When women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight and health management, we often hear about hurdles like not enough time or knowledge to prepare healthy meals. Or frequent social occasions that involve food. Or hectic schedules, or stress in their lives, or transitions they're currently going through. The list goes on. But if you're like many of us, it's really none of these. Instead, our biggest obstacle is unrealistic expectations.
All the menu planning, exercising, and positive behavior change in the world will not help the woman who has set goals that are impossible to achieve. Unfortunately, too many of us are that woman ? driven, all-or-nothing, compulsive perfectionists. Because of feelings of insecurity or inferiority, we idealize our standards of success and try to mold ourselves into perfect people. The irony is that the worse we feel about ourselves, the more perfectionistic we become and thus set ourselves up for failure.
It's easy to understand intellectually that healthy eating, physical activity and a balanced lifestyle are key to getting and staying fit. The hard part is 'doing it'-- dealing emotionally with the slow, ordinary, day-to-day process called moderation. Unrealistic expectations don't blend well with everyday life. As such, everyday life becomes a failure; each failure undermines confidence in our ability to succeed and creates feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. After a while, it's easy to stop trying.
Often, we identify family and friends as saboteurs to our efforts to take care of ourselves. We're angry when we realize that, rightly so. But how often do we fail to identify the biggest saboteur of all: ourselves. We set the unrealistic expectations that cause failure. On the other hand, realistic expectations promote success. Success builds confidence. Confidence creates a feeling of self-efficacy ? that we can do it. That makes it easier to maintain a high level of commitment and to accept that changing behaviors takes time and is a less than perfect process.
Resolve to start supporting yourself by being moderate. Learn to live, breathe, dream moderation because moderation helps you keep your life in balance which ultimately leads to success. Know that change is a back-and-forth process that is only perfect in its erratic course. Look at mistakes as learning opportunities. Be kind and gentle to yourself.
?2004 Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow, Vermont.
Marsha J. Hudnall, MS, RD, CD is director of health communications and senior nutritionist at Green Mountain at Fox Run, an all-womens weight loss program. For over 32 years, Green Mountain at Fox Run has developed and refined a life-changing weight loss program through lifestyle change, exclusively for women. To learn more about Green Mountain at Fox Run, visit us at: weight loss program
cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareNew studies suggested once again that citric fruits including oranges,... Read More
We have all set them, and we will revisit them... Read More
Not only was I fat, I was in poor health... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
Chant the following each day, several times. They are mantras... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
Much has been written about obesity and globesity. Obesity is... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
Twenty years of health club consulting, 50,000 hours of paid... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
Just about every one of us struggles with our weight... Read More
This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More
Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More
Today's society is about speed. We no longer have to... Read More
I've talked to quite a few fellow gastric bypass patients... Read More
The importance of drinking water is mentioned in almost every... Read More
In a global television commercial just launched (10 June 2005),... Read More
Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More
Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More
An eating disorder is a life threatening condition that often... Read More
Recently, a Japanese study showed dramatic results of organ fat... Read More
Losing fat in my opinion is not all that difficult.... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..Fat Loss Tip #3) Proper Meal FrequencyMeal Frequency (i.e., the... Read More
I am so grateful that you're taking steps to take... Read More
Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach to make it... Read More
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More
Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and... Read More
How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More
If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
Getting started on an exercise program is one thing. Staying... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More
Why Making Small Changes in Your Eating Habits Adds up... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of August... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More
The story broke in the international press on October 4th,... Read More
When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More
If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
Sometime, during the phase of rapid weight loss after gastric... Read More
If you pick the right personal trainer?you'll most definitely see... Read More
I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Weight Loss |