Why do you want to lose weight? I mean, really, why ? Start a list, right now. Write down all the reasons for your desire to lose weight. Some of the reasons may be vain. You want to look better in your wedding dress. You are hoping to wear a bikini on your vacation this winter. Some of them may be health related. You want to have a healthy heart. You want to reduce your risk of diabetes. Other reasons may be heartfelt. You want to see your son graduate high school. You want to walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Or maybe you never want your children to have to see you go through the health problems you saw your parents going through.
Everyone has different reasons for wanting to lose weight. This is great, so why doesn't it work? There are many reasons our efforts fail.
For one, there are no immediate consequences. If you don't go to work or don't do your job while you are there, there are very clear consequences. You may be reprimanded, possibly face a pay cut or even be fired. This could severely impact you and your family. If you don't follow a diet plan, no one is going to sit you down and lecture you. There is a good chance that no one will even know. What we forget is that there are consequences to eating in unhealthy ways. Our body punishes us by adding extra pounds, clogging up our arteries and possibly putting our life at risk.
Another reason is we have good intensions; it's the follow through that we have trouble with. How many times have you said, "I'll start tomorrow?" or, "I just need to go to the grocery store for healthier foods." Does tomorrow ever come? When you run into the grocery store for a few quick things have you thought out what healthy, nutritious meals you are going to prepare in the coming days? There is a song that quotes "a little less talk and a lot more action." The finish line might be far away but you will never get there if you don't start the race.
One other reason we sometimes fail is that we aren't truthful with ourselves. We justify our failures by saying things like "this one chocolate bar won't hurt" or "I've just accepted that I'll never be a size six." Maybe these are partial truths. That one chocolate bar might not hurt and yes, you might never be a size six but what about a size eight? You need to be honest with yourself. You are not accountable to anyone else. Are you willing to accept that you may die prematurely if you don't take care of your body and your health? Be proactive. Don't wait until your doctor tells you that you are at a high risk for developing diabetes or having a heart attack to do something about it. What a great feeling it is to leave the doctor's office and having them say "whatever you are doing, keep it up!"
You need to find your motivation. If it's your children, put a picture of them on the refrigerator, snack cupboard or even in your gym bag and carry it around with you while you work out. When you find yourself ready to give up, look at the picture and imagine yourself watching their graduation from above rather than from the crowd with the rest of the proud parents. Maybe money motivates you. Make a bet with a friend or family member that you can reach a goal in a certain amount of time. Whatever your motivation is, follow it. Don't put off until tomorrow what you could be doing right now. Start today.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
