A new way to think about losing weight

[Fran]

Another post from sparkpeople.com. I thought it would be helpful for many of us who stumble on the way. We have to get up and get back on track.

Fran

A new way to think about losing weight

I have to keep telling myself that. It's not. A diet is something you do for a short period of time in order to get a result that doesn't last, and you end up worse off than before. No, no...this is not a diet.

It is a way of life. A life change. Something different. I think we are often too hard on ourselves. I think we get disappointed in ourselves. We get frustrated because after a lot of hard work, the scale doesn't move, or the inches don't come off.

So we go to what we know best. Food. Then more guilt, more frustration, more disappointment.

But I've come to realize something. If this isn't a diet...and it is a way of life, then it's ok. It's ok to have a bad week on the scale, because it's not the end of the world. Next week will come...and then the next. If this is about life change, then I must look at this as a marathon and not a sprint.

I didn't get fat overnight. No, I got fat after years and years of neglect and overeating, lack of exercise, being tired, and a miriad of other excuses. Therefore I can't expect to lose this weight over night. And I won't lose it next week and I won't lose it next month.

But I will lose it. Why?? Because I'm not on a DIET!!. I'm changing my life. I'm changing my lifestyle. I know that while I may have a bad week on the scale or even a bad month, next year, I will not be the same person I was. I will be healthier. I don't know what that means on the scale, but I don't think it matters either. If this is my way of life, then I will be healthier. I know it.

So if I mess up and have a donut or a piece of cake or a slice of pizza now and then, it's ok. I'm not going to drown myself in guilt, nor am I going to drown myself in food. I'm just going to enjoy life. That might mean eating great for a month and then eating not so great for a day or two. But I'm going to enjoy life knowing that I'm making decisions that will make me a happier, healthier person in the future.

I'm not going to look in the mirror and get disappointed that I don't look the way I want to now. It will come. But it will take a while. And you know...that's ok. I'm changing. When the changes come and are visible...then great, but it's ok if I don't see them yet. I just know that everyday I'm going to make better decisions.

Remember...THIS IS NOT A DIET! This is a life change. A new way to live your life. Enjoy it.

 

[trinityroyal]

Thanks Fran.
Having the mind set that this is a new way of life is so important.
Diets can become restrictive, overwhelming and frustrating, and almost make you want to rebel against them.

Making the choice to live a healthier life is a journey. Sometimes we stop at unexpected places along the way, but we'll all get where we're going, one stop at a time.

 

[Wiped Out]

Fran,
This is a great article! The one thing I remembered from the day I joined ww is they always said it's a different lifestyle not a diet. Maybe that's why I've been able to keep off most of my weight. I truly did make a lifestyle change. I have good and bad days but it is o.k. I do get frustrated but know there will be other days that will be better. I could never stick to a diet where I would be told exactly what to eat.

 

[SearchingForRainbows]

Fran,

I'm glad you posted this!!! I also believe that it is important to live a "healthy lifestyle" and not think in terms of being on a diet. in my humble opinion, maintaining permanent weight loss can only be successful if there is a permanent desire to live a "healthy lifestyle." WFEN

 

[hearts and roses]

Very true - thanks for the reminder. I was beginning to wonder if I was doing something wrong and then I saw this post.