You HAVE What It Takes!

Let me ask you this….How badly do you want it? How hard are you willing to work?  What is it going to take for this to stick? Getting the motivation to follow through is arguably the most important part of losing weight.Various weight loss strategies will always be around.  But, the missing piece of the puzzle is usually motivation, the thing that everyone wants but few have. Research shows that many do well for a while and lose some weight, but inevitably fall off track. Sound familiar?

For many, losing weight is a huge struggle, a seemingly impossible mountain to climb. Some start their climb with good intentions, but somehow fail to make it to the top. They poop out too early, too soon. It’s just too hard they say. Too steep. Too exhausting. Maybe there’s an easier way. Eventually, they come back to the same mountain finding that there was no other way. This time, they start again with more determination and commitment. There are still many falls, bloodied knees, tears, and feelings of defeat. But, this time they won’t back down. They are truly motivated to finish.  When they reach the top, they discover their triumphant is far more than what they had imagined. 

There’s a scene from the new Dark Knight movie where Batman’s character has to climb out of this pit if he wants to save Gotham. Only one person has ever been able to climb out. Prisoners tell him it’s impossible. He tries many feeble attempts but falls slamming his body against the bricks. He keeps trying motivated to get out and redeem his city. Ultimately he DOES get out! That is my favorite part.  In theory I think many of us have had our own literal or figurative pits we’ve had to climb out of …or are still trying to get out of.

So how does this movie relate to weight loss you might ask? Those struggling would understand the analogy I think. Trying to lose weight and keep it off can be a painful and agonizing struggle, just like it might be climbing out of a deep dark pit.  Yet, so many do succeed! They get out and claim their prize! And YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

To start, all you need is the desire for change. Then define your goal, really clarify your purpose for losing weight.

Why are you looking to lose weight?

-To feel more confident to start dating again?
-To get into your favorite pair of jeans?
-To feel sexy for your husband or wife?
-To look good at your upcoming high school reunion?
-Because the doctor told you you're pre-diabetic but that there is still a chance to turn it around?
-Because you're sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?

What is your truth? Why is losing the weight important to YOU?

“I would suggest that the most powerful motivator is the truth. What is your truth? And why are you hiding from it? This may be hard but spend a minute really thinking about this question....are you truthful with yourself? Do you take an assessment of your life and really know what's going on without sugar coating it? Have you taken a picture of yourself and acknowledged that you don't look healthy? Have you acknowledged the health consequences to your extra slice of pizza? Are you avoiding old friends or family members because you don't want to see the looks on their faces in reaction to your weight gain? Maybe none of these questions resonate with you. But if you focus on the truth, you'll find the right question inside of yourself, the one that reflects the truth and key to your motivation.” (Peertrainer, Joshua Wayne, MA)

Once you do find your truth, here are some things you can do to keep yourself on track:

1.     Create a compelling picture of how your life is going to be better if you lose the weight, or worse if you don’t.

2.     Remind yourself daily what your purpose is. It’s easy to lose focus when busy or stressed.

3.     Write your reasons for losing weight down on an index card and put it by your bed stand or tape it to the bathroom mirror. Remind yourself every day and night why you want to lose weight and that you need to take action each day to reach your goals.

4.     Find the right support to handle the stress and challenges of daily life in a healthy and constructive way. Often people jump ship and turn to food for emotional comfort when other things in their life aren’t going well.

5.     Don’t make unreasonable expectations of yourself. Make small attainable goals, baby steps, one foot in front of the other…. Often what happens is when people fall off track or slip, they beat themselves up or just say “screw it” and accelerate their downward spiral. Be kind to yourself. Like one of my successful clients recently told me, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

6.     Find a peer support group. Studies show these groups can help facilitate success. Getting the support of a group of like minded people can make a critical difference. (On that note, I try to promote supportive relationships in my exercise classes and in my training groups. It’s been extremely effective and heartwarming when I see members encouraging and cheering each other on.)

7.     Keep a daily log of your food intake, exercise, goals, and thoughts. When you do this each day it keeps you accountable to yourself. Furthermore, when you are writing each day, you are thinking about the things you write about. This begins to change how you think and you end up making better decisions. 

You really DO have what it takes to get to the top!