Monday, October 17, 2011
*Here's a post from my blog - ifimnotfatwhatami.blogspot.com - Enjoy!
Losing weight is not easy. If it was, there wouldn't be a zillion different weight loss products on the market, and we would all be thin, fit, and healthy. I knew when I started my weight loss journey that it was going to be terrible at times. In fact, I focused on that as I made the decision to do it. I couldn't see the amazing gains and triumphs at the time. They came later.
I developed a mantra for the tough times - Consistency, Hard Work, and Determination. I even chanted it to myself during my first 10k, when I was jogging as slow as a person can jog up a never-ending hill. It got me through that hill and a lot of other set backs.
Consistency - It is absolutely necessary if you want to keep the weight off for good. Any sudden drop in calories or increase in exercise can cause momentary weight loss, but to really see results, you have to create healthy habits. Exercising regularly and following a healthy diet most of the time will lead to a happier, healthier you and become habits for life - a much longer life.
Hard Work -
“Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.” - Booker T. Washington
If you want something bad enough, you'll work for it. That's what brings lasting weight loss. There is no magic pill, no miracle diet. You don't need anything but your own will. Put in the extra effort and reap the benefits. This may seem daunting at first, but the good news is, the more you put in, the better you feel. Then you want to work even harder.
Determination - You wouldn't get anywhere without it. The willingness to work hard, to push your limits, and to overcome fears is supported completely by determination. Choose to fight for yourself every day, and you will find a whole new person inside.
So, there are the three things that got me to where I am now - 80 pounds lighter and a thousand times happier. But, the title of this blog is Four Essential Components of Lasting Weight Loss.
I haven't forgotten the fourth component. It may be the most important of all, and it is the one that I figured out last. It's Positive Thinking.
I lost a bunch of weight. I was working out almost every day and working hard. But, I wasn't happy. I still saw the old, fat, miserable me when I looked in the mirror. I still hated myself and felt like everything could be so much better than it was. I focused solely on the negative and paid very little attention to the many joys in my life. I was in a really bad slump.
The change happened when I started actively trying to turn my thoughts around and see the positive in every situation. It didn't come easy at first, but the more I tried, the easier it became. I started to see myself as I truly am, and I accepted it. I can now picture my future, and I have confidence in myself for the first time in years.
It makes life so much better. I'm happier and more content. I enjoy each day, and I feel like my head is a lot less cluttered with negative thoughts and noise. I'm a lot more peaceful.
Consistent healthy choices and the willingness to work hard helped me change my body and my life. Looking for the good in life made me calmer emotionally. I would recommend these things to anyone. They're free, and they depend solely on your thoughts and actions. You are in control. Go for it now. Don't waste another minute of your life.
Member Comments About This Blog Post:
Very encouraging!
... keep kickin' and here's a hug for all your hard work in getting there ... 
