*’Lose 10 pounds in 10 days with our amazing formula!’
’Just take this pill and lose weight while you sleep!’*
I’m sure that you are familiar with sales pitches like these. I am not pleased to say that I have heard them and fallen for them. When I would see and ad on TV telling me how fast I could lose weight with this’amazing’ formula, I couldn’t help but think that maybe this was it. This was the one that would work! Unfortunately, after much money spent, I realized the truth; I was the only one who could do what I needed to do to lose weight. I already had the’amazing’ formula, and I knew it, but I just wanted a quick and easy way to be thin and stay thin.
I would like to share with you some tips that worked for me. When I decided to take weight loss seriously, and make a permanent change in my life, these were some of the things that helped me along the way. These are in no way a’complete’ plan. They are just things that kept me going, and helped in my success. Of course, it is important to get your doctor’s advice, before making any major changes in your diet and it is just good, all purpose advice to go to your doctor, and make sure that you do not have any health problems that need to be addressed.
1.) Get up and move!
I hate to exercise! This was one of the hardest things for me to cope with. I had to get more physical activity in my life, to really make a change in my weight, and how I felt. I used every excuse in the book. I told myself I just didn’t have time. If you think you don’t have enough time, you just have to give something up. I was so meticulous about keeping my house clean. I spent way too much time doing this. All I did was cut that time in half, and used the other half of the time as my scheduled exercise time. If someone told me I had to go to the gym, I would have rather been overweight. I hated the gym! The activity that I chose was walking. After a month, I started walking with weights. Later, I rode my bike. Believe me, if you don’t like exercising, you will find something that you do like you just have to make yourself take that first step. Take a dance class, walk, learn Yoga, whatever it is, just make sure it makes you move! Start slow, and keep records and set realistic goals for yourself.
2.) Eat Smart.
Stop’dieting.’ I stopped forbidding myself of certain foods and just started eating less of them. When I wanted a piece of cake, I had one. But I did not have one everyday. By not depriving myself of the things I craved, I didn’t have to look at eating them, as cheating. I eat small meals, sometimes 5 a day, with foods that are good for me, and I take a multivitamin. Moderation is the key. If you deprive yourself of certain foods, or of things you crave, you set yourself up for failure, like eating the whole cake, instead of one piece! One thing that I also did when I felt like I ate too much, or ate too much of something bad, was to drink a huge container of water. Not only is drinking lots of water essential for your health, I used it as a’cleansing ritual’ so to speak, when I felt like I ate too much, or cheated, I did this to symbolize that it was over, and I was back on track. It really works for me. Drinking water on a regular basis is extremely important. I usually try to drink 8 glasses a day.
3.) Accept yourself!
Reject others standards! Thin or healthy, is only whatever you think it is. Focus on your progress, and your good points and how you feel. I remember looking at my legs in the mirror and thinking of how much I hated how they looked. Now when I look at them, I try to be more positive. Instead of obsessing about how they look, I tell myself’hey, at least they work!’ I can walk, I can run. See they are good! It is so silly to obsess over things like this when there are so many more important and beautiful things in life! As you start to lose weight, your trouble spots might look better to you, but until then, focus on the positive things about them and you. It really does help.
These are just a few things that really helped me. Many also benefit from being in a weight loss or health related support group or being around friends that have similar goals and offer support. I think the most important thing to remember is that we are the only person that has the power to change ourselves. We are the only ones in control of our desires. You have to really want to make a change in order to succeed. No one else can do it for you.
Your’amazing formula’ is within YOU.(And it’s free of charge!)