Warm Weather Fad or LifeStyle Change?

Hi Spark Friends!
Today my weigh in shows a one pound loss. Yippee! I will take it!! This makes my total loss to date 54 pounds GONE! It feels WONDERFUL and I want ALL of us to feel this feeling! We CAN all do it! I was observing something during a warm spell of weather here. I have seen it many times but it never made me think of it like I did this time. I noticed that when the weather gets warm outside in the beginning of the spring/summer months we see all kinds of people out walking and/or running. People who you don't see any other time but in those first weeks of warm weather. Most are a lot over weight and it is as if they sat around all year eating unhealthy and not exercising and then the warm weather hits and they panic. They begin to think Oh my gosh what have I done to myself and now summer is here and I am unhealthy and over weight and have no energy. I need to get out right now and get myself in shape. You see them for a week or two sometimes even three. Then they are gone as suddenly as they appeared. It is the same as people going on a "diet" they do it for awhile and then go off. I know what these people are doing because I was one of them for way to long. I sat around did nothing until the warm weather hit and then would panic that I had done so much damage to myself and now summer was here and I would be exposed. So, I'd go out and walk for a week or so and then as quickly as I panicked I would decide to just go back in denial because it was less work and so much easier. With diets, once you go on one, you have to at some point go off one.

So when I see these people now I know where they are in their minds and what they are and are not willing to do to change things for themselves. The first step is knowing we cannot go on a diet. Diets DO NOT work! We need to change our life styles. That is something we can live with forever. Unlike a diet that makes us feel limited and deprived. No one can live that way for long. A life style change is learning to eat healthy and in moderation. To nourish our bodies well. That is something we can do and live with and never feel deprived or cheated.

The other lesson to be learned is our bodies NEED exercise. It is not something we can do for a week or two and make a life changing difference. It is something that needs to be incorporated into our lives on a permanent basis. Whether it is a small daily exercise, or a 3 days a week program, or 4 days a week or whatever you choose to incorporate on a permanent basis in your life that makes the difference. Our bodies crave and really require exercise. It is like giving a thirsty person a drink of water. We need it to be healthy.

These people who are seen for a week or two in those first warm days are not serious about wanting to make a change, they are not committed to making a change. They are simply having an attack of shame and guilt because the warm weather comes and makes them take a quick peek at reality. I know this all to well because I had been one of them for so very long. Heck, I bet I was the first one in my neighborhood out there!

I share all these thoughts I have with you because I so want all of you to skip the years of being the person out for the week or two and go right for the lifestyle change. Don't waste all the time I did. You are clearly determined and committed to making a lifestyle change or you would not be here on this site looking for a way to achieve it. So, do NOT make it a "diet" or be a "short term exerciser" do not give up on yourself or your abilities to change your life style. Want it bad enough to do the work it takes and make the changes it takes.

What is more worthy of your time and effort then YOU? I can tell you right now that NOTHING is more important then YOU! So be good to your body and yourself and make the changes that will bring you wonderful health, lots of energy and stamina, self confidence and longevity. Treat yourself well so you can be the BEST you can be. Be good to YOU!

I am rooting for each and every one of you to achieve your goals. If you want it bad enough, you WILL achieve it! I want it for you.

I hope you have all had a great week and wish you all a wonderful weekend.