The Secret to Real Weight Loss Is ..........

The secret is that there are no weight loss secrets. There are no shortcuts. There are no quick and easy weight loss diets that will give real and permanent weight loss.

Real and permanent weight loss comes when we eat fewer calories than our bodies use. Period. End of story.

This is actually a very positive concept.  Once we accept this fact as true, then we can cut out the weight loss clutter and just focus on what really works.  We can then set our minds on eating the right  kinds of calories in the right amounts. We can begin to use more calories by exercising and being active.

Permanent weight loss is attained by being consistent in doing what is best for our bodies day after day.

Dealing With Setbacks and Disappointments

Oh yea, that happens. Weight loss is not always linear. Sometimes you get on the scales and you're sure that the scales must be broken, or need a new battery or something. Today was one of those days.  I went to my TOPS meeting and weighed in at two pounds higher! Not fair! I was completely caught off guard. 

Well, what's important here is not the fact that I gained weight. What's important is my reaction and what I do next. Initially I was shocked, but quickly that reaction morphed into resolve. Resolve that will translate into a stronger commitment. 

Additionally, an evaluation is in order. What do I need to be doing better? What do I need to not be doing at all? Hmmm. More thoughts on these questions tomorrow. 

Am I REALLY Committed to My Decision to Lose Weight?

Ok. That's a question with varying degrees of difficulty. There are days where I am on "on the path" and my commitment to losing weight is strong. Nope. You can't get me to eat anything extra on those days.

Then there are other days when an extra slice of bread, a handful of chips, or a small slice of cake are all temptations. Sometimes big temptations. My commitment is weak on those days.

I have thought about why my commitment level varies from day to day and reached one conclusion. Losing focus and allowing my goals and reasons for desiring those weight loss goals to become less clear.

I know. I know. I know that my success in reaching my weight loss goal is completely dependent on doing what is necessary to keep my focus clear on a daily basis. I must consistently have a strong unwavering commitment to becoming lean and healthy!

First Comes the Decision, Next Comes Commitment

Losing weight begins with a decision. Nothing more, nothing less. I have never had significant weight loss without first making a decision to do so. It rarely happens by accident unless other health issues are involved.  However critical making a decision is, it is only the first step.

After the decision is made, making a commitment to staying the course, no matter what, is crucial. If my commitment to my weight loss decision is not strong, then I can (and have been) easily led astray by any and every excuse possible. I'll lose focus on the clarity of my once razor sharp goal and it becomes hazy. In no time at all, I'm no longer on the path toward my weight loss goal. Nope. I'm headed through the field, making a u-turn back to the land of my weight wilderness.

So what about now? How strong is my commitment to my weight loss decision? I'll discuss that in my next post

What Will I Gain By Losing Weight?

What's in it for me? Losing weight is a lot of work. It's hard. It's sometimes slow. Sometimes it's not fun. All true.

However, there are many benefits, many things we gain by being a loser of the extra poundage we carry around. What are some of the things I will gain when I reach my goal?

* I will be able to keep my left knee longer.  I had my right knee replaced about a year and a half ago, and it is doing quite well. However, I would really like to hang on to my left one for as long as possible. My physical therapist told me that every pound I lose takes 4 pounds of pressure of my knees.  That's motivation!

* I will be able to keep up with my young grandson longer. We have a great time together, but I know that when I lose weight, I'll gain the ability to have even more fun with him.

There are many other things I'll gain, and I'll share them from time to time.

Next post : commitment

BTW I went to TOPS today and weight in with a loss of 1.5 pounds!  Yea!!!

Is It Necessary to Have a Why?

Major projects are not easy. They are seldom accomplished in one sitting. They require commitment, and focus. The first and, I think the most essential requirement, is a clear and concise reason for doing the project in the first place. Why do I need to do all this work? Major projects that go from conception to completion have a definite reason, a definite 'why'.

Losing weight is definitely a major project. To take this project all the way to completion, to stay the course, and to not get distracted along the way, requires clear and concise reasons. These reasons, these 'whys' must be strong and compelling because they will be one of the 'tools' that will help keep us moving towards our weight loss goal.

Here are my 'whys':
* my overall health and wellbeing - I know I will feel better and be more productive and active if I lose weight. That will make me a better grandmother.
* my diabetes and other health conditions will stay under control and perhaps go away if I lose weight.
*

Why? What Do I Get Out of All This Work?

One of the things required during the process of losing weight is focus. I can be easily distracted by a bag of chips (I'm only going to eat a handful!), or an extra large bowl of popcorn! Sugar is still a problem for me, but because of my diabetes diagnosis, I seldom eat anything with refined white sugar.

When those moments of distraction come, and I've eaten too much of something, or I've mindlessly eaten a bite here or there while I'm cooking or putting away leftovers after a meal, it's because I've lost focus. My why's and what's have moved out of my tunnel vision, and food has taken its place.

In my next post, I'll write about my why's and what's.