Posts Tagged ‘diet success’
The definition of success
Who are you as this brand new year begins? How do you feel about yourself? What kind of energy are you projecting into the world? And, if I Googled you, what results would there be that define you? Answer with the first word and/or descriptor that comes to your mind…
Fabulous?
Amazing?
Incredible?
Fat?
Sadly, it’s often words like “Fat,” or phrases such as “Too big” or “Too this or that” that we would choose as the first thought that defines us as of right now. As dieters, we often think in terms of negatives – as if those depressing thoughts might motivate us to finally stick to our diet and take off some excess weight. But in my experience, keeping negative words and thoughts at the forefront of our inner dialogue can actually be pretty destructive.
Think about someone close to you. Someone you love. Someone you think hung the moon. When that person comes to mind, do you think about one of their shortcomings? Or do you think about their many qualities and the warm, fuzzy feeling you get as a result of having them in your life?
Now, think of someone you’re not a fan of. When you think of this person, do you list one of their qualities first? Or do you focus on the reason you consider them someone you really don’t want to be around?
One thinking process felt good, right? And the other? Not so good.
And yet I’m willing to bet that when you think of yourself, it’s often in the same sort of light you think of someone that you dislike or want to avoid. In other words, you’re not feeling any of the warm fuzzies in regard to yourself. And I’m here to tell you that you should. After all, you are an incredible, amazing person just as you are right now (in this very moment).
I don’t care if you have 5, 10 or 100 pounds (or more) of excess weight to lose. I don’t care if you recently lost your tempter with your significant other. I don’t care if you goofed off at work the day before yesterday. I don’t care that you haven’t quite achieved or perhaps haven’t even started working toward your goals for this new year. You are still incredible. You are still amazing. You are still perfect – right in this very moment.
This doesn’t mean that I don’t want to encourage you to lose excess weight, get healthier, look better and meet all of your goals. But I doubt you’re going to do it if you’re defining yourself by what you perceive to be your shortcomings. In other words, it’s time to stop defining yourself by negatives (like your excess weight) and start accentuating the positive.
When it comes to helping someone change, wouldn’t you be more likely to do anything to help the person you imagined earlier that you care about? And isn’t it just as likely that you wouldn’t really care to help the person you imagined earlier who you’d like to avoid? So why would you think that you can be down on yourself and still accomplish your goals? By filling your thoughts with shiny, happy ones, you’ll add a little pep to your step and be motivated to initiate the changes you want to see come to fruition this year.
Another example: Think of dogs. Are they more motivated by having their nose rubbed in excrement? Or by getting a loving pat and lots of praise when they do something good? You know the answer.
So yes, I want you to stop rubbing your nose in the “excrement” of past failures – not to mention defining yourself by the same. None of those failed diets, exercise plans or goals matter. They can all be counted on as great lessons about what worked and what didn’t. Today is a new day. Heck, it’s a new year. A year in which you can accomplish anything. But only if you think of yourself with love, with acceptance and with the knowledge that you got it goin’ on – even if you’re not at your ideal weight quite yet.
So let’s all give ourselves some mental hugs today, shall we? And let’s start defining ourselves by our positives, rather than our negatives. This mental channel change – and new definition of ourselves – can lead to amazing things (including weight loss, better health and a happier life).
What have you got to lose? Aside from the negative thoughts, that is?
You matter
It’s that time again… And no one likes a new beginning as much as those of us with a “dieter’s mentality.” And here we are at the grand slam of new beginnings — the first week of a new year. If misery loves company, we can take heart in the fact that almost everyone is getting on the scale right now, vowing to take off at least a couple pounds (“Welcome to our world, suckers!”).
But in actuality, none of us has to be miserable about it at all.
So often we think of dieting and losing weight as a punishment of sorts. When, really, it’s a choice. A choice that offers freedom, better health, more happiness and looking damned fine in our skinniest jeans. It’s all about changing that mental channel from ‘deprivation’ to “elation.”
Yeah, that’s right — elation.
In other words, I challenge you to be happy about your choice to take off a few (or a 100+) pounds this year. Do it with pep. With zest. And with the knowledge that it’s really not about deprivation at all.
When it comes down to it, you can eat anything you’d like while working to take off excess weight. The key, of course, is portion control. And I know that can be a tough thing to wrestle with after allowing one’s self to drink a whole vat of eggnog during the previous week since we knew we’d be starting (or re-starting) diets after the first of the year. But that was then. This is now.
As for your favorite foods, you might know that you can’t eat a single cup of ice cream right now because you’d be too tempted to make it 8 or more cups. Same could be true for French Fries, potato chips or whatever your “trigger foods” might be. So in that case, you might choose to forego these foods for a little while. But this isn’t deprivation either. Again, this is choice.
I urge you to abandon the concept of “I can never have ice cream (or whatever) again.” That’s just simply not true. You can have your favorite foods at anytime. But you can also not have them for a while, in an effort to encourage a little self-control. Once again, with feeling: This isn’t punishment. This is choice.
And perhaps when you’re down a few pounds, breathing easier, sleeping better and putting on your pants without having to offer up several prayers to get the waist fastened, you can then choose to have some ice cream – in a supermodel portion size (because that’s what you are… A supermodel). After all, even those skinny folks choose to have ice cream (or whatever) from time to time, rather than every day — and in a reasonable portion size that couldn’t feed a small nation.
Remember, you’re what matters. Your health. Your looks (no false vanity here, folks). Your happiness. And the key to all this isn’t going to be found in angst, in guilt or in the concept of being punished. Last year was then. Those eating habits were then. The vats of eggnog were then. This is now. This moment. And this is what matters most.
Not totally convinced? Then take a look at the belt I used to wear (shown above)… A belt made for a 60-inch waist…. A belt that I was wearing out at the last buckle hole… A belt that I haven’t had the need for in over a decade — other than as a reminder of what I’ve accomplished. If I can do it, you can do it. No, check that… We can do it!
So take a deep breath and commit to the choice of being your true, amazing, fabulous self this New Year. The choice can happen right now, in this very moment. Let’s make this choice together — at the same time — and move forward with vitality, vivaciousness and an attitude that lets the world (and ourselves) know that this time we mean business!
Success is contagious
I’m thrilled when people reach out and make contact – either through the contact page on this blog or through Twitter or the Just Stop Eating So Much! facebook page.
One of the beautiful things about being in touch with readers and fellow (and female!) dieters like you is that when it comes to inspiration, it’s definitely a two-way street. I am always motivated and inspired by the people I hear from – whether they’re facing a challenge or sharing a success story.
I recently received an email from 17-year old Trisha and was filled with said inspiration. After reading (and re-reading) her words of triumph, I quickly contacted her to see if she would mind me sharing her wonderful and inspiring words with you. And I’m happy to report that she was more than happy to share her story with others. So without further ado, here’s the email I received from Trisha:
“You are such an inspiration! You gave me hope that I could get healthy, too. I’m 17 years old, and as of December 1st, I was 437 pounds. Today is March 1st, just 3 months later, and I am now 377! 60 POUNDS GONE IN 3 MONTHS! All from eating less and only eating healthy foods, and exercise. Not even any crazy work out plans! Just walking every evening. I never could have done any of this if I hadn’t heard your story and been inspired. I plan on continuing this path to getting healthy, and maybe someday I can do for someone what you have done for me. Thank you so much!”
Besides having an attitude that shines bright, I love that Trisha has put together a plan that is working for her (and her lifestyle) – while incorporation the basic tenants of losing weight in a healthful fashion:
• Eating Less
• Moving (Exercising) More
• Getting Plenty of Rest
• Drinking Lots of Water
Trisha is a reminder to us all that any goal can be reached – and that the “end goal” isn’t necessarily what it’s all about. Whether we’ve lost a half pound or more of excess weight, that number (and triumph) is worth celebrating – no matter how many more pounds-to-lose we have ahead of us. It’s all about living in the now, loving ourselves as we are in this moment and enjoying the journey toward lasting health.
Do you have a success story, pictures or even a challenge that you’d like to share or have me respond to publicly? If so, please reach out and tell me – no, tell us – your story. Whether we’re working to lose the excess weight or working to keep the excess weight we’ve lost off permanently, we’re all in this together.
(Thanks again, Trisha! Please continue to keep us posted on your journey and know that we’re all behind you every step of – and pound on – the way!)
How do you define yourself?
Who are you today? How do you feel about yourself? What kind of energy are you projecting into the world? And, if I Googled you, what results would there be that define you? Answer with the first word and/or descriptor that comes to your mind…
Fabulous?
Amazing?
Incredible?
Fat?
Sadly, it’s often words like “Fat,” or phrases such as “Too big” or “Too this or that” that we would choose as the first thought that defines us as of right now. As dieters, we often think in terms of negatives – as if those depressing thoughts might motivate us to finally stick to our diet and take off some excess weight. But in my experience, keeping negative words and thoughts at the forefront of our inner dialogue can actually be pretty destructive.
Think about someone close to you. Someone you love. Someone you think hung the moon. When that person comes to mind, do you think about one of their shortcomings? Or do you think about their many qualities and the warm, fuzzy feeling you get as a result of having them in your life?
Now, think of someone you’re not a fan of. When you think of this person, do you list one of their qualities first? Or do you focus on the reason you consider them someone you really don’t want to be around?
One thinking process felt good, right? And the other? Not so good.
And yet I’m willing to bet that when you think of yourself, it’s often in the same sort of light you think of someone that you dislike or want to avoid. In other words, you’re not feeling any of the warm fuzzies in regard to yourself. And I’m here to tell you that you should. After all, you are an incredible, amazing person just as you are right now (in this very moment).
I don’t care if you have 5, 10 or 100 pounds (or more) of excess weight to lose. I don’t care if you recently lost your tempter with your significant other. I don’t care if you goofed off at work the day before yesterday. I don’t care that you haven’t quite achieved or perhaps haven’t even started working toward your goals for this new year. You are still incredible. You are still amazing. You are still perfect – right in this very moment.
This doesn’t mean that I don’t want to encourage you to lose excess weight, get healthier, look better and meet all of your goals. But I doubt you’re going to do it if you’re defining yourself by what you perceive to be your shortcomings. In other words, it’s time to stop defining yourself by negatives (like your excess weight) and start accentuating the positive.
When it comes to helping someone change, wouldn’t you be more likely to do anything to help the person you imagined earlier that you care about? And isn’t it just as likely that you wouldn’t really care to help the person you imagined earlier who you’d like to avoid? So why would you think that you can be down on yourself and still accomplish your goals? By filling your thoughts with shiny, happy ones, you’ll add a little pep to your step and be motivated to initiate the changes you want to see come to fruition this year.
Another example: Think of dogs. Are they more motivated by having their nose rubbed in excrement? Or by getting a loving pat and lots of praise when they do something good? You know the answer.
So yes, I want you to stop rubbing your nose in the ‘excrement’ of past failures – not to mention defining yourself by the same. None of those failed diets, exercise plans or goals matter. They can all be counted on as great lessons about what worked and what didn’t. Today is a new day. A day you can accomplish anything. But only if you think of yourself with love, with acceptance and with the knowledge that you got it goin’ on – even if you’re not at your ideal weight quite yet.
So let’s all give ourselves some mental hugs today, shall we? And let’s start defining ourselves by our positives, rather than our negatives. This mental channel change – and new definition of ourselves – can lead to amazing things (including weight loss, better health and a happier life).
What have you got to lose? Aside from the negative thoughts, that is?
Are you poisoning yourself?
So often, when it comes to dieting and losing weight, we focus on what we put into our mouths. But what about what we’re putting into our minds? Just as manmade substances like Trans Fat can pollute (and, in effect, poison) our system, other manmade elements can potentially poison our thoughts. In fact, I’m convinced that what we populate our psyche with has a direct effect on our lives – not to mention has an effect on our overall goals (be they weight loss related or otherwise).
Faithful readers of this blog know that this is a theme I revisit from time to time. And that’s because I admit to being a ‘work in progress’ myself – and a recurring lesson I seem to be receiving is ‘garbage in, garbage out.’ And this is proving to be as true mentally (when watching, reading or talking about the garbage that pollutes our minds and, therefore, corrupts our positive outlook) as it is physically (when eating garbage that then effects our bodies in negative ways).
This really hit home recently when I caught a new promo spot for ABC Television’s “The Bachelor.” In order to entice their audience to tune into the new season, they “tease” viewers with a contestant who is having a mental breakdown in front of the camera. Now, whether said contestant is ‘putting on an act’ or really in need of some therapy is beside the point. The fact is, the network is promising us a train wreck and tempting us to watch it ‘crash’ before our eyes.
Someone even posted a video on YouTube making fun of this commercial. The poster’s narrative is quite amusing (and telling). (Note that this is not me making the commentary.) Check “The Bachelor” promo out here, if you dare:
How can it be ‘good’ for us to view such garbage? And how can we do so without it affecting the way we live our lives? Even if we’re “just” discussing the outlandishness of the contestants (no matter which show they’re appearing on), by doing so we’re becoming part of the circle of negativity. And this kind of negative judgment and gossip puts us in a sour state of mind that can then affect every other decision we make throughout the day (not to mention affect how we meet, connect with and judge other people we come into contact with).
This is not a new theory. It’s one discussed by several noted self-help authors and spiritual leaders. Yet even as these experts make their point with grace and knowledge, the spate of negative ‘reality’ shows seems to only be increasing – to the point of promoting themselves by promising the mental breakdown of contestants. And like it or not, we are the ones responsible for these shows, because if we weren’t tuning in, they wouldn’t be returning again and again.
So I ask you (and me) to think about the kind of images and media we’re “feeding” our brain. I truly believe that when setting out to accomplish the goals of excess weight loss and a healthier body (or any positive, life changing goal) that ‘poisoning’ our brain can negatively affect the result.
Next time you’re tempted to get down into the garbage (even with the excuse that it only serves as a distraction), think about reading a passage in an uplifting book instead. Or maybe working in the garden (even if your particular ‘garden’ is just a few flower pots around your studio apartment). Or maybe write a letter to yourself that reaffirms your goals and builds up your self-esteem. Or call a friend who needs their spirits lifted. Or volunteer. Or… Well, you get the idea.
Again, I’m right there with you in being tempted by these kinds of poison. But together, we can look toward things that lift us, rather than tempt us to sink to the lower levels of the human condition. After all, ‘What you see is what you’ll be.’
Let’s be better in 2012.
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