To succeed with weight loss you need lots of 'Es'. Energy, enthusiasm, efficiency, exercise - and you certainly need to put in lots of effort! Sometimes, however, we find it easier to put in lots of excuses!
We know that very often, no sooner than you decide to join the programme, lose weight, change your eating habits and take lots of exercise, the excuses start! You might call them reasons, but whichever, you use them to convince yourself why you can't, or shouldn't, or won't keep it up!
Change is tough. Old habits really do die hard. New habits don't just spring automatically into place. You have to be convinced that this change to a new, healthy lifestyle is entirely possible and is more preferable to your old one. Not being sold altogether on the benefits of such a change is what excuses are all about. Think now about the benefits of this change.
Another crucial step is to realise that such a change requires heaps of extra energy. To succeed with permanent change you have to find ways to enhance your emotional, mental and spiritual energy every day.
Accept yourself
The more you worry and fight with yourself about how you 'will never lose that extra weight' the more depressed, worried, anxious and exhausted you become. Once you simply and fully accept that you are overweight and you do want to lose weight, you will be wonderfully relieved of the tremendous stress and strain. And this can be the first trigger that injects you with fresh energy. Suddenly you will find yourself able to do the very thing you were struggling with.
Focus on what you want
Get a very clear image of your target weight goal. See yourself at this weight, physically fit, energetic, happy and healthy. Never mind about 'how you will get there', because the answer to that will come as soon as you are very clear about what you want. Then do something different. Take a new route to work, school with the children or to the shops. Wash yourself from head to toe in the shower instead of toe to head. Eat something completely different, something you have never had before. Altering the smallest things in our everyday routine snaps us out of the almost hypnotic trance that our habits can keep us in and will give us a fresh, invigorating and energetic view of life.
Do something you're passionate about
Think about something you have always wanted to do - and then go and do it! Learn to drive, ski, sky dive, go on a cycling holiday, walk a marathon, write a book, whatever! Creating a new focus in which you are passionately interested brings life to your mind and spirit. And before you know it, the change you've been struggling with is well on its way.
When you are aware of the benefits and you feel full of energy, nothing can stop you. Not even some of the well-loved, tired old excuses:
1. 'I start well but I can't stay motivated for long'. Help yourself stay motivated by:
Setting reasonable goals. Many people sabotage themselves by expecting too much of themselves and can end up feeling disappointed or frustrated.
Change three small things. You can change your whole life by changing a few 'little' things at a time. Plan three changes you can make right now - snack on fruit instead of biscuits or crisps. Eat more fruit salads and vegetables. Eat less meat and more fish or chicken, etc. When these have become everyday habits; move on to more small changes.
2. 'I get bored eating the same type of food all the time'
This need not be the case! Choose the delicious foods that fit in with your meal plan. Imagine a tasty piece of grilled chicken with green vegetables, a crunchy salad with lots of bite and flavour, or delicious fresh berries! These foods are all out there. Keep your eating interesting. Add a different item to your meal plan each week, perhaps something you have seen in the shops or on your meal plan, on TV, or heard someone talk about - as long as it is a good food choice - try something new!
Give your tastebuds a chance. You were not born with a taste for chocolate or cheesecake! And you can change your idea of what is delicious! Give yourself time to adjust to the new foods and your new way of eating. Before long, your palate will actually prefer the new, low-fat way!
This new way of eating should be a way of eating for life, not a 'quick fix' or short-term way of eating. This is a permanent way of eating that will permanently slim you, make you look and feel better, give you heaps more energy and excite you about your New You Lifestyle.
So think now about what you are going to be, about the benefits when you are there, and give the Big E to any excuses!
