Weight Loss Discipline
Why is it so hard to lose weight and keep it off? We haveall heard that weight loss is just a matter of taking inless calories than we expend. That certainly sounds verylogical, but is it really that simple?
For example, I had an intention of only eating fruits andvegetables for a day or two, to counteract the recent ‘junk’food I had been enjoying. This was a solid plan thatpractically guaranteed a decrease in caloric intake.However, a solid plan doesn’t always mean an easy execution.
I figured I would be relatively safe making a trip to thehealth food store. So my guard against high fat foods wasdown. When I got to the store, my sensibilities wereassailed by a well meaning clerk hawking some freshly madecorn beef and cabbage. I could hardly resist thetemptation. And that wasn’t the end of it. Once my armourwas breached, the temptation of tasty, ‘health oriented’cookie samples fought for my attention.
Once again, I capitulated. My normally strong will powerseemed to crumble. And once weakened, it seemed reasonableto just continue. It’s like that first drink for therecovering alcoholic.
I am by no means overweight, but once in a while my dietgets out of hand and the fat around my midsection gets alittle more sizable than I am comfortable with. Usually,times like these are a great opportunity to get a littledetoxification in, so I like to focus on fruits andvegetables for a day or two.
This has the dual effect of decreasing my caloric intake. Iwas also sticking with the simple plan mentioned above. Sowhere did things go wrong? Did I not have enough discipline?Did I lack willpower, or was it something else?
In retrospect, the problem appears to be a lack ofpreparation. I failed to use the power of why. Let meexplain. When the chips were down, I didn’t seem to haveenough reason to maintain discipline. Maybe you have had asimilar experience? I rationalized with, “oh, a littlewon’t hurt me”. The truth is, once you start down thatroad, it can be hard to turn back.
What would the right preparation be in that case? What isthis power of why that I am talking about? A great way tofortify will power with any strategy is to actually writeout the reasons why sticking to your plan or achieving yourgoal is important. It is kind of like stockpilingammunition. The weaponry, in this case, appears in the formof a list.
With a long list of reasons supporting the plan or the goal,I would have had a lot more reserves to draw on when myfront line defenses were being stressed. When the wellmeaning clerk was pouncing, I should have had a ready listof whys to fall back on. As the clerk was just being niceand sounding really sensible, plus it was a free sampleafter all, my mind should have responded with my ready madelist of why I should not vary from my plan.
That didn’t happen because I never made such a list.Whatever you are trying to accomplish in life, there arebound to be obstacles and obstructions that just leap intoyour path to stop or block you. These are the times thatyou need your list. The list is your power. No list, nopower.
When anyone sits down to plan something or set a goal, theyneed a list to support them during weak times. The longerthe list, the better. Even if one has to carry the listalong in one’s pocket, it is worth it. A list of about 50reasons, while hard to create, can pay off in a major way.
Imagine the clerk’s surprise, had I pulled out my handy listand read it off for him. My armour would not have beenpierced and the clerk would have had to move on to moreready prey or risk having the spear of temptation blunted!No list, no power.
So, how long is your list?
This article is for information purposes only. It is notmeant to advise on diet or weight loss or on any healthmatters. If you have or think you have a health issue,including weight or diet issues, consult your primary carephysician for proper diagnoses and treatment.
copyright 2005 by David Snape
Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com
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Weight Loss and Huricanes? Weathering the Storm!
Do you know this year Florida will go through a surge in baby births? Think about it! More time spent inside last year. That’s what it boils down to with more babies this year. Fear motivation makes people bond in order to weather the storm. Sometimes, Mother Nature in her on little way brings people together.
Can hurricanes affect your weight loss goals? You bet it can! The obvious answer is, you are inside more, so the temptation to over eat is greater. The other way hurricanes affect losing weight is from an emotional level.
Storms can make us feel out of control, overwhelmed, and darn right scared. In search of security and control we turn to food for stability, comfort, and trust. Only to realize later on that all is well which ends well. Can we overcome such temptations is the much larger question? Sure we can. It will take some pre-planning, decision making and transfer of emotions.
Pre-planning:
When you go out and get what you need to strengthen your home from the winds and rain. Get what you need at the grocery store to strengthen your body. You know that more time inside is going to increase your appetite. In anticipation of that, get more foods than normal in the better- for- you category. At least if you are going eat more in calories, the calories will be better for you. Or in the very least lower in fat.
Decision Making:
Anticipate the longer hours in the house. The pre-planed grocery trip helps, however, there has to be some offensive thinking as well. Make it a point to eat healthy during this temporary stay inside. Plan some fun activities to do. If you have exercise equipment, take advantage of this time to use them.
Emotional Transfer:
We tend to eat out of boredom and insecurity. Hurricanes are only temporary. Your weight gain can be longer lasting. Sustain from your over indulging for just a little while longer. One day, one meal, one emotion at a time.
Don’t let the temporary winds of the hurricane blow you off course of feeling better, and maintaining that weight loss goal. If need be revisit your goal list as many times as need be to keep you focused. Call someone. Anything to take the mind off of the illusion of losing control.
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