Dieting is not for the faint hearted, and it is not easy. If you fail to keep the right perspective during your diet, it is all too easy to give into cravings, to fall off the wagon and simply give up. Before you even think about going on a diet, you're going to need to get your priorities in order and find your perspective.
First, it is important to sit down and list the reasons that you want to lose weight. Put them all down in one column. Now, take a hard look at them and see which ones are directly related to your physical health and which are related to your physical image. Are there any that aren't even related to you, such as how other people perceive you?
Now, split your list up into these three categories, Image, Health and Perception. Cross off everything in the Image and Perception categories and look only at the Health category. The other two are arbitrary and while they may carry some importance, they are not the best reasons for losing weight. It is also too easy to say, "I don't care anymore," and give up your diet when you're focused on the superficial.
However, when you are focused on health goals, it is much easier to keep on track. You can look at the results you get for the other two categories as a bonus, but your main focus needs to be on your health. For example, let's say that one of your health goals is getting your blood pressure down by ten points. As you reach that goal, your physical appearance will change and you will start getting compliments about your weight. Look at this as a nice reminder that while you're focusing on your health, you're also changing your outward appearance, but don't lose that focus.
Now that you have all the reasons why you want to lose weight in that Health category, you can begin to set goals for yourself. Whether you need to lower your blood pressure, or you want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without being winded, focus on these goals and break them down. By setting reasonable goals, you'll find that it is much easier to see real progress.
It's not about being able to fit into that old pair of jeans again. It is about being healthy enough to enjoy life around you. By finding the right perspective, you are no longer doomed to failure. You have the ability to take your future into your hands and work towards your goals that will help you enjoy it.
One word of caution. It is never healthy to set happiness goals for weight loss. For example, "I'll be happy if I can just lose x amount of pounds." Never assign your happiness to a number, you're selling yourself short. This mode of thinking starts a spiral that is hard to stop. Instead, set a happiness goal that centers around something more tangible. "I'll be happy if I can play with my children without feeling tired."
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Originally posted 2008-11-22 22:14:34. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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5 comments ↓
I’m not too sure I agree with you here. The most important reason is definitely health but I think image is also a key motivator for some people.
@Andrew
Whatever it takes to stay motivated… I guess I was thinking, “if my reason was image and I fail what’s the big deal? I have been heavy for a while… But my motivation being to be healthy and live to see my grandchild or perhaps even my greatgrandchild, well then… failure in that case is much more permanent”
Of the 3 topical areas Image, Health, and Perception which one has the worst consequences if you fail.
The bottom line is that everyone needs reasons. The most important thing is to stick to it while overcoming any bumps in the road…
I can see how I might not have been totally clear on this one…
I think having health as your main reason for exercising and eating well is the ideal as I believe it puts you in a more positive mindset (not stressing to reach a certain body weight or look) and on a path that becomes a lifestyle, not a temporary fix off a crash diet. I also think you pay better attention to your body when you are thinking about how to better care for and keep it healthy.
so so so true on the happiness.
I saw that often with my clients.
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