When I asked a young woman who had lost 200 pounds how she did it, she said that she treated weight loss like a job. No matter how she felt, she showed up. She showed up at the grocery store to buy the right food, she showed up to track her food, she showed up to walk, etc.
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I think this is what I needed to hear! For so long I have been saying, "I'm too tired" or "I'll do it tomorrow." You can't do that at a job, so why do that to yourself with your weight loss?! Great Idea!
CHERYLSBUTT12/26/2012 11:54:00 PM
The only thing I would add, is find a way to love it! People quit or fail jobs they dont enjoy!
FRENCHTOSD5/27/2010 10:36:00 AM
This is a really wonderful way to look at the road to health we are all on. I would never be as hit-or-miss with a job that paid money. Why should I be so inconsistent with my health. This one's a keeper!
CARMEL4664/13/2010 1:26:00 AM
I love this idea and have been using it since I am no longer working outside the home. Thanks for sharing.
KVROSE4811/6/2011 9:27:00 AM
I developed that commitment attitude when I got married and became a parent. I will apply it to this endeavor to become healthy through weight loss. I will be my nutritionist when I shop and cook, and my own personal trainer when it's time to exercise & accept no whining!
Thank you!
CYNTHIA197014/23/2011 1:16:00 PM
I love the idea of treating working out like a job. It is so much better than a regular job because I am paying myself, rather than someone else. Even better, no one else will judge me or give me a performance appraisal!. I am going to do this because it will be very rewarding, fun, challenging, and very motivating for me. I am so glad I came across this article. This will positively change my life forever! Thank you Sparkle People.
MUFFINJOWEST4/21/2011 9:17:00 PM
That's the attitude I like to have - I knew if I just gave myself that sort of strict guideline, safe ones of course, I would stick to it. Thanks!
WATERMELLEN4/13/2010 8:53:00 PM
Really good concept: I'm going to think of this weight loss maintenance "like a job" and just keep right on showing up! Someone once told me that 90% of life is just showing up -- could be true!
KLASSIE4/13/2010 4:35:00 PM
That's an excellent way to invest in yourself. It holds true for working out. If we set a definite time for exercise, then we're more liable to work out daily than if we wait until we have available time.
BARIDIRECTS1/31/2013 3:14:00 PM
Love this approach! As I'm just about to start a new job, I'm going to plan exercise and other good habits into my Daytimer, just like my meetings and other scheduled events.
ARYNSMAMA8/20/2012 7:22:00 PM
I treat my weight loss as a game. I try to do something better than the week before or even the day before. I do weight watchers and I am always looking for good recipes. I would reward myself with new nail polish, new eyeshadow, etc. This seemed to keep my on track!
DETERMINED_SOUL8/9/2012 9:47:00 PM
At some point I feel this should really change to being more of a career. It's something you enjoy doing, you've studied to get better and you'll want to continue for the rest of your life.
DINIE1238/9/2012 1:28:00 PM
A great idea and such a simple concept, I am a terrific employee, I need to be a terrific friend to myself. I am retired, so this is my job!! Diane
KARMSTRONG08054/13/2010 12:53:00 AM
That is a good way to think of it =) Sometimes you can get perks at work too, like a treat every once in a while.
JELDIM5/9/2013 9:48:00 AM
I do something very similar, except I think of it like a college class. I was much more motivated in school than I am in my job. ><
LIZZIE-BELLE13/27/2013 8:25:00 PM
You are so right on with that. I never thought of that before, I plan to follow that idea.
Thanks
JMACLIVES2/25/2013 7:57:00 PM
Beautiful!
BRNGNSEXYBACK12/30/2012 9:59:00 AM
FABULOUS!
SHIRE3312/30/2012 8:41:00 AM
I add it to my job day. That is, after work, twice a week I religiously head to the gym. In the summers, I get up and run before my workers arrive on the farm. Once you get the habit, it's easier to stay on track.
GOPINTOS12/30/2012 7:42:00 AM
Loved this!
HAPPYDEM11/19/2012 9:04:00 AM
This is such a great way of looking at it. I'm certainly going to try to have this mindset from now on!!
TRINAA411/8/2012 2:52:00 PM
KIMMERS7910/23/2012 2:48:00 PM
i'm loving this it's totally what i know will help me. thank you!
ANDREAG8910/11/2012 1:35:00 PM
This is absolutely fantastic. I have used this ever since I read it, and have passed along this advice to countless others in this site. Thanks so much for posting it. It is changing my life for the better!!!
LW884310/7/2012 4:57:00 PM
That's a great way to think of it.
SMURFET7810/3/2012 2:18:00 PM
I'd like this one very much it motivate me very much specially I don't have a job now I'm going to make it my new job
NEEDHELPNOW91110/2/2012 11:33:00 AM
That so true. Great idea! I also know that it is one I can't clock out on. This is a life decision.
KERI28289/20/2012 8:33:00 AM
Thank you! This helps me get focused
LAWLESS9/18/2012 8:40:00 PM
That's a great idea because I may short myself but I always show up 110% for work....
KIN59VARA9/14/2012 5:48:00 AM
This matched my sparkcoach message today! Excellent
LILBIT-20089/7/2012 9:59:00 AM
Great thought. Also get paid with good health on this Job:)
LOVEYDUB9/4/2012 2:55:00 PM
...And I'm such a job SNOB. When people do badly at work, I am so intolerant - this idea sparked me to think about how harshly I judge others while allowing myself the worst excuses when it comes to this whole weight-loss thing. Balance needed, much?
WALKINGCHICK8/29/2012 3:40:00 PM
This is a great idea - I out 200% into my job, so why not into looking after myself by taking exercise and monitoring my food. I'm so going to take this approach!
SAFETYSUE8/29/2012 1:05:00 AM
Great idea, I have been inspired and very motivated to take this approach from here on! I was a great firefighter before being paralyzed, now it is time to get as fit as I was then!
WONDERLANDFAN8/29/2012 1:05:00 AM
Loved that - need to implement it now!!
CATAPILLOW8/26/2012 9:59:00 AM
Thanks so much for helping me see how important it is to eat healthy & exercise. Treat it like a job. When you go to work you are expected to get certain things done or your fired. If I start a healthy lifestyle I have to do my best to stick with it or I fail.
Once again, thanks for the motivation I needed today to stay on track.
Keep up the good work!
MSMOSTIMPROVED8/23/2012 8:13:00 PM
Great attitude adjuster. Show up, work hard, and make it happen even when you don't feel like it.
FELICIAKS8/21/2012 10:21:00 AM
I loved this--I don't take caring of me as serious business--SO, SO WRONG!
MICKIWILD8/20/2012 10:38:00 AM
This is a great attitude! A real method for success I think!
JKAYNARCA8/19/2012 12:56:00 AM
I love this. Too many times I have said who cares if I make the right food choices or I am too tired or don;t feel like exercising and will do it tomorrow and tomorrow comes and goes. Everyday I need to get up make the right food choices and be as activie as I can.
MARYXXXXXX8/18/2012 4:36:00 PM
This is a really good idea. I will think of exercise the same way I think of my job and I will show up.
RAVEN13798/17/2012 10:03:00 AM
This is a great idea and makes it more of a commitment that is taken more seriously.
WSHAYES18/15/2012 1:29:00 PM
Wow never thought of it like a job, but I definitely will from now on.
HANAHSCLOUDY8/12/2012 12:42:00 PM
"SPARKED" I'm starting the Spark Coach this week. The first Day I thought REDUNDANT!
2nd day? SOLD
Today I was informed by Nicole to think of it as a College Class, make time for it. To put me first!
TREAT IT LIKE A JOB!!! What a great short, quick, INSPIRATIONAL, phrase. I don't work outside the home, this could be a KEY in my journey. Today I will practice this...MY LIFE is priceless!
MIWOLFF8/9/2012 2:11:00 PM
Makes sense. If you have to work at ithen it should be treated like a job. Plus, our employers wouldn't tolerate our not showing up or doing our job tasks so why do we accept it fro m ourselves". We are just as important if not more important!
11TERRY208/9/2012 10:23:00 AM
Yes! So often I let my emotions determine what I eat, but when I treat my health like a job, it helps me take the negative self talk out and get down to business.
Thanks!
JUDYAMK8/7/2012 10:09:00 PM
I never thought of it like a job, so it really is!!!
HIJACKMAN7/20/2011 7:24:00 PM
That is just an awesome way to look at exercise that way you have to exercise because you might get fired if you don't show up which for working out would be gaining weight. That would be like firing you. Great analogy.
MUKIAKO6/25/2011 9:38:00 AM
I never thought of it this....this is the mind set that will lead to success...love it Everyday the alarm clock goes off it's a new day and a new start..em>128.gif" alt="emoticon" width="42" height="42" border="0">
MELLYBEANS09194/17/2011 5:52:00 PM
Good way of looking at things! T4p!
ZOEYBLU4/13/2011 11:19:00 AM
thankyou.. this is very true !
HAVANESE_FAN3/25/2011 12:51:00 PM
As a society, so often we admire or work to have a good work ethic -- this secret to success can be called a GOOD WEIGHT LOSS ETHIC and we can admire those who have a GOOD WEIGHT LOSS ETHIC the same we admire those with a good work ethic.
LIGIRLATHEART3/9/2011 7:16:00 AM
Excellent!
EASYRIDER19831/8/2011 6:43:00 PM
What an interesting concept. I'm going to try & think of it as a job that I have to be responsible for.
BENDER711/12/2010 7:00:00 AM
Awesome idea!
BELLATRIX12249/25/2010 7:45:00 PM
Great idea!
MYRTLEBOO7/24/2010 6:40:00 PM
I was thinking this last night when it was taking me forever to log everything and read everything I wanted to read on the site. Then I thought: I've been saying this is a lifestyle change for me, not just a plan to lose weight, so looking at it as a full-time job is very helpful.
EGRAMMY7/12/2010 7:07:00 PM
Doing lessons plans for a day is easy for us teachers.
LUCKYCOMET4/22/2010 3:17:00 AM
This is exactly how I see my weight loss...it's a job for life.
HAPPYEVERYDAY4/18/2010 7:31:00 AM
This is a great idea.
WALKINGANNIE4/13/2010 5:58:00 PM
You're a very good colleague who always encourages others to show up too Marsha.
OBNOXIOUSGIRL34/13/2010 11:25:00 AM
That may be just the tip I need!! Thanks
SPARKTHERAPY4/13/2010 9:23:00 AM
Now, this is an interesting concept...never thought about it like this before! This will be in my subconscious mind from now on, I'm sure! Thanks for the tip!
MZLADY774/13/2010 7:41:00 AM
Good idea I like that attitude!
JUSGETTENBY424/13/2010 12:36:00 AM
very good idea!
Related Secrets
Schedule Your Exercise
Treat yourself with the same respect & commitment that you give to your family or job. You schedule family stuff - soccer, doctor's appointments. You schedule job commitments. Do the same for yourself - schedule your exercise time - & stick to it. You won't find time, you have to make time.
MORE INFORMATION:
Self care is paramount to finding a healthy lifestyle.
I am working hard at liking myself. I can look in the mirror and look at a positive change I see in me instead of what I think is bad about me. I give myself pats on the back for a job well done!334
I turn on my favorite music real loud and dance to the music while cleaning. It burns more calories and those jobs that no one likes seem to go faster246
2nd day? SOLD 
