same goes with exercise. Not many of us have done it with any consistency. We will look at your style of movement, what you can and cannot do physically and develop a plan that is beneficial to you. Don’t worry! With the new mindset you have chosen for yourself, this will be much easier than you think!
6) Set up your ENVIRONMENT for success
What you surround yourself with is important in your success. While you cannot control everything around you, you can control your reaction to it. First, we will examine what you do have control over: your home, your work space, your drive time, etc. Second, we will examine what you do not have control over and develop strategies and a mindset to handle those circumstances.
7) Be ACCOUNTABLE
Being accountable to someone else is an excellent way to keep you on track. It’s like a magic key really. It is very easy to talk yourself into eating that piece of cake or supersizing your McDonalds…but that changes when you have to share and admit it to someone else. Together, we will look at the benefits to having accountability partners and create an accountability system that works for you.
8) Get SUPPORT from like-minded people
Getting support from like-minded people is vital. You don’t understand how vital it is until you experience it. At that point you wonder how you got along without it before! The idea of coming together in our current states of health and being accepted and encouraged is truly priceless. It creates a synergy of spirit… It takes us all out of our isolation and envelops us in its warmth, community and offers up new ideas that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It also gives us a chance to give to others and help them with their challenges. There is a sense of purpose and worth that comes from helping others. We have issues and feelings that others cannot relate to or understand. That acceptance…that energy…that purpose is what gives us support and the courage to tackle and accomplish our goals and lead our new chosen lives.
9) Give SUPPORT TO YOURSELF
This is the most compassionate thing you can do for yourself. We often berate ourselves in a way we would never do to anyone else. You will learn to treat yourself as supportively as you do your best friend. You deserve excellent health. You deserve to be able to move and run and jump and play. You deserve to be happy when you look in the mirror. You deserve to be proud of yourself. You deserve the effort. You deserve your best. Figuring out why you overeat will likely bring up some tough memories and experiences. But in supporting yourself & not stuffing the feelings down with food, you’ll be on the road to get all that you deserve.
Who are your clients?
My clients are wonderful women who want to make lasting change in their health. They are women who are tired of all the quick fix promises. They are women who would prefer to lose 30 pounds in a year and keep it off instead of go on a crash diet to lose 60 pounds in six months only to gain all and more back.
My clients are wonderful women just like me. Women who have mentally beat themselves up over their weight…women who come from every walk of life. They are:
~ Women who have had enough! Women who will no longer accept being overweight and unhealthy.
~ Overweight women who want good health and inner peace.
~ Thin women who beat themselves up over body issues, poor eating habits, or anything that negatively affects their peace of mind in regard to their body and health.
~ Women thinking of weight loss surgery or who have had weight loss surgery. You still need to work on the mindset to get or keep your hard-won weight loss.
~ Women who have lost their weight but are terrified that they will regain it.
~ Anyone who wants to have a better relationship with food, themselves & their health.
My clients are women who:
~ want to be healthy.
~ want to get healthy in a loving and forgiving way.
~ want to make lasting healthy habits.
~ want to receive support, cheers, hoorays and kicks in the butt when needed & deserved.
~ want to give support to others that have felt the shame, disgust and frustration of being overweight
~ are sensitive team players. (Group program)
~ want to stop inflicting negativity on their life and spirit.
~ are ready to stop the ambivalence.
~ are ready, once and for all, to be in peaceful control.
How is it different from other weight loss programs?
We work on things that the other guys rarely, if ever, focus on. Decide Yourself Weight Loss Mindset™ is different in that we focus primarily on the mindset portion of weight loss. DYWLM doesn’t have a particular diet or exercise program. There are many different programs offered. Each woman is unique in what foods and exercise works for her. If your mindset is strong and positive, any healthy diet program will see results. If your mindset is weak and negative, not one of the diet programs will work long term. What DYWLM does is help you develop and cultivate a new empowering mindset toward yourself and your health. If your mindset is in the right place and stays there, getting healthier is the natural result. You choose the diet or lifestyle plan you want to use and DYWLM will assist in your mindset to reach success with it.
Does this program really work?
That really depends on YOU. It will work when you are truly ready, and you take a no excuses approach to learning, implementing and making this mindset a part of your life. You will have better health. Just as important, you will be at peace with your body. You will be able to live without yelling at yourself, demeaning yourself or harming yourself. Knowledge is power…but Mindset and Implementation harness that Power and propel you forward! You make this work through your action and decisions.
What results can I expect and how quickly can I expect them?
The objective here is not about speed but about changing your mindset and creating new and lasting habits. It’s not about losing 20 pounds to be able to fit into that dress for your reunion. That being said, the journey is unique for everyone. This is not a “get rich quick” plan. How long it will take all depends on you. You could be on board right away and make great strides immediately or it could take you a year to develop & maintain these new habits. The speed is not important. We are talking about behaviors here and your consistency with implementing those behaviors. The first gift you give yourself is PATIENCE…it took a lifetime to create these habits and we cannot expect to change them overnight. Quitting is not an option because you do not see results overnight or in a week. Do not go through that vicious cycle anymore! Start on a diet, get all excited, don’t see results fast enough, get discouraged and head to the McDonald’s drive thru. Give yourself a break. Give yourself time to learn a new way. Do not beat yourself up! We are here to assist in every step of the way. The focus is not on the speed of that change. The focus here is to make lasting and healthy change. The results of those lasting and healthy changes are self acceptance and weight loss.
Through time and effort, this is what you can expect to learn and experience:
~ How to make a true decision and how to make it stick
~ Learn about, identify and choose your mindset
~ Be more forgiving to yourself
~ Learn how to let go of perfectionism
~ How to think like a health-conscious person
~ How to create an environment for success
~ Learn to create lasting habits that will support your health
~ Learn to look at food and movement from another perspective
~ Take the obsession out of food
~ Overcome compulsive behaviors
~ Learn other non-food related ways to improve your health
~ Learn how to handle tempting environments
~ Seek out support from like-minded people (this program counts!)
~ Offer help and support to others in similar situations
What type of personality (person) is best suited for this program and what is expected of me?
The woman best suited for this program is one that is ready to look beyond the traditional diet and exercise programs and delve into why these unhealthy habits were developed and how to joyfully change them to healthy ones.
It is expected that you go for it. Be a positive force in your life and take back control. It is expected that you will be making your health a priority and that there will be no excuses to getting this done. You will be expected to share what you need and to listen to ideas that may be different than you are used to. An open mind is a must. We got into this bad shape by following a plan, unintended as it may have been. An open mind will be necessary to create a different plan for yourself.
What type of personality (person) is this program NOT for?
…if you want a guaranteed “get rich quick” program, this is not for you. This is not an overnight solution. This is a long-term program that will assist you in creating lasting healthy mindset and habits. This system was created to re-educate and introduce you to these habits, not to lose 50 pounds in 5 days.
….if you expect us to do all the work. Just because you sign up for a program doesn’t mean there will be success. You have some responsibility in this too. You must work the program. You do your part and we will do our part.
…if you are doing this for someone else, you are not ready for this program. This is a program that requires you be open-minded, ready to learn and be uncomfortable as you regain control of your life. If you are doing this for someone else…a spouse, boyfriend, parent, friends, or society…you are not ready for the changes about to happen and you will not be successful. That is why I named this system Decide Yourself. YOU get to decide who you are and what you want. No one else can do that. You need to come to this on your own accord.
Be ready to tackle these issues – not whine about them. No whiners, excuse makers, pouters, blamers or skeptics…Enough said.
For Group Program:
…you are not a team player. This is a safe, confidential and empowering environment for us all to share our concerns, struggles and successes. In the group coaching program, you will be called upon to help others when they are down; to be an ear, offer suggestions and celebrate each others triumphs. You should be willing to offer your thoughts and experiences either on our coaching calls and/or in the online forum. Also, you need to share your difficulties, challenges and successes. We help others by sharing our experiences.
…you love to gossip and stir the pot. This is not the place for you. No gossips please! Only people who are ready to change and ready to help others achieve success on their journeys are needed. We need positive energy in our groups.
Why should I pay for a weight loss coaching program when there are other less expensive or free options out there?
There are a few reasons for paying for this kind of program.
First, just how seriously do you take a free program? It is human nature to value something you pay for. The more you pay for it, the more you want your money’s worth, the more you will work to succeed, and in this case, the healthier you will get.
Second, this program is time intensive. This isn’t a three-part series or a five-part series. It is a 6 month or one year time commitment. We are tackling life long issues and that needs and deserves time.
Thirdly, this is the kick in the butt you need to make you realize just how important you and your health are. Your health deserves your attention before anything else. Without our good health, all other areas of our life are negatively compromised.
Further, this is an accountability keeper. You will have an informed, objective and supportive accountability partner(s). When you are feeling your commitment slipping or are just plain tired, there is someone to share this with. You have someone in your corner encouraging you, cheering for you and gently kicking you in the butt when needed. You are not alone on the journey. In other programs, it is easy to quit. Just stop showing up. Here, you will have to face those tough situations because you are accountable to someone and they are accountable to you. That alone is invaluable.
So, describe your programs to me and how do they work?
Currently, I am accepting clients to work with one on one. Group sessions will be starting soon. Please let me know if you are interested in a being in a group.
PREMIUM PROGRAM:
Created for:
~ Women who cannot or do not want to do it alone.
~ Women who want more one-on-one assistance.
~ Women who have struggled for years for permanent weight loss but have not succeeded.
~ Women who want to change life-long bad habits in a loving & peaceful manner.
~ Women who are ready to do what it takes with no excuses, only solutions.
~ Women of all shapes & sizes who want, need or desire good physical & emotional health.
~ Women who want to learn to love and appreciate themselves.
Results you can expect:
~ An empowering mindset shift.
~ Health created with compassion & joy; letting go of the pain and frustration
~ A healthier body & spirit.
~ Long lasting good habit skills
~ Ability to handle formerly difficult situations with ease.
~ Finally…letting go of the onslaught of negative and demeaning thoughts
~ Freedom, Control and Peace
What makes this different from other programs?
~ Exclusive: You must apply to program. Honestly, there must be limited availability as it is necessary in being able to provide the one-on-one support.
~ Intensive & supportive mindset work
~ A “Safe Haven” : Have someone on your side DAILY that gets to know you, believes you can do it, encourages you, cheers you on, holds you accountable & kicks you in the butt when needed... essentially, unwavering support.
~ Both practical & spiritual exercises to discover, decide and implement your new healthy lifestyle.
~ Long term program: your issues were not created overnight so solution isn’t either.
~ You choose the diet and exercise program that fits you best. We can discuss your options to assist you in choosing the best one for you.
What is included in the program and how does it work?
There will be a total of three one hour phone calls per month. These occur the first full three weeks of each month. During these calls we will cover different aspects of the program and there will be assignments for the next week. You will receive support materials that will assist you with these assignments. There will also be a nightly email you send in and it will be answered by the next morning with any thoughts, ideas or accountability steps to take. You will also have up to three 10 minute calls per month to assist you in emergencies or to celebrate successes. You will not be alone while you are starting down this new path to health.
OVERVIEW:
~ Three one-hour coaching calls per month that includes both life-shifting content instruction & personal discussion time.
~ Emergency calls up to 10 minutes to help you get through a tough situation or to celebrate a success. (Three per month)
~ Daily supportive contact via email Monday through Friday (weekends will be addressed on Mondays)
~ Support Materials: program materials to assist you on the journey to successful health
BASIC PROGRAM:
Created for:
~ Women who can work independently & with consistent action with the guided focus that is provided.
~ Women who have struggled for years to lose weight & keep it off but have not succeeded.
~ Women who want to change life-long bad habits in a loving & peaceful manner.
~ Women who are ready to do what it takes with no excuses, only solutions.
~ Women of all shapes & sizes who want, need or desire good physical & emotional health.
~ Women who want to learn to love and appreciate themselves.
Results you can expect:
~ An empowering mindset shift.
~ Health created with ease & joy.
~ A healthier body & spirit.
~ Long lasting good habit skills
~ Ability to handle formerly difficult situations with ease.
~ Finally…letting go of the onslaught of negative and demeaning thoughts
~ Freedom & Control & Peace
What makes this different from other programs?
~ Three one hour coaching calls per month that includes both life-shifting content instruction & personal discussion time.
~ Intensive & supportive mindset work
~ Long term program: these issues were not created overnight so solution isn’t either.
~ Both practical & spiritual exercises to discover, decide and implement your new healthy lifestyle.
~ Support Materials: program materials to assist you on the journey to successful health
~ Exclusive: You must apply to program. Honestly, there must be limited availability as it is necessary in being able to provide the focused support.
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM:
Created for:
The Maintenance Program is for women who have gone through the PREMIUM or BASIC program and wants to continue to have an accountability partner. While they do not need daily or even weekly support at this point, they do want a monthly touchstone to assist in keeping the focus.
What is included in the Maintenance Program?
This program includes a one-hour monthly call.
~ We will go over your month and discuss any challenges and successes.
~ We will also discuss what your focus for the next month will be and set up any challenges you have for yourself (i.e.: running a marathon, maintaining weight through the holidays, etc.)
~ We will review any section of your past program that you feel will help your continued success.
Kerry, based on everything I’ve read I know you are the one I want to work with. What’s next to getting started?
Congratulations! You are taking an important step in reclaiming your health and peace of mind. That is a powerful first step.
If you are selecting the Premium Program you need to fill out an application for us to review together after completed. I need to ensure that I am the right mentor for you. I have limited availability on the Premium Program due to the personalized nature and time intensiveness of it. I do not want to take on too many clients and not have enough time for you. Once the application process is done and everything is all set, we will pick a call time each week that works for us both and get started. Give me a call at 209.535.7859 or email me at Kerry@DecideYourselfWeightLossMindset.com to receive an application.
If you are selecting the Basic Program, give me call at 209.535.7859 or email me at Kerry@DecideYourselfWeightLossMindset.com so we can get to know each other. There is an application for the Basic Program also. Again, I do want to make sure I am the right mentor for you. If it is a good fit, we can set up a weekly call schedule and begin on your journey.
Both programs have background information that will need to be given so that I can learn about your history and what makes you tick. While this is a systemized program, there is also a personalized component. I do not want to waste your time covering something you do not struggle with and I also do not want to gloss over something that you need extra help with. This background information will help me provide the best and most helpful material to you. Of course, this information is confidential.
Ok, I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple of additional questions, can I call you?
Certainly! I understand that you may have questions and I want to satisfy any concerns or issues. This is an important step to take for your future and I want you to make an informed decision. We’ll be happy to walk you through the different programs and options and decide which one is best for you.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for considering me to help you in this area. It is a very personal and sensitive issue that runs deep inside. I am truly honored that you are considering me and I am thrilled at the possibility of helping you out of the frustration and despair and into peaceful control and self-acceptance. I wish you much happiness whether our paths cross again or not…many blessings to you!
Let’s make 2009 the last year of weight loss struggle! Freedom in 2010!