's Motd Sunday March 2, 2008

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READY, SET...?

Sunday, 02 March 2008

Even after all of these years and all of the education I've thrown at everyone about the importance of eating healthy and exercise, I still get E-mails and letters that sound like this:Dear : Where do I start losing this weight? I really have no idea. I've been trying to lose weight, it seems, for all my life. And I am so unsuccessful, each and every time I've tried. With all of these failures under my belt, I have no idea of how to start and stay on program to reaching my weight-loss goal!When you've been on a lot of diets, a lot of exercise programs and have still not done well, you get a bad taste in your mouth about the whole weight loss thing, I know. And the danger there is that you may also choose to ignore ever trying to lose the weight again, at all.But then one day, you catch your reflection in a mirror or spot yourself as you pass one of those store windows in the mall and you ask yourself, Who was that person I just saw? And once you realize that person you saw was you...you want to start trying to lose the weight again. So let's talk about starting again, shall we?Once the seed of weight loss is replanted in your mind, you must nourish that seed to see it grow. The first thing you have to do, and I know you don't like this, but you have to get on your scale and face the numbers you see. It's time to get an accurate reading on what you weight right now...today. Now, write that number down.

Next, decide the weight at which you would feel most comfortable. Then you want to subtract that number from your present weight and the result will be the number of pounds you need to lose to reach your goal weight.Oh I know, sometimes that number will shock you and, to be honest, I think that's a good thing. That shock will help you become honest about how much you need to lose this weight. But once you get over he shock, the next step is for you to make a plan. And that plan should consist of your developing new, healthy eating patterns and an exercise program that will be palatable for you.When it comes to the food part of your plan, you should write down your favorite healthy foods and go from there. You should also write down those "favorite foods" you ate that caused you to reach the weight you're at right now, too. And those foods will no longer be allowed in your shopping carts or your kitchen so they won't end up on your buns!If you're a soda or diet soda drinker, you must try and give them up or, at least, cut back on the number of them you drink everyday. And I mean way, way back!You also need to write down the exercises that interest you the most. Make a list of the exercise equipment you may alredy have in your house. What exercise videos or DVDs do you own? Decide which of them will be a part of your new dedicated exercise routine. If you can afford it, joining a gym would also be a very good idea for you. Many gyms even give you a personal trainer for a few sessions. With their help, in time, you will learn a lot about the work you need to do to build a better body for yourself. There are emotional issues for you to consider, too. You have to write down why you want and need to lose this weight. Make a list of all the things you can't do now...because of your weight. Don't you want to be able to do them? (Sure ya' do!) And as you lose the weight and are able to do the things again that you once took for granted, check them off. I know, this is a lot of writing for you to do but I want you to plan well and thoroughly. And after you've done all that writing, after you've put your plan together, what do you do next? Well...you start!That means the next meal you eat will be a well-balanced and healthy one. That means you will make time for exercise today. Then you'll do it all over again tomorrow and see? You've started!Before you go to bed each night, you'll take out your plan and look it over. I'm telling you, there's no other way to win this fight than the way I'm giving you right now. And if you flub up by eating too much one day or missing one of your workouts the next, don't panic! Just wipe the slate clean, press the restart button and begin again!One point I want to drive home to all of you is to please, never be afraid to start again. Hey, we all have setbacks, just don't let them set you back too far! Once you have your plan set, remember, you have become the architect of the new you. So follow your plans and start building a new body that you will be oh-so proud of.Ready? Set? Now GO for your goal!Love,