Why is it so hard to lose weight and keep it off? We have all heard that weight loss is just a matter of taking in less calories than we expend. That certainly sounds very logical, but is it really that simple?
For example, I had an intention of only eating fruits and vegetables for a day or two, to counteract the recent 'junk' food I had been enjoying. This was a solid plan that practically guaranteed a decrease in caloric intake. However, a solid plan doesn't always mean an easy execution.
I figured I would be relatively safe making a trip to the health food store. So my guard against high fat foods was down. When I got to the store, my sensibilities were assailed by a well meaning clerk hawking some freshly made corn beef and cabbage. I could hardly resist the temptation. And that wasn't the end of it. Once my armour was breached, the temptation of tasty, 'health oriented' cookie samples fought for my attention.
Once again, I capitulated. My normally strong will power seemed to crumble. And once weakened, it seemed reasonable to just continue. It's like that first drink for the recovering alcoholic.
I am by no means overweight, but once in a while my diet gets out of hand and the fat around my midsection gets a little more sizable than I am comfortable with. Usually, times like these are a great opportunity to get a little detoxification in, so I like to focus on fruits and vegetables for a day or two.
This has the dual effect of decreasing my caloric intake. I was also sticking with the simple plan mentioned above. So where did things go wrong? Did I not have enough discipline? Did I lack willpower, or was it something else?
In retrospect, the problem appears to be a lack of preparation. I failed to use the power of why. Let me explain. When the chips were down, I didn't seem to have enough reason to maintain discipline. Maybe you have had a similar experience? I rationalized with, "oh, a little won't hurt me". The truth is, once you start down that road, it can be hard to turn back.
What would the right preparation be in that case? What is this power of why that I am talking about? A great way to fortify will power with any strategy is to actually write out the reasons why sticking to your plan or achieving your goal is important. It is kind of like stockpiling ammunition. The weaponry, in this case, appears in the form of a list.
With a long list of reasons supporting the plan or the goal, I would have had a lot more reserves to draw on when my front line defenses were being stressed. When the well meaning clerk was pouncing, I should have had a ready list of whys to fall back on. As the clerk was just being nice and sounding really sensible, plus it was a free sample after all, my mind should have responded with my ready made list of why I should not vary from my plan.
That didn't happen because I never made such a list. Whatever you are trying to accomplish in life, there are bound to be obstacles and obstructions that just leap into your path to stop or block you. These are the times that you need your list. The list is your power. No list, no power.
When anyone sits down to plan something or set a goal, they need a list to support them during weak times. The longer the list, the better. Even if one has to carry the list along in one's pocket, it is worth it. A list of about 50 reasons, while hard to create, can pay off in a major way.
Imagine the clerk's surprise, had I pulled out my handy list and read it off for him. My armour would not have been pierced and the clerk would have had to move on to more ready prey or risk having the spear of temptation blunted! No list, no power.
So, how long is your list?
This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to advise on diet or weight loss or on any health matters. If you have or think you have a health issue, including weight or diet issues, consult your primary care physician for proper diagnoses and treatment.
copyright 2005 by David Snape
Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..Do you struggle to maintain or lose weight? If so,... Read More
In general, fast weight loss is not healthy. The faster... Read More
Exercise Physiologists who study the effects of exercise on weight... Read More
If you are looking for a way to lose fifty... Read More
1. Persistence!Violate this step and you'll never achieve permanent results.... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
Gastric bypass patients often find themselves regaining weight soon after... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative... Read More
Fast Weight Loss - Is it better to lose 2lbs... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
Some (not so) Silly Diet Tips and Why They're NotAt... Read More
It's the American Dream: "If I could just lose a... Read More
You won't believe what happened to me today!I was getting... Read More
You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
From personal experience I have myself like all of you... Read More
It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How... Read More
Body temperature is the result of your body generating and... Read More
New studies suggested once again that citric fruits including oranges,... Read More
WOW!! Here we are on lesson #10. Hasn't it been... Read More
What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More
Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably... Read More
There have been many diets and weight loss plans that... Read More
I was at the grocery store the other day, doing... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..There are many factors responsible for abdominal fat like processed... Read More
Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More
Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More
A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More
Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More
Don't get discouraged. I, too, have found myself in this... Read More
At its most basic, dieting is about burning more calories... Read More
Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that... Read More
Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More
While it would be ideal to make all of our... Read More
Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More
I remember back in my senior year of high school... Read More
I would like to introduce you to an incredible new... Read More
You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More
Every Journey Worth Taking Begins with a Single StepHere are... Read More
Chances are if you've stepped foot in a gym or... Read More
Information About Weight Training Routines For BeginnersSo you need to... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
What is low carb?We've all heard about the Atkins diet... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More
To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
As a part of a children's diet and health study,... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
Weight Loss |